Benson family photographs collection

Collection

Identifier: Org. Lot 1206

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Collection consists of photographs of the family of Portland businessman Simon Benson and his second wife, Pamelia Loomis, including Simon Benson, his sons Chester Simon Benson and Gilbert Thereon Benson, and grandchildren Gilbert Thomas Benson and Margaret Benson Maradudin. Includes baby albums and portraits, as well as photographs depicting travel, boating, Stanford University, California, the Oregon Coast, the Columbia River Gorge, and Benson family residences in Portland as well as their summer cottage, Riverwood, in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Also included are unprocessed negatives, some or all of which may correspond to prints in the collection.

Dates

1896-1970

Creator

Benson family (Family)

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

Simon Benson (1851-1942), a Norwegian immigrant, found success in the timber business, acquiring 46,000 acres of land over two decades and reducing costs through technical innovation in logging and shipping. He also built the Benson and Columbia Gorge Hotels, and, as a strong proponent of the good roads movement, propelled development of the Columbia River Highway. He married twice, and, with his second wife, Pamela Loomis, he had two sons, Gilbert Thereon and Chester Simon. Gilbert Benson died in 1928, well into graduate studies at Stanford University. Chester Benson married Dorothy Logan, and together they raised son Gilbert Thomas and daughter Margaret (later Margaret Maradudin).

Extent

3 Cubic Feet (7 document cases; 2 flat boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Photographs of the family of Portland businessman Simon Benson and his second wife, Pamelia Loomis, including sons Chester Simon Benson and Gilbert Thereon Benson, and grandchildren Gilbert Thomas Benson and Margaret Benson (later Margaret Maradudin).