William P. Abrams collection

Collection

Identifier: Mss 6006

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Collection consists of photocopied genealogical information, letters, diary extracts regarding the discovery of Yosemite in 1849, and miscellaneous papers, 1893-1950.

Dates

1893-1950

Creator

Abrams, William Penn, 1820-1873 (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

William Penn Abrams was born in 1820 in Sanbornton, N.H., and died in 1873 in Portland, Oregon. He came to Portland in 1851 on a ship with his family and settled in a log cabin at First and Jefferson streets. He started a sawmill and was Oregon's first highway contractor, cutting planks for the Valley Plank Road between Portland and the Tualatin Valley in 1851. He brought a collection of 1,200 books to Portland to start Portland's first library, and his family was active in civic and cultural affairs. He traveled and sailed extensively and kept a diary of his travels.

Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder in shared box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Collection includes photocopied genealogical information, letters, and diary extracts regarding the discovery of Yosemite in 1849. William Penn Abrams (1820-1873) came to Portland, Oregon, in 1851 on a ship with his family. He started a sawmill and was Oregon's first highway contractor; he also traveled extensively.