Hickson Manuscript Collection, 1885-2006

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Robert E. Hickson
Title
Hickson Manuscript Collection
Dates
1885-2006 (inclusive)
1900-1960 (bulk)
Quantity
5 cubic feet, (10 document boxes, 1 flat box.)
Collection Number
MSS 1707
Summary
Collection of photographs, scrapbooks, correspondence, engineering reports, land surveys, and maps pertaining to the life and work of Robert E. Hickson, engineer for the Army Corps of Engineers in Oregon.
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
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the Hickson Family.

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Robert E. Hickson was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1884. He studied at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon, graduating with a degree in Civil Engineering in 1909. Upon graduation, he entered the services of the Army Corps of Engineers, North Pacific Division, working at their offices in Portland, Oregon. His early engineering experience included railway work in Bend, Oregon; work on the Celilo boat canal; and irrigation development in the Bend area.

Beginning in the 1920s, R. E. Hickson began work on his largest project yet: widening and improving the shipping channel on the Columbia River. This work would eventually define his career. Indeed, he came to be called "Mr. Columbia River" by his colleagues for his extensive work in this regard which included: builiding a system of jetties at the mouth of the Columbia; widening the shipping channel to 35 feet; and protecting the banks of the Columbia from flooding and erosion. This work revolutionized commercial shipping on the Columbia River which had previously been dangerous and unprofitable.

His other notable projects include: work on Bonneville, McNary and The Dalles Dams; maintenance and improvement of Portland's harbors; consultation on construction of a shipping channel for Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela; and work on the Columbia River Bridge in Astoria, known as the Astoria-Megler Bridge. At the time of his retirement in 1955, Robert Hickson was the Chief Engineer for the Army Corps of Engineers, North Pacific Division. After his retirement, he continued to work as a consultant on Army Corps projects until shortly before his death in 1966.

The collection also includes memorabilia from R. E. Hickson's wife, Jessie Mae Hickson, nee Barzee. Mae Hickson was born in 1886 in Oregon. She graduated from Philomath High School in 1905 and attended the University of Oregon from 1905-1909 where she graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Education. She met Robert Hickson at the University and they married a few years after finishing school. Mae Hickson passed away in 1965, one year before her husband.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

This collection primarily consists of papers relating to R. E. Hickson's work as an engineer for the Army Corps of Engineers. These papers include: reports, surveys, correspondence, maps, charts, and cost analyses. The collection also includes some personal materials including letters, photographs, scrapbooks and diplomas.

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

Robert E. Hickson Manuscript collection, MSS 1707, Oregon Historical Society Research Library

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in the following series:

  • Series A: Personal Correspondence and Memorabilia
  • Series B: Family Photos
  • Series C: Engineering Reports and Documents

Processing Note

To process this collection, OHS did the following: organized folders into chronological order; re-foldered items into acid-free archival folders; interleaved photographs with acid-free paper; removed over-sized items to larger boxes; re-sleeved negatives.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

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

Series A:  Hickson Family Personal Correspondence and Memorabilia, 1906-2006Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/1
Miscellaneous Christmas Cards and Correspondence
most cards are addressed to a Mrs. C. B. (Amelia) Handy
1900-1930
1/2
Personal Correspondence and Records
includes bank statements, insurance records, personal letters
circa 1910-1960
1/3
The Oregana, University of Oregon Yearbook
1911
1/4
Eugene High School Yearbook
1913
1/5
Miscellaneous Memorabilia
includes Jessie Mae Barzee (Hickson)'s dance cards; newsletters from the Army Corps of Engineers; and Robert E. Hickson's memorial program.
1910-1966
1/6
Jessie Mae Barzee Hickson's School Memorabilia
includes Philomath High School Yearbook 1905; school news letters; programs.
1900-1910
1/7
Biographical Materials
Includes a short autobiography written by R. E. Hickson in 1964; a list of his published journal articles; a letter from Geraldine Reedy regarding the Columbia River jetties, 2006; clippings about Robert Hickson's life and obituaries; and the Hickson family tree.
1964-2006
OSA-1/3
Certificates and Diplomas
Certificates, commendations and diplomas earned by R. E. Hickson and Jessie Mae Barzee Hickson.
1909-1950

