The Corvallis, Oregon, Photograph Collection consists of images of Corvallis and vicinity that document the city and region in the early and middle 20th century. This artificial collection was assembled from a variety of sources. The collection includes images of orchards, the Corvallis Fire Department, and an event to promote the Colleges for Oregon's Future bond measure election in 1964. Of special note are 3 mural-size aerial photographs of Corvallis made in 1946, circa 1955, and 1962.
Collection is open for research.
This collection is arranged in one series: I. Photographs, 1902-1964.
Corvallis, Oregon, Photograph Collection (P 051), Oregon State University Special Collections & Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.
Most of the photographs were received from various sources in the late 1960s; additions were made to the collection through the 1990s.
The Special Collections & Archives Research Center has countless collections within its holdings that include images of Corvallis and Benton County, Oregon. Of special note are Harriet's Collection (P HC) -- especially HC 596 -- and the
Series I consists of photographs of Corvallis, Oregon, and vicinity assembled from a variety of sources. The item numbers P051:02 and P051:05 have each been assigned to two different photographs. The item numbers P051:12 through P051:18 have not been assigned to any images.
The Corvallis Orchard Company House was located west of Corvallis, Oregon.
Hand-tinted image of night-time fire at Kline Building.
Hand-tinted image of night-time fire.
Horse-drawn fire wagons in front of the Fire Department. Photograph by Moseley-Linton Photo.
The road may be a precursor to Highway 20. Three panoramic prints made by L.W. Jones, Portland. Donated by Judge Richard Mengler.
Photographs of the Torch of Learning Progress Marathon event to promote this May 1964 bond measure election to support higher education institutions in Oregon. John Fenner, an attorney in Corvallis, was Benton County Chair for Colleges for Oregon's Future. The photographs include images of John Fenner, Erwin Reiman, other individuals, and a crowd in front of the Benton County Courthouse.
Mural-size print (52 x 76 inches) hangs on the west wall of the maps area on the 3rd floor of the Valley Library. This oblique aerial view of Corvallis shows downtown Corvallis (lower right), the Oregon State College campus (middle left), residential areas north and west of the campus and downtown, and the McDonald and Paul Dunn Forests to the northwest. Because it is a composite of two prints, there is some discontinuity of roads in the middle-to-upper right portion. Notable landmarks include the Corvallis Lumber Company at the confluence of the Marys and Willamette Rivers (center bottom); a hops field on the east bank of the Willamette River (bottom right corner); Corvallis High School at the northern extent of residential areas (middle right); the fire-gutted Central School (middle), which was destroyed by fire in 1946; and the Western Oregon Packing Corporation Cannery on 9th Street. The photograph was made by Leonard Delano, Sr. who worked for almost 50 years in commercial photography, including aerial photography for mapping.
January 8, 1923. Only available in digital form.
The Majestic Theater is located in the Porter Building. Copy negative of photograph from page 18 of
This house was originally located on the site of the Valley Library and was likely built in the 1880s or early 1890s for E.E. Wilson and his parents, Lewis and Rose Wilson. When Oregon Agricultural College acquired the parcel for the growing campus, the Wilson House was moved to the corner of 26th and Campus Way to serve as the residence for the superintendent of grounds for Oregon Agricultural College. Arthur L. Peck served in this capacity for a number of years in addition to his roled as Professor of Landscape Architecture.
Taken by Western Ways, June 6, 1962 at 9000 feet elevation. Mounted mural-size print (60 x 94 inches) hangs on the south wall of the maps area on the 3rd floor of the Valley Library. This aerial photograph depicts several notable landmarks including the Willamette River (with a single bridge) and the Corvallis Sand and Gravel Company pit (lower right); the Corvallis Bypass (first phase) which was constructed in about 1960 (bottom); Highland View Middle School (upper middle right), which opened in 1957; Roosevelt School, at the southeast corner of 15th and Western (bottom middle), which closed in 1975. Western Ways, a Corvallis aerial photography company, was owned and operated by the Terway Family from the 1950s until the 1980s. They photographed farms and agricultural land; lumber mills and forests; as well as cities and towns throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Mural-size print (58 inches x 71 inches) hangs on the west wall of the maps area on the 3rd floor of the Valley Library. This oblique aerial view of Corvallis shows the Marys River (bottom), Dixon Creek (from middle top to middle right), and the Willamette River as well as downtown Corvallis (middle right) and the Oregon State College campus (middle left). Notable landmarks include Highway 99 from downtown to the north; the Corvallis Lumber Company, at the confluence of the Marys and Willamette Rivers (center bottom); a baseball diamond north of the Marys River; and the new Parker (now Reser) Stadium which had been completed in 1953 (middle left). The photographer of this image is not known.
Group of people at an unidentified event, perhaps in the Benton County Courthouse. The group consists primarily of men, but includes several women and a few boys.