Wayne E. Stewart's Photos
of the Utah School for the Deaf
& the Utah Deaf Community
of the Utah School for the Deaf
& the Utah Deaf Community
Compiled & Written by Jodi Christel Becker
Published in 2014
Updated in 2025
Published in 2014
Updated in 2025
Author's Note
Wayne Stewart, a Deaf photographer
I would like to express my gratitude to Keith E. Stewart, a proud graduate of the Utah School for the Deaf, class of 1958, for his wonderful work in scanning and identifying the photos featured on this website. These delightful snapshots were taken by his father, Wayne Stewart, who graduated in 1930 and had a true passion for photography. He beautifully captured memories of the school, the local church, and the amazing friends he cherished.
I invite you to explore these incredible and authentic photographs of the students who attended the Utah School for the Deaf, including Wayne himself, as well as others who were part of the vibrant Utah Deaf community. I have chosen to share these images in their original, unaltered form to honor their historical significance. These photos are not just pieces of history; they hold a special connection for me as well. I have a fondness for styles from the 1920s to the 1940s, and I am excited to share Wayne's beautiful work with you! I truly hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
Enjoy!
Jodi Christel Becker
I invite you to explore these incredible and authentic photographs of the students who attended the Utah School for the Deaf, including Wayne himself, as well as others who were part of the vibrant Utah Deaf community. I have chosen to share these images in their original, unaltered form to honor their historical significance. These photos are not just pieces of history; they hold a special connection for me as well. I have a fondness for styles from the 1920s to the 1940s, and I am excited to share Wayne's beautiful work with you! I truly hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
Enjoy!
Jodi Christel Becker
Wayne E. Stewart
Keith Elsmore Stewart
Wayne E. Stewart's Photos
Students at the Utah School for the Deaf: Between 1914 and 1919. Top L-R: George Laramie, Frank Fuller, _____, Lee Hunter. 2nd Row: ___________, ________, ____________. Bottom L-R: __________, ________, Wayne Stewart
Wayne E. Stewart is in the 2nd-row center, 3rd from the left. He was about ten years old. The picture was taken at the Utah School for the Deaf between 1918 and 1919
The event took place in 1922–1923 at the Ogden Branch for the Deaf of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Ogden, Utah. Wayne Stewart, age 12 or 13, was sitting on a stone bench in front of President Max W. Woodbury
The students dressed as clowns at the Utah School for the Deaf in 1925.
Top: Wayne Stewart, 14–15 years old. In the second row, from left to right, are Virgil Greenwood, Lee Hunter, Alton Fisher, Oliver Woodward, ________, (whose face was obscured by flapping), and Waldron Robinson. 3rd row L-R: Kenneth Burdett, Joseph Burnett, and Rodney Walker. Bottom L-R: Arvel Christemsen, ____, Verl Thorup, and John (Jack) White. Keith stated that his father, Wayne, was petite and very lightweight, and the boys easily lifted him to the top
Wayne Stewart stood proudly on top of the snow. Behind him was the old gym building of the Utah School for the Deaf, in the 1930s
Students at the Utah School for the Deaf shoveled the snow. Wayne Stewart is positioned on the third left bottom row in the 1930s
Students of the Utah School for the Deaf Basketball Team in 1926. L-R: Joseph Burnett, Verl Throup, Virgil Greenwood, Alton Fisher, John (Jack) White, Earl Smith, Arvel Christensen, William Woodward, and Wayne Stewart
Students at the Utah School for the Deaf on May 20, 1927. An old truck with piles of students is parked behind the Annex Building and a fire escape cylinder. Seated on the bumper is Wayne Stewart. Standing to his right is Cyrus Freston. Kenneth Burdett is standing tall above the cab of the truck. The first two standing nearest in the bed of the truck are Joseph Burnett (left) and Verl Throup (right)
Students at the Utah School for the Deaf in the late 1920s. L-R) Joe Brandenburg, young boy, Verl Thorup, William Wesley Perry, Joseph Burnett, William (Willie) Enoch Woodward, Wayne Stewart, John (Jack) White, and ____ standing in front of the Annex Building. A young boy standing in front of Joe is unknown
The students at the Utah School for the Deaf in 1928. Keith E. Stewart stated that the students were attempting to make themselves appear humorous. John (Jack) White rests his hand on his father, Wayne E. Stewart's head