Series B:  Hickson Family Photographs, 1886-1966Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
2/1
Portraits of Robert Hickson
circa 1900-1965
2/2
University of Oregon Photographs
photos of Robert Hickson and Jessie Mae (Barzee) Hickson and their friends while attending the University of Oregon.
1904-1909
2/3
Hickson Family Photographs
includes images of Robert Hickson, Jessie Mae (Barzee) Hickson, Geraldine Hickson (Reedy), Eileen Hickson (Donnell), E Lloyd Barzee, Nora (Barzee) DuGas, Anita DuGas, Olive Moss, other friends and family
1900s-1920s
2/4
Army Corps of Engineers Photographs
Photos of various Army Corps job sites in progress
1930s-1960s

Series C:  Engineering Reports and Documents, 1885-1965Return to Top

These documents include reports written by Robert E. Hickson; correspondence between R. E. Hickson and other engineers; maps and charts of work sites; photographs of worksites.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
3/1
Miscellaneous Business Correspondence
1905-1960
3/2
Riparian Rights
Copies of laws (with Hickson's notes) regarding Riparian Rights
1902-1930
3/3
Umatilla River peak stage diagrams
These data were gathered over a 53 year period and were compiled and analyzed twice: once in 1919 and again in 1959.
1906-1959
3/4
Letter Copying Book
This folder contains the cover only. The book was disbound and the copies are in folder OSA-1/8
March 29, 1911-December 11-1914
OSA-1/8
Letter Copying Book
Copies of letters written by R. E. Hickson from 1911-1914.
March 29, 1911-December 11-1914
3/5
Topographic Notes
Two small field notebooks in which R. E. Hickson took topographical notes.
1907-1908
OSA-1/1
Columbia River Tide Charts
1911
OSA-1/2
Columbia River locations plotted with quadrant protactor
1913
3/6
Stock Certificates for the Colwood Golf Club and the Oregon Coast Fishing Company
1912; 1932
3/7
Pipelines of Dredges “Multnomah” and “Wahkiakum” in the Columbia
1920
3/8
"Columbia River Channel"
Report written by R. E. Hickson on the condition of the Columbia River Channel before his widening project began
1920
3/9
Correspondence with Canadian Engineers
1922-1927
3/10
Columbia River Maps
A series of maps of the Columbia River area collected over a 40 year period and collected together in 1924.
1885-1924
4/1
Papers on jetty maintenance at the mouth of the Columbia
1932-1937
4/2
"Columbia River Bottom Velocities Flood and Ebb at Various River Stages"
Report written by R. E. Hickson, with accompanying charts.
1934
4/3
"Columbia River Ship Channel and Locks"
Report written by R. E. Hickson, with accompanying charts.
1934
4/4
Correspondence relating to Ballona Canal Development
Letters and maps from Los Angeles, California engineer William Carroll.
1935
4/5
Improvement of Columbia River for Navigation
Report written by Colonel Thomas M. Robins , discussion and correspondence with R. E. Hickson.
1936
4/6
"Beach Erosion at Mouth of Columbia River"
Report written by R. E. Hickson and presented at the conference of the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association, September 24-25, 1936. Includes conference program and correspondence.
1936
4/7
Correspondence with Engineering News-Record concerning dredging of South Jetty improvement of the mouth of the Columbia River.
Includes correspondence about and the text of submitted papers to the Engineering News-Record.
1937-1947
4/8
Correspondence with Engineering News-Record concerning dredging of South Jetty improvement of the mouth of the Columbia River.
Includes correspondence about and the text of submitted papers to the Engineering News-Record.
1937-1947
4/8
Correspondence with Engineering News-Record concerning dredging of South Jetty improvement of the mouth of the Columbia River.
