Creator: Hart family

 

Provenance Note: Personal and professional papers created or collected by members of the Hart family were deposited in Special Collections by Harry Dean Hart in 1968.

 

Historical Note: Harry Hart and his brother, John Hart, emigrated to Manitoba, Canada from England in 1882. Two years later they moved to Montana and by 1886 the Hart brothers owned a horse ranch near Big Timber, The Eureka Horse Ranch. In 1909, Harry Hart married Anna Beckwith Smith of Geneva, New York. Anna, or "Nan," was a teacher at the Carnegie School for women and the granddaughter of Hamilton L. Smith, a Yale graduate and professor at Hobart College. Harry and Anna had their first and only child, Harry Robert Hart in 1910. Harry Hart, now the sole owner of the ranch, began to run cattle and extend the ranch holdings. In 1924, the Harts took in their first customers as the Dot Lazy S Dot Dude Ranch (The Dot S Dot). Harry Robert Hart, or "Bob," married in the 1940s. He and his wife, Barbara, had hoped to add to the family's assets further with the purchase of the American Fork Ranch in 1945. This project failed with Bob Hart's accidental death in 1947. Bob and Barbara had three children, Harry Dean Hart, Marjorie and Nancy Lee. With Barbara's help the Harts continued running the Dot S Dot until Anna Hart's death in 1964. Harry Robert Hart died in 1958.

 

Content Description Note: The Hart Family Papers consist of correspondence, diaries, ranch records memorabilia and photographs. Materials have been divided into eight series according to document type. Correspondence contains letters written and received by: Anna Smith Hart's grandparents, Julia and Hamilton L. Smith; Harry and Anna Hart; and their son, Harry Robert Hart. Early letters pertain to Smith and Hart family matters and academic topics. Most of outgoing letters of the mid-twentieth century refer to ranch business. Biographical Materials refers to biographies written by Harry and Anna Hart and marriage and birth certificates. The ranch Diaries kept by the Harts are extensive and recount the daily events of life on their ranch. Journals from Anna's grandfather, Hamilton L. Smith, her mother, Caroline Towler Smith, and Harry Hart's brother, James, are also included in this series. Printed Materials refers to published documents created and collected by the Harts. News clippings have been arranged according to subject and give additional biographical information. This series also contains promotional brochures advertising the Dot S Dot Dude Ranch. School Records, while limited, span nearly a century and a half and contain works from: Hamilton L. and Julia Smith and their educational careers at Yale and Hobart College; Anna Hart and her career at the Carnegie School; and both Harry Robert and Harry Dean Hart. Ranch Records is a broad series which contains legal, financial and operational records from the Eureka and Dot S Dot ranches. Within these records, is a set of Guest List giving a detailed account of who visited and worked for the ranch each season. Memorabilia includes an extensive collection of Dot S Dot Christmas cards which were mailed to clientele as well as others. The series containing photographs is considerable. Containing 966 individually numbered images, the majority of these photos are black and white, and focus on the dude ranching process. Negatives, postcards and slides have also been included in this series. Organized according to subject, the photographs begin with the Smith and Hart families and Dot S Dot photos follow. Photo albums have been placed at the beginning of the series.

 

Series 1: Correspondence, 1835-1965

Correspondence refers to incoming and outgoing letters written or collected by the Hart family. Both sets of letters have been arranged chronologically by decade. The earliest letters were created or collected by Anna Hart's grandparents, Julia and Hamilton L. Smith and include letters from Edwin L. Stanton, son of President Lincoln's secretary of war. Letters from the turn-of-the-century onwards relate to the Hart family in Montana. The Harts befriended and kept in touch with many of their visitors, including author E.B. White. Many of the outgoing and later letters refer to ranch business. The purchase of the American Fork Ranch generated most of the 1940s correspondence.

Box 1
1. Incoming Letters: 1830s
2. Incoming Letters: 1840s
3. Incoming Letters: 1850s
4. Incoming Letters: 1860s
5. Incoming Letters: 1870s
6. Incoming Letters: 1880s
7. Incoming Letters: 1890s
8. Incoming Letters: 1900s
9. Incoming Letters: 1910s
10. Incoming Letters: 1920s
11. Incoming Letters: 1930s
12. Incoming Letters: 1940s
13. Incoming Letters: 1950s
14. Incoming Letters: 1960s
15. Outgoing Letters: 1940s
16. Outgoing Letters: 1950s
17. Outgoing Letters: 1960s

Series 2: Biographical Materials, 1891-1950s

Documents have been separated according to document type and arranged alphabetically. Harry and Anna's autobiographical writings primarily discuss life on the ranch up to the early twentieth century. News clippings regarding the Smith & Hart families and their friends have been arranged in the Printed Materials Series and have been labeled for easy access.

