Philip S. Hitchcock Papers, 1923-1977

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Hitchcock, Philip S.
Title
Philip S. Hitchcock Papers
Dates
1923-1977 (inclusive)
Quantity
1 container., (.5 linear feet of shelf space.), (128 items.)
Collection Number
Cage 450
Summary
Newspaper and magazine clippings, speeches, campaign materials, diplomas and certificates, and other papers of an Oregon state senator, businessman and aviator.
Repository
Washington State University Libraries' Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections (MASC)
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Terrell Library Suite 12
Pullman, WA
99164-5610
Telephone: 509-335-6691
mascref@wsu.edu
Access Restrictions

This collection is open for research use.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Philip Stanley Hitchcock was born September 28, 1904 in Pomeroy, Washington. While residing in Finley, he graduated from Kennewick High school in 1921 and went on to attend Washington State University where he was awarded a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economic Science and History in 1926. During his college years he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity and the Phi Kappa Phi honorary society. He also participated in drama and wrestling. He married Sally Wyatt in 1939 and they raised three children- Philip Jr., Martha, and Stephen Eric.

After completing college he engaged briefly in the insurance business in Spokane, Washington and subsequently in a trucking business venture in Lewiston, Idaho. His interests turned to lumbering at which he had had some experience as a youth. His logging activities centered in Oregon around Sisters and near Klamath Falls where he also owned a logging equipment business. Later he became the Superintendent of the White Swan Lumber Company near Yakima, Washington.

Mr. Hitchcock remained an active Presbyterian throughout his entire adult life. Although raised in a Campbellite family, he was converted to Presbyterianism in his early twenties. He acted as Moderator for the Presbyterian Synod of Oregon in 1948.

As the President of the Oregon Council of Churches he represented that body in the National Council of Churches during 1957. He held the office of Senior Vice President of the National Council for United Presbyterian Men before being elected President of that organization in 1961.

Mr. Hitchcock served as state senator from Oregon's 17th District from 1948 through 1954 term. The highlight of his political career came in 1949 with his successful fight in the legislature for passage of laws barring racial and religious discrimination in employment practices. In 1956 he made an unsuccessful bid for the Republication nomination for the United States Senate seat.

Mr. Hitchcock's public service was not limited to that of holding elected office. A licensed pilot, he led the effort to persuade the National Aviation Board to initiate airline service into southern Oregon and in 1945 he was elected President of the Oregon State Aviation Council. A lifelong Kiwanian, he served as Governor of the Pacific Northwest District for the 1942-1943 term. From 1954 through 1958 he was Director of Church and Public Relations for the Lewis and Clark College of Portland, Oregon, and later was an assistant to the President of that institution. For a number of years he was a Trustee of the Central Oregon Community College Foundation, Bend, Oregon. In 1972 he was appointed Chairman of the Oregon State Board of Parole and Probation.

Over the years the former legislator received numerous awards for his outstanding service. In 1956, the National Conference of Christians and Jews awarded him their Brotherhood Citation. Whitworth College, Spokane, Washington, bestowed an honorary Doctor of Laws on Mr. Hitchcock in 1962 and four years later he was recipient of an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from Buena Vista College, Storm Lake, Iowa. For his achievements in the area of civil rights in Oregon, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People posthumously awarded him a President's Plaque.

On October 12, 1977, at the age of 73, Mr. Hitchcock passed away at his home in Sisters, Oregon.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The papers of Philip Stanley Hitchcock, which date from 1923 through 1977, reflect his career of civic, political, and religious service. The collection includes newspaper clippings, magazine articles, speeches, campaign materials, diplomas, certificates of award, and some correspondence.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Preferred Citation

[Item Description]. Cage 450, Philip S. Hitchcock Papers. Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The papers are arranged alphabetically by topic.

Acquisition Information

The papers of Philip S. Hitchcock were donated to the Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections of Holland Library of Washington State University in November 1978 (78-51) by Mrs. Sally Hitchcock.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

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

Container(s) Description Dates
Folder
1 Air Line Service
4 items.
undated
2 Board of Parole and Probation
11 items.
1972-1975
3 Education
10 items.
1923-1966
4 Diploma, Washington State University
1 item.
1926
5 Diploma, Whitworth College
1 item.
1962
6 Diploma, Buena Vista College
1 item.
1966
7 Kiwanis
11 items.
1942-1943
8 Photographs
5 items.
undated
9 Political Service
33 items.
1949-1975
10 Presbyterian Church
25 items.
1954-1961
11 Public Service
9 items.
1947-1977
12 Thesis
2 items.
undated
13 Tributes
14 items.
1977
14 Certificate of Recognition, National Conference of Christians and Jews, undated (oversize). "Elect Paul Hitchock" poster, Oregon State Senate race, undated (oversize).
2 items
undated

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Personal Names

  • Hitchcock, Philip Stanley, 1904-1977 --Archives (creator)
  • Hitchcock, Sally, Mrs. waps (donor)

Geographical Names

  • Oregon--Politics and government--History -- Sources