Collection consists of photocopy documents pertaining to military roads in Oregon, 1854-1858, including Astoria-Salem roads and Scottsburg-Myrtle Creek road; and typescript copies of documents pertaining to the activities of the Bureau of Topographical Engineers of the War Department on the Columbia River, from Columbia Barracks (Fort Vancouver) to Fort Dalles, 35 pages, 1855-1857 and 1874-1875.

Papers of John M. Shively (1804-1893), an emigrant to Oregon and first postmaster of Astoria. Papers include correspondence, legal documents related to land sales, an 1853 diary, historical essays and other writings, genealogical materials, information on the U.S-British controversy over the Oregon Territory, and papers of Shively's son, Charles W. Shively.