Includes correspondence about and the text of submitted papers to the Engineering News-Record.
1937-1947
4/9
"Possibilities of Navigation on the Willamette River"
Report written by R. E. Hickson, with an addendum by Fred R. Brown, 1946.
1938
4/10
Correspondence regarding silt study of the Columbia River in Linnton
1938
4/11
Reports about Lumnite Cement used at Puget Sound Navy Yard
1938
4/12
"Brief Talk Before Society of American Military Engineers"
Text of a talk given by R. E. Hickson at a meeting of the Society of American Military Engineers, January 3, 1940, regarding river and harbor maintenance, especially in the Columbia and Williamette Rivers.
1940
4/13
"Filling and Emptying Shallow Draft Locks of High Lift"
Report written by R. E. Hickson with accompanying notes.
1942
4/14
"Talk Before Annual Reunion of Veteran Steamboatmen's Association of the West"
Text of a talk delivered by R. E. Hickson, June 24, 1945, on the history of the Columbia River and recent changes on the river.
1945
4/15
"Comments of Willamette Falls Barge Locks"
Comments addressed to R. E. Hickson, written by J. E. Reeves, September 11, 1945.
1945
4/16
Moss Landing Harbor
Maps, charts and reports from the Army Corps of Engineers, San Francisco District, regarding improving Moss Landing Harbor in Monterey, California.
1946-1947
4/17
McNary Dam
Notes written by F. R. Brown regarding costs for the McNary Dam.
1946
4/18
Navigation in Portland District
Text of a talk given by R. E. Hickson at an Army Corps Interagency Meeting in Seattle, Washington, January 8, 1947, regarding navigation in Portland's waterways.
1947
4/19
Notes about the development area above the mouth of the Sandy
R. E. Hickson's hand-drawn notes regarding development at the mouth of the Sandy River.
circa 1947
4/20
"Notes on the Principles of Steam Stabilization"
Article written by G. B. Bebout.
circa 1949
4/21
Mouth of the Columbia River - Jetty A Contour Comparisons
Charts showing the change of contours in Jetty A from 1950 to 1958.
1950-1958
4/22
"Design and Construction of Jetties"
Text of paper presented at the Institute of Coastal Engineering, October 11-13, 1950. Paper presented by R. E. Hickson and F. W. Rodolf.
1950
4/23
Engineering plans and estimates for deep water entrance to Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela
R. E. Hickson's reports, notes and drawings for the work he did in Venezuela on Lake Maracaibo.
circa 1947
5/1
Correspondence regarding Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela
1947-1952
5/2
Report of Lake Maracaibo project, Venezuela
1947
5/3
Supplementary Report of Lake Maracaibo project, Venezuela
Copy of an earlier report completed 1940, distributed 1947.
1947
5/4
Traffic on the Columbia River
Tables comparing traffic on the Columbia River from 1948-1963.
1948-1968
5/5
"One Hundred Years of Army Engineers in Oregon"
Article about the history of the Army Corps of Engineers in Oregon.
1948
5/6
Report on the Mouth of the Columbia River Needed Improvement
Report written by Robert E. Hickson to Washingto, D.C. regarding moneys needed to continue maintaining and improving the Columbia River Channel.
1957
5/7
Data sheets on flood control projects in the Portland District
1949
5/8
Correspondence regarding harbor project in Zanguldak, Turkey
R. E. Hickson consulted on this project in Turkey. Photographs referred to in the letters are in the next folder.
1951
5/9
Photographs of a harbor project in Zanguldak, Turkey
R. E. Hickson consulted on this project in Turkey.
1951
5/10
"Chemistry of Sedimentation," Report of the Tidal Hydraulics Committee
Report written by Grant Whitehorse, November 19, 1952.
1952
5/11
