J.B. Horner Photograph Collection, circa 1846-1925

Collection Overview

Title: J.B. Horner Photograph Collection, circa 1846-1925

Predominant Dates: circa 1910-1920

ID: P 100

Primary Creator: Horner, John B. (1856-1933)

Extent: 0.25 cubic feet. More info below.

Arrangement: The J.B. Horner Photograph Collection has been arranged in 3 series: I. Lantern Slides, 1846 - circa 1925; II. Glass Negatives, 1852 - circa 1920; and III. Original Prints, circa 1875 - circa 1925.

Languages of Materials: English [eng]

Abstract

The J.B. Horner Photograph Collection consists of images assembled by Horner depicting historical figures and groups of people, such as members of the Siletz and Umatilla Indian tribes, as well as locations around Oregon. The collection also contains a number of images depicting early life on the Oregon State University campus and individuals associated with the university. John B. Horner taught English and history at Oregon Agricultural College from 1891 until his death in 1933.

Images from this collection have been digitized and are available in Oregon Digital.

Scope and Content Notes

The J.B. Horner Photograph Collection consists of images related to the history of Oregon and of Oregon State University that were assembled by Horner, perhaps for teaching, lectures, or use in his book Oregon History. The bulk of the collection consists of lantern slides (111 items). Several of the lantern slides are part of a "History of Oregon" series and others are identified as "Oregon Literature". A number of early government officials are pictured, as well as a building in Corvallis that served as the territory capitol for a number of months in 1855.

Of special note are images of Siletz Indians, Umatilla Indians of the Columbia Plateau, Modoc warriors, and Louis Southworth, an African American resident of Benton County.

The collection also contains images of natural scenes, including mountains, the Great Oregon Caves and the Oregon Coast; Oregon Agricultural College cadets and color guard; and other scenes on the early Oregon State campus, including the original Corvallis College building.

The collection includes 111 lantern slides, 52 prints, and 13 glass negatives. Many of the lantern slides contained in the collection were produced by the Weister Company in Portland, Oregon; some of the lantern slides have been hand-colored. The glass negatives are copy negatives of photographic prints, portraits and published photographs. Prints made from the lantern slides and one of the glass negatives (probably in the 1980s) as well as original prints are part of the collection. Ball Studio made some of the portrait photographs in the collection. The original prints include images of several Oregon Agricultural College presidents.

Images from this collection have been digitized and are available in Oregon Digital.

Biographical / Historical Notes

John B. Horner taught English and history at Oregon Agricultural College from 1891 until his death in 1933; founded the college museum; and wrote extensively on Oregon history and literature.

John B. Swadelnack was born on August 4, 1856 in central Texas to Frank and Mary Anna Swadelnack. He took the surname Horner after his widowed mother married Elias Horner in Walla Walla (Washington Territory). After attending Whitman College, Horner enrolled in Philomath College, receiving the BS degree (1877) and the MS degree (1879). He also attended Willamette University and received AB (1885) and MS (1887) degrees. In the 1880s, he taught school at several places in Oregon, including Buena Vista, Union, Brownsville, Roseburg, and Albany. He married Isabelle Skimpton on September 5, 1880; they had two daughters, Vera Delle and Pearl Alicia.

In 1891, he began a teaching career at Oregon State that lasted for more than 40 years. He taught English from 1891 to 1902 and history from 1902 until 1933. In 1925, Horner formally established the museum at Oregon State that was later named for him. He wrote several books on Oregon history and literature as well as numerous articles. Horner died on September 14, 1933 in Corvallis.

Administrative Information

More Extent Information: 176 photographs ; 5 boxes

Statement on Access: Collection is open for research.

Acquisition Note: The images were acquired by the University Archives in the 1960s. A print of Louis Southworth playing the violin (P100:087) was donated by the Nez Perce County Museum in 2011.

Related Materials: The John B. Horner Papers (MSS Horner) contain materials written and assembled by Horner as an Oregon Agricultural College history professor. The Horner Museum Records (RG 199) include extensive documentation of the museum and its collections. Many other archival collections contain materials pertaining to local history as well as Native Americans in Oregon.

Preferred Citation: J.B. Horner Photograph Collection (P 100), Oregon State University Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.

