Oral history interview with Fred C. Baker, 1978 July 5
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Interviewee
- Baker, Fred C. (Frederick Charles), 1887-1981
- Title
- Oral history interview with Fred C. Baker
- Dates
- 1978 July 51978-07-051978-07-05
- Quantity
- 0.1 cubic feet, (2 audiocassettes (1 hr., 19 min., 24 sec.) + transcript (31 pages))
- Collection Number
- SR 9317
- Summary
- Oral history interview with Fred C. Baker conducted by Sheila Ann Finch on July 5, 1978. Baker was a designer of light fixtures for Oregon architects and interior designers.
- 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
- Sponsor
- Digitization funded by the James F. Miller Endowment.
Biographical Note
Frederick Charles Baker was born in Bay City, Michigan, in 1887. In 1892, his family relocated to Oregon. He studied architecture at the University of Oregon. He became one of the few lighting designers to draw designs in full detail, rather than beginning with a model. In 1912, Baker opened his first shop, the Fred C. Baker Lighting Company, in Portland, and the next year was hired to design the lighting in the Pittock Mansion. In 1929, he and Inez Allan were married. Baker designed the lighting in many buildings, including the Oregon State Capitol and Timberline Lodge. He was still actively involved with the business when he died in 1981.
Content Description
This oral history interview with Fred C. Baker was conducted by Sheila Ann Finch on July 5, 1978, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program. In addition to the audio recording of the interview, a transcript is available.
In this interview, Baker discusses his career in lighting design. He talks about architects he worked with, including Frederick Fritsch, Carl Linde, and Herman Brookman; discusses some of the buildings he designed lighting for, particularly the Pittock Mansion; and describes how he got his start in the lighting design business. He looks at photographs of his designs and talks about them. He closes the interview by briefly sharing his experience working on Timberline Lodge.
Use of the Collection
Alternative Forms Available
Audio and transcript available online in OHS Digital Collections.
Preferred Citation
Oral history interview with Fred C. Baker, by Sheila Ann Finch, SR 9317, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.
Restrictions on Use
Copyright for this interview is held by the estate of Fred C. Baker. Use is allowed according to the following statement: In Copyright - https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Administrative Information
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Designers--Oregon--Portland
- Interior lighting
- Lighting, Architectural and decorative
Personal Names
- Baker, Fred C. (Frederick Charles), 1887-1981
Form or Genre Terms
- interviews
- oral histories (literary works)
Other Creators
-
Personal Names
- Finch, Sheila Ann, 1941- (interviewee)
