This photograph was taken by J. A. Wilson, Photographer of New Albany, Indiana. Bloss was principal of the Female High School in New Albany from 1870 until 1875. John McKnight Bloss was the third president of Oregon Agricultural College from 1892-1896. Bloss was also the Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station and Professor of Mental and Moral Science. During his years of presidency, the school colors were changed from navy blue to orange and black and intercollegiate athletics were formed. Bloss was also the first president to encourage women to study agriculture. The first school annual, The Hayseed, was created.
These OAC women are standing outside the front entrance to the college's first Mechanical Hall. Part of one of the floors of this building was used as a gymnasium.
Lower campus looking west at the Mitchell Playhouse, Fairbanks Hall, Administration Building (Benton Hall), a water tower, Apperson Hall (Mechanical Hall), and Chemical Lab (Paleontology Lab). The image was used in the 1938 Orange and Black and 1898-1899 OAC Catalog.
This building was designed by Albany, OR, architect Charles Burggraf. It was built to provide classrooms and labs for agricultural departments and also included offices for the experiment station.