SECTION VII

ARCHIVAL, MANUSCRIPT, AND SCRAPBOOK COLLECTIONS

IN POLK COUNTY AGENCIES

Introduction

This section of the Pathfinder provides a survey of and subject index to over 100 archival, manuscript and scrapbook collections located in the PCHP agencies. Collections are designated by their agency abbreviations followed by a number that was assigned according to the order in which they were surveyed. This number is used for shelving purposes in the PCHP agencies.

A typical collection survey entry gives:

• the formal name of the collection
• inclusive dates of materials
• size of the collection in linear feet
• public accessibility note
• summary of contents
• indication of finding aids

A detailed, conventional subject index to collections follows the surveys at the end of the section.

 

Table of Contents by Agency and Collection Title

DALLAS PUBLIC LIBRARY COLLECTIONS

DAL:001 Dallas College Archive
DAL:002 Dallas Public Library Archive
DAL:003 Polk County Library Archive

HERITAGE MUSEUM COLLECTIONS

HER:001 Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), General Gibson Post No 164 Archive
HER:002 Hop Fiesta Scrapbooks
HER:003 Cora Hubbard Manuscript Entitled “History of Early Settlers of Independence”
HER:004 Independence Chamber of Commerce United War Chest Archive
HER:005 Independence Garden Club Archive
HER:006 Independence Saw Mill Archive
HER:007 C. W. Irvine Archive
HER:008 Ben Johnson Archive
HER:009 Phillip H. Johnson Family Manuscript Collection
HER:010 Dr. George C. Knott Manuscript Entitled “Hurry Doctor, It’s an Emergency”
HER:011 The Monmouth Evaporating and Canning Company Archive
HER:012 Monmouth Training School Scrapbooks
HER:013 Rose Family Scrapbooks
HER:014 Earnest Tripp Archive
HER:015 Vanduyn and Smith Archive
HER:016 Williams Drug Company Archive
HER:017 Oregon School Register and Record Books for Polk County Districts
HER:018 Independence-Monmouth Junior Women’s Club Scrapbook

INDEPENDENCE PUBLIC LIBRARY COLLECTIONS

IND:001 Independence Public Library Archive
IND:002 Independence Historic District Archive

MONMOUTH PUBLIC LIBRARY COLLECTIONS

MON:001 Monmouth American Legion Auxiliary Unit #65 Archive
MON:002 Monmouth Civic Club Archive
MON:003 Monmouth Fire Department Archive
MON:004 Monmouth Luncheon Club Archive
MON:005 Monmouth Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 Archive
MON:006 Monmouth Public Library Archive
MON:007 Monmouth Water Company Archive
MON:008 American Association of University Women (AAUW), Monmouth-Independence-Dallas (MID) Branch Archive
MON:009 Herbert B. Powell Manuscript Collection
MON:010 Eric J. Swenson Scrapbooks

POLK COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY COLLECTIONS

PHS:001 Soehren Warehouse Archive
PHS:002 Earl Richardson Notebook Entitled “Interesting People”
PHS:003 Polk County Schools Superintendent Archive
PHS:004 Annual Reports of Polk County Extension Agent W. C. Leth
PHS:005 Dallas Water Company and Dallas Water Commission Archive
PHS:006 Pedee Farmers’ Union Archive
PHS:007 Monmouth High School Student Body Association Archive
PHS:008 Polk County Federation of Rural Women’s Clubs Archive
PHS:009 Ricreal (sic) Farmers’ Alliance No. 190 Archive
PHS:010 C. W. Henkle, Mortician, Archive
PHS:011 Falls City School District #57 Archive
PHS:012 Swenson Family Scrapbooks
PHS:013 Stafrin and McKibben Scrapbooks
PHS:014 Marie Woods Scrapbook
PHS:015 Irene Goodrich Zumwalt Scrapbook of Oregon Pioneers
PHS:016 Earl Brunk Scrapbooks
PHS:017 Bissell Family Scrapbooks
PHS:018 Oregon Retired Educators Association, Cynthianne Unit XV Scrapbooks
PHS:019 Dallas Scrapbook
PHS:020 Brunk House Scrapbook
PHS:021 Embree-Hayter-Guthrie Family Scrapbook
PHS:022 Bill Harland Scrapbook
PHS:023 Ellis Stebbins Scrapbook
PHS:024 Polk County Mental Health Association Archive
PHS:025 Cline Scrapbook
PHS:026 La Creole Academic Institute Archive
PHS:027 School Officers of Polk County Convention Archive
PHS:028 Eola Literary Society Archive
PHS:029 Popcorn Literary and Debating Institute Archive
PHS:030 Falls City Grange No. 847 History Scrapbook
PHS:031 Oregon School Register and Record Book of Polk County District No. 46 (McTimmonds)
PHS:032 M. L. Thompson Drugs Archive and Dina McMurphy Diary
PHS:033 Polk County Telephone Company Archive
PHS:034 Smith Cemetery Association Archive
PHS:035 Wilson Drug Company Archive
PHS:036 Polk County Board of Commissioners Journal and Territorial Probate Court Proceedings
PHS:037 Polk County Centennial Scrapbook
PHS:038 West Red Hills Red Cross Auxiliary Archive
PHS:039 Lewisville Store Archive
PHS:040 Rickreall Store Archive
PHS:041 Book and Thimble Club Archive
PHS:042 Spring Valley School District No.1 Archive
PHS:043 William Burns’s Estate Ledger
PHS:044 District Clerk’s Book of Records Polk County School District No. 34 (Buell)
PHS:045 Polk County Voter Registration Archive
PHS:046 District Clerk’s Record-Book of District No. 6, Polk County (Red Prairie)
PHS:047 Ellendale Club Archive
PHS:048 Polk County Assessor’s Office Archive
PHS:049 Polk County Treasurer’s Office Archive
PHS:050 Polk County Clerk’s Office Archive
PHS:051 Dallas School District (Polk County School District No. 2) Archive
PHS:052 W. L. Soehren Manuscript Collection
PHS:053 Thomas F. Brunk Manuscript Collection
PHS:054 Polk County Court Archive
PHS:055 Polk County Senior Citizens Association Scrapbook
PHS:056 Polk County Sheriff Archive
PHS:057 Polk County Historical Society Scrapbooks
PHS:058 Polk County Council of Parent-Teacher Associations Archive
PHS:059 John Thorp Ford Scrapbook
PHS:060 Polk County Surveyor Archive
PHS:061 Polk County Index to Abstracts of Donation [Land] Claims (DLCs)
PHS:062 Dallas School Educational Exhibit for Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition

WESTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY’S HAMERSLY LIBRARY COLLECTIONS

WOU:001 Western Oregon University Archive
WOU:002 Ellis Stebbins Manuscript Collection
WOU:003 Board of Regents of Normal Schools Archive
WOU:004 Charles Abner Howard Manuscript Collection
WOU:005 Catherine (Cassie) B. Stump and Mary Stump Campbell Manuscript Collection
WOU:006 Benjamin F. Burch Manuscript Collection
WOU:007 Peter Butler Family Manuscript Collection
WOU:008 Gary Huxford Manuscript Collection
WOU:009 Edgar H. Smith Fine Arts Series Archive

SUBJECT INDEX TO THE ARCHIVAL, MANUSCRIPT, AND SCRAPBOOK COLLECTIONS IN POLK COUNTY AGENCIES

Collection Surveys

DALLAS PUBLIC LIBRARY COLLECTIONS:

DAL:001
Dallas College Archive
1874-1942
.5 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: yearbooks of Dallas College; yearly lists of graduates of the College and of the two institutions that merged to form it, LaCreole Academic Institute and Lafayette Seminary: register of graduates of LaCreole Academic Institute with listings of subsequent educational attainments, 1928 to 1942; scrapbook with constitution, bylaws, minutes (1901-1941), and correspondence of the Alumni Association of Dallas College; card file with educational tax receipts for Polk County back to 1874.
Finding aids: none.

DAL:002
Dallas Public Library Archive
1905-1990
2.75 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: constitution and log of activities of the Dallas Library Association from 1905 to 1908; scrapbooks of the Association and of Dallas Public Library activities from 1905 to mid-1980s; Dallas Library Board minutes for 1933 to 1937 and 1963 to 1964; financial records; patron registrations from 1920 to 1921; circulation records from 1924 to 1972; insurance policies for the Dallas Carnegie Library.
Finding aids: none.

DAL:003
Polk County Library Archive
1921-1923
.15 linear ft.
Contents: financial ledger and patron registration book for the Polk County Library, which was housed in and administered by the Dallas Public Library.
Finding aids: none.