"Sediment Discharge Measurement on Tidal Waterways," Report of the Tidal Hydraulics Committee
Report written by C. F. Wicker, February 28, 1952.
1952
5/12
"Economic Pumpic Time for Hopper Dredges"
Report written by R. E. Hickson, with accompanying charts.
1952
5/13
Correspondence regarding the Dalles Dam
1952-1953
5/14
Dredging of Clatsop Spit at the mouth of the Columbia
R. E. Hickson's notes in response to an Army Corps report about dredging Clatsop Spit.
1952
5/15
"Improvement of the Mouth of the Columbia Channel"
R. E. Hickson's formal report on the costs and procedures for improving the Columbia Channel by dredging the Clatsop Spit, delivered January 1953.
1953
5/16
Dredging of Clatsop Spit at the mouth of the Columbia
R. E. Hickson's notes in response to an Army Corps report about dredging Clatsop Spit.
1952
6/1
The Dalles Dam - Report to the Board of Consultants
In addition to the Army Corps's formal report, the folder also includes correspondence about the report; photographs (in the report); and an Oregonian newspaper article.
1953
6/2
"Salinity Observations in the Columbia River in 1936"
Report written by R. E. Hickson regarding salinity levels in the Columbia, based on data taken in 1936.
1953
6/3
"Study of Shoaling in Ship Channel of Columbia River"
Report written by R. E. Hickson, delivered November 1953.
1953
6/4
Tillamook Bay and Bar - cost estimates for the closure of the gap in the Bayocean Peninsula
1953
6/5
"Columbia River Relation of Ebb and Flood Bottom Velocities and Density Currents"
Report written by R. E. Hickson, delivered April 21, 1954. Also includes related correspondence.
1954
6/6
"Sediment Discharge Measurements in Tidal Waterways"
Report written by C. F. Wicker for the Committee on Tidal Hydraulics, delivered May, 1954. Also includes related correspondence.
1954
6/7
Invitation to bid on channel dredging of Coos Bay
Request for bid for the contract to dredge a ship channel in Coos Bay, along with accompanying documents sent to the Army Corps, Portland Division.
1955
6/8
Report on navigation problems at the mouth of streams tributary to the Columbia River in Bonneville Reservoir
Report written by J. U. Moorhead, delivered April 11, 1955. Includes maps.
1955
6/9
Port of Umpqua
Reports, correspondence, news clippings, charts and tables regarding the development of the Port of Umpqua.
1956-1959
6/10
Correspondence regarding Wind River in Walla Walla, Washington
Extensive correspondence and notes between R. E. Hickson, various members of Congress and the Army Corps regarding work to be done on the Wind River in Walla Walla, Washington.
1956-1957
6/11
Correspondence regarding Port of Umpqua
Extensive correspondence and notes between R. E. Hickson, various members of Congress and the Army Corps regarding work to be done on the Port of Umpqua.
1956-1957
6/12
Dredging Progress on the Mouth of the Columbia River
1956
6/13
History of improvements to the Columbia River
A report discussing all the improvements to the Columbia River Channel made since 1885.
1956
7/1
Correspondence regarding the west bank of the Willamette on Crown Zellerbach property
Correspondence between R. E. Hickson and Tudor Engineering in San Francisco regarding problems with dredging and filling Crown Zellerbach's river channel.
1956
7/2
Report on Flood at Mitchell, Oregon
Report on and correspondence about the flooding of Bridge Creel in Mitchell, Oregon which occurred on July 13, 1956.
1956
7/3
"The Dalles Rock Fill Model"
Report on rock fill closures for The Dalles Dam, written by Ben Peterson.
1956
7/4
"Report on Malheur River Flood"
R. E. Hickson's report on the flooding of the Malheur River, February 24-25, 1957. Includes charts and maps.
