Over 800 historical photographs collected or taken by Kyle Laughlin and donated to the Library in 1985. A Moscow resident and businessman for over 50 years, Laughlin took photographs and notes regarding the natural history of the northwest for much of his life.
Collection Selections:
University of Idaho, 1959 Looking northwest from Administration building on the University of Idaho Moscow campus. |
University of Idaho, Kappa Sigma house, 1959 Kappa Sigma house on the University of Idaho Moscow campus |
Moscow (Idaho), store front, 1959 or 1960 A store front in Moscow Idaho |
Snake River (Idaho and Or.), 1944 Aerial view of Snake River through Hell's Canyon. |
Seven Devils (Idaho), 1944 Aerial view of Seven Devils |
Palouse Falls Palouse Falls; No filter used |
Whitman monument Whitman monument |
Elks golf course Creek at the Elks golf course |
Bill Olson's ranch View of trees east of Bill Olson's ranch |
Palouse Cotton View of ""Palouse Cotton"" |
Trees, 1960 Scenic view of the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. |
Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park, Petroglyphs, 1960 Petroglyphs at Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park near Vantage, Washington. |
Washington State capitol building, 1960 Washington State capitol building located in Olympia, Washington. |
Little Salmon River (Idaho), 1960 Scenic view of the Little Salmon River with snow capped mountains in the background. |
Rock Island Dam on Columbia River (Wash.), 1960 Rock Island Dam on the Columbia River in Chelan County Washington. |
Grand Coulee Dam (Wash.), 1960 Grand Coulee Dam |
Freezeout Saddle (Idaho), 1960 George Woodbury and W.H. Baker by dead tree on Freezeout Saddle in the Clearwater Mountains, Idaho. |
Freezeout Saddle (Idaho), 1960 View of Freezeout Saddle, in the Clearwater Mountains, Idaho. |
Drawings by Robert Hatch (Idaho), 1960 Copy prints a drawing by Robert Hatch of Idaho for book plate |
Lochsa River (Idaho), 1960 Looking up the Lochsa River near Jay Creek not far below Powell Ranger Station |
Lochsa River (Idaho), 1960 Lochsa River |
Salmon River (Idaho), 1960 Looking up Salmon River just below Whitebird |
Moscow (Idaho), 1960 Aerial view of Moscow, Idaho. Eastgate |
Shoshone Falls (Idaho), 1960 Aerial view of Shoshone Falls |
Lewis and Clark canoe at Spalding (Idaho), 1938 Lewis and Clark canoe at Spalding |
Palouse Falls (Wash.), 1940 Palouse Falls |
Salmon River (Idaho), 1935 Salmon River |
Edward Laughlin, 1938 Edward "Dad" Laughlin |
Moscow (Idaho)[?], 1959 Scenic view around Moscow, Idaho[?]. |
Weitas Creek (Idaho), 1959 Man fishing on Weitas Creek. |
North Fork of Clearwater River near Elizabeth Creek (Idaho), 1959 North Fork of Clearwater River near Elizabeth Creek |
Unidentified Lake (Mont.), 1959 Lake on Montana side of the divide |
Bannack (Mont.), Cemetery, 1959 Cemetery at Bannack, Montana |
Bannack (Mont.), Log buildings, 1959 Old log building in Bannack, Montana |
Brushy Creek (Idaho), 1959 Scenic view of Brushy Creek surrounded by a forest in Idaho. |
Clark Fork River (Mont.), 1959 Scenic view of Clarks Fork River between the towns of Alberton and Superior in Montana. |
Clark Fork River (Mont.), 1959 Scenic view of Clark Fork River between the towns of Alberton and Superior in Montana. |
Sand Dunes (Idaho), 1960 View of sand dunes west and north of St. Anthony, Idaho |
Yellow Bells, 1952 Yellow Bells |
Gem (Idaho), Drugstore, 1961 View of a corner drugstore (has Gem in the name). |
Acoma Village (N.M.), 1961 View of Acoma Village in New Mexico. |
Acoma Village (N.M.), 1961 View of Acoma Village in New Mexico. |
Enchanted Mesa, (N.M.), 1961 View of Enchanted Mesa in New Mexico. |
Mongomery (Ala.) Capital, 1961 View of the capital building in Montgomery, Alabama. |
Mississippi River and Missouri River, 1961 Aerial view of the confluence between the Mississippi River and Missouri River. |
