Introduction

Harvey Girl Dora Baldwin Taylor and her husband,
J. Loren Taylor, a Santa Fe conductor for 47 years.

 

The National Fred Harvey Museum in Leavenworth, Kansas, receives many inquiries about individuals who were once Harvey Girls. Likewise, several former Harvey Girls, their descendents, friends, as well as scholars and authors wonder if there is a comprehensive listing of Harvey Girls. (Surely other Harvey museums receive similar requests). In response to the inquires, we normally share with them the names that we have collected, and refer them to the index in two important books, The Harvey Girls – Women Who Opened the West , by Lesley Poling-Kempes, and its predecessor, The Harvey Girls – The Women Who Civilized the West, by Juddi Morris.

Dora Baldwin Taylor (a Harvey Girl at the “El Graces” Harvey House Restaurant in Needles, AZ) and her husband James, (a Santa Fe R.R. conductor for 47 years) visited our museum in Leavenworth. She suggested that someone assemble a list of former Harvey Girls and other former employees of the Fred Harvey Company. She reasoned that many former Harvey Girls would like to be recognized on such a list. She further pointed out that many children, grand children, great-grand children, nieces, nephews, and friends of Harvey Girls, etc., would also be supportive of such a project. Similarly, it would be of benefit to researchers.
This project is in response to Dora’s suggestion. It is dedicated to the contribution that the Harvey Girls, and other employees of the Fred Harvey Company have made to the Fred Harvey legend. We have created two lists, one for the Harvey Girls, and the other for other employees of the Fred Harvey Company. Since the Santa Fe Railway Company was so intimately involved with the Harvey operations, we invite their employees to be listed also.

Both Juddi Morris and Lesley Poling-Kemps have graciously permitted us to list those individuals contained in their books listed above. Other individuals and organizations have also contributed to our project. We encourage anyone with information about the Harvey Girls or others, to contribute to this endeavor. If you have additional information or can provide more specific information for individuals that are listed, please submit this data and it will be included in the next update.

It must be pointed out that this is a totally voluntary project and we do not in any way seek to invade or violate the privacy of anyone. Contributors are free to provide only as much information as they wish to contribute. If personal information is included, it is possible that some individuals may attempt to contact the point of contact (POC) for further details. We assume no responsibility for any such contacts. We have copyrighted this work only to prevent others from infringing upon this effort. Individuals are welcome to use this information without charge or request for permission.

This product would not have been possible without the counsel and untiring efforts of Rose Klotz, our talented web author.

Ralph G. Beckwith