Guide to the Jay J. Kalez Papers 1960-1973
Cage 162

Summary Information

Repository
Washington State University Libraries, Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Creator
Kalez, Jay J.
Title
Jay J. Kalez Papers
ID
Cage 162
Date [inclusive]
1960-1973
Extent
4 containers., 1.5 linear feet of shelf space., 200 items.
Language
Collection materials are in English.
Abstract
Typescript drafts, research notes, clippings, correspondence, photos and other sources for his books: Saga of a western town (1972), This town of ours (1973), and Harnessed waters (1976).

Preferred Citation

[Item Description]. Cage 162, Jay J. Kalez Papers. Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.

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Biography/History

Born into a pioneer family in 1895, newspaper man and historical buff Jay J. Kalez has been an ardent student of Spokane history since his youth. He served in the Navy in World War I, graduated from the University of Washington, and later began a career as a newspaperman and freelance writer of mystery, detective, and adventure stories. During the Great Depression Kalez was personnel director for the Spokane district of the Works Progress Administration. In addition, his work required that he become deeply involved with the District Federal Historical records and the Writers and Newspapers Indexing projects. He was also connected with several historical projects sponsored by Washington State University during this period. Familiarity with these historical projects of the Depression years added another dimension to Kalez's dual roles as civil servant and writer. For a time he served on the editorial staff of the Spokesman-Review and the Spokane Daily Chronicle. In 1965 Jay J. Kalez retired from U.S. Corps of Engineers. However, he continued freelance writing and has written many feature stories retelling the unique history of Spokane and eastern Washington from the viewpoint of a native resident.

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Scope and Content

The Jay J. Kalez papers consist of typescript drafts of Kalez's Saga of a Western Town...Spokane (1972), This Town of Ours. . . Spokane (1973), and Harnessed Waters (1976). In addition, there are some research notes, clippings, and correspondence. Many of the chapters which comprise the above works originally appeared over several years as feature articles in Spokane newspapers.

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Arrangement

The papers are arranged in four series. Each folder in series 1, 2, and 4 corresponds to a chapter in the Kalez works cited above. The author's original arrangement has been retained, each folder contains a typescript draft of his story about some personal experience or incident in Spokane history. A newspaper clipping, notes, and correspondence pertinent to each story (a chapter in one of his books) are also contained in each folder. Series 3 contains typescript drafts of speeches and informal talks.

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections  © 2012

http://www.libraries.wsu.edu/masc/

Terrell Library

P.O. Box 645610

Pullman, WA, 99164-5610 USA

509-335-6691

mascref@wsu.edu

Restrictions on Access

This collection is open for research use.

Acquisition Information

The Jay J. Kalez papers were donated to Washington State University Library by Mr. Kalez in August 1975. Additional papers were added in June 1976.

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Related Materials

Related Material

Additional Kalez material may also be found at the University of Oregon (see Catalogue of Manuscripts in the University of Oregon Library, compiled by Martin Schmitt. Eugene: 1971.)

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Names and Subjects

Geographic Name(s)

  • Spokane (Wash.)--History
  • Columbia River--History

Personal Name(s)

Creator(s) :
  • Kalez, Jay J., 1895-1982 --Archives

Subject(s)

  • City and Town Life
  • Pacific Northwest History
  • Washington (State)

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Detailed Description of Collection

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

Series 1: Saga of a western town... Spokane; a collection of factual incidents and anecdotes relating to the pioneer past of the West's most friendly city, Spokane, Washington. Commemorating the centennial anniversary, 1972, by Jay J. Kalez. Graphics and illus. by Ivan D. Munk. Edited by Robert S. Stevens. 1st ed. Spokane, Wash., Lawton Print, [1972], 136 p. illus.  

box-folder

Drafts, clippings, notes, correspondence and other sources pertaining to the articles used by Kalez in compilation of Saga of a Western Town.  

1 / 1-30

Photocopy draft of the Forward to Saga and photocopies of chapters which pre viously appeared as a feature series in the Spokane Daily Chronicle 1963-1970 

1 / 31

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Series 2: This town of ours... Spokane; a chronological anthology of Spokane's historical past from Indian trading post to trading center of an Inland Empire, 1804-1974, by Jay J. Kalez. Graphics and illustrations by Ivan D. Munk; pictures furnished by Cowles Memorial Museum. Spokane, Wash., Lawton Printing, 1973. 136 p. illus., ports.  

box-folder

Drafts, clippings, notes, correspondence and other sources pertaining to the articles used by Kalez in compiling This Town of Ours.  

2 / 32-62

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Series 3: Speeches and informal talks  

box-folder
2 / 63

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Series 4: Harnessed waters: legend of the mighty Columbia, river of the setting sun. A chronological anthology of the mighty Columbia from the days of Lewis and Clark's expedition into the western wilderness to the ever advancing program of the federal government for the full development of the resources of the Columbia and its tributaries, by Jay J. Kalez. Spokane, Lawton Printing, Inc., [1976] First printing.  

box-folder box-folder

Drafts, clippings, notes, correspondence and other sources pertaining to the articles used by Kalez in compilation of Harnessed Waters.  

3 / 1-23 4 / 24-32
box-folder

Additional notes, anecdotes and other materials used in Harnessed Waters.  

4 / 33-61

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