Robert E. Cunningham, photograph collector and Stillwater photographer, chronicled the development of Oklahoma through his historical acquisitions and personal photographs. Cunningham’s collection records Oklahoma’s development from 1883 through the 21st century. The collection contains an extensive assemblage of negatives, photographs, documents and other archival materials. Please also view the Guide to the Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection.
This diverse negative and photographic collection reflects the work of such notable photographers as W. S. Prettyman, Andrew Alexander Forbes, Vince Dillon, G. B. Cornish, I. H. Bonsall, D. S. Mitchell, and C. P. Wickmiller. The largest portion of the collection consists of more than 500 images produced by Stillwater, Oklahoma frontier photographer Henry Madison Wantland. Later Stillwater pharmacist, hunter and amateur photographer Vince Dillon befriended many Native Americans to document life on the plains during the early 1900s. His images record life on the 101 Ranch, Bliss, Oklahoma, and Native American chiefs and tribal life within Oklahoma. Some of the most prolific frontier photographers within the collection are C. P. Wickmiller, D. S. Mitchell, Andrew Alexander Forbes, W. S. Prettyman, and I. H. Bonsall. Seven original Wickmiller prints provide a photographic record of Captain David L. Payne, Captain William L. Couch and the “Boomers” entering and leaving Indian Territory in 1883. I. H. Bonsall, apprentice under Mathew B. Brady, recorded 1860s Civil War portraits, structures and cities. In the 1870s he traveled to Arkansas City, Kansas and photographed Couch and Payne parties before departing for Oklahoma Territory. D. S. Mitchell recorded the 1889 land run and growth of Guthrie, Oklahoma. Of the most famous and widely duplicated historical photographs in the collection are Prettyman’s (1858-1932) and Forbes’ images of the 1893 Cherokee Strip opening. Other Oklahoma historical subjects within his collection document Guthrie, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University (A & M College), Oklahoma homesteading, and oil drilling within the state.
101 Ranch
Miller Brothers’ 101 Ranch road sign, Bliss, Oklahoma, ca. 1910.
Photographer: Vince Dillon.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.0410
101 Ranch buildings, ca. 1910.
Photographer: Vince Dillon.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.0462
101 Ranch Packing House and Tannery, ca. 1910.
Photographer: Vince Dillon.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.0417
101 Ranch store, 1922.
Photographer: Vince Dillon.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.0419
101 Ranch dairy barn, ca. 1910.
Photographer: Vince Dillon.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.0433
“White House” at the 101 Ranch with ostriches, ca. 1910.
Photographer: Vince Dillon.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.0447
101 Ranch. Elephant pulling plow, ca. 1910.
Photographer: Vince Dillon.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.4.133
Joe Miller, eldest of the brothers, who supervised the agricultural operations of the ranch is pictured with an Arabian stallion, “Ben Hur.”
Photographer: Vince Dillon.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.0384
Souvenir Program from 101 Ranch show for the National Editorial Association meeting, June 1905.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
Miller Brothers Wild West Show, ca. 1910.
Photographer: Vince Dillon.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.0537
Animals
Dog, carte de Visite, ca. 1910.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.2.0247
Livestock, Stillwater, Oklahoma, ca. 1912.
Photographer: Henry M. Wantland.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.4.005A
Horse with mane, Stillwater, Oklahoma, ca. 1915.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.4.098
I. H. Bonsall Photograph Studio
I. H. Bonsall photograph studio. Arkansas City, Kansas, ca. 1875.
Photographer: I. H. Bonsall.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.5.034
Guthrie, Oklahoma
Guthrie, Oklahoma Territory, 1889.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.0631
Forming in line to vote for mayor, Guthrie, Oklahoma Territory, 1889.
Photographer: D. S. Mitchell.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.2005
Stage station between Guthrie & Kingfisher, Oklahoma Territory, June 4th, 1889.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.0620
Harrison Avenue, Guthrie, Oklahoma Territory, June 7, 1889.
Photographer: D. S. Mitchell.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.2012
First Delegate Convention of the 4th Ward, Guthrie, Oklahoma Territory, May 31, 1889.
