Architecture collection, 1873-2016

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Oregon Historical Society
Title
Architecture collection
Dates
1873-2016 (inclusive)
Quantity
3 cubic feet, (5 document cases, 3 oversize folders)
Collection Number
Mss 1525
Summary
Collection assembled by the Oregon Historical Society primarily containing ephemera relating to architecture in Oregon, with emphasis on Portland. Includes brochures on specific buildings, booklets of sample house plans, and historical background on the Paulina Lake (Or.) I.O.O.F. site.
Repository
Oregon Historical Society Research Library
1200 SW Park Avenue
Portland, OR
97205
Telephone: 503-306-5240
Fax: 503-219-2040
libreference@ohs.org
Access Restrictions

The collection is open to the public.

Languages
English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Since its founding in 1898, the Oregon Historical Society has collected ephemera of all kinds, most of it documenting the history of Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. In the mid-20th century, librarians at the Society began organizing these materials into what became known as "Topical Collections." One such collection, the Architecture Collection, collated various items concerning buildings, architects, and related matters.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Architecture Collection contains primarily ephemera related to individual buildings, most of them in Portland. These materials include brochures created either for sales promotion or for dedications of the finished structures. Also included are materials relating to architectural firms and organizations, historic preservation, building materials, sample plans for houses, and architecture-related events. There is a large group of materials on the history of the Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.) camp site at Paulina Lake, Oregon; and publicity for Pioneer Courthouse Square in Portland. The collection also contains blueprints for ferry boats crossing the Columbia River at Astoria, 1947, designed by the Albina Engine and Machine Works; and blueprints for railroad cars, 1891-1928.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

The Oregon Historical Society is the owner of the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from the Research Library prior to any use of reproductions. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use of reproductions may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright holders.

Preferred Citation

Architecture Collection, Mss 1525, Oregon Historical Society Research Library

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in two series:

  • Series A: Building files
  • Series B: General files

Acquisition Information

The collection was assembled from various sources by the Oregon Historical Society

Future Additions

Materials are added to the collection from time to time.

Processing Note

The entire collection was reprocessed in 2009.

Related Materials

The Oregon Historical Society holds a significant collection of blueprints and scale drawings of structures throughout Oregon, including designs from the firms of Pietro Belluschi, Morris Whitehouse, A. E. Doyle, Claussen & Claussen, and Jamieson Parker.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

Series A:  Buildings, 1873-2009Return to Top

All buildings are in Portland, Oregon and vicinity, unless otherwise noted

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/1
Apartments and condominiums
circa 1970-2000
1/2
Commercial buildings, A-L
Includes:
  • Centennial Block remodel, circa 1990
  • Emanuel Hospital Medical Building, circa 1970
  • Equitable Center, circa 1965
  • Fleisher Building, 1946
  • Henry Building, circa 1910
  • Hilton Hotel, circa 1963
circa 1910-2000
1/3
Commercial buildings, M-Z
Includes:
  • Pacific Building, 1926
  • Postal Building remodel, circa 1984
  • Princeton Building (formerly Elks Temple), 1985
  • Rocky Butte Jail
  • Studio Building, circa 1927
circa 1926-2009
1/4
Eliot Tower
2004-2005
1/5
First National Center
circa 1972
1/6
Justice Center
1984
1/7
KOIN Center (Fountain Place)
circa 1984
1/8
Ladd Tower
2006
2/1
Mount Angel Abbey Library (designed by Alvar Aalto)--Dedication program
1970
Oversize folder 3
New Market Colonnade (copy of drawing of proposed structure)
undated
2/2
New Market Theater remodel
1983
2/3
Non-Portland Buildings
1938-1986; undated
2/4
One, Pacific Square
1981-1982
2/5
Oregon Historical Society building-- Architecture/West article
1967 July
2/6
Oregon State Capitol, Salem
1873-1988; undated
2/7
Pacwest Center
1983
2/8
Pioneer Courthouse renovation
1975-1977
2/9
Pioneer Courthouse Square (including design competition)
circa 1980-1990
Oversize folder 3
Pioneer Courthouse Square--Fundraising brochure
circa 1983
2/10
Portland Building (designed by Michael Graves)
circa 1981-1982
2/11
Portland Historic Landmarks Commission
1977-1985
3/1
Portland Performing Arts Center (including Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall)
circa 1980-1990
Oversize folder 3
Portland Place (future Pioneer Place)--Prospectus
1983
3/2
Standard Plaza (Standard Insurance Company)
circa 1970-1980
3/3-3/4
Street of Dreams (residential showcases)
1983-1997
3/5
Vista House Taskforce (Columbia Gorge)
1982
Oversize folder 3
Washington Square (shopping mall)
undated