HERITAGE MUSEUM COLLECTIONS:

HER:001
Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), General Gibson Post No. 164 Archive
1895-1923
.075 linear ft.
Accessible in copy form.
Contents: a printed membership roster (“descriptive book”) listing 112 members of the Post by date of membership, with age, birthplace, occupation, record of Civil War service, some death dates, and incidental information.
Finding aids: none.

HER:002
Hop Fiesta Scrapbooks
1940-1941
.075 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: two scrapbooks recording the planning and staging of the Hop Fiesta; include press releases, fliers, and black and white photographs of the Hop Queen and her court.
Finding aids: none.

HER:003
Cora Hubbard Manuscript Entitled “History of the Early Settlers of Independence”
1918
.025 linear ft.
Accessible in original manuscript and as typescript in the Local History Pamphlet File under “INDEPENDENCE – History – Reminiscences.”
Contents: chronicle of the early development of Independence and description of key personalities and developers from the 1840s to the 1880s.
Finding aids: none.

HER:004
Independence Chamber of Commerce United War Chest Archive
1930-1952
.075 linear ft.
Accessible.
Content: accounting ledger for a special fund of the Independence Chamber of Commerce, perhaps related to community welfare; specific individuals and businesses are listed for the entire period.
Finding aids: none.

HER:005
Independence Garden Club Archive
1931-1992
.33 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: reconstituted records of the Independence Garden Club, which was founded in 1928 and became affiliated with the Oregon Federation of Garden Clubs in 1930. Includes an incomplete run of program booklets from 1931-32 to 1991-92, a manuscript history of the Club written in 1941, annual Club histories written in the 1980s, minutes from 1972 to 1989, incidental correspondence, and miscellaneous scrapbook and clipping materials. Chronicles the Club’s involvement in community beautification at schools and parks, Polk County Fair exhibits, and festivals (Hops Fiesta and State Centennial).
Finding aids: none.

HER:006
Independence Saw Mill Archive
1883
.05 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: Sylvester Douty’s account book for the Independence Saw Mill; disbursements are listed by the proper names of businesses and individuals.
Finding aids: none.

HER:007
C. W. Irvine Archive
1906-1911
.2 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: account book of C. W. Irvine, agent for North British and Mercantile Insurance Company and the Royal Insurance Company Limited. Includes letters from Irvine to offices in San Francisco, California, (1906-1908) and detailed descriptions of local insured buildings and properties.
Finding aids: none.

HER:008
Ben Johnson Archive
1920
.025 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: time book for contractor Ben Johnson giving employee names and hours worked for various jobs in Monmouth and vicinity, including Campbell Hall.
Finding aids: none.

HER:009
Phillip H. Johnson Family Manuscript Collection
1902-1965
.75 linear ft.
Accessible; mural studies are stored separately.
Contents: includes legal papers of Monmouth businessman and mayor (1914-15) Phillip H. Johnson and of his wife, Minnie (the Johnsons owned extensive property in Monmouth, including Johnson Hall and the local Safeway Store building); correspondence of their son, artist Halley Johnson, in the late 1930s and early 1940s, a copy of his 1937 M.A. thesis and his mural studies for the University of Oregon School of Art; business papers of Halley Johnson and his sister, Mabel Fern Johnson, during the 1950s; and many 1910s and 1920s Monmouth photographs loose and in two albums.
Finding aids: none.

HER:010
Dr. George C. Knott Manuscript Entitled “Hurry Doctor, It’s an Emergency”
1960?
1 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: autobiography and memoirs of Dr. Knott, who practiced medicine in Independence from 1921 to 1960.
Finding aids: none.

HER:011
The Monmouth Evaporating and Canning Company Archive
1907-1909
.075 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: cash payment and receipt ledger for the Company’s fruit drying and canning operation, including goods and services purchased by company name, detailed wage payments for individuals and group laborers, and fruit purchased by grower name and varietal name.
Finding aids: none.

HER:012
Monmouth Training School Scrapbooks
1947-1949
.4 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: two scrapbooks document the activities of the Monmouth Training School and its P.T.A. during two school years. Includes class and activity photographs as well as some materials on broader educational issues, such as district consolidation and unification.
Finding aids: none.

HER:013
Rose Family Scrapbooks
1940-1959
.9 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: seven scrapbooks compiled by Chrystal Rose and Audrey Thecier document social life, railroads, church activities, and crime in Polk County. During the period of World War II, local military activities are documented as well as the careers of local servicemen and servicewomen. The Rose family relocated from Independence to Portland in the mid-1940s, but the scrapbooks continue to reflect Polk County events and residents until the late 1950s. Burrus E. Rose was superintendent of the Valley and Siletz Railroad. One scrapbook contains clippings only on railroad accidents in Oregon.
Finding aids: none.

HER:014
Ernest Tripp Archive
1903-1905
.2 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: ledger book listing individual and business customers for Tripp’s drayage business. Includes descriptions of building materials and other freight hauled.
Finding aids: none.

HER:015
Vanduyn and Smith Archive
1880-1881
.4 linear ft.
Accessible, but needs careful handling.
Contents: debit and credit ledger of a general merchandizing company listing many names of early Independence businesses and residents.
Finding aids: none.

HER:016
Williams Drug Company Archive
1909-1944
.2 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: Account book of sales of drugs and general merchandise to private individuals, businesses, doctors, Polk County agencies and other institutions. Individual sales are recorded from 1909 to 1915.
Finding aids: none.

HER:017
Oregon School Register and Record Books for Polk County Districts
1900-1924
.25 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: printed state register and records books for Independence School District (1902-1903), Montgomery School District (1900-1924), and Liberty School District (1901-1903). Include pupil registration and attendance records, class study plans and progress reports, honor rolls, and visitor lists.
Finding aids: none.

HER:018
Independence-Monmouth Junior Women’s Club Scrapbook
1959-1962
.08 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: includes annual reports detailing community service projects, photographs, clippings, and ephemera. The Club was founded in 1959 and was originally called the “Independence Junior Women’s Club.” Records reflect the Club’s interest in education, particularly in the establishment of public school kindergartens.
Finding aids: none.

INDEPENDENCE PUBLIC LIBRARY COLLECTIONS:

IND:001
Independence Public Library Archive
1909-present
1.1 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: includes State Library Statistical Reports starting in 1927; Library Board minutes (1912-present); accession logs (1909-1973); a financial ledger (1929-1972); circulation and fine data (1969-1983); miscellaneous circulation statistics and monthly reports; Monmouth Street library building specifications; and nine rolled plans for the Monmouth Street library.
Finding aids: none.

IND:002
Independence Historic District Archive
1874-1988
.25 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: files on the Independence Historic District, including maps and clippings. Includes field research notes and photographs of houses on 5^th Street. Some forms from Independence’s 1984/85 Historic Resource Inventory are included for 5^th Street buildings, as are assessor print-outs and deeds photocopied from county records.
Finding aids: 5^th Street files are arranged by address.

MONMOUTH PUBLIC LIBRARY COLLECTIONS:

MON:001
Monmouth American Legion Auxiliary Unit #65 Archive
1926-1966
1.25 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: includes bylaws; constitution; minutes (1928-1960); membership applications (1928-1966) with biographical information on applicants and on their male relatives whose veteran status provided eligibility; and scrapbooks. Provides much information on civilian activities during World War II and on Americanization efforts during the early Cold War era. The Auxiliary was chartered from 1928 to 1968.
Finding aids: brieflist and draft summary report.

MON:002
Monmouth Civic Club Archive
1914-1989
8 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: includes complete run of the Club’s minutes (1914 to 1989); constitution; bylaws; history; and, for the period after 1960, correspondence, programs and yearbooks, financial records, annual reports, publications, scrapbooks, and some artifacts. Chronicles the history of early park development in Monmouth and the founding and early years (1934 to 1940) of the Monmouth Public Library.
Finding aids: donation inventory and container inventories.

MON:003
Monmouth Fire Department Archive
1966-1990
3.75 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: annual reports, daily logs, and incident/alarm reports for the Monmouth Fire Department from September, 1966, to June, 1985, and for the Monmouth Station of the Polk County Fire District No. 1 from July, 1985, to January, 1990. Incidental items include personnel newsletters, lists of insurance payments made within the community, training materials, and photographs of fires and equipment. From December, 1979, until 1985, Monmouth Fire Chief Don Milligan also served as chief of the Southeast Polk Rural Fire Protection District and the City of Monmouth contracted with this District for key emergency services. Correspondence from this era reflects the Chief’s joint responsibilities and contractual issues between Monmouth and the District. The Southeast Polk Rural Fire Protection District became the Polk County Fire District No. 1 on July 1, 1985, and Chief Milligan continued as chief of the new unified District until his retirement in 1988.
Finding aids: none.