Creators

People, Places, and Topics

Arnold, Benjamin L. (Benjamin Lea), 1839-1892
Ball Studio
Cascade Range
College presidents--Oregon--Corvallis.
Corvallis (Or.)
Corvallis College
Gatch, Thomas M. (Thomas Milton), 1833-1913
Governors--Oregon.
Horner, John B., 1856-1933
Indians of North America--Columbia Plateau.
Kerr, William Jasper, 1863-1947
Local History
Modoc Indians.
Oregon--History.
Oregon Multicultural Archives
Siletz Indians.
University History
Weister Company

Box and Folder Listing

Series 1: Lantern Slides, 1846 - circa 1925

Series I consists primarily of lantern slides; the series also includes prints of some of the lantern slides that were probably made in the 1980s. Of special note are images of the homes and people of the Siletz and Umatilla Tribes. This series depicts historic Oregon figures -- including Governors Whiteaker, Isaac Lee Patterson, Curry, and Pierce, and General Joseph Lane -- as well as Oregon landmarks such as the Great Oregon Caves, Mount Jefferson, Mount Washington, and the Oregon Coast. This series also contains images of Oregon Agricultural College (OAC) campus buildings, OAC cadets and color guard. Many of the lantern slides were produced by the Weister Company in Portland, Oregon. Some have been hand-colored.