Jefferson City (Mo.), Capital building, 1961 View of capital building in Jefferson City, Missouri |
Topeka (Kan.), Capital building, 1961 View of capital building in Topeka, Kansas |
Little Bighorn Battlefield, 1961 View of the cemetery and Custer Battlefield at Little Bighorn in 1961. |
Cheyenne (Wyo.), Captial building, 1961 View of capital building in Cheyenne, Wyoming |
Weston (Or.), River valley, 1961 View of a river valley near Weston, Oregon |
Weston (Or.), River valley, 1961 View of a river valley near Weston, Oregon |
Denver (Colo.), Capital building, 1961 View of the capital building in Denver, Colorado. |
Denver (Colo.), Capital building, 1961 View of the capital building in Denver, Colorado. |
Lewiston (Idaho), Parade, 1961 View of the Lewiston Centennial parade in 1961. |
Unidentified river (Idaho), 1961 View of an unidentifed river in Idaho. |
Lewiston (Idaho), Parade, 1961 View of the Lewiston Centennial parade in 1961. |
Lewiston (Idaho), Parade, 1961 View of the Lewiston Centennial parade in 1961. |
Lewiston (Idaho), Parade, 1961 View of the Lewiston Centennial parade in 1961. |
Lewiston (Idaho), Parade, 1961 View of the Lewiston Centennial parade in 1961. |
Lewiston (Idaho), Parade, 1961 View of the Lewiston Centennial parade in 1961. |
Snake River (Wash.), 1961 Looking up the Snake River across the mouth of the Palouse River |
Palouse Falls (Wash.), 1961 Distant view of the Palouse Falls. |
Palouse Falls (Wash.), 1961 Near the Palouse Falls. |
Steptoe Butte (Wash.), 1952 View of the Palouse and Steptoe Butte |
Moscow (Idaho) from Paradise Ridge View of Moscow from Paradise Ridge, looking southwest from ridge between Blaine and U.S. Hwy 98 |
Moscow (Idaho) from Paradise Ridge View of Moscow from Paradise Ridge, looking southwest from ridge between Blaine and U.S. Hwy 98 |
Houseplant (Amarilis?) View of a houseplant (Amarilis?) |
Smokey (the dog) Smokey (the dog) |
Grass Widow, 1952 View of Grass Widow |
Tomer's Butte, 1952 View of Tomer's Butte |
Moscow (Idaho) from Tomer's Butte, 1952 View of Moscow from Tomer's Butte |
Dog-Tooth Violet, 1952 View of Dog-Tooth Violet |
Moscow Mountain (Idaho), 1952 View of Moscow Mountain |
Lapwai Creek (Idaho), 1952 Lapwai Creek |
Spalding (Idaho), 1952 Spalding Bridge across the Clearwater River |
Pink Phlox, 1952 View of Pink Phlox |
Clearwater at Cherry Lane, 1952 View of the Clearwater at Cherry Lane |
Clearwater River, 1952 View of the mouth of the Clearwater River at the confluence with the Snake River |
"Dad" Ward holding John and Helen Laughlin Dad Ward, John and Helen Laughlin |
Kyle Laughlin, 1938 Portrait of Kyle Laughlin. |
Bird at game farm, 1938 Game Farm |
Kay, Helen and John Laughlin, 1940 Picture of Kay, Helen and John Laughlin |
Kay Laughlin at Christmas, 1937 Picture of Kay Laughlin and a dog next to a christmas tree |
University of Idaho, Administration Building Administration Building. University of Idaho |
University of Idaho, Administration Building Administration Building. Labeled "A frosty morn". University of Idaho |
217 North Polk Street House on 217 North Polk Street. Moscow, Idaho |
Kyle Laughlin and family Kyle Laughlin and family |
Wheat in shock at the Kennard place Wheat in shock at the Kennard place |
Cat Cat |
Colter Creek Colter Creek |
Harvest at Floyd Trail's Harvest at Floyd Trail's |
Fishing Fishing |
Harvest scene with wagon Images shows harvest scene with hay stacks with horses and wagons. |
Camera Store, 110 East 5th Street Image shows Kyle Laughlin working inside 110 East 5th Street, Moscow, Idaho. |
Palouse region, wheat fields Threshing and wheat in shocks in the Palouse region of Idaho. |
Lawyer Creek (Idaho) Image shows wilderness around Lawyer Creek, Idaho. |
Columbine flower Image shows the Columbine flower. |
Kamiah (Idaho) Image show the landscape surrounding Kamiah, Idaho. |
