Archives West Finding Aid

The Wilson H. Foote Photographs consist of color slides taken by Foote during his early years at Oregon State College from the late 1940s through the mid-1950s. Many of the photographs were taken by Foote during his work-related travels throughout Oregon and the west. The images depict the Oregon State College campus, students, and athletic events; agriculture and forestry; Oregon landscapes and landmarks; and landscapes of western North America.

The campus photographs include images of Gill Coliseum, completed and under construction; the Memorial Union; snow on campus; Parker Stadium; football games at Bell Field; the crew team on the Willamette River in Corvallis; the marching band; and rally squad. Of particular note are images of an Oregon State vs University of Oregon football game at Bell Field with card stunts being performed in the background. The photos also include images of the KOAC transmitter facility north of Corvallis and the construction of the heating tunnels on campus.

The agriculture and forestry photos depict agricultural research facilities and researchers in the field; flowers and fields of gladiolus and iris; rhododendrons; wheat cultivation and harvesting; a cotton field; forests; and logging operations.

The collection includes images of a many Oregon landscapes and landmarks including the Oregon coast, Timberline Lodge, the Oregon capitol building, Native Americans fishing in the Columbia Basin (perhaps Celilo Falls?), Crater Lake, Silver Creek Falls, and the Albany Timber Carnival. Of particular note are images of the effects of a flood, perhaps the Vanport Flood in 1948.

Images of landscapes and landmarks in Utah, Montana, California, British Columbia, and Alberta are also part of the collection.

The color slides include items in glass and paper mounts; all are 35 mm.