Springing from the Rocks: The Story of Wilhoit Mineral Springs, 2024

Overview of the Collection

Author
Chapman, Judith Sanders; Ray, Lois E. Helvey
Title
Springing from the Rocks: The Story of Wilhoit Mineral Springs
Dates
2024
Quantity
0.1 cubic feet, (1 folder in shared box)
Collection Number
Coll 1054
Summary
Historical information and images about Wilhoit Springs, near Molalla, Oregon, compiled by Judith Sanders Chapman and Lois E. Helvey Ray. Wilhoit Springs is named after John Wilhoit (1815-1895), who purchased the land. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a health resort was located at the springs. The site was eventually purchased by Clackamas County and developed as a county park.
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

Collection is open for research.

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Judith Sanders Chapman and Lois E. Helvey Ray are residents of Molalla, Oregon. Chapman works as a professional historian; Ray is a local research historian and former newspaper editor.

Source: Author biography for Wilhoit Springs: Molalla's Lost Resort, Arcadia Publishing, https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/products/9781467103237?srsltid=AfmBOoo7xpLEPEj4GufOGNTqmSPetQz932QL3uYX1XETzrZBOrgmGKYf

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection consists of a 36-page booklet containing historical information about and images of Wilhoit Springs near Molalla in Clackamas County, Oregon. The booklet was compiled by Judith Sanders Chapman and Lois E. Helvey Ray. It describes the history of the springs' development and use as a health resort in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, using quotes and information from historic newspaper articles and advertising materials. This historical information includes: the springs' initial purchase and development by John Wilhoit (1815-1895); subsequent owners of the resort; the resort's rise and decline in popularity; and its eventual development into a county park in the late 20th century. The booklet also contains 18 historic photographs of the resort, as well as brief biographical sketches of photographers June D. Drake and Arthur M. Prentiss, who both photographed Wilhoit Springs.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Preferred Citation

Springing from the Rocks: The Story of Wilhoit Mineral Springs, Coll 1054, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

Restrictions on Use

Judith Sanders Chapman and Lois E. Helvey Ray retain copyright until April 2049. Reproduction of this collection's contents is prohibited until that date.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

Gift of Lois E. Helvey Ray, May 2024 (RL2024-028).

Related Materials

Additional materials at the Oregon Historical Society Research Library about Wilhoit Springs include a book also written by Judith Sanders Chapman and Lois E. Helvey Ray, titled "Wilhoit Springs: Molalla's Lost Resort," call number 613.12209 C466w; and a vertical file, Hotels and Taverns - Wilhoit Springs Hotel. Images of the Wilhoit Springs resort are included in the June D. Drake photographs, Org. Lot 678, and in the Al Monner news negatives, Org. Lot 1284, and are viewable online in OHS Digital Collections.

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Health resorts--Oregon--Clackamas County
  • Springs--Oregon--Clackamas County

Geographical Names

  • Wilhoit Springs (Or.)--History
  • Wilhoit Springs (Or.)--Photographs

Form or Genre Terms

  • local histories