Extent: 111 lantern slides and 35 prints

Box 2

Item P100:001: Oregon Governor Isaac Lee Patterson, circa 1925
Item P100:002: Governor George Curry and wife, 1846: Lantern slide was produced by the Weister Company in Portland, Oregon.
Item P100:003: "History of Oregon," General Joseph Lane, aged 78, 1879
Item P100:004: "History of Oregon," John Whiteaker, The first state governor, circa 1860
Item P100:005: Oregon Governor Walter M. Pierce, circa 1925
Item P100:006: Elijah Davidson at the entrance of Oregon Caves, circa 1910: Lantern slide produced by the Weister Company in Portland, Oregon.
Item P100:007: Rogue River: Lantern slide produced by the Weister Company in Portland, Oregon. It has been hand-colored.
Item P100:008: Military cadets in fancy drill, OAC, circa 1910: Lantern slide has been hand-colored.
Item P100:009: Military cadets in the mess hall, circa 1900: Lantern slide produced by the Weister Company in Portland, Oregon.
Item P100:010: Cadet color guard, circa 1915: Lantern slide produced by the Weister company in Portland, Oregon. It has been hand-colored.
Item P100:011: Drawing class, circa 1915: Lantern slide produced by the Weister Company in Portland, Oregon.
Item P100:012-P100:013: Methodist Church on 4th and Madison in Corvallis: Extent: 2 lantern slides
Item P100:014: Battleship Oregon, circa 1900: Lantern slide produced by the Weister Company in Portland, Oregon.
Item P100:015: "History or Oregon," Seals: Image includes the "Salmon seal," "Seal of Territory of Oregon," and "Beaver Money."
Item P100:017: Wesley Walters and his wife
Item P100:019: Automobiles leaving Grants Pass for the Great Oregon Caves, circa 1910: Lantern slide produced by the Weister Company in Portland, Oregon.
Item P100:020: Mount Jefferson: Lantern slide produced by the Weister Company in Portland, Oregon.
Item P100:021: Pack train approaching the Great Oregon Caves, circa 1910: Lantern slide produced by the Weister Company in Portland, Oregon.
Item P100:022: Mount Washington from Clear Lake, Oregon: Lantern slide produced by the Weister Company in Portland, Oregon.
Item P100:023: Automobiles on way to Great Oregon Caves, circa 1910: Lantern slide produced by the Weister Company in Portland, Oregon.
Item P100:024: Siletz: Alsea Johnson aged 90 and Susan Jack aged 85: Extent: lantern slide and 3 prints
Item P100:025: Siletz: John Woodman aged 80, circa 1920: Extent: lantern slide and 2 prints
Item P100:026: Siletz: Robert R. Depoe and family: Depoe was the teacher of the Upper Farm Day School.; Extent: lantern slide and print
Item P100:027: Indian woman in front of teepee: Extent: lantern slide and print
Item P100:028: Siletz: home of Indian Louis Fuller: Extent: lantern slide and print
Item P100:029: Siletz: Mr. and Mrs. Charley Johnson: Extent: lantern slide and print
Item P100:030: Siletz: Dr. and Mrs. Leo Frastenberg, of Smithsonian Institution, circa 1915: Lantern slide has been hand-colored.; Extent: lantern slide and print
Item P100:031: Siletz village: Extent: lantern slide and print
Item P100:032: Siletz: the Chetco Ben and Joshley Brown family: Top row from left: Dora Delgado, daughter Margaret Annie, Ella Ben, and Agatha Williams. Bottom row from left: 3rd person is Mary Washington, 5th person is Archie.; Extent: lantern slide and 4 prints
Item P100:033: Siletz: Ex. superintendent Egbert and family with uncle: Extent: 2 lantern slides and 2 prints
Item P100:034: Oregon "Nature's Child": Extent: lantern slide and print
Item P100:035: Siletz: Mrs. Lucy Jourdan, aged 95: Lanter slide has been hand-colored.; Extent: lantern slide
Item P100:036: Siletz: Mose Lane's home: Extent: lantern slide and print
Item P100:037: Siletz: Joe Lincoln: Lincoln died in 1914 at the age of 104. Lantern slide has been hand-colored.; Extent: lantern slide and print
Item P100:038: Indian artifacts
Item P100:039: "Oregon Literature," sunset on coast
Item P100:040: James G. Clark: Lantern slide produced by the Weister Company in Portland, Oregon.
Item P100:041: Stooptoopnin, a friend of the whites
Item P100:042: Siletz: Mrs. Ada Collins & baby, Mrs. Menard & baby, Mrs. Bensill: Extent: lantern slide and 3 prints
Item P100:043: Scar face Charley
Item P100:044: Ipnasalatalc, a friend of the whites
Item P100:045: Umatilla Indian family: Lantern slide produced by the Weister Company in Portland, Oregon.; Extent: lantern slide and print
Item P100:046: Black Jim and Boston Charley, Modoc warriors
Item P100:047: Sconchin, Modoc warrior
Item P100:048: Ben Jory riding "Hot Stuff": Lantern slide produced by the Weister Company in Portland, Oregon.
Item P100:049: "Oregon Literature," portrait of Sam Simpson: Lantern slide produced by Weister Company of Portland, Oregon.; Extent: lantern slide
Item P100:050: Commemoration of Frederic Homer Balch, unveiling of marker in Linn County
Item P100:051: "Oregon Literature," wreck of the Peter Iredale: Lantern slide produced by Weister Company of Portland, Oregon.
Item P100:052: "Oregon Literature," Oregon coast: Lantern slide produced by Weister Company of Portland, Oregon. It has been hand-colored.
Item P100:053: Three Sisters mountains, Oregon.: Lantern slide has been hand-colored.
Item P100:054: A boat ride: Lantern slide has been hand-colored.
Item P100:055: "Jerusalem to Jericho," a rose bush: Lantern slide has been hand-colored.
Item P100:056: A 15 inch maple leaf: Lantern slide has been hand-colored.
Item P100:057: Oyster bed
Item P100:058: Topping a tree: Lantern slide produced by the Weister Company in Portland, Oregon.
Item P100:059: Campbell Hall, Oregon Normal School, Monmouth
Item P100:060: Frank Riddle, husband of Indian Winema.: Lantern slide has been hand-colored.
Item P100:061: Klamath brave of Modoc fame: Extent: lantern slide and print
Item P100:062: Joint House Resolution No. 37
Item P100:063: "In Holy Places," Presbyterian Church, Corvallis
Item P100:064: House behind Presbyterian Church: Lantern slide has been hand-colored.
Item P100:065: Officers of society: Pictured: Mrs. J.B. Horner, Mrs. F. Berchtold, Mrs. J.W. Morgan, Mrs. F.S. Appelman and Mrs. W.E. Rosencrans.
Item P100:066: First brick church in Oregon at St. Paul: Lantern slide has been hand-colored.
Item P100:067: Old fort at The Dalles: Lantern slide has been hand-colored.
Item P100:069: Lighthouse at Cape Foulweather

