Includes documents digitized from the Pacific University Archives related to the history of Pacific University, Tualatin Academy and surrounding communities in the 1800s.
This illustration depicting the Pacific University campus appeared as the frontispiece of its annual Catalogue in 1868. It was reprinted numerous times in campus publications. In later reproductions it was printed with the caption, 'Old wood cut of Pacific University campus as it appeared in 1870.' The view is taken from the middle of campus, standing approximately where the current Library now stands, looking west. From the left, the buildings are: 1. Congregational Church of Forest Grove (burned 1901); 2. Old College Hall (since moved to a new location); 3. Unidentified house, possibly President Marsh's (no longer in the same location); 4. Academy Hall (burned 1910). At the time the illustration was created, Old College Hall and Academy Hall were the only two classroom buildings on campus.
Drawing by Pherne Brown Pringle, the daughter of Tabitha Moffatt Brown, the 'Mother of Oregon.' This sketch appears to show a forest path in Kansas during her family's journey on the Oregon Trail. Copies of later drawings were accompanied in an album by journal entries of Pherne's husband, Virgil K. Pringle.
Drawing by Pherne Brown Pringle, the daughter of Tabitha Moffatt Brown, the 'Mother of Oregon.' This sketch appears to picture tents used by the pioneers during her family's journey on the Oregon Trail. Copies of later drawings were accompanied in an album by journal entries of Pherne's husband, Virgil K. Pringle.
Drawing by Pherne Brown Pringle, the daughter of Tabitha Moffatt Brown, the 'Mother of Oregon.' This sketch likely features the scenery in Kansas during her family's journey on the Oregon Trail. Copies of later drawings were accompanied in an album by journal entries of Pherne's husband, Virgil K. Pringle.
Drawing by Pherne Brown Pringle, the daughter of Tabitha Moffatt Brown, the 'Mother of Oregon.' This sketch features the scenery around May 11th in Kansas during her family's journey on the Oregon Trail. Copies of later drawings were accompanied in an album by journal entries of Pherne's husband, Virgil K. Pringle.
Virgil's journal indicates that their party passed by the Wakarusa River on the 11th:
'Rolled about 10 miles, to the Wakarussia, a fine stream of clear water, -between a creek and a river in size, with fine timber on its banks. About half of the emigration missed the road and crossed about 4 miles above. Traveled about six miles in the evening, and came into corel, with the whole emigration in sight. Divide into two parties. Our party organize with William Keithly for Captain, and O. Brown pilot for both parties. The other party choose a Mr. Robinson, from Illinois, for Captain. Our encampment, to night, on a high ridge of prairie.'
Drawing by Pherne Brown Pringle, the daughter of Tabitha Moffatt Brown, the 'Mother of Oregon.' This sketch features Fort Laramie in Wyoming during her family's journey on the Oregon Trail. Copies of later drawings were accompanied in an album by journal entries of Pherne's husband, Virgil K. Pringle.
Virgil's journal indicates that their party passed the fort around June 24th:
'We deviated the usual route, on leaving the Fort, which is over the high lands between Platte and Larimie Fork; ours was up the Platte; traveled about 9 miles and intersected the old road at the spring, which is very bold and rather warm. We now enter the Black Hills; rose from a valley onto high, rolling prairie; went 6 miles mountain stream; grass tolerable.'
Drawing by Pherne Brown Pringle, the daughter of Tabitha Moffatt Brown, the 'Mother of Oregon.' This sketch shows the scenery soon after their departure on the Oregon Trail. On May 17th, they camped near an Indian village. Copies of later drawings were accompanied in an album by journal entries of Pherne's husband, Virgil K. Pringle.
Virgil's journal indicates that they caught a Kaw Indian attempting to steal their stock on this day:
'Our course this day was over hills running parallel with the Kansas; the morning cool; drove ahead till after two o'clock, it became very hot; several oxen overcome with the heat; stopped about three hours on a branch at the end of the Kansas bottom; country still very fertile and handsome; timber scarce; encamped this night near a Kaw village. Mr. Barnard, while on guard, caught one attempting to steal our stock; made, by our reckoning, 20 miles.'
Drawings by Pherne Brown Pringle, the daughter of Tabitha Moffatt Brown, the 'Mother of Oregon.' These sketches feature rock formations in Nebraska, likely near Chimney Rock and Scotts Bluff, during her family's journey on the Oregon Trail. Copies of later drawings were accompanied in an album by journal entries of Pherne's husband, Virgil K. Pringle.
