Skip to main content

Broaddus, J. E. (John Eugene), 1882-1954

 Person

Biographical History

J. E. Broaddus (1882-1954) was a Utah optometrist, photographer, and national parks enthusiast.

John Eugene Broaddus was born January 17, 1882 in Plano, Illinois to Henry Arthur Broaddus and Viola Hail Broaddus. He moved to Salt Lake City, Utah in 1900 where he apprenticed himself to the Columbia Optical Company. He learned to make glass lenses and then became one of the leading optometrists in Utah. He married Clara Louise Deighton in 1906 and they had one daughter, Viola Louise.

Sometime before 1916, he was introduced to both the natural wonders in Utah and photography. He helped to publicize many of these landscapes and campaign for them to secure national park and national monument status, including Bryce Canyon, Zion, Capitol Reef, and the future Dinosaur National Monument. He took photographs and created brochures for these and other sites to publicize them.

He died in Salt Lake City on April 16, 1954.

Citation:
UPB files, Oct. 31 2014, (born January 17, 1882 in Plano, Illinois to Henry Arthur Broaddus and Viola Hail Broaddus; moved to Salt Lake City, Utah in 1900; apprenticed himself to the Columbia Optical Company; learned to make glass lenses and then became one of the leading optometrists in Utah; married Clara Louise Deighton in 1906; they had one daughter, Viola Louise; sometime before 1916, he was introduced to both the natural wonders in Utah and photography; helped to publicize many of these landscapes and campaign for them to secure national park and national monument status, including Bryce Canyon, Zion, Capitol Reef, and the future Dinosaur National Monument; took photographs and created brochures for these and other sites to publicize them.) He died in Salt Lake City on April 16, 1954.

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

J. E. Broaddus collection of newspapers, 1934-1970

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 8608 Series 2 Sub-Series Sub-series 2
Scope and Contents

Materials include various newspaper clippings. These include two articles on the Echo Park Dam Project and J. E. Broaddus. The other two items are multiple-page newspapers. The front page of one features an article on the end of the Apollo 13 mission, while the front page of the other geatures an article about the old houses in Salt Lake City, Utah. Materials dated 1934-1970.

Dates: 1934-1970
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 8608, J. E. Broaddus papers / J. E. Broaddus research

Filtered By

  • Subject: Echo Park Dam (Colo.) X

Staff Interface | Send Feedback or Report a Problem

More information about Special Collections including Hours, Services, Events, and Exhibits can be found at lib.byu.edu/special-collections.

The BYU Library aims to create descriptions of collections that are inclusive and support an “environment of belonging.” If you encounter language in finding aids, catalog records, or collection descriptions that you find offensive or believe to be harmful, we invite your feedback at librarydescription@byu.edu.