Isaac Hodgson, Jr. architectural illustrations

Collection

Identifier: Mss 3055

Staff Only

Illustration of the Portland Chamber of Commerce Building

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Watercolor painting of the Portland Chamber of Commerce Building front door

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Scope and Contents

The collection consists of two lithograph illustrations and two watercolor illustrations of buildings in Portland, Oregon, designed by architect Isaac Hodgson, Jr. The watercolors depict the entrance and the tower for the Chamber of Commerce building, one lithograph depicts the Chamber of Commerce building between SW 3rd Avenue and SW 4th Avenue, and one lithograph depicts the entrance to a proposed United Bank building. The United Bank lithograph is from a drawing by W. E. Donovan, while all other works were drawn or painted by J. Anderson. Both lithographs were printed by the Heliotype Printing Company of Boston, Massachusetts, and appeared in the September 26, 1891 and August 27, 1892 issues of "American Architect and Building News."

Dates

Creation: 1891

Creator

Hodgson, Isaac, Jr. (Architect, Person)
Anderson, J. (Delineator, Person)
Heliotype Printing Co. (Lithographer, Organization)
Donovan, W. E. (Delineator, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The Oregon Historical Society owns the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners.

Biographical Note

Isaac Hodgson, Jr., was an architect who came to Portland, Oregon, in 1890 from Omaha, Nebraska, after winning a competition to design the Chamber of Commerce building in Portland. After several delays, the building was completed in September 1893. Multnomah County then asked Hodgson to design a new courthouse, but soon became displeased with the potential cost of Hodgson's design, as Portland was experiencing an economic downturn. After unsuccessfully suing the county to receive payment that he said was owed him, Hodgson moved back to the U.S. Midwest.

Source: "Lost Portland, Oregon," by Val C. Ballestrem, 2018.

Extent

0.25 Cubic Feet (1 oversize folder (30x42); 1 oversize folder (16x20))

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Lithographic and watercolor illustrations depicting buildings in Portland, Oregon, designed by architect Isaac Hodgson, Jr., who worked in Portland during the early 1890s. The watercolors and one of the lithographs depict the Chamber of Commerce building; the other lithograph depicts the entrance to a proposed United Bank building.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Lithographs purchased in 1984 and 2006 (RL2022-013-RETRO, Lib. Acc. 25888); watercolors most likely acquired in the mid- or late 20th century (RL2022-012-RETRO).

Processing Information

Includes materials previously designated Mss 3055-1, Mss 3055-2, Mss 3055-3, and Mss 3055-4. Collection was titled "Isaac Hodgson, Jr. architectural papers" prior to 2022.