Students at the Utah School for the Deaf, 1928-1930. Back L-R: Wayne Stewart, William Woodward, Alton Fisher, John (Jack) White, Joseph Burnett, possible Leon Edwards, Arvel Christensen, Virgil Greenwood, ____ Front L-R: J. Sherwood Messerly, Rodney Walker, Melvin Penman, Wesley Perry, Verl Throup, _____
Students at the Utah School for the Deaf between 1928 and 1929. L-R: Wayne Stewart, Alton Fisher, possibly Verl Throup, Earl Smith, and ___. The old gym is behind them, and next to it is the maintenance care building
The play at the Utah School for the Deaf on May 31 and June 1–3, 1928. 1st Row L-R: Wayne Stewart, Lillian Fowkes, and Edna Freston. 2nd Row L-R: Virgil Greenwood, Helen Wood, Kenneth Burdett, Lucy Billeter, Kate Billeter, Carlos Seegmiller, and Frank Fullmer. Third Row L-R: Arvel Christensen, Paul Mark, Max Woodbury, John (Jack) White, Dellan Harper, and Jennie Holton
The Utah Association of the Deaf Convention on May 30, 1929, in front of the Main Building of the Utah School for the Deaf in Ogden, Utah
The Utah School for the Deaf Basketball Team in 1930. L-R: Coach____, Verl Throup, Joseph Burnett, Virgil Greenwood, Arvel, Christensen, Max Woodbury, Coach. Front L-R: Alton Fisher, John (Jack) White, Wayne Stewart, Earl Smith, William Woodward
In 1929–1930, at the Utah School for the Deaf. Left Top L-R: Joseph Burnett, Alton Fisher, Wesley Perry, Rodney Walker, ____, Earl Smith, and Verl Thorup. Front Row L-R: Wayne Stewart, John "Jack" White with a crutch, Arvel Christensen, Virgil Greenwood, Willie Woodward, and Joe Brandberg
In 1929–1930, at the Utah School for the Deaf. Standing on the vintage vehicle are, from left to right, Earl Smith and Joseph Burnett. Sitting on the snow slide are, from left to right: Alton Fisher, Verl Thorup, Empire Nelson, Wayne Stewart, Willie Woodward, and Wesley Perry
The Utah Association of the Deaf Convention in front of Driggs Hall, the girls' dorm at the Utah School for the Deaf in 1931
The students at the Utah School for the Deaf between 1933 and 1936. Front Row L-R: Robert G. Sanderson, _____, Frank Orlando, _______ Back Row L-R: _____, Lloyd Jones, _____, and Oliver I. Langworthy
Wayne Stewart skiing in 1929–1930
A Utah Deaf social gathering. In the late 1930s, women in dresses and men in hats with small neckties stood in front of the Model Ford. Back, L-R: Verl Throup, John (Jack) White, and Charles Fowkes. Front L-R: Vida (Fowkes) White, Evangeline Archabal, ________, and Lillian (Fowkes) Freston
Vintage cars were on a paved road behind the mountain between Bountiful and Centerville, Utah, in late 1935. L-R: Ray Wenger, Kate Billeter, Joe Brandenburg, Arthur Wenger, Fern Brandenburg, John Steele, Georgie Mae Stewart, and Wayne Stewart
Wayne E. Stewart and his wife, Georgie Mae Stewart, sit on their 1929 Model T Ford in between 1934 and 1935
The Utah Deaf social group gathered for swimming at Saltair, the most renowned resort in Great Salt Lake in the 1930s
In the 1930s. A Utah Deaf social gathering took place at Saltair, the most renowned resort in Great Salt Lake. L-R: Wayne Stewart, Georgie Stewart, ________, Vida White, and John (Jack) White. Jack jokingly drank a keg of beer
In the 1930s, a Utah Deaf social gathering took place at Saltair, the most renowned resort in Great Salt Lake. Front Row L-R: Fern (Player) Brandberg, Joe Brandberg, Charles Fowkes' wife, Dorothy Fisher, Georgie Stewart, and Wayne Stewart. Back Row: L-R: Jack White, Verl Thorup, George Laramie, and ____
A Utah Deaf social gathering in the 1930s. Men in hats with small neckties and women in dresses stand in front of the Model Ford. Back L-R: Verl Throup, John (Jack) White, and Charles Fowkes. Front L-R: Vida (Fowkes) White, Evangeline Archabal, ________, Lillian (Fowkes) Freston
A Utah Deaf social gathering in the 1930s. First Row L-R: Emily C. Miller, Afton Curtis, Evangeline Archabal, and Wayne Stewart. Second Row L-R: Verl Throup and Joseph Burnett
In the canyon of Utah, a group of Deaf friends gathered around 1932 to 1935. From left to right: John "Jack" White, Empire Nelson, Elsie Christensen, and Wayne Stewart
John "Jack" White, Fern Player, and Wayne Stewart in 1938
Georgie Mae, John "Jack" White, and Fern Player in 1938
The Utah Deaf social gathering took place between 1942 and 1943. 1st Row L-R: Melvin Penman, Kate Keeley, Jolene Keeley (daughter of Alfred & Jessie Keeley), Gladys (Burnham) Wenger (Hart Wenger's wife), Margaret Lazenby, Naomi (Wright) Olsen, and Kenneth Olsen. 2nd Row L-R: John (Jack) White, Verl Throup, George Laramie, Wayne Stewart, and Joe Brandenberg. 3rd Row L-R: Jessie Agnes Busby (Allred Keeley's wife), Catherine Jones (Grant Morgan's wife), Ivy Griggs (Fred Low's wife), Lucy Billeter, Dorothy Moshier Fisher (Alton's former wife), Selma (Kreipl) Worsley (Robert's wife), Ellen Lusk, Pearl Wright (Elgin Jacobsen's wife), and Walter Kirk