Box 1 (cont.)
18. Genealogy Lists
19. Anna Hart's Family Histories & Accounts
20. Harry Hart's Biography
21. Harry & Anna Hart's Marriage Service and Record Book
22. Harry Robert Hart's Birth & Baptismal Certificates
23. Hobart College's Printed Memorial to Julia Buttles Smith
24. Dot S Dot Ranch History
25. Miscellaneous Writings

Series 3: Diaries, 1867-1964

Diaries have been arranged chronologically. Extended family member's journals are found at the beginning of the series. Harry and Anna Hart kept a daily record of the major events on the ranch. Entries are often brief but give a straightforward accounting. At times difficult to read, a typed copy of many of the diaries follows the originals in Boxes 5, 6, & 7.

Box 2
1. Hamilton L. Smith: Diary, 1867
2. James Hart: Diary & Literary Book, 1900
3. Caroline Towler Smith: Vacation Diary, 1903
4. Ranch Diary, 1912-1914
5. Ranch Diary, 1915-1919
6. Ranch Diary, 1920-1924
7. Ranch Diary, 1925-1929
8. Ranch Diary, 1930
9. Ranch Diary, 1931-1935
Box 3
1. Ranch Diary, 1935
2. Ranch Diary, 1936-1940
3. Ranch Diary, 1941-1944
4. Harry Hart Diary, 1945
5. Harry Hart Diary, 1946
6. Ranch Diary, 1950-1954
7. Anna Hart Diary, 1955
8. Anna Hart Diary, 1955-1957
Box 4
1. Anna Hart Diary, 1958
2. Anna Hart Diary, 1959
3. Anna Hart Diary, 1960
4. Anna Hart Diary, 1961
5. Anna Hart Diary, 1962
Box 5
1. Anna Hart Diary, 1963
2. Anna Hart Diary, 1964
3. Typed Copies of Ranch & Hart Diaries: 1912
4. Typed Copies of Ranch & Hart Diaries: 1913
5. Typed Copies of Ranch & Hart Diaries: 1914
6. Typed Copies of Ranch & Hart Diaries: 1915
7. Typed Copies of Ranch & Hart Diaries: 1916
8. Typed Copies of Ranch & Hart Diaries: 1917
9. Typed Copies of Ranch & Hart Diaries: 1918
10. Typed Copies of Ranch & Hart Diaries: 1920
11. Typed Copies of Ranch & Hart Diaries: 1921
Box 6
1. Typed Copies of Ranch & Hart Diaries: 1922
2. Typed Copies of Ranch & Hart Diaries: 1923
3. Typed Copies of Ranch & Hart Diaries: 1924
4. Typed Copies of Ranch & Hart Diaries: 1925
5. Typed Copies of Ranch & Hart Diaries: 1926
6. Typed Copies of Ranch & Hart Diaries: 1927
7. Typed Copies of Ranch & Hart Diaries: 1928
8. Typed Copies of Ranch & Hart Diaries: 1929
9. Typed Copies of Ranch & Hart Diaries: 1930
10. Typed Copies of Ranch & Hart Diaries: 1931
11. Typed Copies of Ranch & Hart Diaries: 1932
12. Typed Copies of Ranch & Hart Diaries: 1933
13. Typed Copies of Ranch & Hart Diaries: 1934
14. Typed Copies of Ranch & Hart Diaries: 1935
Box 7
1. Typed Copies of Ranch & Hart Diaries: 1941
2. Typed Copies of Ranch & Hart Diaries: 1942
3. Typed Copies of Ranch & Hart Diaries: 1943
4. Typed Copies of Ranch & Hart Diaries: 1944
5. Typed Copies of Ranch & Hart Diaries: 1950
6. Typed Copies of Ranch & Hart Diaries: 1951
7. Typed Copies of Ranch & Hart Diaries: 1952
8. Typed Copies of Ranch & Hart Diaries: 1953
9. Typed Copies of Ranch & Hart Diaries: 1954
10. Typed Copies of Ranch & Hart Diaries: 1955
11. Typed Copies of Ranch & Hart Diaries: 1956
12. Typed Copies of Ranch & Hart Diaries: 1957

Series 4: Printed Materials, 1909-1965

Printed materials refers to published documents created and collected by the Hart family. Newspaper clippings have been separated according to subject and arranged alphabetically. The file of "Promotional Materials" contains printed materials created by the Harts for advertising purposes.

