Oral history interview with Fred L. Peterson

Collection

Identifier: SR 9600

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This oral history interview with Fred L. Peterson was conducted by Linda S. Dodds at Peterson’s home in Portland, Oregon, in four sessions from February 11 to April 28, 1982, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library’s oral history program. Jack Pement of the Oregon Journal newspaper was also present during sessions 1 and 2, and occasionally contributed to the interview.

In this interview, Peterson discusses his family background and early life in the Lents neighborhood of Portland, Oregon. He shares his memories of working in an Army hospital during the 1918 flu pandemic. He speaks about running a pharmacy in the Hollywood neighborhood of Portland, and describes how he became involved in politics. He speaks at length about his service on the Portland City Council. He discusses the political career of Dorothy McCullough Lee, and shares his reasons for running against her for Portland mayor in 1952. He talks about his service as Portland mayor, and discusses his failed re-election campaign in 1956.

Dates

1982 February 11-April 28

Creator

Peterson, Fred L. (Fred Lawrence), 1896-1985 (Interviewee, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright for this interview is held by the Oregon Historical Society. Use is allowed according to the following statement: Creative Commons - BY-NC-SA, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/

Biographical note

Fred Lawence Peterson was born in Owatonna, Minnesota, in 1896. In 1902, he moved with his family to Portland, Oregon. He served in the Oregon National Guard and was sent to France during World War I. After his discharge in 1919, he began operating a pharmacy in the Hollywood neighborhood of Portland. He married Madeline E. Peterson and they later had one child. In 1940, he was elected to the Portland City Council, and in 1953, he was elected Portland mayor. He ran for re-election in 1956 but was defeated by Terry Schrunk. Peterson died in 1985.

Sources: "Fred Peterson," by Robert Donnelly, Oregon Encyclopedia, https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/peterson_fred_1896_1985_/; vital records on Ancestry.com; information provided by Peterson during his interview.

Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet (6 audiocassettes (4 hr., 18 min., 55 sec.))

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Oral history interview with Fred L. Peterson conducted by Linda S. Dodds from February 11 to April 28, 1982. Peterson discusses serving on the Portland City Council from 1940 to 1952, and as Portland mayor from 1953 to 1956.