A Christmas party was held on the balcony of the old gym at the Utah School for the Deaf in the 1940s, in Ogden, Utah
A Utah Deaf social gathering took place in the Canyon, Utah, in the early 1940s
The Salt Lake City Division No. 56 of the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf went on an outing to one of the parks around 1947–1948. The picture captured Keith E. Stewart at the age of 10. See the photo of him sitting in the front, with his hand shielding his eyes from the bright sunlight. Back Row: L-R: ____, _____, ____, John Glassett, Frank Stone, Philip Thornton, Carolina Thornton, a lady, a man with a child, and Verl Thorup, a woman and a child. _____, Cleo Thorup, Don Jacobs, _____. Left 2nd row: Marie Stone, Georgia Walker, ____, Geraldine Shepherd? ____, Vida White, child? Helen Thurston, Ross Thurston, Ethel Kirk, ____, Georgie Stewart with Darlene, three boys, Eyre, Don Jacobs's wife, lady—with a child, Walter Kirk, child? Man____, Lady____, Hart Wenger, and Dorothy Fisher. Left 3rd row: _____, Rodney Walker, Carol White, Helen and Ross Thurston's daughter Rosemary, Edna Glenn, and a boy. Justin Keeley, ____, a man with three children, Gene Stewart, _____, Spencer Hind, and a child are seated in the left 3rd row. Left 4th row: Marlo Honey, Jack White holding his son Jack, Elgin Jacobson, my dad Wayne Stewart, Keith Stewart, Alfred Keeley, Grant Morgan, Alton Fisher, two kids, Ottie Palmer, and a child
In the 1940s. This photo may be of the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf in Utah. Top L-R: William T. Watson, Earl Smith, and Alton Fisher. 2nd Row L-R: George Preece, Heber Christensen, Grant Morgan, Joseph Burnett, Kenneth Burdett, ________, Arvel Christensen, Walter Kirk, Joe Brandenburg, and Ephraim Neilson. Bottom L-R: Ralph Glenn, John (Jack) White, George Laramie, Alfred Young, Floyd Underwood, Ross Thruston, Wayne Stewart, Paul Mark, and Freda Billeter
In the 1940s. Utah's Deaf social gathering. Top L-R: ______, George Laramie, Zelma Worsley, ______, Paul Wood, Frank Stone, Dorothy Fisher, Joe Brandenburg, Fern Brandenburg, John (Jack) White. 2nd Row L-R: Alton Fisher, Katie Billeter, Wayne Stewart, Georgie Mae Stewart, Rodney Walker, Lucy Billeter, Virgil Greenwood, Lucy Greenwood. Bottom L-R: Earl Smith, William T. Watson, Marie Stone, Verl Troup, Frederick Billeter
Groundbreaking for the Salt Lake Valley Branch on August 20, 1947. Brimming with joy and excitement, the members witnessed the breaking of ground for the construction of the Salt Lake Valley Branch for the Deaf in Salt Lake City, Utah. This was a momentous step toward the realization of their long-awaited dream. President Willard Barlow, a key figure in the branch's establishment, was present at the groundbreaking, adding to the event's significance. The man capturing this historic moment with his camera was Wayne Stewart, a testament to the importance of documenting this journey. Bishop Thorpe B. Isaacson, a representative of the Presiding Authorities, conducted the groundbreaking on August 20, 1947
In the late 1940s. The Deaf Latter-day Saints gathered at the spot where the new Salt Lake Valley Branch will be built, as indicated by the rope
The Salt Lake Valley Branch opened on November 14, 1948. In the morning, the Deaf Latter-day Saints members attended Sunday School. In the evening, they again attended the sacrament meeting at the Lion House, where Brigham Young, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, used to live. One of the Twelve Apostles, Elder John Andreas Widtsoe, the one with white hair and a beard, was present in the picture
In downtown Salt Lake City, Utah, from the 1940s: L-R: John "Jack" White, Heber Christensen, and Wayne Stewart
In the mid-1950s, Ned C. Wheeler hosted a social gathering at his place in Ogden, Utah. Bottom Row L-R: Robert Sanderson, Kimito Yokamura, Mary Sanderson, Edith Wheeler, Ned Wheeler, Donald Jensen, Vida White, Kenneth Burdett, Ray Wenger, and George Laramie. Second Row L-R: Walter Zabel, Arthur Wenger, Marie Stone, ________, Mabel Driggs, Supt. Frank Driggs, Jack White, Katie Woodbury, Theo Logan, Elise Hertell, Georgia Walker, and Edna Glenn. Third Row L-R: Ivy Low, Cyril Jones, Myrle (Edwards) Jones, Mae Stewart, Afton Burdett, Max Woodbury, Beth Jensen, Violet Zabel, Cleo Thorup, Milo Culter, Carlos Seegmiller, Gladys Wenger, and Ralph Glenn. Top Row L-R: Frank Stone, Kay (Kinner) Curtis, LaVern Burnett, Joseph Burnett, Carl Hertell, Rodney Walker, Wayne Stewart, Verl Thorup, Robert Welsh, Lorraine Welsh, and Hart Wenger