Box 8
1. News clippings Re: Dot S Dot Ranch
2. News clippings Re: Extended Family & Friends
3. News clippings Re: Extended Family & Friends (cont.)
4. News clippings Re: Harry Hart
5. News clippings Re: Anna Smith Hart
6. News clippings Re: Mr. & Mrs. Harry Hart
7. News clippings Re: Robert Hart
8. News clippings Re: Miscellaneous
9. Promotional Materials: Dot S Dot Ranch
10. Pamphlet: "Modern Beef Cattle Breeding & Ranching Methods" (ca. 1946)
11. Dude Rancher Magazine: 1939, 1944, 1950, 1952 & 1958
12. Playground of the Rockies (June/July 1965)

Series 5: School Records, 1835-1960s

School Records have been separated according to creator and have been arranged alphabetically. Early nineteenth century documents were created by Anna Hart's grandparents. The mid-twentieth century records belonged to her grandson.

Box 9
1. Harry Dean Hart: High School Miscellaneous, 1960s
2. Harry Robert Hart: School Certificates and Records, 1920s
3. Anna Smith (Hart): School Book, 1893
4. Anna Smith: Carnegie School Miscellaneous, early 1900s
5. Hamilton L. Smith: Yale College Student Catalogue & Commencement Booklet, 1830s
6. Hamilton L. Smith: Hobart College--Professional Publications, 1880s
7. Hamilton L. Smith: Hobart College Pamphlets
8. Julia Buttles (Smith): Essays, 1835

Series 6: Ranch Records, 1888-1964

Ranch Records is a broad series which contains legal, financial and operational records from the Eureka and Dot S Dot ranches. Legal and financial documents have been separated according to function and have been arranged alphabetically in Box 10. Box 11 contains the general operational records of the ranch. The Guest Lists give a detailed accounting of who visited and worked the ranch each season.

Box 10
1. Check Registers: 1935-1936 & 1941 and Canceled Checks (incomplete)
2. Cattle & Horse Sales
3. General Ledger, 1915-1935
4. Insurance
5. Inventories of Prospective Purchases & 1951 Depreciation Schedule
6. Investments
7. Jarret, Buz: Sheriff's Record of Mileage & Cost, 1944-1948
8. Leases & Deeds
9. Livestock Accounts, 1948 & 1959
10. Mining Claim
11. Mortgage
12. Property Assessment Lists
13. Receipts
14. Record of Brucellosis Test, 1960
15. Taxes (County), 1941-1944 & 1955 & 1963
16. Taxes (Federal): Anna Hart, 1956, 1960-1963
17. Water Issues
18. Wills: Smith & Hart
19. World War II: Thrift Card & Ration Book
Box 11
1. Appointment Book, 1956
2. Christmas Card Lists, 1944-1957
3. Dot S Dot Guests, 1928-1951
4. Dot S Dot Guests (typed copy), 1929-1960
5. Dot S Dot Guest Signature Book, 1953-1964
6. Dude Rancher's Roundup Attendance List, 1943
7. Horse Breeding Record, 1888-1906

Series 7: Memorabilia, 1830s-1950s

Memorabilia refers to materials created and/or collected by the Hart family, and have been separated according to document type and are in alphabetical order. The Harts kept in touch with their visitors annually through their Christmas cards. The Queen's Royal pamphlet shows where Harry and Anna Hart spent their honeymoon.

Box 12
1. American Fork Ranch Christmas Cards, 1950s
2. Dot S Dot Christmas Calendars
3. Dot S Dot Christmas Cards
4. Dot S Dot Christmas Cards (cont.)
5. Drafts of Dot S Dot 1931 Christmas Card
6. Anna Hart: Membership Cards
7. Anna Hart: Memorial Book
8. Harry Hart: Membership, Stock Certificates, & Notes to Nan
9. Harry Dean Hart: Camp and Club Certificates
10. Miscellaneous Memorabilia
11. Pamphlet: Queen's Royal, Niagara, Canada, 1909
12. Miscellaneous Sketches of Dot S Dot
13. Hamilton L. Smith: Miscellaneous Sketches & Writings
14. Hamilton L. Smith: Wallet with Notes & Mementoes
15. Dot S Dot Stationary & Envelopes

Small Box of Memorabilia including: 1- Une Piastre, Vietnam, 3- Un Peso, Columbia, 2- Silver Certificates, U.S.A., 1- Dot S Dot Book Plate, 1- Bishop Choi Book Mark, 2- Small Buttons, 1- Pin, 1- Curtain tie, 1- Pocket Watch