Virgil's journal described this area with awe on June 19th:
'Passed the Chimney in the forepart of the day; and the formation of the cliffs have a tendency to fill the mind with awe and grandeur. The Chimney might pass for one of the foundries in St. Louis were it blackened by burning stone coal. There is a marley bluff standing near it that reminds me of points that I have seen of the Capitol at Washington. Made 20 miles, and camped near Scott's Bluffs.'
Drawings by Pherne Brown Pringle, the daughter of Tabitha Moffatt Brown, the 'Mother of Oregon.' These sketches feature the scenery in Nebraska on June 5th during her family's journey on the Oregon Trail. Copies of later drawings were accompanied in an album by journal entries of Pherne's husband, Virgil K. Pringle.
Virgil's journal indicates that they enjoyed pleasant traveling conditions on June 5th:
'The morning cool, but the day pleasant for traveling and the roads of the best order being level bottom and firm; Met 2 Pawnee Indians, returning to the north from a hunt; their horses heavy packed with skins; understand from them that about 30 lodges are a short distance ahead, coming down the river; and that we will find buffalo ahead, coming down the river; and that we will find buffalo plenty in two days. Made 16 miles, and camped, with plenty of timber; antelope plenty.'
Drawings by Pherne Brown Pringle, the daughter of Tabitha Moffatt Brown, the 'Mother of Oregon.' These sketches feature the scenery in Kansas and the desert in Wyoming during her family's journey on the Oregon Trail. Copies of later drawings were accompanied in an album by journal entries of Pherne's husband, Virgil K. Pringle.
Virgil's journal indicates that they traveled through the Wyoming desert around September 7th:
'Ten started, the last stage of the desert; our stock weak, and working badly -- getting very little water, and nothing to eat. Arrived at Black Rock, at 8 in the evening. Left 2 steers belonging to Collins on the road -- they being too weak to come in -- and plenty of first rate grass. This desert is perfectly sterile, producing nothing but greas-wood and sage; and some of it perfectly barren, and the ground very salt; the road good and level and generally firm; the mountains barren and dark-looking rocks.'
Drawing by Pherne Brown Pringle, the daughter of Tabitha Moffatt Brown, the 'Mother of Oregon.' This sketch shows the scenery while arriving at Ash Hollow, Nebraska during her family's journey on the Oregon Trail. Copies of later drawings were accompanied in an album by journal entries of Pherne's husband, Virgil K. Pringle.
Virgil's journal indicates that they arrived at Ash Hollow on June 13th:
'Our encampment last night was with the company that lost stock, and our travel today with them, which was all the chance excepting laying by; there being no chance for water till we arrive at the mouth of Ash Hollow on the North Fork. The road down Ash Creek, bad, for 3 or 4 miles. Arrived at the North Fork at 7 o'clock; found currants and choke-cherries plenty, and a fine spring near the mouth of Ash creek; and a cabin called Ash Grove Hotel; inside, at the bar, we found the cards of all the companies that had preceded us, which was quite a treat. The distance from one fork to the other, 15 miles. Day fine, road dry and dusty.'
Drawing by Pherne Brown Pringle, the daughter of Tabitha Moffatt Brown, the 'Mother of Oregon.' This sketch features the scenery on May 11th in Kansas during her family's journey on the Oregon Trail. Copies of later drawings were accompanied in an album by journal entries of Pherne's husband, Virgil K. Pringle.
Virgil's journal indicates that their party passed by the Wakarusa River on this day:
'Rolled about 10 miles, to the Wakarussia, a fine stream of clear water, -between a creek and a river in size, with fine timber on its banks. About half of the emigration missed the road and crossed about 4 miles above. Traveled about six miles in the evening, and came into corel, with the whole emigration in sight. Divide into two parties. Our party organize with William Keithly for Captain, and O. Brown pilot for both parties. The other party choose a Mr. Robinson, from Illinois, for Captain. Our encampment, to night, on a high ridge of prairie.'
Drawing by Pherne Brown Pringle, the daughter of Tabitha Moffatt Brown, the 'Mother of Oregon.' This sketch features a view of the Continental Divide during her family's journey on the Oregon Trail. Copies of later drawings were accompanied in an album by journal entries of Pherne's husband, Virgil K. Pringle.
Virgil's journal indicates that their party passed the Continental Divide on July 15:
'Passed the divide about two miles from camp; travel twenty six miles over level country without water or grass; had a hard shower in the evening, and a light one yesterday; camp on the Sandy.'
Drawing by Pherne Brown Pringle, the daughter of Tabitha Moffatt Brown, the 'Mother of Oregon.' This sketch features a river crossing in Kansas during her family's journey on the Oregon Trail. Copies of later drawings were accompanied in an album by journal entries of Pherne's husband, Virgil K. Pringle.
