Biography: As one of Florence's 12 grandchildren, Becky is passionate about family history and has published numerous books about Florence and related family history.
She has researched and published numerous books focused on Florence and other family members. She retired after a 31-year career including amazing locations with the National Park Service at Natural Bridges National Monument in Utah; Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado.; Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty National Monument in New York City; Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska; Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Alaska.
About the Photo: This photo was taken in October 1919, at the Jake and Carrie Webster ranch located on the Wood River about 10 miles from Meeteetse, WY, where the Wood River branches off from the Greybull River. The nearest post office was Sunshine, WY.
Florence is seen perched on the Webster ranch corral fence wearing men’s clothing (chaps, shirt, and cowboy hat). She and one of the Webster ranch’s hired men, Pete Zocterman, traded clothes for a fun photo shoot on that day.
Florence boarded with the Websters during the 1919-1920 school year. She walked three miles each day to the rural schoolhouse where she taught multiple grade levels during that year.
Per Florence’s letter dated September 16, 1919, her description of the Webster Ranch was:
“They are evidently wealthy ranchers. Have the most adorable log house, but with a lighting system installed & running water! It’s the most attractive house.”
The photo was taken using Florence’s 1918 Vest Pocket Autograph Kodak Eastman camera, which she purchased in London, England, in December 1918, when she served there in the Canteen Girls.
Historical Context: Florence W. Roginson (12/12/1889-11/21/1971) was born in Chicago and grew up in the Buffalo, NY, area. After serving as a WWI Canteen Girl in England and France (October 1918 to August 1919), and at the urging of the “boys” she met overseas, she secured a one-room school teacher job near Meeteetse, Wyoming, for the 1919-1920 school year.
She left Buffalo, NY, in September 1919, and traveled by train to Cody, Wyoming, then by “stage” (pickup truck) to Meeteetse, and then another 10 miles up the Greybull River and finally up the Wood River to her final destination, the Jake and Carrie Webster ranch. She boarded at the Webster ranch and walked three miles each day to the country schoolhouse.
Specific to her 1919-1920 school-teaching year near Meeteetse, WY, Florence was a prolific letter writer to her brother in Buffalo, NY. She vividly described her opinions and astonishment about everything “western”.
Initially, Florence was uncertain she made a wise decision to teach in a rural setting given the remoteness, rugged landscape, and three-mile walk to the schoolhouse. But soon her letters expressed how much she grew to enjoy her surroundings, the people, and the place. Her letters include plenty of drama, hard work, delightful descriptions about ranch life, extreme weather conditions, dances, and the challenges of rural school teaching.