MON:004
Monmouth Luncheon Club Archive
1938-1962
.l linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: minutes and financial records of the Monmouth Luncheon Club, a successor of the Monmouth Lions Club. From the mid-1950s it was known as the “No Purpose Club” and was basically a social club for the Monmouth’s older civic and educational leaders. It ceased operation in the early 1960s, soon after the founding of the Monmouth-Independence Rotary Club.
Finding aids: none.

MON:005
Monmouth Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 Archive.
1894-1896
.025 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: organic documents, members list, and minutes of Monmouth’s volunteer fire department.
Finding aids: none.

MON:006
Monmouth Public Library Archive
1934-present
2 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: includes State Library Statistical Reports (1934 to the present); Library Board minutes (July, 1969, to the present); director correspondence (1962 to 1989); and materials on remodel proposals for the Jackson Street building and the erection of the 1995 Ecols Street building.
Finding aids: none.

MON:007
Monmouth Water Company Archive
1895-19–?
.05 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: minutes of the Monmouth Water Company and loose stock certificates and receipts from the early 1890s. The Company contracted with the City of Monmouth to provide water but eventually became part of the municipal utility. Includes pages of notes in pencil on the history of Monmouth’s water supply through 1913 by local historian Iris Powell.
Finding aids: none.

MON:008
American Association of University Women (AAUW), Monmouth-Independence-Dallas (MID) Branch Archive
1967-1996
Accessible.
.2 linear ft.
Contents: minutes, annual reports, membership rosters, financial records, correspondence, newsletters, and brochures of an AAUW branch begun in Monmouth in 1961 in support of the Oregon College of Education. Later the Branch became a county-wide organization. It was involved in promoting female education through scholarships and math and science workshops. The Branch also concerned itself in current affairs, civic issues such as recycling, and legislative action involving educational and women’s measures.
Finding aids: inventory.

MON:009
Herbert B. Powell Manuscript Collection
1850-1998
1.3 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: descended from two prominent pioneer families, the Powells and the Butlers, General Herbert Powell (1903-1998) grew up in Monmouth, had a long, distinguished military career (he was Commanding Officer of the U.S. Continental Army Command during the Cuban Missile Crisis), was Ambassador to New Zealand, and retired to the South. This is a collection of the General’s family records, genealogical research, and papers relating to his civilian interests after his 1967 retirement. His military papers have been deposited elsewhere. The General remained in close contact with his family in Monmouth throughout his life and seemingly intended to write a history of Monmouth featuring his family when he retired. His sister-in-law was the well-known local historian Iris Powell. This collection includes much research material but no manuscript history except one the General did as a schoolboy in the 1910s. The collection also includes a
copy of a 1999 compilation of the General’s letters during World War II and the Korean War entitled “The Ways of War.” This compilation includes letters to his father and brother and miscellaneous newspaper accounts of family activities in Monmouth.
Finding aids: three separate accession inventories.

MON:010
Eric J. Swenson Scrapbooks
1926-1945
.5 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: two scrapbooks documenting U.S. travels of Eric J. and Richard Irving Swenson, sons of Monmouth Herald publisher Richard B. Swenson, from 1926 to 1939 and Eric’s World War II experiences in the U.S. Signal Corps. Includes clippings from the Herald, black and white photographs, tourist brochures, and some Monmouth-related ephemera.
Finding aids: none.

POLK COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY COLLECTIONS:

PHS:001
Soehren Warehouse Archive
1907-1938
1.5 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: twenty-three accounts receivable ledgers of a Dallas building materials firm listing customers by name for the years 1907 to1920 and 1926 to 1938. Customers include individuals, businesses, churches, and government agencies. Cash sales are listed at front of ledgers. Loose materials include 1913 lists of customers sent to collection agencies, bank drafts, and new names for the county tax rolls in 1915. W. L. Soehren was the owner of this firm. He had a variety of involvements and responsibilities in Dallas and used his ledgers for multiple purposes. See also PHS:005.
Finding aids: each ledger has a name index at the front.

PHS:002
Earl Richardson Notebook Entitled “Interesting People”
1932?-1957?
.075 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: working notebook of Dallas Itemizer-Observer publisher Earl Richardson. Indexes all Polk County people covered in the newspaper’s “Interesting People” column as well as many who were documented by obituaries and news stories in the Itemizer-Observer. Contains lengthy biographical compilations by Richardson on a few civic leaders and lists potential subjects for future columns.
Finding aids: none, though internally indexed.

PHS:003
Polk County School Superintendent Archive
1889-1967
2.7 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: archive of the Polk County Superintendent of Schools, including records of Superintendent visits (1889-1892); register of teachers’ contracts (1899-1947) with a cross-index by district from 1947 to 1952; record of teachers examined (1907-1911); record of official bonds of school districts (1909-1914); record of eighth grade examinations (1910-1917, 1925-1946, 1948); register of teachers’ certificates (1914-1927); audits of Polk County school districts (1923-1924, 1928-1929, 1931/32-1932/33, 1934/35-1937/38); audits of the County School Superintendent’s Office (1934/35-1936/37); school district financial summaries for 1966/67; incoming correspondence of Polk County Superintendent of Schools Josiah Wills (1935-1936) filed alphabetically; and records of the 4-H Clubs and O.S.U. Agricultural Extension Projects (1943) supervised by Josiah Wills as County School Superintendent. Correspondence includes loose circular letters from a variety of state and federal agencies. The 4-H and Agricultural Extension materials include membership rosters, printed literature, reports, some correspondence, and Polk County Fair premium books.
Finding aids: none.

PHS:004
Annual Reports of Polk County Extension Agent W. C. Leth
1939-1945
.5 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: six annual reports detailing the activities of Oregon State College’s Extension Service in Polk County. Includes high quality black and white photographs of many agricultural activities, crops, and locales mounted into text. Polk County Agent Walter C. Leth later became a state senator.
Finding aids: none.

PHS:005
Dallas Water Company and Dallas Water Commission Archive
1916-1941
.1 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: two ledger books with a variety of accounts and lists, most water related. One ledger includes expense accounts for the Dallas Water Company (1916); check register for the Dallas Water Company (1924); hydrant and valve list by Dallas Street (1927); check register for Soehren Warehouse (1924-1926); W. L. Soehren’s personal expense account (1916-1917) and a list of Oregon locality water rates. A second ledger is a check register for the Dallas Water Commission (1931-1941), without a listing of specific names. W. L. Soehren was the owner of Soehren Warehouse and the Superintendent of Dallas Water Works. See also PHS:001.
Finding aids: none.

PHS:006
Pedee Farmers’ Union Archive
1935-1959
.75 linear ft.
Accessible, except for second ledger, which needs fumigation or photocopying.
Contents: minutes of the Pedee local of the Farmers’ Union (1935-1952). Includes membership and mailing lists, account book (1935-1959), and clippings. The Union was a political action, education, and social organization for local farmers. The Pedee local was affiliated with the Polk County Farmers’ Union and with the Farmers’ Educational and Co-operative Union of America.
Finding aids: None.

PHS:007
Monmouth High School Student Body Association Archive
1920-1921
.05 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: accounts book of Eric J. Swenson, Treasurer of the Association. Includes fund accounts, dues list by name, student election tally sheets, and other printed items.
Finding aids: none.

PHS:008
Polk County Federation of Rural Women’s Clubs Archive
1939?-1968
.8 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: Includes Federation’s minutes (1952-1968), bylaws, installation ceremonies, list of presidents (1927-1967), manuscript Federation history for period 1927 to 1939, 1942 yearbook with Federation history, correspondence, and clippings.
Finding aids: none.

PHS:009
Ricreal (sic) Farmers’ Alliance No. 190 Archive
1891
.05 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: minutes of the Alliance, membership list of those affiliated with the National Farmers’ Alliance, and some correspondence.
Finding aids: none.

PHS:010
C. W. Henkle, Mortician, Archive
1909-1916
.l linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: printed funeral record book for services conducted or performed from October 13, 1909, to October 9, 1916, by Independence funeral home. Provides personal
information on deceased, including occupation, religion, and cause of death.
Finding aids: tabbed name index at front; burial site annotations by Katherine Johnson.