1957
7/5
"Fresh Water - Salt Water Density Currents: A Major Cause of Siltation in Estuaries"
Report by E. A. Schultz and A. B. Simmons, with comments and response by R. E. Hickson.
1957-1958
7/6
"Preliminary Report: Chetco River Boat Basin for the Port of Brookings, Oregon"
Report by R. E. Hickson, with accompanying maps.
1957-1958
7/7
"Interim Consideration of the Columbia River Entrance"
Report by J. B. Lockett; comments and correspondence from R. E. Hickson.
1958
7/8
"Interim Consideration of the Columbia River Entrance"
A formal response to J. B. Lockett's article.
1959
7/9
Rogue River and San Juan Channel - correspondence with U.S. Attorney Nelson Day
A formal response to J. B. Lockett's article.
1959-1960
7/10
"Proposed Comprehensive Scheme of Development for the Port of Wind River, Washington"
Prepared by Caufield Caufield Engineers.
1960
7/11
"Columbia River: Its Improvements for Navigation"
Handwritten notes for a book on the history of Columbia River improvements.
circa 1960
7/12
"Open River Channel Improvement"
R. E. Hickson's work summarizing the changes on the Columbia River and the technical considerations involved.
1960
8/1
"1959 Current Measurement Program - Columbia River at Mouth"
Army Corps Report on water levels and flow.
1960
8/2
Papers presented at the 1960 meeting of the Army Corps of Engineers regarding the Columbia River
1960
8/3
Correspondence with Crown Zellerbach regarding Hoko River and the Strait of Juan de Fuca
1960
8/4
"Channel Stabilization of Willamette River"by C. Thornber and M. Bubenik
1961
8/5
"Columbia River Ship Channel Improvements and Maintenance"
Report by R. E. Hickson regarding the best methods for creating and maintaining Columbia River ship channels.
1961
8/6
Dredging Willamette River from Ross Island to Oswego
Correspondence, notes, maps, and reports on dredging the Willamette River and building a wharf at Oswego.
1961
8/7
Submerged Pipe at Sellwood Bridge
Correspondence regarding plans for the Army Corps to submerge a drainage pipe in the Willamette near the Sellwood bridge.
1961
8/8
Correspondence with Colonel Winegar regarding deposits in the Columbia River, Sand Island and Gray's Point
1961
8/9
Proposed 20 Foot Channel from Ross Island to Oswego - correspondence and reports
1961
8/10
Swan Island Dredging Specifications from the Port of Portland
1961
8/11
Columbia River Bridge - Clatsop County
Lab reports and feasibility studies for foundations in Columbia River.
1961
8/12
"Columbia and Lower Willamette Rivers: The Hidden Project"
Text of a presentation by Col. S. K. Eisiminger
1961
8/13
Dredging for Crown Zellerbach at Lewis and Clark Log Booms
Correspondence and reports on dredging on the Lewis and Clark River.
1962
8/14
"Phenomena Affecting Improvement of the Lower Columbia Estuary and Entrance"
Report by J. B. Lockett with correspondence from R. E. Hickson.
1962
8/15
"Inside the Mouth of the Columbia River and Lower Willamette River"
Handwritten notes for a talk given by R. E. Hickson.
circa 1962
8/16
Correspondence regarding Oregon Geographical Names
Correspondences between R. E. Hickson and the Oregon Historical Society regarding the historical origins of Oregon geographical names.
1963-1964
8/17
"Improvements of the Navigability of the Columbia River by Dredging and Constriction"
Paper presented at the Federal Interagency Sedimentation Conference in Jackson, Mississippi.
1963
8/18
"Placed Stone Jetty, Stone-Weight Coefficients"
Paper presented at the ASCE Environmental Engineering Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.
1963
8/19
R. E. Hickson's Letter to the Oregonian Editor regarding inflation and unemployment
1963
9/1
Columbia River Stabilization and Improvement