John Beckwith Portrait of John Beckwith in uniform. |
Saint Joe River (Idaho), 1946 Image shows the St. Joe River and surrounding hills. |
Idaho Governor William McConnell , 1954 Image is of Idaho Governor William McConnell. |
Seven Devils (Idaho) Image show fence, trees and one of the peaks at Seven Devils. |
Palouse region, grain elevators, 1947 Image shows grain elevators in the Palouse region. |
Joseph Plains (Idaho), 1938 Image shows trees and mountains in the Joseph Plains region of Idaho. |
Joseph Plains (Idaho), 1938 Image shows an unidentified river winding through a canyon in the Joseph Plains of Idaho. |
Salmon River (Idaho), 1938 Image shows the Salmon River winding through a canyon. |
Unidentified town on a river Image shows an unidentified town on a river. |
County Courthouse Power, 1967 Image of the Power County Courthouse in American Falls, Idaho. |
County Courthouse Minidoka, 1967 Image of the Minidoka County Courthouse in Rupert, Idaho. |
County Courthouse Lincoln, 1967 Image of the Lincoln County Courthouse in Shoshone, Idaho. |
County Courthouse Payette, 1967 Image of the Payette County Courthouse in Payette, Idaho. |
County Courthouse Adams, 1967 Image of the Adams County Courthouse in Council, Idaho. |
County Courthouse Camas, 1967 Image of the Camas County Courthouse in Fairfield, Idaho. |
County Courthouse Blaine, 1967 Image of the Blaine County Courthouse in Hailey, Idaho. |
County Courthouse Lemhi, 1967 Image of the Lemhi County Courthouse in Salmon, Idaho. |
County Courthouse Custer, 1967 Image of the Custer County Courthouse in Challis, Idaho. |
County Courthousem Teton, 1967 Image of the Teton County Courthouse in Driggs, Idaho. |
County Courthouse Nez Perce, 1967 Image of the Nez Perce County Courthouse in Lewiston, Idaho. |
County Courthouse Clearwater, 1967 Image of the Clearwater County Courthouse in Orofino, Idaho. |
County Courthouse Oneida, 1967 Image of the Oneida County Courthouse in Malad City, Idaho. |
County Courthouse Washington, 1967 Image of the Washington County Courthouse in Weiser, Idaho. |
County Courthouse Latah, 1967 Image of the Latah County Courthouse in Moscow, Idaho. |
County Courthouse Kootenai, 1967 Image of the Kootenai County Courthouse in Coeur D' Alene, Idaho. |
County Courthouse Idaho, 1967 Image of the Idaho County Courthouse in Grangeville, Idaho. |
County Courthouse Fremont, 1967 Image of the Fremont County Courthouse in St Anthony, Idaho. |
County Courthouse Caribou, 1967 Image of the Caribou County Courthouse in Soda Springs, Idaho. |
County Courthouse Franklin, 1967 Image of the Franklin County Courthouse in Preston, Idaho. |
County Courthouse Benewah, 1967 Image of the Benewah County Courthouse in St Maries, Idaho. |
County Courthouse Lewis, 1967 Image of the Lewis County Courthouse in Nezperce, Idaho. |
County Courthouse Twin Falls, 1967 Image of the Twin Falls County Courthouse in Twin Falls, Idaho. |
County Courthouse Bonner, 1967 Image of the Bonner County Courthouse in Sandpoint, Idaho. |
County Courthouse Elmore, 1967 Image of the Elmore County Courthouse in Mountain Home, Idaho. |
County Courthouse Owyhee, 1967 Image of the Owyhee County Courthouse in Homedale, Idaho. |
County Courthouse Jerome, 1967 Image of the Jerome County Courthouse in Jerome, Idaho. |
County Courthouse Clark and Dubois Mercantile Company, 1967 Image of the Clark County Courthouse and Dubois Mercantile Company in Dubois, Idaho. |
County Courthouse Cassia, 1967 Image of the Cassia County Courthouse in Burley, Idaho. |
County Courthouse Butte, 1967 Image of the Butte County Courthouse in Arco, Idaho. |
County Courthouse Bonneville, 1967 Image of the Bonneville County Courthouse in Idaho Falls, Idaho. |
County Courthouse Bingham, 1967 Image of the Bingham County Courthouse in Blackfoot, Idaho. |
