The Seattle-based photographer Asahel Curtis made 60,000 photographic images over a 44-year career. They provide a remarkable visual record of the Pacific Northwest. He was the brother of the renowned photographer Edward Curtis; the brothers had a falling out when they were in their 20s, and never reconciled. As photography aesthetics have changed, Asahel's photographic legacy has grown in stature and now his place among the greats seems secure.
Edward went to his final resting place much more easily than Asahel did. Archie Satterfield, Seattle Times reporter, noted in a February 20, 1972, article that Asahel's ashes remained at Home Undertaking Co. & Mortuary in Seattle for many years after his death because the family could not decide what to do with them.
Finally, Satterfield said, it was decided to put the ashes in an urn and place the urn, along with a plaque, at the site of the Asahel Curtis Memorial Grove in Snoqualmie National Forest, 23 miles east of North Bend. The words on the plaque are a simple tribute: "Devoted his mature life to making known the beauty and scenic wonders of the Pacific Northwest." The grove was formally dedicated by the U.S. Forest Service and the Seattle Chamber of Commerce in September 1964. Asahel Curtis Jr. was among those in attendance.
Soon after the urn was in place, a bolt of lightning struck the rock upon which the urn sat, shattering the vessel and scattering the ashes. The family, Satterfield wrote, thought it was "the greatest compliment of all."
Edward went to his final resting place much more easily than Asahel did. Archie Satterfield, Seattle Times reporter, noted in a February 20, 1972, article that Asahel's ashes remained at Home Undertaking Co. & Mortuary in Seattle for many years after his death because the family could not decide what to do with them.
Finally, Satterfield said, it was decided to put the ashes in an urn and place the urn, along with a plaque, at the site of the Asahel Curtis Memorial Grove in Snoqualmie National Forest, 23 miles east of North Bend. The words on the plaque are a simple tribute: "Devoted his mature life to making known the beauty and scenic wonders of the Pacific Northwest." The grove was formally dedicated by the U.S. Forest Service and the Seattle Chamber of Commerce in September 1964. Asahel Curtis Jr. was among those in attendance.
Soon after the urn was in place, a bolt of lightning struck the rock upon which the urn sat, shattering the vessel and scattering the ashes. The family, Satterfield wrote, thought it was "the greatest compliment of all."
The Seattle-based photographer Asahel Curtis made 60,000 photographic images over a 44-year career. They provide a remarkable visual record of the Pacific Northwest. He was the brother of the renowned photographer Edward Curtis; the brothers had a falling out when they were in their 20s, and never reconciled. As photography aesthetics have changed, Asahel's photographic legacy has grown in stature and now his place among the greats seems secure.
Edward went to his final resting place much more easily than Asahel did. Archie Satterfield, Seattle Times reporter, noted in a February 20, 1972, article that Asahel's ashes remained at Home Undertaking Co. & Mortuary in Seattle for many years after his death because the family could not decide what to do with them.
Finally, Satterfield said, it was decided to put the ashes in an urn and place the urn, along with a plaque, at the site of the Asahel Curtis Memorial Grove in Snoqualmie National Forest, 23 miles east of North Bend. The words on the plaque are a simple tribute: "Devoted his mature life to making known the beauty and scenic wonders of the Pacific Northwest." The grove was formally dedicated by the U.S. Forest Service and the Seattle Chamber of Commerce in September 1964. Asahel Curtis Jr. was among those in attendance.
Soon after the urn was in place, a bolt of lightning struck the rock upon which the urn sat, shattering the vessel and scattering the ashes. The family, Satterfield wrote, thought it was "the greatest compliment of all."
Edward went to his final resting place much more easily than Asahel did. Archie Satterfield, Seattle Times reporter, noted in a February 20, 1972, article that Asahel's ashes remained at Home Undertaking Co. & Mortuary in Seattle for many years after his death because the family could not decide what to do with them.
Finally, Satterfield said, it was decided to put the ashes in an urn and place the urn, along with a plaque, at the site of the Asahel Curtis Memorial Grove in Snoqualmie National Forest, 23 miles east of North Bend. The words on the plaque are a simple tribute: "Devoted his mature life to making known the beauty and scenic wonders of the Pacific Northwest." The grove was formally dedicated by the U.S. Forest Service and the Seattle Chamber of Commerce in September 1964. Asahel Curtis Jr. was among those in attendance.
Soon after the urn was in place, a bolt of lightning struck the rock upon which the urn sat, shattering the vessel and scattering the ashes. The family, Satterfield wrote, thought it was "the greatest compliment of all."