R. E. Hickson's handwritten notes regarding the history of Columbia River navigation and improvements to it navigability. Final published report in the following folder.
1963
9/2
"Columbia River Channel Stabilization"
R. E. Hickson's report on the history of Columbia River navigation and improvements to its navigability. This is the final version of the notes in the previous folder.
1963
9/3
"Channel Changes in the St. Clair River since 1933"
Paper by Ira Korkigian with handwritten notes by R. E. Hickson.
1963
Subseries: Columbia River Bridge in Astoria
The following folders contain reports, correspondence, drawings, etc. all related to the construction of the Columbia River Bridge in Astoria, now known as the Astoria-Megler Bridge.
Box/Folder
OSA-1/7
Depth charts of the Columbia River
1963
9/4
Columbia River Bridge[Astoria-Megler Bridge]
Correspondence, notes, reports, maps and charts regarding the Columbia River Bridge.
1964
9/5
Columbia River Bridge [Astoria-Megler Bridge] - reports
Reports and notes submitted by I. D. Merchant.
1964
9/6
Columbia River Bridge [Astoria-Megler Bridge] - Correspondence regarding
Letters from R. E. Hickson to the State Highway Department regarding proposed bridge.
1964
9/6
Columbia River Bridge [Astoria-Megler Bridge] - weekly reports, August 25, 1963 - January 7, 1964
1963-1964
9/7
Columbia River Bridge [Astoria-Megler Bridge] - substructure reportts
Columbia River Bridge [Astoria-Megler Bridge] - Correspondence and reports between Ivan Merchant and R. E. Hickson.
1964
10/1
Columbia River Bridge [Astoria-Megler Bridge] -Weekly reports, April 1964 - May 1964
1964
10/2
Profile drawings of El Paso Natural Gas Company's pipelines crossing the Columbia and Sandy Rivers
River pipeline location drawings provided by the El Paso Natural Gas Co.
1964
10/3
Columbia River Bridge [Astoria Megler Bridge] - Drawings of Pier Soundings
Reports about river topography, soil, and progress on building pier soundings.
1964
10/4
Columbia River Bridge [Astoria Megler Bridge] - Pier Reports
Reports about the progress of pier construction. Includes drawings of river topography.
1964
OSA1/5
Columbia River Bridge [Astoria Megler Bridge] - Plans for completion of substructure
June 1964
10/5
Columbia River Bridge [Astoria Megler Bridge] - Scour Problems
Notes and drawings regarding the scour problem engineers encountered in building the bridge.
1965
10/6
Columbia River Bridge [Astoria Megler Bridge] - Weekly Reports, February - June 1965
1965
Box/Folder
10/7
"Indication of Sediment Transport" by John B. Lockett
Paper written by J. B. Lockett with correspondence to R. E. Hickson regarding the paper.
1965
10/7
Miscellaneous Charts of Columbia River bars
Comparative drawings of Columbia River bars demonstrating their changes over time.
1900s-1960s
OSA-1/4
State of Oregon v. Corvallis Sand and Gravel Co.
Documents pertaining to the court case of Oregon v. Corvallis Sand and Gravel Co. Documents include correspondence, notes, reports and maps.
1964
OSA-1/6
Preliminary report on proposed Columbia Riviera in the vicinity of Troutdale, Oregon
R.E. Hickson's report on the feasibility of developing a riviera recreation area on the Columbia River.
1965

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Channels (Hydraulic engineering)--Oregon.
  • Channels (Hydraulic engineering)--Washington.
  • Dams--Oregon.
  • Inland water transportation--Oregon.
  • Jetties--Oregon
  • River engineering--Oregon.

Personal Names

  • Hickson, Jessie Mae Barzee, 1886-1965.
  • Hickson, Robert E., 1884-1966.

Geographical Names

  • Astoria (Or.)
  • Columbia River.
  • Willamette River.

Form or Genre Terms

  • Maps
  • Photographs
  • Scrapbooks