Photographer: D. S. Mitchell.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1996
First school in Guthrie, Oklahoma Territory, June 11, 1889.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.0623
Homesteading
Wantland homestead, south of Stillwater, Oklahoma Territory, ca. 1890s.
Photographer: Henry M. Wantland.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.0681
Frontier home, Oklahoma Territory, ca. 1890s.
Photographer: Henry M. Wantland.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.0680
Human family home, Oklahoma, 1915.
Photographer: Henry M. Wantland.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.4.128
G. W. Clark homestead later Otego, Oklahoma Territory, ca. 1890s.
Photographer: Henry M. Wantland.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.0688
Charles Donart homestead in Couch Park, Stillwater, Oklahoma Territory, ca. 1890s.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.0693
“The A. L. Hackett family could boast of one of the best homes in the Iowa and Sac & Fox country in 1892, one year after it was opened to white settlement.” Oklahoma Territory, 1892.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.0695
Harvest scene, Payne county, Oklahoma, 1918.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.0739
Land Run, 1889
Base camp before the 1889 land run. Boomers at Arkansas City, Kansas, 1889.
Photographer: William S. Prettyman.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1913
Boomers on Kansas state line, April 19th, 1889.
Photographer: William S. Prettyman.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1446
In the groves along Walnut River, Kansas, 1889.
Photographer: William S. Prettyman.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1911
Waiting for land run at Purcell, Oklahoma Territory, 1889. Photographer: William S. Prettyman.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1918
Land run crossing on a railroad bridge, 1889.
Photographer: William S. Prettyman.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.1925
Holding down a town lot in Guthrie, Oklahoma Territory, 1889.
Photographer: D. S. Mitchell.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1961
Troopers guarding Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe trains during land run, 1889.
Photographer: D. S. Mitchell.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1939
Oklahoma Avenue, Guthrie, Oklahoma Territory, May 18, 1889.
Photographer: D. S. Mitchell.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1944
U.S. troops on duty near post office, Guthrie, Oklahoma Territory, 1889. Troops needed for post office delivery.
Photographer: D. S. Mitchell.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1953
Business enterprise, Guthrie, Oklahoma Territory, 1889. Photographer: D. S. Mitchell.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1969
Land Run 1893
Moving down from Kansas to line up for land run of 1893.
Photographer: William S. Prettyman.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1857
Outfitting on north line for 1893 land run.
Photographer: William S. Prettyman.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1862
Boomers preparing for 1893 land run, September 15, 1893, Orlando, Oklahoma Territory.
Photographer: William S. Prettyman.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1860
On the line registering for 1893 land run, September, 11 1893. Photographer: William S. Prettyman.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1853
Boomers camp Kingfisher, Oklahoma Territory, April 15, 1892. Photographer: A. A. Forbes.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1859
North line of 1893 land run.
Photographer: William S. Prettyman.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1865
Jumping railroad right of way and fighting for passes at Perry, October 20, 1893.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1886
Start of 1893 land run.
Photographer: A. A. Forbes.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1872
Hells Acre, Perry, Oklahoma Territory, September 23, 1893.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1876
Hells Half Acre, Perry, Oklahoma Territory, 1893.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1887
Billy McGinty
Billy McGinty & wife, unknown date.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.0047
Billy McGinty, Stillwater, Oklahoma, unknown date.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.0046
Officers row, Troop D, 5th Cavalry, camp near Guthrie, Oklahoma Territory, 1889.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1931
“Camp Guthrie,” Troop D, 5th Cavalry. Captian H. G. Cavenaugh Com’d., 1889.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1933
U. S. Troop D, 5th Cavalry, 1889.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1935
U. S. Troop D, 5th Cavalry, watering horses, 1889.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1936
Fort Sill, 1889.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.0012
Oil
$40,000.00 well, Quay, Oklahoma, ca. 1910s.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1086
Paradise, Oklahoma, ca. 1930s.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1090
Glenn Pool, Oklahoma, ca. 1910s.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1100
Cushing, Oklahoma, 1912.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1103
Oil field, Fairfax, Oklahoma, ca. 1920s.
