Cadet corps in line by the original Corvallis College building. Men do not have uniforms at this time. Cadets probably holding Civil War era long M1863 Springfield rifled muskets, surplus from the US Military. The building in the background is the original building that would become OAC. The college was originally located in downtown Corvallis on the block where City Hall and the Corvallis Moose Lodge are currently located. The first college building was a structure built in 1858 and added onto in 1876.
Cadet corps in line by the original Corvallis College building. Men do not have uniforms at this time. Cadets probably holding Civil War era long M1863 Springfield rifled muskets, surplus from the US Military. The building in the background is the original building that would become OAC. The college was originally located in downtown Corvallis on the block where City Hall and the Corvallis Moose Lodge are currently located. The first college building was a structure built in 1858 and added onto in 1876.
"In 1862, Congress appropriated 90,000 acres of land for the support of an Agricultural College, with the condition that the college be in operation in 1867. Under this act a denominational school of the M. E. church (South), already existing at Corvallis, was charged with the management of the Agricultural College. By doing so, the land grant was secured, and the expense of erecting a new building was saved. In this simple old structure, the pioneer students of O.A.C. were introduced into the mysteries of scientific farming. In 1867, the institution boasted twenty-two students."--The Orange, 1909. The Corvallis College building was located near the Courthouse.
The building was constructed in 1859 and expanded in 1876. It served as the primary bulding for what is now Oregon State University until 1888, when the new Administration Building (Benton Hall) was completed on the west edge of the original college farm.
The 1891-92 catalog, in which this photograph is published, described the greenhouse as "large and well supplied with many varieties of choice plants." Students were required to work five hours per week without pay; additional labor was paid at the rate of fifteen cents per hour. George Coote was born in Kent County, England in 1842 and (according to Lucy Skjelstad) worked as the gardener for Charles Darwin before emigrating to America. He arrived in Corvallis in 1877 via the Isthmus of Panama and farmed in an area west of Corvallis near Yaquina Bay until his appointment to the College faculty in 1888. He laid out the college grounds, erected and supervised the greenhouses, and taught in the Horticulture Department until 1908 when failing health forced him to take a leave of absence. He died several months later in November 1908. One of his daughters was married to Emile Pernot, the college photographer.
Composite cyanotype photograph of Oregon Agricultural College buildings. Buildings shown starting at the top left are: Mechanical Hall, Fairbanks Hall and The Greenhouses. View of campus with Benton Hall in background. Women's Center Building (Station Building), Alpha Hall, The Farm and Benton Hall in the center of photo
This greenhouse complex was part of an expansion of college agricultural facilities that began in 1889. Standing on the right is George Coote, instructor in horticulture. The Administration Building (Benton Hall) is in the background.
Originally named Cauthorn Hall and was later named Fairbanks Hall. It was constructed in 1892 as a men's dormitory. Women lived in the dormitory from 1912 until the early 1930s, when it was converted into a classroom building. The building is now home to the Art Department.
Baseball diamond, first athletic field, 1892-1893 (on the right) and lower campus view near what is now Jefferson Street. The Experiment Station gardens are on the left with the Court House, Central School, old Corvallis College are also left of the walkway.
Oregon Agricultural College cadets lined up for morning inspection. Now known as Fairbanks Hall, this building was constructed in 1892 as a men's dormitory and was originally named Cauthorn Hall. Women lived in the dormitory from 1912 until the early 1930s, when it was converted into a classroom building. The building is now home to the Art Department.
This chemistry class is shown on the steps of the new Chemistry Building (also known at the time as the Laboratory or Station Building; now known as the Women's Center) soon after its completion in early 1892. According to the 1891-92 catalog, the new building had "thirty students' working desks, each of which is supplied with water, gas, and drawers with shelves for the necessary re-agents and apparatus." All students at the college were required to take chemistry during their first and second years, four terms for Agriculture and Mechanics students, and three terms for Home Economics students. G. W. Shaw (with large mustache at far left in top row wearing dark suit and tie) joined the college faculty as a Professor of Chemistry and Physics in the 1891-1892 academic year and taught at OAC until 1900.
Identified are: Anna Hannah ('95); Effie Willis ('95); Mollie C. Voorhees ('93); Jennie Thornbury; Carrie Abernethy; Orla Robbins; Kittie Emmett ('95); Lois Stewart ('92); Mrs. Casto's mother; Amy Vaughn; Mrs. I. A. L. Casto (matron); Lena Willis ('95); Adda Davenport; Dorothea Nash ('95); Inez Cooley ('95); G. Casto; Lillian Thornbury. Alpha Hall, built in 1889, was the second building on the OAC campus. It served as the men's boarding house until 1892 when Cauthorn Hall (now Fairbanks Hall) was constructed, and from 1892 to 1907 served as a women's boarding house. Mrs. I. A. L. Casto was elected by the Board of Regents as matron of the hall in June 1892. Most of the women depicted in this photograph were first-year students in home economics. Also depicted is one post-graduate, one third-year, one second-year, and three students in the preparatory department. Several of the women obtained degrees from OAC.
The back brick portion of the building was the original wing of Mechanical Hall, constructed in 1889. The front wood frame section was an addition from 1893-94. The addition housed the college's first gymnasium.
Cadets in review in front of Benton Hall. Uniforms date prior to 1900. Longer rifled muskets of 1880s vintage. Uniforms include the older "forage cap" still in use dating to Civil War.
The class motto was "Ambition has no rest." Identified are: William T. Johnson, William H. Schmidt, Louise M. Barnett, Carrie A. Lyford, Edwin J. Hufford, Harvey L. McAllister, Ina I. Barclay, Emma Martyn, Charles E. Small, J. Wallace Harrison, Charles R. Porter, Charles O. Taylor, Clarence L. Bump, William F. Groves, Herbert J. Elliott, Ralph W. Terrell, and Robert E. Golden.
A group of women students gathered outside Benton Hall. Of the 336 students enrolled at OAC during the 1897/98 academic year, almost half (151) were women. Women have been students at OSU since its establishment in 1868.
Cadets in formation on lower campus by Administration Building. Photograph is described on reverse as being 1898 with notes about the Administration Building steps. Listed as page 159A of an unknown publication. Cadets are in dress uniforms, showing large stripes on sleeves. OAC cadet band leading formation. Benton Hall (then Administration Building) still has its original brick facade which was renovated in 1899.
Line of cadet officers at parade rest with sabres. Columns of Benton Hall in background, stucco wall finish dates photo to after 1899. The uniforms in photo are of the pre-1908 style with soft campaign hat designs. Belted tunics with unexposed buttons. Possibly on graduation day waiting for commissioning.