Series B:  General Files, 1894-2008Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
4/1
American Institute of Architects, general
1964-1999; undated
4/2
American Institute of Architects--Meeting minutes
1968-1979
4/3
American Society for Metals, Oregon Chapter--Rosters
1965-1967
4/4
Architects and architectural firms
Includes Henneberry Eddy brochure, circa 2012
1894-2012
4/5
Builders and remodelers
See also Business Collection, Mss 1510.
1985; undate
4/6
Building directories, Portland
undated
4/7
Building materials
See also Business Collection, Mss 1510
1913-1982
Oversize folder 3
Demonstration homes for 1938 : especially prepared for low income families (plans for small houses)
1938
Oversize folder 3
Estratto da l'architettura : cronache e storia (Italian architecture magazine with artilce on Zimmer, Gunsul Frasca firm of Portland)
circa 1968
4/8-4/9
Events--Building dedication invitations and programs
Includes programs for dedication of the Portland Public Auditorium, 1917; U.S. Courthouse, 1994
1917-2005
4/9
Events--Exhibitions and other programs
Includes program for Portland Architectural Club, second annual exhibition, 1909
1909-2000
4/10
"Factors of value on new buildings" by Hiram U. Welch--Booklet on assessment of Portland buildings, with pictures and data on various houses and buildings
1926
5/1
"Fallout protection for homes with basements" (pamphlet), U.S. Office of Civil Defense
1967
5/2
Historic Preservation League of Oregon
circa 1980-1990
5/3
Historic properties
1955-2008; undated
Oversize folder 3
Laurelhurst and its Park (original publication and facsimile edition, Laurelhurst subdivision, Portland)
1916; undated
5/4
National Trust for Historic Preservation--Brochures, newsletter
1956-1980
5/5-5/9
Paulina Lake I.O.O.F. site--History and preservation projects
Papers include history of the leasing and use of the site and construction of the lodge, written by Oscar Larson, Past Noble Grand of Bend Lodge, I.O.O.F.; "Assesment of Log Cabins and Lodge on Paulina Lake, Deschutes National Forest," by Mazama Conservation Committee, 1980; "Addendum to Evaluation Report" on site and structures by E. Gail Throop, Forest Service historian, 1981; affidavit of Palmer Byrkit, evaluating the lodge and cabins, 1982, for Paulina Lake Historic Cabin Owners Association v. U.S.D.A. Forest Service; and complaint and motion for preliminary injunction, 1982, for Paulina Lake Historical Cabin Owners Association v. U.S.D.A. Forest Service. See also Org. Lot 526, Oregon Historical Society Research Library, for photographs.
1960-1982
Plans and scale drawings
Box/Folder
5/10
Farm buildings (Mid-West Farm Building Plan Service, University of Wisconsin)
circa 1938
Oversize Folder 1
Ferry boats
Blueprints for ferry boats used on the Columbia River at Astoria, constructed by the Albina Engine and Machine Works.
1947
Oversize Folder 2
Railroad cars
Blueprints for railroad cars. Includes:
  • New York Central and Hudson River car, side view, 1891
  • Southern Pacific coach, 1927
  • Southern Pacific club car, 1922
  • Southern Pacific locomotive, 1922
  • Southern Pacific diner, 1925
  • Southern Pacific observation car, circa 1914
  • Southern Pacific water tanker, undated
1881-1928
5/11
Residential
Includes "100 modern home plans selected for building economy" by Residential Plan Service, Portland, 1957. See also Business Collection, Mss 1510.
circa 1920-1980
Box/Folder
5/12
Propery sales, residential
1998-2005
5/13
Public art
1980-1987
5/14
Residential design-- "Atomic Ranch"
circa 2007
5/15
Residential design-- Green & solar homes of Oregon
2003
5/16
Society of Architectural Historians
circa 1970-1990
5/17
Uban planning and design
1979-1987
5/18
Walking tours of Portland
1976-1992; undated

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Architects--Oregon
  • Architecture--Oregon

Corporate Names

  • International Order of Odd Fellows.

Geographical Names

  • Oregon--Buildings, structure, etc.
  • Paulina Lake (Or.)--Buildings, structure, etc.
  • Pioneer Courthouse Square (Portland, Or.)
  • Portland (Or.)--Buildings, structure, etc.

Form or Genre Terms

  • Architectural drawings (visual works)
  • Printed ephemera