ABSTRACT: The collection contains photographs, film negatives, glass plate negatives, and print plates of the Argo-Keiser family and river related subjects. Also included in the collection are a number of documents related to the Argo-Keiser family.
SCOPE: The collection consists of of photographs, film negatives, glass plate negatives, print plates, and related documents of the Argo-Keiser family from the period 1880-1985. There are two series in the collection; Photographs and Related Documents. These series are divided into sixteen folders.
EXTENT: One record box (1 linear foot)
HISTORY: Captain Elias (Ike) Lambert Argo was a steamboat captain from Ironton, Ohio who worked primarily on the upper Ohio and was associated with such lines as the Bay Line and the Greene Line. His daughter, Irene Estelle Argo Keiser (1883-1972) moved from Ironton, Ohio to St. Louis with her husband Frank Keiser in 1911. Mrs. Keiser and her husband ran the Tavern Hotel, a motor hotel located in the West End neighborhood. Mrs. Keiser was an active member of the Sons and Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen until her death.
ACCESS: This is collection P-032. This collection is available for on-site use only in the Rare Book and Manuscripts Reading Room. Some of the collection may be photocopied, digitally scanned or photographed, depending on condition. Researchers are advised to call ahead concerning changes in hours due to University intersessions and holidays. The St. Louis Mercantile Library is located on levels one and two of the Thomas Jefferson Library building. More information about conducting research with the archival collections of the Library, including current building hours and reading room policies, can be found on our Research page.
A finding aid has been made available for download below as a PDF or RTF file.
Preferred Citation note: The preferred citation for this collection is "From the Collections of the St. Louis Mercantile Library at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.”
Argo-Keiser Family Collection Finding Aid (.pdf)
Argo-Keiser Family Collection Finding Aid (.rtf)