County Courthouse Bear Lake, 1967 Image of the Bear Lake County Courthouse in Paris, Idaho. |
County Courthouse Ada, 1967 Image of the Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho. |
County Courthouse Bannock, 1967 Image of the Bannock County Courthouse in Pocatello, Idaho. |
Capitol building in Boise (Idaho) Image of Idaho Capitol building in Boise, Idaho. |
Unidentified people and scenes Image of unidentified creek. |
Unidentified cabin and scenes Image of unidentified mountains. |
Unidentified falls and scenes Image of unidentified water fall. |
University of Idaho, 1960 University of Idaho campus |
University of Idaho, 1960 University of Idaho campus |
About Laughlin and the Collection
Laughlin Legacy
About the Map and Timeline
questions?
Contact Devin:
dbecker@uidaho.edu
(208) 885-7040
About the Collection
The Kyle Laughlin photographs were donated to University of Idaho Library Special Collections in February of 1985 by Marguerite Laughlin. It was processed and described in 1998 and 1999 by Karen Hertel.
Biography of Kyle Laughlin
Kyle Laughlin (1905-1984) was a Moscow, Idaho resident and businessman for 56 years. He was born May 24, 1905 to Edward and Eva Laughlin in Ozark, Missouri. When Laughlin was about seven, the family moved to southeast Idaho where Kyle graduated from Ashton High School. He attended the University of Idaho and graduated in 1931 with a degree in teaching. In 1933, Kyle Laughlin married Marguerite Ward in Moscow. Marguerite was also a UI graduate and teacher. The newlyweds lived in Malad for two years where Kyle taught chemistry and physics before returning to Moscow in 1935 where they started in business. A ski shop within Ward Paint and Hardware, owned by Marguerite's father, gave way to a photo studio known as Kyle's Photo Shop. Here, Laughlin was able to turn his life-long interest in photography into a business.
In 1954, a partnership with Sam Haddock resulted in Haddock and Laughlin, a photography, television, appliance, and stereo shop. This business later started the Moscow TvCable Company. Laughlin was also involved in residential development. In the 1940's he became codeveloper of the B.L. residential area and later helped develop the Eastgate area in southeast Moscow. The Laughlins were dedicated supporters of both the Latah County Public Library and the University of Idaho Library. In December 1979, Warren Owens, the Dean of Instructional Services and Director of Libraries, reported that the University Library received "one of the most significant and impressive gifts in history," Laughlin's personal library of Western Americana.
Laughlin continued to take photographs after he closed his photo business. He documented his interest in the natural history of the Northwest and wildflowers through photographs and notes on his readings and travels. He also recorded, through photography, the family history of Marguerite and his three children at home and on their travels. Shortly after her husband's death in 1984, Marguerite Laughlin donated his photography collection, along with his notes, to the University of Idaho Library.
Scope and Content
The images of the Kyle Laughlin photographic collection span the years 1931 to 1979. The collection contains images of Idaho scenery and historical sites, travel to other states and countries, and family and friends. The collection holds 10,349 primarily black and white negatives and 3,819 color slides. The collection contains 22 boxes of mounted and unmounted prints as well as 34 spiral-bound books of prints. The majority of the negatives are represented in 27 spiral-bound books of contact sheets. Also included in the collection are the notes of Kyle Laughlin in the form of a scrapbook, a journal of notes, four sets of index cards, a photo record, and two catalogues. In addition there are 21 reels of 16mm and 8mm motion picture films.