PHS:011
Falls City School District #57 Archive
1885-1914
.25 linear ft.
Inaccessible until photocopied due to degraded condition.
Contents: minutes of the School District Board, including annual reports copied into text.
Finding aids: none.

PHS:012
Swenson Family Scrapbooks
1900-1975
.45 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: includes community activities of brothers Richard and Eric Swenson prior to and after their retirement from publishing the Monmouth Herald. Chronicles the career of their father, newspaperman Richard B. Swenson, in Riverside, California, and Monmouth, Oregon.
Finding aids: none

PHS:013
Stafrin and McKibben Scrapbooks
1913-1970
.5 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: clippings on Dallas, Polk County, and Oregon State events collected by Mildred Stafrin and left as part of her estate. Clippings were organized in rough date order in 1996 by Ruth Marie Schrouder McKibben and mounted into three scrapbooks.
Finding aids: none.

PHS:014
Marie Woods Scrapbook
1945-1946
.1 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: clippings on World War II activities, including Polk County men in service. Some clippings are unrelated to the War and cover such things as local fires, social events, and sporting events.
Finding aids: none.

PHS:015
Irene Goodrich Zumwalt Scrapbook on Oregon Pioneers
1900-1906
.25 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: biographical sketches on approximately 500 Oregon Trail pioneers; originally
published in the Oregonian.
Finding aids: name index at front, in folder.

PHS:016
Earl Brunk Scrapbooks
1911-1978
.15 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: three scrapbooks concerning Earl Brunk’s graduation from Salem High School in 1911 and subsequent class reunions. One scrapbook on the Harrison Brunk Family, including ephemera, photographs, and a typed narrative on the family and its farm. One scrapbook on Oregon pioneer history, including clippings and photographs of Eola, other Polk County sites, and Marion County sites. Some coverage of local Native Americans in both of the last scrapbooks.
Finding aids: Brunk House subject card file for two scrapbooks numbered “#1” and “#12.”

PHS:017
Bissell Family Scrapbooks
1890-mid-1950s
.2 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: compiled by Lissie (Mrs. Frank J.) Bissell, these scrapbooks feature the events, people, and institutions of Perrydale, Ballston, and the rural northern tier of Polk County. Included are many obituaries from the early 1920s.
Finding aids: Brunk House subject card file.

PHS:018
Oregon Retired Educators Association, Cynthianne Unit XV Scrapbooks
1970-1996
.25 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: chronicles the activities of the Association and gives extensive biographical information on members and honorees. Includes the Association’s constitution and certificates, photocopied portraits, and a couple of older photographs (from the 1940s and 1950s).
Finding aids: none

PHS:019
Dallas Scrapbook
1940
.05 linear ft.
Accessible, but fragile.
Contents: clippings about Dallas events, persons, and institutions.
Finding aids: none.

PHS:020
Brunk House Scrapbook
1977-1989
.05 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: chronicles activities of the Brunk House Museum and its volunteers.
Finding aids: Brunk House subject card file.

PHS:021
Embree-Hayter-Guthrie Family Scrapbook
Ca. 1900-1962
.075 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: obituaries and other newsclippings relating to these three families.
Finding aids: Brunk House subject card file.

PHS:022
Bill Harland Scrapbook
1916-1993
.16 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: materials on World War I, World War II, local servicemen, and the local war effort, including Camp Adair. Miscellaneous items on Polk County history, including weather, storms, and newspaper supplements on the timber industry and other topics. Contents were donated to the Polk County Historical Society and then compiled by Society volunteers.
Finding aids: none.

PHS:023
Ellis Stebbins Scrapbook
1958-1975
.08 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: clippings on local railroads, Oregon College of Education (OCE), and various Polk County topics. Internal evidence suggests that long-time OCE administrator Ellis Stebbins was the compiler.
Finding aids: none.

PHS:024
Polk County Mental Health Association Archive
1964-1992
1.1 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: records of the Association, including board minutes (1973-1988), constitution and bylaws, correspondence, publications, financial records, poster contest records, and a scrapbook.
Finding aids: none.

PHS:025
Cline Scrapbook
1920-1995
.15 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: includes clippings collected from local newspapers by members of the Lester Cline family on Polk County events, people, history, government, and economy. Most items are from the mid-1950s to the mid-1990s, with a few pieces of Dallas ephemera from the 1920s. Obituaries and engagement and wedding announcements were removed from this scrapbook after it was donated to the Polk County Museum Association and they were placed in the Association’s family history files.
Finding aids: Rodewald subject card file.

PHS:026
La Creole Academic Institute Archive
1855-1958
.45 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: records of the Institute include minutes of the board of trustees (1855-1877; 1880-1937; and 1958), charter, deeds, financial records, resolutions, trustee lists, and specifications and bidding documents for a 1929 stadium project on the former Institute site. Late in the nineteenth century the Institute merged with the Presbyterian Lafayette Seminary and was then known as Dallas College. In 1905 the Institute merged with Dallas High School, but retained a separate identify until 1914. The Institute’s last assets were not dispersed until 1958. Includes manuscript histories of the Institute itself, of Jefferson Institute, and of Dallas High School.
Finding aids: none.

PHS:027
School Officers of Polk County Convention Archive
1920-1947
.75 linear ft.
Accessible, but fragile.
Contents: minutes of the Convention (1920-1947), which include resolutions, questionnaires, programs, and school cost surveys. The Convention of school district administrators and board members was concerned with taking positions on various state legislative and funding proposals.
Finding aids: none.

PHS:028
Eola Literary Society Archive
1900-1905
.05 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: minutes (1900-1905) and membership list for a debating society.
Finding aids: none.

PHS:029
Popcorn Literary and Debating Institute Archive
1878-1886
.07 linear ft.
Inaccessible until fumigated or copied.
Contents: constitution, bylaws, member lists, and minutes (1878-1886) of the Institute, which met in the Popcorn School in the Eola Hills.
Finding aids: none.

PHS:030
Falls City Grange No. 847 History Scrapbook
1936-1942
.25 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: yearly manuscript histories of the Grange from 1936 to 1942; list of charter members; portraits of Grange Masters; photographs of Grange activities and various Falls City buildings and landmarks; and clippings.
Finding aids: none.

PHS:031
Oregon School Register and Record Book for Polk County District No. 46
(McTimmonds)
1909-1916
.05 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: printed state register and record book for McTimmonds School District (1909-1916). Includes pupil registration and attendance records, class study plans and progress reports, honor rolls, and visitor lists.
Finding aids: none.

PHS:032
M. L. Thompson Drugs Archive and Dina McMurphy Diary
1897-1939
.15 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: accounts ledger for a Falls City drug store. Subsequently used by Falls City resident Dina (Mrs. George LeRoy) McMurphy as a diary, from February, 1937, to December, 1939.
Finding aids: name index for accounts at front.

PHS:033
Polk County Telephone Company Archive
1912-1948
.15 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: minutes of the Company’s board of directors (1936-1947); stockholders and
 
subscribers ledger (1912-1935); bylaws, and stock certificate book with loose certificates from an earlier period.
Finding aids: none

PHS:034
Smith Cemetery Association Archive
1899-1930
.05 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: minutes of the trustees’ meeting for the Association (1899-1922 and 1930) and minutes of the annual stockholders’ meetings for the Association (1899-1920 and 1930). Includes survey drawing of cemetery property.
Finding aids: none.

PHS:035
Wilson Drug Company Archive
1902-1905
.15 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: general ledger of Wilson Drug Company of Dallas, managed by pharmacist Conrad Stafrin. Includes some loose invoices and other business ephemera.
Finding aids: none.

PHS:036
Polk County Board of Commissioners Journal and Territorial Probate Court Proceedings
1850-1951
2.9 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: proceedings/minutes of the Board of Commissioners (variously called “County Court” or the “Commissioner Court”) from January 2, 1854, to August 24, 195l. Includes proceedings of Polk County Probate Court from September 2, 1850 to January 25, 1853.
Includes texts of resolutions, contracts and agreements, lists of jurors, and election board officials.
Finding aids: typed subject and name indices tipped in ledgers at front or back (1855-1866; 1871-1878) or in pocket at front (1901-1910); original tabbed indices for 1866 to 1871, 1884-1892, 1911-1951. Indices emphasize the establishment and maintenance of county roads.

PHS:037
Polk County Centennial Scrapbook
1947
.15 linear ft.
Accessible, but fragile.
Contents: scrapbook of Polk County’s Centennial celebration in Dallas. Includes clippings, photographs of parade and other activities, programs, fliers, and whole copies of the Itemizer-Observer. Compiled by sisters Mildred Stafrin and Ruby Stafrin Irwin, pharmacists in Dallas.
Finding aids: none.
PHS:038
West Red Hills Red Cross Auxiliary
Feb.-Sept. 1918
.04 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: minutes of a Red Cross auxiliary active in West Salem during World War I.
Finding aids: none.