Box 3

Item P100:070: W. J. Kerr: Also exists as a glass negative.
Item P100:071: James Withycombe
Item P100:072: Pinto Colvig cartoon to Prof. J. B. Horner
Item P100:073: "History of Oregon," portrait of OSU President Thomas M. Gatch, 1897-1907, circa 1900: Prints avaiable in Series III.; Extent: lantern slide
Item P100:074: "History of Oregon," President B. L. Arnold: Print avaiable in Series III.; Extent: lantern slide
Item P100:075: W. J. Kerr: Print avaiable in Series III.; Extent: lantern slide
Item P100:076: Benton Hall
Item P100:077: Women weaving
Item P100:078: Campus view
Item P100:079: Margaret Snell
Item P100:080: Corvallis College on 5th Street, circa 1875
Item P100:081: Corvallis College on 5th Street, 1874
Item P100:082: Education Hall: Lantern slide produced by the Weister Company in Portland, Oregon.
Item P100:083: Apperson Hall
Item P100:084: Corvallis College North wing, 1874: Extent: lantern slide and print
Item P100:087: Louis Southworth playing a violin, 1915: Corvallis blacksmith. Photograph by Ball Studio. Print available in Series III.
Item P100:088: "In the shadow of a mountain": Lantern slide produced by the Weisyer Company in Portland, Oregon.
Item P100:089: Indian Women: Extent: lantern slide and print
Item P100:091: Oregon Territorial Capitol Building in Marysville, circa 1900: Glass copy negative and prints also available in Series II.
Item P100:094: View of Willamette River: Lantern slide produced by the Weister Company in Portland, Oregon. It has been hand-colored.
Item P100:095: Church interior
Item P100:096: Surgeon's quarters, Remains of U.S. Infantry fort at The Dalles, 1858
Item P100:097-P100:098: Various houses
Item P100:099: Falls along Columbia: Lantern slide produced by the Weister Company in Portland, Oregon.
Item P100:100: Indians in cultural dress posing around campfire: Extent: lantern slide and 3 prints
Item P100:101-P100:104: Indian men in cultural dress: Extent: 4 lantern slides and 4 prints
Item P100:105: Portrait of a woman and child: Lantern slide produced by the Weister Company in Portland, Oregon.
Item P100:106: Portrait of a woman
Item P100:107-P100:111: Portraits of unidentified men: Two of the lantern slides were produced by the Weister Company in Portland, Oregon. One has been hand-colored. A glass copy negative is available for P100:111 in Series II. =
Item P100:113-P100:114: Portraits of unidentified men
Item P100:118: Portrait of an unidentified man
Item P100:119: The Masonic Temple, the Masons: Lantern slide has been hand colored.; Extent: lantern slide and print

Series 2: Glass Negatives, 1852 - circa 1920

Series II consists of glass copy negatives of photographic prints, portraits, and published photographs. These include portraits of Oregon Agricultural College President William Jasper Kerr and several other men, several of which are identified. Of special note are images of the former Oregon Territorial Capitol Building in Corvallis, Oregon. The structure served as the capitol building for a few months in 1855.

Extent: 13 glass negatives and 2 prints

Box 4

Item P100:016: Joab Powell, undated
Item P100:018: "First photo taken of Front Street, Portland in 1852", 1852: Glass copy negative of published photograph with printed caption.
Item P100:070: W. J. Kerr, circa 1920: Also exists as a lantern slide.
Item P100:079: President Kerr, circa 1920: Glass copy negative of portrait photograph by Ball Studio.; Extent: 2 glass negatives
Item P100:090: James G. Clark
Item P100:092: Oregon Territorial Capitol Building in Marysville, circa 1900: This wooden building was the Oregon Territorial Capitol for a few months in 1855. Lantern slide available in Series I.; Extent: glass copy negative and prints
Item P100:093: Oregon Territorial Capitol Building in Marysville, circa 1900
Item P100:111: Portrait of a standing man: Also available as a lantern slide in Series I.
Item P100:112: Portrait of a man: Glass copy negative of portrait photograph by Ball Studio.
Item P100:115-P100:117: Various portraits of men

Series 3: Prints, circa 1875 - circa 1925

Series III consists of photographic prints assembled by Horner or added to the collection at a later time. The prints include portrait photographs of Oregon State presidents B.L. Arnold, Thomas M. Gatch, and William Jasper Kerr as well as two images of Louis Southworth, an African American resident of the Alsea Valley in Benton County.

Extent: 15 prints

Box-Folder 1.1: Original Prints, circa 1875-1925

Item P100:068: Louis Southworth, circa 1915: Extent: 3 prints
Item P100:073: "History of Oregon," portrait of OSU President Thomas M. Gatch, circa 1900: Lantern slide also available in Series I.; Extent: 5 prints
Item P100:074: "History of Oregon," President B. L. Arnold, circa 1875: Lantern slide available in Series I.
Item P100:075: W. J. Kerr seated at desk, circa 1925: Lantern slide available in Series I.
Item P100:079: "History of Oregon," President William Jasper Kerr, circa 1910: Portrait photograph by Ball Studio. Lantern slide available in Series I.; Extent: 4 prints
Item P100:087: Louis Southworth playing a violin, 1915: Corvallis blacksmith. Photograph by Ball Studio. Lantern slide available in Series I.

Box-Folder 1.2: Prints of Lantern Slides

Box-Folder 1.3: Prints of Glass Negatives