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Frank Smith Research Paper

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-1990-006

Scope and Content

This collection contains a typescript photocopy of "The Bridge at Tyrone: a Review of Its Construction," written by railroad artist Frank Smith in 1989. Built in 1889, the bridge at Tyrone--also known as Young's High Bridge and Jo Blackburn Bridge--spans the Kentucky River and served the Louisville Southern Railroad, then later the Southern Railway, and eventually Norfolk Southern, until the line was abandoned in 1985. Smith's essay provides background on the bridge, its construction, history, and legacy, together with the sources that Smith used in compiling information. Accompanying the text are photocopies of images and source material.

Dates

  • 1989

Creator

Language of Materials

The materials in the collection are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open to research.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Biographical Note

Frank Seeley Smith Jr., son of Frank and Edythe Edith Russell Seymour Smith, was born in East Norwalk (Fairfield County), Connecticut on September 29, 1912. The 1920 and 1930 censuses show the Smith family living in Yonkers, New York. In 1935, Frank Smith married Jean Adele Hammond (1912-2004); the couple had at least two children. By 1940, the Smiths were living in Richmond, Virginia, where Frank Smith was employed as a sales clerk for a metals manufacturer. According to his obituary, Smith founded the Louisville chapter of Big Brothers and Sisters and served as a Scouts BSA scoutmaster; he was a member of the Kiwanis Club, Katy Railroad Historical Society (Fort Scott, Kansas), Missouri-Pacific Historical Society, Bluegrass Railroad Museum (Versailles, Kentucky), and the Kentucky Rail Museum. A railroad artist, Smith wrote and illustrated A Katy Look: Over the Shoulder of Frank Smith, devoted to the Missouri-Kansas-Texas (aka "Katy") Railroad. Smith also served for a time as a writer for West Texas Business Magazine. Frank and Jean Hammond Smith divorced in 1979; the following year, he married Claire Justine. Frank S. Smith died in Louisville, Kentucky on April 15, 1998.

Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)

Abstract

Typescript photocopy of Frank Smith's essay, "The Bridge at Tyrone," regarding the construction and history of the railroad bridge at Tyrone, Kentucky, owned by the Louisville Southern Railroad, and later Norfolk Southern.

Source of Acquisition

The Frank Smith Research Paper was donated to Special Collections and University Archives in 1990.

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Frank Smith Research Paper by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).

Processing Information

The processing and description of the Frank Smith Research Paper was completed in 2022.

Title
Frank Smith Research Paper, 1989
Status
Completed
Author
John M. Jackson
Date
2022 (CC0 1.0)
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Revision Statements

  • 2020-09-08: Finding aid notes updated to new department standards. juliags
  • 2021-03-11: LM Rozema added missing notes for an unprocessed collection, added FA title and filing titles, added FA date from EAD, and added component with instances previously attached to collection level.

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech Repository

Contact:
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308