PHS:039
Lewisville Store Archive
1869-1897
.2 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: sales journal for Lewisville Store, giving customer name, items purchased, and cost.
Finding aids: none.

PHS:040
Rickreall Store Archive
1887-1900
.45 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: customer account book for general store in Rickreall (1887-1889; 1896-1900), including items purchased and costs.
Finding aids: separate index for second ledger in pocket at front.

PHS:041
Book and Thimble Club Archive
1911-1986
1.15 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: archive of the Book and Thimble Club of West Salem, a women’s service organization founded in 1911. It claimed to be one of the earliest and longest lived women’s clubs west of the Mississippi. Includes bylaws, minutes (1911-1949, 1962-1982, 1984-1986), membership rosters, roll call sheets, scrapbooks (1955, 1966, 1977-1978), a photograph album (1945-1976), and miscellaneous financial records. Club histories exist in various manuscripts and as newspaper articles.
Finding aids: none.

PHS:042
Spring Valley School District No. 1 Archive
1852-1872
.03 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: minute book for annual meetings (1952-1872) of the Spring Valley School District centered in Zena, including annual reports, texts of contracts, and financial disbursements.
Finding aids: none.

PHS:043
William Burns’s Estate Ledger
1876-1897
.08 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: ledger kept by Lewisville pioneer and farmer Benjamin Franklin Smith as executor of the estate of William Burns.
Finding aids: none.

PHS:044
District Clerk’s Book of Records for Polk County District No. 34 (Buell)
1892-1893
.05 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: printed record and form book for the school district centered in Buell, including minutes of the school board, financial records, student lists, teacher contracts, and district clerk’s reports.
Finding aids: none.

PHS:045
Polk County Voter Registration Archive
1902-1908
3.5 linear ft.
Accessible, though damaged.
Contents: voter registration forms pasted into ledgers by date, with no election year’s being complete.
Finding aids: none.

PHS:046
District Clerk’s Record-Book of District No. 6, Polk County (Red Prairie)
1903-1907
.5 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: printed record book includes minutes of annual meeting of the School District (1904-1907), minutes of the School District board (1903-1907), financial records, and rosters of students (1906-1907).
Finding aids: none

PHS:047
Ellendale Club Archive
1950-1954
.2 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: includes Club minutes (1950-1954), annual reports, invoices, and miscellaneous certificates, brochures, and other ephemera.
Finding aids: none.
 
PHS:048
Polk County Assessor’s Office Archive
1895-1900
1 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: regular tax rolls of payers in one alphabet for 1898 to 1900 and delinquent tax rolls alphabetized by community for 1895 to 1897. Information includes property owner, property description, location, acres in cultivation, improvements, value of household goods, numbers of livestock, total taxable property value with equalization, school district and town, and amount of tax collected.
Finding aids: none.

PHS:049
Polk County Treasurer’s Office Archive
1923-1969
1 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: includes warrant register books (1952-1969) listing payees and amounts paid, bond register (1923-1969) listing school bonds and other bonds with interest paid to holders, duplicate receipts ledger, in particular receipts to Sheriff for tax collections, and receipts for fees collected by County Clerk and other county officers.
Finding aids: none.

PHS:050
Polk County Clerk’s Office Archive
1891-1971
2.03 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: includes registers of electors (voters) by precinct (1902, 1908, 1910), giving occupation, place of birth and naturalization, residence, and party affiliation; records of notary public commissions (1891-1937); records of clergy ordination and authority to solemnize marriages (1911-1934), providing evidence and place of ordination and name of congregation requesting county sanction; ledger books of financial records (1894-1911), in particular, warrants, expenditures, liability resources, balance sheets, etc.; journal (1906-1937), in particular, reports on tax rolls, tax summaries, sheriff’s accounts, and warrants not presented for cancellation; and records of fees received from circuit court.
Finding aids: tabbed index of clergy sanctioned to perform marriages.

PHS:051
Dallas School District (Polk County School District No. 2) Archive
1898-1924
.08 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: includes minutes of the School Board (1898-1907), general fund ledgers, monthly statistical forms, and documents relating to the 1914 merger of Dallas High School and La Creole Academic Institute.
Finding aids: none.

PHS:052
W. L. Soehren Manuscript Collection
1921-1933
.33 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: business and personal papers of Dallas civic leader W. L. Soehren. Includes Soehren’s campaign to be appointed Dallas Postmaster (1921-1931), local service club and Masonic involvements, Republican Party activities, and professional involvement in statewide water affairs. See also PHS:001 and PHS:005.
Finding aids: none.

PHS:053
Thomas F. Brunk Manuscript Collection
1890-1895
.07 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: farm and personal expense ledger for Eola farmer Thomas F. Brunk, including detailed labor, crop, and stock costs.
Finding aids: none.

PHS:054
Polk County Court Archive
1848-1984
15.1 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: includes Circuit Court proceedings (1847-1848); Circuit Court record and index (1871-1875); Circuit Court expense ledger (1881-1882; later non-related records at back include sales ledger for a butcher shop, 1882-1883, an expense and account ledger for Lawrence M. Hall of Buena Vista, 1883-1889, and accounts receivable ledger for a doctor, 1897); justice docket for small claims in District Court (1951-1968); County Court journal for civil cases (1866-1883); District Court jurors and witnesses lists, with mileage and per diem payments (1959-1963); Justice Court of Independence docket (1890-1894); Probate Court proceedings (1852-1859); Probate Court record/journal of estates and guardianships (1895-1959); court writs of execution and Sheriff’s return reports (1889-1890); record of wills (1945-1948); records of liens and mortgages (1854-1878); mechanics liens (1853-1887); attachment and lien records (1916-1984); and records of brands (1849-1890). See also PHS:036.
Finding aids: Circuit Court case master index (1865?-1883); probate case file index binders (1853-1969) include a master index for 1853-1921 and annual indices thereafter.
Most individual record books have tabbed indices at front.

PHS:055
Polk County Senior Citizens Association Scrapbook
1967-1972
.025 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: scrapbook of a Dallas-based association affiliated with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). Documents the involvement of the association in the establishment of a senior center in Dallas and in various other community-wide projects.
Finding aids: none.

PHS:056
Polk County Sheriff Archive
1898-1963
.45 linear ft.
Accessible, except for duty officer logbook for 1960, which is moldy.
Contents: scattered delinquent tax receipts for 1898 to 1901; logbooks (Feb. 1960-July 1963); and logbooks of calls received by night jailers (1956-1958).
Finding aids: none.

PHS:057
Polk County Historical Society Scrapbooks
1919-2000
4.5 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: 34 scrapbooks compiled by Polk County Historical Society members from 1959 to 2000 to chronicle the activities of the Society and events in the County. Materials pre-dating 1959 are mostly clippings donated by sisters Mildred and Ruby Stafrin of Dallas and Iris Powell of Monmouth. These are mounted into scrapbooks in rough date order and include many events outside of Polk County. For the last quarter of the 20^th century, Polk County newspaper clippings have been systematically collected and chonologically mounted. Scrapbooks include some County ephemera and entire newspaper supplements. Polk County Historical Society materials include newsletters, color photographs and a variety of ephemera. The Society ceased compiling scrapbooks after the year 2000.
Finding aids: six scrapbooks have hand-numbered pages and a subject file index.

PHS:058
Polk County Council of Parent-Teacher Associations Archive
1848-1970
.08 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: minutes of the Council and its executive board (1948-1970), with many loose items including bylaws, budgets, correspondence, and lists of Council officers and members, presidents of local P.T.A.s, and school officials within the County.
Finding aids: none.

PHS:059
John Thorp Ford Scrapbook
1911-1929
.04 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: articles and letters submitted by Judge John Thorp Ford of Dallas to the Oregonian newspaper. Although evolution and many other philosophical topics are covered, the bulk of the material deals with the origin of the Polk County place names of “Rickreall” and “La Creole.” Includes Ford’s research notes on the place name controversy.
Finding aids: none.
PHS:060
Polk County Surveyor Archive
1853-1858
.18 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: field notes of County Surveyor Nathanial Ford (1853-1858) including surveys of land claims in: Township 6S Range 3W; Township 6S Range 4W; Township 6S Range 5W; Township 6S Range 6W; Township 6S Range 7W; Township 7S Range 3W; Township 7S Range 4W; Township 7S Range 5W; Township 7S Range 6W; Township 8S Range 4W; Township 8S Range 5W; Township 8S Range 6W; Township 9S Range 4W; Township 9S Range 5W; Township 9S Range 6W; Township 10S Range 4W; Township 10S Range 5W; Township 10S Range 6W.
Finding aids: tabbed index of claimants at front of survey journal.

