Archives West Finding Aid

Aubrey R. Watzek (1888-1973) was an attorney, lumberman, and philanthropist, who lived most of his life in Portland, Oregon. Watzek was born in Davenport, Iowa. He was a graduate of Yale University and Harvard Law School. In 1912 he oved to Portland, Oregon to practice law. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War I, Watzek returned to Oregon and entered into the lumber business. His family already owned timberlands in Alabama and Arkansas. Watzek expanded the family holdings into the lower Columbia River region. Watzek became a supporter of Oregon art and architecture. His home, designed by John Yeon is a landmark example of Pacific Northwest architecture. Watzek was a board member of a number of Oregon institutions including the Oregon Historical Society, Reed College, the Portland Library Association, and the Portland Area Council of Boy Scouts. In 1967 Watzek funded the construction of the Paul Thiry designed Aubrey R. Watzek Library at Lewis & Clark College.