Oregon City High School - Hesperian Yearbook (Oregon City, OR)

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0-i-i-THE HliSPliRIAN- O Page S The uFatl1e1' OfO1'Cg0H,, lVe scarcely think of Old Oregon without associating with it Dr. John fllclsoughlin. There is not only the memory of Dr. iXIcl-oughlin, but the beautiful and picturesque pioneer home of the HFather of Oregonl' which graces the seemingly lazy, but busy VVillamette. The old home, which is open to visitors, has been preserved in his honor by the lIcl.oughlin Nlemorial Association. Before occupying its present site at Seventh and Center Streets, it was located on Fourth and Klain Streets. It was moved to its present location in IQOQ and by excellent care has been made into the most delightful spot in the city. The frontispiece of this issue shows the house, surrounded by beautiful trees and shrubs, all native plants of Oregon, which lend it a distinctive charm. Nvhen one looks in at the door of the house one is immediately impressed by the queer high-backed chairs, the old, old sewing machine, an antique piano, and the heavy old desk over which Ur. 1IcLoughlin transacted important business. Colorful pictures vividly describe Oregon scenery. Old letters and documents seem to make one live in the days of long ago. But let us discover the pioneer himself. VVlien Dr. lllclsoughlin arrived on the Columbia in 1824, his mission was to take charge of Fort George at the mouth of the Columbia River. This was the western emporium of the Hudson Bay Fur Company, which was now carrying on the fur trade west of the Rocky Nlountains. Dr. lVIcLoughlin's first step was to abandon Fort George and establish his headquarters at Point Vancouver. The following year, 1825. Fort Vancouver was erected at a point about three miles from the Columbia River, and was fortified in primitive fashion. Because of the enormous fur trade it soon became the chief business section and clearing center west of the Rocky Nlountains. Dr. lllclsoughlin remained in charge of affairs for twenty years and was very influential in the Oregon territory, which included all of Oregon, VVashington and part of Idaho. Because of his firm control of the Indians of the entire territory, his kindness and hospitality to American traders. missionaries, adventurers and colonists, he is richly deserving of the title of i'Father of Oregon . Because of his encouragement to American colonists and immigrants, he was forced to resign his position in the Hudson Bay Fur Com- pany which was controlled by British subjects. But Dr. llclsoughlin continued the work of establishing an American foothold in the Oregon territory. He founded Oregon City in 1846, and made his home here until his death, in 1857. It is sad, indeed, that this man who did so much for the early settlers should have received such unjust treatment at the hands of a few who did not value his friendship. By an act of the Oregon Legislature in 1862, his home and the greater part of his land claims were restored to his heirs, and his memory has been kept sacred by all those who love 'fOld Oregon . -Beriflrz Ifartke, '2fI.

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