PHS:061
Polk County Index of Abstracts of Donation [Land] Claims (DLCs)
1850-1880?
.4 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: grantee indices for the abstracts of titles of DLC grants. Listings are alphabetical by first letter of family name only. One list is for original grantee; one list is for subsequent grantees. Preparer is uncertain, though likely a Polk County official or contractor.
Finding aids: not applicable.

PHS:062
Dallas School Educational Exhibit for Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition
1909
.08 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: 26 compositions by fifth and sixth graders on the City of Dallas and on Polk County agriculture, industry, and railroads. Compositions are illustrated by color postcards and black and white photographs of “snapshot” quality. Materials were prepared to exhibit language and composition skills at Seattle’s Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition in 1909.
Finding aids: student name index at front of compilation.

Western Oregon University’s Hamersly Library Collections:

• WOU:001
  Western Oregon University Archive
  1855-present
  214.5 linear ft.
  Accessible.
  Contents: this is the largest archival collection in Polk County and, except for a few Polk County government series, the longest continuous collection of information. It documents the development of the Monmouth educational institution from its beginnings as a church-related preparatory school to a general campus of the public Oregon University System. Includes:
  • Administrative Records
    • minutes of the Trustees of Monmouth University (1855-1863);
    • Biennial Report of the Oregon State Normal School, Monmouth (1896/97-1904/06);
    • speeches of President Gerald Leinwand (1977-1982);
    • Office of the Provost annual data base (1986-1990)
    • business office ledgers and notebooks (1915-1920, 1923, 1930-1936, 1948-1951, 1960-1963)
    • abstracts of title for various university properties, as collected by Ellis Stebbins (1896-1956)
    • student/faculty ratio reports (1980-1982);
    • personnel lists (1989-1998);
    • faculty-staff directories (1933-2000);
    • payroll ledgers (1927-1945);
    • collective bargaining agreements (1973-1999);
    • “Working Archives on Collective Bargaining at OCE” (1974-1977);
    • Deans’ meeting minutes (1995-1997);
    • Administrative Support Advisory Council minutes (1994-1995);
    • “Academic Affairs Update,” printed in e-mail format (1995-1997);
    • Faculty Committee minutes (1882-1894, 1901-1907, 1911-1924);
    • Faculty data and salary lists (1977-1994);
    • Faculty handbooks (1956-1994/96);
    • “Faculty Publications” and presentations (1994/95-1996/97);
    • Faculty committee lists, including “Suggestions to Faculty” publication and committee reports, faculty assignments, and staff lists (1916/17-1936/37);
    • Faculty Senate Subcommittee minutes, including charter and bylaws (1962-2000);
    • Committee on Graduate Study minutes (1952-1966);
    • faculty grant files (1964-1984);
    • scholarship history files, including records of scholarships, grants, and donations (1868-1997);
    • student handbooks (1894/95-1996/97);
    • student codes of conduct (1986/87-1996/97);
    • “These Are Our Students,” statistical analysis of campus enrollment (1959/60-1976/77);
    • football files, including venue contracts, correspondence, player and team statistics, reports on seasons, guides and programs, scouting notes and reports, press releases and packets, mimeographed plays, rosters, schedules, and black and white photographs (1957-1981);
    • Commencement files, including commencement programs, commencement breakfast programs, and baccalaureate programs (1877-2000);
    • diplomas, rolled and encased;
  • Student Government Records
    • student body constitution;
    • student body meeting minutes (1928-1937);
    • student council minutes (1911-1918, 1930-1962);
    • student government ledgers (1948-1951, 1955-1958, 1961-1964, 1966-1967);
    • student club ledgers (1872-1974);
  • Audio-Visual and Graphic Records
    • group photographs, including classes (1872-1972), campus celebrations, art events, speakers, prominent local families, Monmouth street scenes, and Monmouth Training School photographs of teacher Mildred Kane. Both individual prints and proof sheets are represented, with almost all being in black and white (1872-1992);
    • photographs of campus buildings, with much documentation on damage done by 1962 Columbus Day Storm. Includes black and white and color photographs and postcards (1880s-1990s);
    • 16mm films of football games, with a few videotapes (1940-1990);
    • reel-to-reel sound recordings, videotapes, and 16mm films of campus ceremonies, lectures, performances, and other events. Includes some interviews with early students (1962-1996);
    • blueprints and measured drawings of campus buildings and improvements;
    • dance cards (1920-1964);
  • Student Research
    • M.A. theses, professional projects, senior theses, and honors papers, some with accompanying videotapes (1955-1997);
    • student term papers, including two papers on campus history: “What’s Our School Called?,” (1990), by Lori Christine Hunt, and “Oregon College of Education Reading Clinic: A Summary of Its History, Services and Findings,” (1948) by Marjorie Bier and Edward Lewis;
  • Publications
    • campus newsletters, variously titled, including 1980 to 1998 title, WestWords (1964?-1998);
    • “Western Oregon Update, from the Desk of President . . . “(1995-2001)
    • “Wolf Calls,” a faculty and student directory (1949/50-1978/79);
    • instructional support directories (1988/89-1995/96);
    • Training School newsletters (1897-1934, irregular);
    • student yearbooks (1905-1994);
    • catalogs and bulletins (1871-1997/98);
    • O.N.S. bulletins, non-catalogs (1912-1954);
    • summer school bulletins (1912-2000);
    • class schedules (1957/58-2000/01);
    • “The Facts from A-Zzzz” (1991-1998);
    • Northwest Passage, literary magazine (1966-2001);
    • Calapooya Collage, a poetry anthology (1970-1994);
    • Songs of O.N.S. (1926);
    • student “Viewbook” a recruitment publication (1986-1999);
    • campus news releases (1980-1999);
    • sports media guides (1998-1999);
    • newspaper clippings on the campus compiled by news services (1939-1945, 1949, 1963, 1974, 1977-1997);
  • Information Files
    • “Subject Files,” including some 8 linear feet of minutes, correspondence, memoranda, ephemera, newsletters, public relations materials, and newspaper clippings on such campus topics as: activities, anniversaries, awards and honors, clubs, conferences, crises, curricula, departments, events, faculty, festivals, grants, history, lectures and lecture series, long-range planning, offices, performances, policies, services, programs, and union issues (1867-present). Some files appear to have been relocated from WOU:002;
    • “Biography Files: Presidents,” all of whom are listed by name in Section VI of the Pathfinder;
    • “Biography Files: Faculty and Staff,” all of whom are listed by name in Section VI of the Pathfinder;
    • “Biography Files: Alumni,” all of whom are listed by name in Section VI of the Pathfinder;
    • Buildings/Landmarks Files,” including materials on campus buildings and their architects, landmarks, trees and gardens, sculptures, streets, and damage done by the 1962 Columbus Day Storm (1860s-present)
  • Scrapbooks
    • scrapbooks for campus clubs and organizations, departments, classes, dorms, sporting events, and for individual students and staff members, including some autograph books, guest books, and photo albums (1871-1979);
  • Extra-Mural Records and Publications
    • Oregon State System of Higher Education Bulletin (1932-1940);
    • miscellaneous publications of the Oregon State System of Higher Education (1940-1992);
    • Oregon Normal Schools catalogs (1934/35-1938/39);
    • Oregon Colleges of Education catalogs (1939/40-1960/61);
    • Oregon regional college catalogs (1957/58-1978/80);
    • Western Oregon University Foundation annual report (1997/98);
    • Faculty Club minutes (1935-1960);
    • American Association of University Professors, Monmouth Chapter, minutes (1933-1940);
    • alumni association and class report files, including minutes of the Associate (sic) Alumni of Christian College (1873-1887), the minutes of the executive committee and of the annual business meeting (continuous from 1947 to 1988),
    • class lists, reunion programs, correspondence, financial reports, and black and white photographs (1873-1997);
    • alumni newsletter (1998-1999);
    • Nuwanda’s Trip, alternative literary magazine (1997-1998)

Finding aids: separate inventories or hand lists of most large record series; transcriptions for collection of early diplomas; cumulative subject index for Faculty Senate Subcommittee minutes (1962-1967). See also WOU:002 and WOU:003.

