Howard H. "Bo" Callaway Papers, 1947-1976 (bulk 1965-1976)
82 boxes, 39.5 linear feet
571 photographs, 1 videotape, 1 vinyl record, 1 16mm print

Administrative Information

- Access Restrictions
- User Restrictions
- Processing Notes
- Copyright Information
- Preferred Citation

Biographical Note

Scope and Content

Home

Organization and Arrangement

Related Collections

- In Russell Library
- In other repositories

Series Descriptions

Audiovisual Materials

Access Points

Folder List

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Access Restrictions:

User Restrictions: Library acts as “fair use” reproduction agent.

Processing Notes: Photographs, audiovisual materials, and artifacts are separated for preservation. An addendum of papers was received in 1992.

Copyright Information: Before material from collections at the Richard B. Russell Library may be quoted in print, or otherwise reproduced, in whole or in part, in any publication, permission must be obtained from (1) the owner of the physical property, and (2) the holder of the copyright. It is the particular responsibility of the researcher to obtain both sets of permission. Persons wishing to quote from materials in the Russell Library collection should consult the Director. Reproduction of any item must contain a complete citation to the original.

Preferred Citation: Howard "Bo" H. Callaway Collection, Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, The University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Georgia.

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BIOGRAPHICAL/HISTORICAL NOTE:

Howard Hollis "Bo" Callaway was born in LaGrange, Georgia on April 2, 1927. He attended Georgia Tech for one year and graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1949. That same year he married Elizabeth Walton, and they had five children.

Following his release from the service and from active duty in Korea in 1952, Callaway assumed the administration of Callaway Gardens at Pine Mountain, Georgia. From that time forward, Callaway established a long list of accomplishments in service, including membership on the National 4-H Service Committee, the Georgia State 4-H Advisory Committee, and the National Council of Boy Scouts, and trusteeships on the Ida Cason Callaway Foundation, the National Safety Council, the National Recreation Association, and the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge. At one time, he held the position of President for two millionaire businessmen's groups: the World President's Organization and the Young President's Organization. Callaway's interest in educational excellence was reflected in his service for twelve years as the youngest member of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, and as Chairman of its Education Committee.

Callaway was the first Republican elected to Congress from Georgia since Reconstruction. He represented the Third District of Georgia from 1965 to 1966. In 1966, he ran for Governor of Georgia and was a strong contender in the race. Due to a Democratic write-in effort following the primaries, the November election was 3-way, and ended in a choice by the legislature of the leading Democratic candidate, Lester Maddox.

In 1967, Callaway was elected Republican National Committeeman for Georgia and was selected by Richard Nixon in 1968 to head his presidential campaign in the South. Following Nixon's election as President, Callaway had an influential voice in political appointments, both state and national. From 1973 to 1975 he was U.S. Secretary of the Army under President Gerald Ford's administration, and he was campaign manager for the President Ford Committee, 1975-1976.

Upon leaving Washington, DC in 1975, Callaway turned his sights westward and became CEO of Crested Butte (Colorado) Mountain Resort. In 1980 Callaway was a candidate for the Republican primary for U.S. Senate from Colorado and he chaired the Colorado Republican Committee from 1981 to 1987. He was chairman of GOPAC from 1987 to 1993. Callaway presently resides at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia.

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SCOPE AND CONTENT:

The collection consists of personal and political papers of Howard H. "Bo" Callaway from 1965-1975. There are congressional files (1965-1966) containing press releases, subject files, and correspondence; political files (1966-1971) containing campaign material from his 1966 bid for Governor of Georgia, state and national Republican Committee material, and 1968 Nixon campaign material; personal files (1967-1971) reflecting Callaway's involvement in private organizations; and scrapbooks (1973-1975) recording his activities as Secretary of the Army. Also included are photographs, artifacts, and audiovisual materials.

The addendum of papers received in 1992 are mainly files from "Bo" Callaways's work on the Republican National Committee during 1972 and 1973. They deal with the campaign to reelect President Nixon and other Republican party matters. Speeches are spread over the period 1963-1975 with a listing of speech titles and schedules extending back to 1953. A short biography is included and one folder on Mr. Callaway's military service in the Korea. These materials were placed in the III. Personal series.

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ORGANIZATION AND ARRANGEMENT

The papers are organized into five series: I. Congressional, II. Political, III. Personal, IV. Scrapbooks, V. Photographs, VI. Artifacts, and VII. Audiovisual Materials. Each series is arranged either chronologically or alphabetically by subject.

Arrangement for the addendum follows that of the main collection except IV. Speeches has been added.

