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Carlton A. Wilmore papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSA 293

Scope and Contents

The Carlton A. Wilmore papers document the years that Wilmore spent at Purdue University as a student as well as the years immediately following his move to Alabama.  Many of the loose photos contain notations, some of which were added by Wilmore and others that were added later.  The collection primarily showcases the social activities and friends of Wilmore during his time at Purdue University.  Also included are several pictures of Wilmore’s room and his roommate Roswell J. Powell, who was killed in the Purdue train wreck of 1903.  Later pages in the scrapbook detail Wilmore’s activities once he moved to Alabama after sustaining injuries in the train wreck.  The collection would be useful to researchers interested in student life, material culture, courtship, and entertainment in the early twentieth century, Purdue University history, and the individuals involved in the train wreck of 1903.  Types of materials include: black and white photographs, visiting cards, ticket stubs, dance cards, scrapbooks, ephemera, and printed materials.  The papers have been kept in their original order.

Dates

  • 1902 - 1956
  • Majority of material found within 1902 - 1906

Creator

Language of Materials

Collection material is in English.

Access Information

Collection is open for research.

Copyright and Use Information

Copyright held by Purdue University. Consult with Purdue University Archives and Special Collections prior to reproduction of materials.

Biographical Information

Carlton A. Wilmore came from Winchester, Indiana, and was born in 1884. A member of the class of 1906 at Purdue University, Wilmore was on the 1903 football team. While a part of the team, Wilmore was involved in the tragic train wreck that occurred October 31, 1903 and resulted in the death of 17 players, band members, and fans. Wilmore was seated next to his roommate Roswell Powell who was killed in the accident, and he incurred severe injuries to his legs which left him hospitalized for some time. Sometime after his release from the hospital, Wilmore’s doctor suggested he move to a warmer climate to better facilitate his recovery. Wilmore heeded the advice and moved to Alabama to attend the Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University) where his uncle, John Jenkins Wilmore (a Purdue graduate from the class of 1888) was a professor. Wilmore received his engineering degree from Alabama Polytechnic Institute in 1908, and continued on to do graduate work there the following year. He was a member of Kappa Sigma there and also maintained his interest in football by acting as a manager for the school’s team. While there, he also met and married Annie Averyt of Auburn, with whom he had two children: Margaret Ann and Elizabeth. Later, Wilmore worked as an engineer with Chickasaw Iron Works, Memphis Steel Construction Company, and Nashville Bridge Company before starting his own firm in 1928 (Wilmore, Hudson and Luke Structural Engineers). Wilmore died in 1967 in Birmingham, Alabama and is buried there in the Elmwood Cemetery.

Extent

0.45 Cubic Feet (One letter-size full-width manuscript box, one oversize folder)

Overview

This collection contains photographs and ephemera collected by Carlton A. Wilmore during his time at Purdue, as well as some items from after he moved to Alabama.

Arrangement

Materials in the collection have been kept in their original order.

Acquisition Information

Materials were donated by Margaret Johnstone Hilton, April 4, 2011.

Related Materials

Carlton Adams Wilmore papers, 1893-1963, Auburn University Special Collections and Archives.

Processing Information

Whenever possible, original order of the materials has been retained.  All materials have been housed in polyester sleeves, acid-free folders, and acid-free boxes.  Oversized maps, blueprints, diagrams, certificates, and other printed material [OVS]; photographs; and artifacts have been separated for preservation purposes.
Title
Carlton A. Wilmore papers
Status
Completed
Author
Virginia Pleasant and Keertana Marella
Date
2020-04-22
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English
Edition statement
Second edition. Collection description was first completed 2013-11-05 by Virginia Pleasant.

Revision Statements

  • 2020-04-22: Collection description updated by Keertana Marella

Repository Details

Part of the Purdue University Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
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