WOU:002
Ellis Stebbins Manuscript Collection
1856-1981
6 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: includes the office papers and personal research papers of long-time (1928-1968) Oregon College of Education administrator Ellis Stebbins. The collection can roughly be divided into two halves. One half consists of the research materials that ultimately resulted in Stebbins’s 1973 history, The OCE Story. These papers also reflect his post-retirement involvements in alumni and celebratory campus events as the College’s unofficial historian. They include manuscripts of speeches and articles and correspondence documenting his deliberate gathering of history materials to form the nucleus of an institutional archive. His research materials emphasize early campus personalities, buildings, and landmarks. The second half of the collection consists of the College’s administrative and business files, including presidential correspondence, from the 1920s to the 1950s. Several major campus controversies are well documented, including the 1931 State Board of Higher Education’s extensive investigation of conditions at the Oregon Normal School and of the administration of President Joseph Samuel Landers.
Finding aids: none.

WOU:003
Board of Regents of Normal Schools Archive
1891-1911
.4 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: minutes of Oregon’s Board of Regents of Normal Schools and of its executive committee. Includes Board membership lists, committee assignments, resolutions, and loose correspondence, and financial accounts.
Finding aids: none.
 
WOU:004
Charles Abner Howard Manuscript Collection
1901-1973
.7 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: papers of Charles Abner Howard, who was President of the Oregon College of Education (OCE) from 1939 to 1947. Much of the collection concerns Howard’s career prior to coming to OCE. He was an educator in Oregon beginning in 1907 and served as State Superintendent of Public Instruction from 1926 to 1937. Correspondence is almost entirely incoming. Howard’s own writing includes texts of delivered speeches and articles. This collection was secured for the College after Howard’s death by retired administrator Ellis Stebbins and includes biographical information, letters, and memoranda authored by Ellis to document the acquisition and its significance.
Finding aids: none.

WOU:005
Catherine (Cassie) B. Stump and Mary Stump Campbell Manuscript Collection
1958?-1933
.33 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: personal papers of Catherine (Cassie) B. Stump, daughter of Monmouth pioneers David and Catherine E. Stump and sister of Mary Stump Campbell. Materials reflect her family life in Monmouth, her student years at Wellesley College, and her visit with Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in 1881. A few early items involving David Stump and a few later items involving Mary Campbell’s children and property are also included. Mary Campbell was the second wife and widow of Christian College President Thomas Franklin Campbell.
Finding aids: none.

WOU:006
Benjamin F. Burch Manuscript Collection
1842-1911
.18 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: papers of Oregon pioneer Benjamin F. Burch of Independence. Correspondence reflects his military career in the Yakima Wars, his activities on behalf of the Methodist Church, and his political involvement in Democratic Party politics on the local and territorial/state level before the Civil War. Includes information on the life, accidental death, and estate of his father, Samuel Burch, a pioneer settler in the Rickreall area. Much correspondence is with relatives in Missouri and with U.S. Senator Joseph Lane, who served as Burch’s attorney for family estate matters in Maryland.
Finding aids: inventory.
 
WOU:007
Peter Butler Family Manuscript Collection
1835-1863
.1 linear ft.
Accessible; transcriptions also available at the Hamersly Library website
Contents: the correspondence of the extended family of Peter and Rachel Butler, Oregon Trail pioneers who settled in Polk County. These letters document the Oregon Trail experience itself in 1850 and 1853 and pioneer life in Polk County during the territorial and early statehood years. Topics include the local economy, agriculture, politics, health, and the impact of the Yakima Wars on Oregon. Prior to his death in 1856, Peter Butler himself was the primary correspondent. After Peter Butler’s death, four of his sons and sons-in-law become the principal correspondents with relatives in Illinois, Kentucky, and Kansas, although the wives of the family also wrote quite frequently. These four men, Ira F. M. Butler, Isaac M. Butler, Thomas Hutchinson, and Isaac Smith, were well positioned to report on the political and economic affairs of the region. Ira F. M. Butler’s accounts of the founding and early development of the town of Monmouth and its college are particularly detailed.
Finding aids: full chronological calendaring and author indexing available at Hamersly Library website.

WOU:008
Gary Huxford Manuscript Collection
1962-1996
1.1 linear ft.
Contents: the manuscripts and research files written and compiled by Professor Gary Huxford in preparing his 1996 history of what is now Western Oregon University entitled Since 1856: Historical Views of the College at Monmouth This history is actually a new edition of Ellis Stebbins’s 1973 title, The OCE Story. Huxford adds chapters to the Stebbins book to bring the story up to the mid-1990s. Materials document the budgetary woes of the campus in the mid-1970s and again during the early 1980s and early 1990s. The contentious administration of President Gerald Leinwand is particularly well documented, including the effort to close the campus in 1981 and 1982. Huxford himself was the president of the Teachers Federation local at that time and the materials reflect this involvement. Variant Huxford manuscripts on the history of teacher education at the Monmouth campus and Stebbins’s manuscript and photographic paste-ups for his history are also included.
Finding aids: none.

WOU:009
Edgar H. Smith Fine Arts Series Archive
1976-1997
10.5 linear ft.
Accessible.
Contents: archive for the volunteer organization governing and administering a fine arts series with a WOU venue. Includes bylaws, minutes of the Board (1979?-1990?), financial records and budgets, contracts, grant applications, performer files and publicity packets, contributor and membership lists, press releases, playbills, and newsletters. Contains materials on SWAP Northwest (a performer billing cooperative) and on other state and regional fine arts organizations.
Finding aids: a collection survey.

