WSU Libraries
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Terrell Library
Pullman, WA 99164-5610
http://www.wsulibs.wsu.edu/holland/masc/masc.htm

Photographic prints depicting pioneer life in Okanogan County, Washington, including scenes of work and entertainment. The photographs have been sorted into subject groupings and roughly organized into six series. Series I. People includes individual and group portaits, children, Judge William Compton Brown's animals, athletics, Indians, and horsemen; Series II. Places consists of photographs of the Columbia River and cities in Washington State such as, Conconully, Fort Okanogan, Malott, Okanogan, Omak, and Riverside; Series III. Things includes automobiles, homesteads and ranches, horse-drawn vehicles, houses, and orchards; Series IV. Activities includes scenes of farming, irrigation projects in Okanogan, construction of the Conconully Dam and the Elgin Canyon Road; Series V. Scrapbook includes mounted prints; and Series VI. Oversize consists of photographs of athletic groups.

Frank S. Matsura arrived in the United States from Japan in 1905, settling briefly in Seattle before crossing the Cascades to take a job at the Elliot Hotel in Conconully, Washington, as a handyman. In 1907 he moved to Okanogan, Washington, and opened a photography studio, which he operated until his death from tuberculosis in 1913 at the age of 32. Judge William C. Brown served as administrator of Matsura's effects and gained custody of his photographs. As one of Matsura's closest friends, Judge Brown recognized the historical importance of the photographs in his custody.

Brown, William Compton, 1869-1963 -- Portraits.
Matsura, Frank, d. 1913 -- Portraits.
Okanogan County (Wash.) -- Portraits.
Cityscapes -- Washington (State) -- Okanogan -- 20th century.
Group portraits -- Washington (State) -- 20th century.
Portraits -- Washington (State) -- 20th century.
Progress photographs -- Washington (State) -- 20th century.
Scrapbooks -- Washington (State) -- 20th century.

Photograph collection

PC 35

2 linear feet

The Frank S. Matsura photographs were received by the Washington State University Library in the early 1960s as part of the papers of William Compton Brown (Collection number: Cage 196).

More Information

A detailed guide describing the contents of this collection is available online:

http://www.wsulibs.wsu.edu/Holland/masc/finders/matsura.htm

This collection is open and available to the public for research use. For information about access to collections held in MASC, please consult the MASC website at http://www.wsulibs.wsu.edu/holland/masc/masc.htm, or call 509-335-6691.

Digital collection:
Images from this collection are available in the Frank S. Matsura Image Collection (http://www.wsulibs.wsu.edu/holland/masc/xmatsura.html)

Also in Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections:

William Compton Brown Papers, 1830-1963; Cage 196
http://www.wsulibs.wsu.edu/holland/masc/finders/cg196.htm

Use the MASC website (http://www.wsulibs.wsu.edu/holland/masc/masc.htm) and the WSU Libraries online catalog, Griffin (http://griffin.wsu.edu/search~), to search or browse for other related materials.

Suggested subject search in Griffin: use the subjects listed above for this collection.