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RELATED COLLECTIONS IN THIS REPOSITORY:

Clifford Hodges Brewton Collection of Lester G. Maddox Speech and Press Research Files
Ellis Arnall Papers
Rodney Mims Cook Papers
John B. Morris Papers
Georgia Republican Party Papers

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RELATED COLLECTIONS IN OTHER REPOSITORIES:

Cason Callaway/Callaway Gardens Collection, Troup County Archives
Howard H. "Bo" Callaway Papers, Colorado

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SERIES DESCRIPTIONS:

I. Congressional

15 boxes, 7.5 linear feet

The press files include dated news releases from Callaway's congressional office, his monthly newsletter to constituents, articles written by or for Callaway for newspapers and magazines, notes on radio and television appearances, and a number of speeches delivered on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Worthy of note is Callaway's work on electronic data processing. Two trips to Vietnam by Callaway are documented, and the series contains a handwritten diary kept by him during his trip to the Soviet Union.

The name file has also been referred to as a cross‑reference file since it consists of duplicate copies of outgoing correspondence filed by the surname of the person addressed. The subject heading is typed at the top, but the subject files are not contained in the collection. The name file is fragmentary, with large gaps existing in the alphabetical sequence. Subjects treated in the correspondence relate to congressional bills, constituent requests, and routine matters. Information on Callaway's race for governor is also documented.

II. Political

46 boxes, 23 linear feet

The first set of records cover Callaway's gubernatorial campaign in 1966. They are divided into subject files, press files, legislative files, districts and counties, and clippings. The legislative files include profiles on members of the Georgia General Assembly which were drafted by Callaway's staff when it became apparent that the choice for governor would be made by that body. The clippings are extensive and are filed under several categories, including names, issues, and dates. They represent out‑of‑state publications, as well as many major Georgia newspapers.

The Republican Party files document Callaway's work with the Republican National Committee, and his interaction with state and local party leaders‑in Georgia . The sub‑series is divided into two segments: National Republican Party and the Republican Party of Georgia. Callaway's activities connected with the presidential election of 1968 are filed under the Republican Party of Georgia with the heading "Nixon for President."

III. Personal

17 boxes, 8.5 linear feet

The alpha‑ subject files were kept by Callaway and include information on his activities and interests outside of the political arena. Most of these files cover the 1960s, 1967, and few files cover 1969 to 1971.

The Freedom's Foundation files document Callaway's activities in this organization for several years, including his position as chairman of the board of trustees in 1967.

The Young Presidents' Organization files contain correspondence, information on meetings of the Rebel Chapter and the entire organization, directors' meetings, and interaction with the staff. Callaway served as international president of the YPO from 1967 to 1968. Both the Freedom's Foundation and the Young Presidents' Organization maintained close relationships with the Republican Party. Thus, the files in the Personal and Political Series should be researched as a whole when documenting interaction between these groups.

The investments files include Callaway's interests in Crested Butte, Colorado and Treasure Cay in the Bahamas.

IV. Scrapbooks, 1973-1975

12 volumes

The twelve volumes contain clippings, invitations, programs, telegrams, cartoons, editorials, presidential correspondence, and photographs. Taken together, they represent an excellent record of Callaway's service as Secretary of the Army from 1973 to 1975.

V. Photographs, 1947-1975
571 images, 74 sets, 3 negatives
This series consists of images documenting Callaway's activities as a Congressman, his 1966 gubernatorial campaign, personal investments and his military base visits as Secretary of the Army. Callaway is pictured with President Ford, Johnson, and Nixon among other prominent figures. Each photo is identified by a brief description, including date, size, and names of people pictured in the photo if available.

VI. Artifacts
60 items

VII. Audiovisual Materials, 1964-1966, undated
6 items
This series consists of a video recording of the WJRJ-Atlanta 1966 Election Eve telecast that includes Callaway's “Go Bo” speech, a vinyl record of two George Wallace campaign songs, an audiotape of the United States Army Band performing “The Secretary of the Army March,” a 16mm print of The Four Days of Gemini 4 , and a 1964 film documenting the first American space walk, with a separately filmed introduction and conclusion by Callaway.

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ACCESS POINTS

Nixon, Richard M. (Richard Milhous), 1913-1994.
Republican Party (U.S. : 1954-)
Republican Party (Ga.)
United States. Congress. House.
United States. Dept. of the Army.
Legislators --United States.
Governors --Georgia --Election.
Presidents --United States --Election --1968.
Congressional records.

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FOLDER LIST

Not available at this time. Please contact Russell Library for more information.

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