Virgil's journal indicates that their party passed through this area during May and part of June. This particular image may picture their crossing of the Kansas River on May 15th:
'The remainder of the company crossed the ferry, which consists of two flat boats owned by a Shawnee Indian whose name is Fish. Went 4 miles, and camped.'
Drawings by Pherne Brown Pringle, the daughter of Tabitha Moffatt Brown, the 'Mother of Oregon.' These sketches feature Ash Hollow, Nebraska, and the scenery after departing during her family's journey on the Oregon Trail. Copies of later drawings were accompanied in an album by journal entries of Pherne's husband, Virgil K. Pringle.
Virgil's journal indicates that they arrived at Ash Hollow on June 13th:
'Our encampment last night was with the company that lost stock, and our travel today with them, which was all the chance excepting laying by; there being no chance for water till we arrive at the mouth of Ash Hollow on the North Fork. The road down Ash Creek, bad, for 3 or 4 miles. Arrived at the North Fork at 7 o'clock; found currants and choke-cherries plenty, and a fine spring near the mouth of Ash creek; and a cabin called Ash Grove Hotel; inside, at the bar, we found the cards of all the companies that had preceded us, which was quite a treat. The distance from one fork to the other, 15 miles. Day fine, road dry and dusty.'
Drawing by Pherne Brown Pringle, the daughter of Tabitha Moffatt Brown, the 'Mother of Oregon.' This sketch features the fording of a river during the last leg of her family's journey on the Oregon Trail. Copies of later drawings were accompanied in an album by journal entries of Pherne's husband, Virgil K. Pringle.
Virgil's journal indicates that their party finished their travels around November 30th:
'Commenced making a canoe, for the purpose of going to the settlements for supplies, in company with Robert Lancefield and Isaac Lebo; and continue our work until Thursday, 3rd December. I then start ahead for beef, on horseback, leaving the others to finish the canoe, and go down the river for flour, E. I arrived at Long Tom bath on the 4th of December; found it swimming; was detained until Sunday, 6th, in making a canoe; and crossing in the evening, met Orus Brown in company with some others, coming back with Pack-horses to bring in those behind. I returned with them, and was, from this, to the twenty-fifth of the month getting my family to Salem; the weather, all the time, rainy, and swails of water to wade every day; left my wagon and cattle at the forks of the river. I would conclude this journal by saying, that I was well pleased with the society and location of Salem, was kindly received, and such indulgence granted me as I needed; but our living is poor, can obtain nothing but bread and meat, vegetables being very scarce, and we nothing but labor to give.'
Drawing by Pherne Brown Pringle, the daughter of Tabitha Moffatt Brown, the 'Mother of Oregon.' This sketch features a view of the Platte River in Nebraska during her family's journey on the Oregon Trail. Copies of later drawings were accompanied in an album by journal entries of Pherne's husband, Virgil K. Pringle.
Virgil's journal indicates that their party passed through this area around June 3, facing cold weather and the death of a party member:
'The weather disagreeably cool; started in fine season, and came in sight of the sand hills of Platte, in about 3 miles and arrived on the borders of the bottom about ten o'clock. This the most romantic view I have ever seen. Made 18 miles, and camped by some willows on the banks -- the sluice of Grand Island. Mr. Shelton, from Franklin, had a daughter die this night, from a swelling on her throat, occasioned by the scarlet fever, before they left the state; having lost another child since they left home, which they buried in Jackson county.'
Drawing by Pherne Brown Pringle, the daughter of Tabitha Moffatt Brown, the 'Mother of Oregon.' This sketch features a view of the Platte River in Nebraska during her family's journey on the Oregon Trail. Copies of later drawings were accompanied in an album by journal entries of Pherne's husband, Virgil K. Pringle.
Virgil's journal indicates that their party passed through this area around June 3, facing cold weather and the death of a party member:
'The weather disagreeably cool; started in fine season, and came in sight of the sand hills of Platte, in about 3 miles and arrived on the borders of the bottom about ten o'clock. This the most romantic view I have ever seen. Made 18 miles, and camped by some willows on the banks -- the sluice of Grand Island. Mr. Shelton, from Franklin, had a daughter die this night, from a swelling on her throat, occasioned by the scarlet fever, before they left the state; having lost another child since they left home, which they buried in Jackson county.'
Drawing by Pherne Brown Pringle, the daughter of Tabitha Moffatt Brown, the 'Mother of Oregon.' This sketch features the scenery in Kansas, along the Blue Earth River, during her family's journey on the Oregon Trail. Copies of later drawings were accompanied in an album by journal entries of Pherne's husband, Virgil K. Pringle.