Series 8: Photographs

Family photographs and ranch images pertaining to individual Hart family members, extended Hart family and friends, the operation of the Dot S Dot ranch, ranch guests, ranch promotion and advertising, and scenic views. Photographs are primarily black and white, have been arranged according to broad subject categories and, therefore, some overlap has been unavoidable. Photographs have been individually numbered #1-966. The Photo Albums in Box 13 depict life on the Dot S Dot and were probably used for promotional purposes. Negatives, postcards and slides follow the photographic prints. Negatives which have no corresponding prints are numbered 875 through 966 and have not been arranged according to subject. Negatives which have corresponding prints have been placed in the final folders of Box 17 and bear the same image number as their prints. Postcards are generally black and white photo-postcards. A few show the secondary schools where Anna Smith (Hart) and Hamilton L. Smith taught. Some show friends. Most were produced for the Dot S Dot for business purposes. The slides are color and primarily display the scenery surrounding the Hart's property.

Box 13
1. Family Photo Album, ca. 1909-1920
2. Family Photo Album, ca. 1920-1930
3. Family/Ranch Photo Album, 1931-1935
4. Ranch Photo Album, ca. 1928
5. Ranch Photo Album, ca. 1928
6. Ranch Photo Album, ca. 1930
7. Ranch Photo Album, ca. 1930s
Box 14
1. Photographs: Anna (Nan) Hart, ca. 1890-1961 #1-36
2. Photographs: Barbara Hart & Children, ca. 1940-1963 #37-59
3. Photographs: Harry Hart, 1893-1957 #60-100
4. Photographs: Harry Hart, #101-148
5. Photographs: Harry Dean Hart, ca. 1947-1963 #149-167
6. Photographs: Harry Robert Hart (Bob), ca. 1915-ca. 1945 #168-200
7. Photographs: Harry Robert Hart, #201-232
8. Photographs: James Hart, ca. 1850s #233
9. Photographs: John W. Hart, ca. 1871- ca. 1953 #234-252
10. Photographs: Hart Family, 1908-1955 #253-272
Box 15
1. Photographs: Extended Family & Friends, ca. 1890-1950s #273-307
2. Photographs: Extended Family & Friends, #308-316
3. Photographs: Extended Family & Friends, #317-338
4. Photographs: Horses, ca. 1920s #339-344
5. Photographs: Hamilton L. Smith, ca. 1890 #345-350
6. Photographs: Dot S Dot Ranch, 1907-1960 #351-400
7. Photographs: Dot S Dot Ranch, #401-436
8. Photographs: Dot S Dot, Winter 1949-1950 #437-460
9. Photographs: Dot S Dot, #461-486
10. Photographs: Dot S Dot Guests, 1911-1932 #487-534
11. Photographs: Dot S Dot Guests, 1933-1938 #535-578
12. Photographs: Dot S Dot Guests, 1939-1942 #579-613
13. Photographs: Dot S Dot Guests, 1943-1949 #614-628
Box 16
1. Photographs: Dot S Dot Guests, #629-671
2. Photographs: Dot S Dot Guests, #672-701
3. Photographs: Dot S Dot Promotional Events & Pictures, #702-725
4. Photographs: Dot S Dot Promotional Events & Pictures, #726-755
5. Photographs: Dot S Dot Promotional Events & Pictures, #756-788
6. Photographs: Dot S Dot Publicity Party in Minneapolis, ca. 1940 #789-802
7. Photographs: Silver Tip Ranch, ca. 1945 #803-821
8. Photographs: Valhalla, 1912-1933 #822-832
9. Photographs: Crazy Mountains & Miscellaneous Scenic Pictures, ca. 1930s #833-864
10. Photographs: Unidentified People & Miscellaneous, ca. 1900-1950 #865-874
11. Negatives without prints, #875-897
12. Negatives without prints, #898-915
13. Negatives without prints, #916-935
14. Negatives without prints, #936-956
Box 17
1. Negatives without Prints, #957-966
2. Postcards: Carnegie School & Hobart College, ca. 1900 #1-7;
    Friends, #8-13; Montana Scenic Postcards, 1930s #14-30
3. Postcards: Ranch Promotional Postcards, #31-55
4. Slides: Harry Hart, Ranch, Livestock & Scenery, #1-17
5. Print negatives, #37, 40, 44, 73, 77, 77a, 100, 182, 194, 200, 213, 260, 601, 604, 605, 606, 609, 610, 625
6. Print negatives, #734, 743, 746, 749, 759, 763, 764, 778, 780, 785, 805, 811, 812, 818, 821, 862

Updated: 5/5/09