Historical Photographs of Apache Culture

WALTER J LUBKEN
(1882-1960)

Walter Lubken was the photographer for the US Bureau of Reclamation in the American West at the turn of the 20^th century. In order for the Bureau to assess the impact of irrigation on the desert, he documented construction projects, irrigation projects, local settlements and their people. During the first decade of the century, he photo-documented the construction of the Roosevelt Dam from start to finish.

As part of Lubken’s assignment, he was to document the surrounding environment and its inhabitants. Because the Apache occupied much of this area, many of his photographs include images of the Apache and their lifestyle. From these we can glimpse how they lived and appreciate images from their life in the early 1900s. The images reflect home and hearth, domestic and family activities, economic and subsistence activities.

During Lubken’s time documenting the Roosevelt Dam project, he operated a photo studio in downtown Mesa, Arizona called the Lubken Company Commercial Photographers. There he issued postcards of local subject matter. Lubken utilized large scale format cameras and glass plate negatives for his photography. Enjoy some of his photographs as you continue though the “Apache Way”.

Mesa Historical and Archaeological Society (MHAS)

In the early 1950s Frank and Grace Midvale organized the Mesa Grande Archaeological Society to promote the opening of the Mesa Grande mound. This organization was transformed in 1955 into the Mesa Archaeological and Historical Society.

A major force in the community, the Mesa Archaeological and Historical Society attracted prominent speakers including governors and legislators such as Barry Goldwater. Today, this is the Mesa Historical Society which operates the Mesa Historical Museum. In 1967, MHAS took part in a project with the Mesa Public Schools where a call for photographs was made. Hundreds of photos representing different aspect of Mesa History were submitted, three of which are on display here.