Photographer: Vince Dillon.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1105
Cimarron River, Cushing oil field, Oklahoma, ca. 1920s.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1107
Moving 15 ton 150 H.P. Engine to Midgo gasoline plant, W. J. Scribner Contractor, ca. 1920s.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1109
Clayton, Oklahoma, ca. 1920s.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1114
In the oil fields, Osage County, Oklahoma, ca. 1920s.
Photographer: Vince Dillon.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1123
Gray City, Oklahoma, ca. 1930s.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1135
Cushing, Oklahoma, ca. 1910s.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1137
Oklahoma State University
Raw prairie site of Oklahoma Agricultural & Mechanical College [OSU] campus, Stillwater, Oklahoma Territory, ca. 1890s.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1325
Oklahoma Agricultural & Mechanical College [OSU] campus, Stillwater, Oklahoma Territory, 1900.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1335
Oklahoma Agricultural & Mechanical College [OSU], Old Central, still under construction, Stillwater, Oklahoma Territory, May 3, 1893.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1329
Oklahoma Agricultural & Mechanical College [OSU], second college building, Engineering building, Stillwater, Oklahoma Territory, ca. 1890s.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1328
Oklahoma Agricultural & Mechanical College [OSU], Old Central, west view, Stillwater, Oklahoma Territory, ca. 1900s.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1338
Oklahoma Agricultural & Mechanical College [OSU], cadets, Stillwater, Oklahoma Territory, 1894.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1413
Oklahoma Agricultural & Mechanical College [OSU], Old Central classroom, Stillwater, Oklahoma, ca. 1910s.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1370
Oklahoma Agricultural & Mechanical College [OSU], class in corn judging taken shortly after first World War I, Stillwater, Oklahoma, ca. 1920s.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1375
Oklahoma Agricultural & Mechanical College [OSU], industrial arts class on brick making, Ed Brewer instructor, Stillwater, Oklahoma Territory, ca. 1900s.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1381
Oklahoma Agricultural & Mechanical College [OSU], dairy class, Stillwater, Oklahoma, ca. 1910s.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1369
Oklahoma Agricultural & Mechanical College [OSU], home economics class, Stillwater, Oklahoma, ca. 1910s.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1376
Oklahoma Agricultural & Mechanical College [OSU], Ed Gallager drilling girls, Stillwater, Oklahoma, 1917.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1412
Oklahoma Agricultural & Mechanical College [OSU], university auditorium opening, Stillwater, Oklahoma, 1912.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1354
Oklahoma Agricultural & Mechanical College [OSU], class of 1914, change of uniform year, Stillwater, Oklahoma, 1914.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1365
Oklahoma Agricultural & Mechanical College [OSU], first draft horses, Stillwater, Oklahoma, ca. 1920s.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1391
Oklahoma Agricultural & Mechanical College [OSU], Lewis stadium, Stillwater, Oklahoma, 1918.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1396
Oklahoma Agricultural & Mechanical College [OSU], first OSU team to beat OU, Stillwater, Oklahoma, ca. 1910s.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1398
Oklahoma Agricultural & Mechanical College [OSU], cheer leaders, Red Larver [Carver?], L. D. Harrison (Father Sup. Crt. Judge), Stillwater, Oklahoma, 1915.
Photographer: unknown.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1403
Oklahoma Agricultural & Mechanical College [OSU], women’s basketball, Stillwater, Oklahoma Territory, ca. 1900s.
Photographer: Henry M. Wantland.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.9.1410
Oklahoma Agricultural & Mechanical College [OSU], A & M Baseball, Ray Colylazia, Stillwater, Oklahoma, ca. 1918.
Photographer: Henry M. Wantland.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.3.0993
Oklahoma Agricultural & Mechanical College [OSU], single portrait of a young man, Voyles, in basketball uniform, Stillwater, Oklahoma, ca. 1916.
Photographer: Henry M. Wantland.
Robert E. Cunningham Oklahoma History Collection
2000.005.3.0125A