Ackerman, John Henry WOU:003
Agriculture HER:001, HER:011, PHS:003, PHS:004, PHS:006, PHS:009, PHS:030, PHS:053, PHS:062, WOU:007
Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, Polk County participation in PHS:062
Alimony PHS:050
Alumni Association of Dallas College DAL:001
American Association of Retired Persons PHS:055
American Association of University Women (AAUW) MON:008
American Legion MON:001
Ballston PHS:017
Biography PHS:002, PHS:015, PHS:057, WOU:001
Bissell, Lissie (compiler) PHS:017
Bissell Family PHS:017
Board of Regents of Normal Schools WOU:003
Bonds PHS:049
Book and Thimble Club PHS:041
Brands, livestock PHS:054
Brunk, Earl PHS:016
Brunk, Thomas F. PHS:053
Brunk Family, Harrison PHS:016
Brunk House PHS:016, PHS:020
Buell School District PHS:044
Buena Vista PHS:054
Burch, Benjamin Franklin WOU:006
Burch, Samuel WOU:006
Burns, William PHS:043
Butler, Isaac M. WOU:007
Butler Family, Ira F. M. MON:009, WOU:007
Butler Family, Peter MON:009, WOU:007
Camp Adair PHS:022
Campbell, Mary Stump WOU:005
Campbell Family, Thomas Franklin WOU:005
Cemeteries PHS:034
Child support PHS:050
Christian College WOU:001
Churchill, Julius Alonzo WOU:002
Cline Family, Lester PHS:025
Clergy, authorized to perform marriages PHS:050
Colleges DAL:001, DAL:026
Crime HER:013
Dallas
Businesses PHS:00l, PHS:005, PHS:035, PHS:052
History PHS:013, PHS:019, PHS:062
Newspapers PHS:002
Public Library DAL:002
Schools DAL:001, PHS:026, PHS:051, PHS:062
Senior Center PHS:055
Teachers PHS:018
Water PHS:005, PHS:052
Dallas Carnegie Library DAL:002
Dallas College DAL:001, PHS:026
Dallas High School PHS:026, PHS:051
Dallas Itemizer-Observer PHS:002
Dallas Kiwanis Club PHS:052
Dallas Library Association DAL:002
Dallas Public Library DAL:002
Dallas School PHS:062
Dallas School District PHS:051
Dallas Water Commission PHS:005
Dallas Water Company PHS:005
Democratic Party WOU:006
Dentists PHS:050
Donation Land Claims PHS:060, PHS:061
Douty, Sylvester HER:006
Economic conditions WOU:007
Edgar H. Smith Fine Arts Series WOU:009
Ellendale Club PHS:047
Embree Family PHS:021
Emergency services MON:003, MON:005
Eola Literary Society PHS:028
Extension Service PHS:003, PHS:004
Falls City
Businesses PHS:032
History PHS:030
Schools PHS:011
Falls City Grange No. 847 PHS:030
Falls City School District #57 PHS:011
Ford, John Thorp (Judge) PHS:059
Ford, Nathaniel PHS:060
4-H Clubs PHS:003
Funeral records PHS:010
Gentle, Frances MON:001
Gentle Woods Park MON:002
Gillis, Virginia MON:006
Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), General Gibson Post No. 64 HER:001
Grund, Frances Mon:001
Guthrie Family PHS:021
Hall, Lawrence Marion PHS:054
Harland, Bill (compiler) PHS:022
Hawley, J. H. HER:011
Hayter Family PHS:021
Health conditions WOU:007
Henkle, C. W. PHS:010
Hop Fiesta HER:002
Howard, Charles Abner WOU:004
Hubbard, Cora (author) HER:003
Hutchinson, Thomas WOU:007
Huxford, Gary WOU:008
Independence
Beautification HER:005
Buildings HER:007, IND:002
Businesses HER:006, HER:007, HER:014, HER:015, HER:016, PHS:010
Doctors HER:010
History HER:003
Hospitals HER:010
Parks HER:005
Public Library IND:001
Schools HER:017, HER:018
Independence Chamber of Commerce HER:004
Independence Historic District IND:002
Independence Junior Women’s Club HER:018
Independence Justice Court PHS:054
Independence Garden Club HER:005
Independence Public Library IND:001
Independence Saw Mill HER:006
Independence School District HER:017
Independence-Monmouth Junior Women’s Club HER:018
Indians (see “Native Americans”)
Irvine, C. W. HER:007
Irwin, Ruby Stafrin (compiler) PHS:037
Jefferson Institute PHS:026
Johnson, Ben HER:008
Johnson, Halley HER:009
Johnson, Minnie W. HER:009
Johnson, Phillip H. (Mayor) HER:009
Johnson Hall HER:009
Kerber Family PHS:006
Knott, George C. (Doctor) (author) HER:010
La Creole Academic Institute DAL:001, PHS:026, PHS:051
Lafayette Seminary DAL:001, PHS:026
Landers, Joseph Samuel WOU:002
Land claims PHS:060, PHS:061
Lane, Joseph (Senator) WOU:006
Leinwand, Gerald WOU:001, WOU:008
Leth, Walter C. PHS:004
Lewisville PHS:039, PHS:043
Lewisville Store PHS:039
Liberty School District HER:017
Libraries, public DAL:002, DAL:003, IND:001, MON:002, MON:006
M. L. Thompson Drugs PHS:032
McKibben, Ruth Marie Schrouder (compiler) PHS:013
McMurphy, Dina PHS:032
McTimmonds Valley School District PHS:031
Main Street Park, Monmouth MON:002
Mental health PHS:024
Methodist Church WOU:006
Milligan, Don (Fire Chief) MON:003
Monmouth
Businesses HER:011
Fire Department MON:003, MON:005
Founding WOU:007
Newspapers MON:010, PHS:012
Parks MON:002, MON:006
Public Library MON:002, MON:006
Real estate HER:009
Schools HER:012, PHS:007
Water MON:007
Well-child clinics MON:002
Monmouth American Legion Auxiliary Unit #65 MON:001
Monmouth Civic Club MON:002
Monmouth Evaporating and Canning Company HER:011
Monmouth Fire Department MON:003
Monmouth Herald MON:010, PHS:012
Monmouth High School Student Body Association PHS:007
Monmouth Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 MON:005
Monmouth Lions Club MON:004
Monmouth Luncheon Club MON:004
Monmouth Public Library MON:002, MON:006
Monmouth Training School HER:012, WOU:001
Monmouth University WOU:001
Monmouth Water Company MON:007
Monmouth-Independence-Dallas (MID) Branch of American Association of University Women (AAUW) Mon:008
Montgomery School District HER:017
Myers, Richard WOU:008
Native Americans PHS:016, WOU:006, WOU:007
Notaries public PHS:050
[Oregon] Board of Regents of Normal Schools WOU:003
Oregon College of Education (OCE) HER:012, MON:008, PHS:023, WOU:001, WOU:002, WOU:004, WOU:008
Oregon Normal School WOU:002
Oregon Retired Educators Association, Cynthianne Unit XV PHS:018
Oregon Normal School (O.N.S.) WOU:001
Oregon State Normal School WOU:001
Oregon Trail PHS:015
No Purpose Club MON:004
Parent-Teacher Association PHS:058
Pedee Farmers’ Union PHS:006
Perrydale PHS:017
Pioneers PHS:015
Polk County Assessor’s Office PHS:048
Polk County Board of Supervisors PHS:036
Polk County Centennial (1947) PHS:037
Polk County Council of Parent-Teacher Associations PHS:058
Polk County Circuit Court PHS:054
Polk County Clerk’s Office PHS:050
Polk County courts PHS:054
Polk County Fair HER:005, PHS:003
Polk County Federation of Rural Women’s Clubs PHS:008
Polk County finances PHS:048, PHS:050
Polk County Fire District No. 1 MON:003
Polk County Historical Society PHS:057
Polk County, history of PHS:013, PHS:017, PHS:025, PHS:057
Polk County Library DAL:003
Polk County Mental Health Association PHS:024
Polk County Probate Court PHS:036, PHS:054
Polk County Senior Citizens Association PHS:055
Polk County Sheriff PHS:054, PHS:056
Polk County Superintendent of Schools PHS:003
Polk County Surveyor PHS:060
Polk County taxation PHS:048, PHS:050
Polk County Telephone Company PHS:033
Polk County Treasurer’s Office PHS:049
Polk County voter registration PHS:045
Popcorn Literary and Debating Institute PHS:029
Powell, Herbert B. (General) MON:009
Powell, Iris MON:001, MON:007
Powell Family, Ira C. MON:009
Railroads HER:013, PHS:023
Randle, Samuel A. DAL:001
Red Cross PHS:038
Red Prairie School District PHS:046
Republican Party PHS:052, WOU:006
Rice, Leonard W. WOU:008
Rickreall PHS:009, PHS:040, PHS:059, WOU:006
Rickreall Creek PHS:059
Rickreall Store PHS:040
Richardson, Earl PHS:002
Ricreal (sic) Farmers’ Alliance No. 190 PHS:009
Ritner Family PHS:006
Roads, county PHS:036
Rose, Chrystal (compiler) HER:013
Rose Family, Burrus E. HER:013
School Officers of Polk County Convention PHS:027
Schools DAL:001, HER:012, HER:017, HER:018, PHS:003, PHS:007, PHS:011, PHS:026, PHS:027, PHS:031, PHS:042, PHS:044, PHS:051
Schools, preparatory DAL:001, PHS:026
Senior citizens PHS:055
Slavery issue WOU:006, WOU:007
Smith, Benjamin Franklin PHS:043
Smith, Isaac WOU:007
Smith Cemetery Association PHS:034
Smith Fine Arts Series WOU:009
Soehren, W. L. PHS:001, PHS:005, PHS:052
Soehren Warehouse PHS:001, PHS:005, PHS:052
Southeast Polk Rural Fire Protection District MON:003
Spring Valley School District PHS:042
Stafrin, Conrad PHS:035
Stafrin, Mildred (compiler) PHS:013, PHS:037
Stafrin, Ruby (See Irwin, Ruby Stafrin)
Stebbins, Ellis PHS:023, WOU:002, WOU:004, WOU:008
Stump. Catherine (Cassie) B. WOU:005
Stump Family, David WOU:005
Surveying PHS:060
Swenson, Eric J. MON:010, PHS:007, PHS:012
Swenson, Richard I. MON:010, PHS:012
Swenson Family, Richard Burns MON:010, PHS:012
Taxation PHS:048, PHS:050
Teachers PHS:018
Telephone service PHS:033
Thompson, M. L. PHS:032
Tripp, Ernest HER:014
VanDenBosch Family PHS:006
Vanduyn and Smith HER:015
Veterans HER:001, MON:001
Voter registration PHS:045, PHS:050
West Red Hills Red Cross Auxiliary PHS:038
West Salem PHS:038, PHS:041
Western Oregon State College WOU:001, WOU:008
Western Oregon University WOU:001
Williams Drug Company HER:016
Wills, Josiah PHS:003
Wilson Drug Company PHS:035
Women’s clubs HER:018, MON:001, MON:002, MON:008, PHS:008, PHS:038, PHS:041, PHS:047
Woods Family, Laird PHS:014
Works Progress Administration (WPA) HER:009
World War I, in Polk County PHS:022, PHS:038
World War II, in Polk County HER:013, MON:001, PHS:014, PHS:022
Yakima Wars WOU:006, WOU:007
Zena PHS:042
Zumwalt, Irene Goodrich (compiler) PHS:015