Virgil's journal indicates that their party passed through this area around May 17th:
'Our course this day was over hills running parallel with the Kansas; the morning cool; drove ahead till after two o'clock, it became very hot; several oxen overcome with the heat; stopped about three hours on a branch at the end of the Kansas bottom; country still very near a Kaw village. Mr. Barnard, while on guard, caught one attempting to steal our stock; made, by our reckoning, 20 miles.'
Drawing by Pherne Brown Pringle, the daughter of Tabitha Moffatt Brown, the 'Mother of Oregon.' This sketch features part of the scenery between the Continental Divide and American Falls, Idaho, during her family's journey on the Oregon Trail. Copies of later drawings were accompanied in an album by journal entries of Pherne's husband, Virgil K. Pringle.
Virgil's journal indicates that their party arrived at American Falls on August 9, whereupon they made the decision to take the California route:
'Passed the American Falls, about 2 miles from camp, and some interesting springs half a mile above. Traveled, today, 18 miles of bad road, and camped on the river bank, with indifferent grass. Met Mr. Applegate, from Oregon, who had viewed new route.'
Drawing by Pherne Brown Pringle, the daughter of Tabitha Moffatt Brown, the 'Mother of Oregon.' This sketch features the scenery after leaving the Black Hills in Wyoming, perhaps Laramie Peak, during her family's journey on the Oregon Trail. Copies of later drawings were accompanied in an album by journal entries of Pherne's husband, Virgil K. Pringle.
Virgil's journal indicates that they entered the Black Hills on June 24th:
'We deviated the usual route, on leaving the Fort, which is over the high lands between Platte and Larimie Fork; ours was up the Platte; traveled about 9 miles and intersected the old road at the spring, which is very bold and rather warm. We now enter the Black Hills; rose from a valley onto high, rolling prairie; went 6 miles from this spring and encamped on the banks of a clear mountain stream; grass tolerable.'
Drawings by Pherne Brown Pringle, the daughter of Tabitha Moffatt Brown, the 'Mother of Oregon.' These sketches feature the scenery of Scotts Bluff during her family's journey on the Oregon Trail. Copies of later drawings were accompanied in an album by journal entries of Pherne's husband, Virgil K. Pringle.
Virgil's journal indicates that they camped near Scotts Bluff on June 19th:
'Passed the Chimney in the forepart of the day; and the formation of the cliffs have a tendency to fill the mind with awe and grandeur. The Chimney might pass for one of the foundries in St. Louis were it blackened by burning stone coal. There is a marley bluff standing near it that reminds me of points that I have seen of the Capitol at Washington. Made 20 miles, and camped near Scott's Bluffs.'
Drawings by Pherne Brown Pringle, the daughter of Tabitha Moffatt Brown, the 'Mother of Oregon.' These sketches feature the scenery after departing from Ash Hollow, Nebraska during her family's journey on the Oregon Trail. Copies of later drawings were accompanied in an album by journal entries of Pherne's husband, Virgil K. Pringle.
Virgil's journal indicates that they arrived at Ash Hollow on June 13th:
'Our encampment last night was with the company that lost stock, and our travel today with them, which was all the chance excepting laying by; there being no chance for water till we arrive at the mouth of Ash Hollow on the North Fork. The road down Ash Creek, bad, for 3 or 4 miles. Arrived at the North Fork at 7 o'clock; found currants and choke-cherries plenty, and a fine spring near the mouth of Ash creek; and a cabin called Ash Grove Hotel; inside, at the bar, we found the cards of all the companies that had preceded us, which was quite a treat. The distance from one fork to the other, 15 miles. Day fine, road dry and dusty.'
Drawings by Pherne Brown Pringle, the daughter of Tabitha Moffatt Brown, the 'Mother of Oregon.' These sketches feature the scenery around noon on June 4th, a few days before reaching the Sand Hills during her family's journey on the Oregon Trail. Copies of later drawings were accompanied in an album by journal entries of Pherne's husband, Virgil K. Pringle.
Virgil's journal indicates that they enjoyed fair weather the next day, on June 5th:
'The morning cool, but the day pleasant for traveling and the roads of the best order being level bottom and firm; Met 2 Pawnee Indians, returning to the north from a hunt; their horses heavy packed with skins; understand from them that about 30 lodges are a short distance ahead, coming down the river; and that we will find buffalo plenty in two days. Made 16 miles, and camped, with plenty of timber; antelope plenty.'
