Eli M. Oboler Library
Abe Lincoln Lillibridge (1981-1971)
Table of Contents
MC015
Scope and Content
The Lillibridge Collection was received by the Idaho State University Archives in late 1972 as a bequest of A. L. Lillibridge's estate. Professor Lillibridge died July 22, 1971.
The Collection contains approximately four linear feet of material, most of which concerns railroad and local history. There are several drafts of articles on Utah Northern Railroad history and related topics. With few exceptions, maps, blueprints, and individual photographs have been removed from this collection and placed in the appropriate special collections in the Library.
While there are a few earlier items, most of the material dates from about 1930 to 1970. Since the original order of the material was not clear, a new system was devised for the collection. It is sometimes necessary to look under more than one entry to find similar items (e.g. Pocatellans may be found under Pocatello - People, or under Railroads - Pocatello- People). The mass of correspondence is in Box 1; however, a few individual letters have been filed with subject material in other parts of the collection.
Some of Lillibridge's smaller drawings have been filed with this collection. However, one group of 3-4 dozen blueprints, drawings, etc. was excluded from this inventory. This group of items was large, tightly rolled, somewhat brittle, and in need of special preservation measures before they could be generally available for use. Many of these items exist elsewhere in printed form, and are otherwise available to the researcher.
The clippings are for the most part from the Idaho State Journal. A few other newspapers and magazines are represented in the files. Like the rest of the collection, they emphasize railroad and local history.
A.L. Lillibridge-Chronology
| 1887 | Abe's parents moved to Pocatello. |
| 1891 | Abe Lincoln Lillibridge was born in Pocatello, Idaho, October 13th. Son of John A. and Agnes S. Lillibridge. |
| 1907-1911 | Served as an apprentice machinist for the Oregon Short Line Railroad. |
| 1911-1917 | Abe worked as a machinist for the White Knob Copper Co., the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, the Salt Lake City Engineering Works, and the U. S. Smelting & Refining Company. He also worked as shop foreman for the Paul Roberts Machine Works before and after joining the Army. |
| 1917-1919 | Served in World War I, in the 346th Field Artillery, 91st Division. |
| 1919 | Married Ethel Tolson, June 18, at Caldwell, Idaho. He undertook course work at the Idaho Technical Institute. |
| 1920 | Began his career as an instructor at the Idaho Technical Institute. |
| 1930 | Attended the University of California. |
| 1942-1943 | State Shop Supervisor for the National Youth Administration. Also, served as Area Supervisor for war training (Idaho, Colorado, Montana, Utah, & Wyoming), and as Deputy Purchasing Agent for war surplus during the war years. He taught briefly at the University of Denver. |
| 1944 | Returned to active full-time teaching at the University of Idaho Southern Branch. |
| 1952-1955 | Abe directed the building of the ISC Cyclotron. Additional work was done on the machine in the early 1960's. |
| 1962 | He retired as professor emeritus, in May, from Idaho State College after 42 years of service. |
| 1971 | Abe Lillibridge died July 22. In the Fall of 1971, the Lillibridge Engineering Laboratory Building at Idaho State University was named for A.L. Lillibridge. |
Manuscript Collection (MC 015)
Processed by: Gary Domitz
Completed: December, 1985
Collection size: approx. 3.5 linear feet; item count = 1,724
Located: Eli Oboler Library - Archives; Idaho State University
This register is the final product of a grant funded by the Association for the Humanities in Idaho and sponsored by Idaho State University, Eli M. Oboler Library.