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A Photographic History of Oregon State University

1890s

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Cadets in front of Benton Hall, ca. 1892. What is now known as Benton Hall was the first building constructed on the original college farm, and has been the centerpiece of the eastern side of campus ever since. The cadet corps is in formation in front of the building in this photograph, perhaps to welcome the college's new president, John Bloss. In 1872 the college became the first in the Pacific Northwest to offer military instruction. (HC 38)
Mechanical Hall fire aftermath, September 1898. The fire that destroyed Mechanical Hall the night of September 26, 1898 was a devastating, but temporary, setback for OAC. Though classrooms, shops, athletic facilities, and electrical generating facilities were destroyed, the college persevered. The new gymnasium and armory, already under construction, was completed in early 1899. Through the efforts of regent and former legislator John Apperson, state funds quickly were approved for a new mechanical hall. A new powerhouse was completed in 1900, providing a stable source of electricity for the campus. (P101:517)
Students haying on the college farm, ca. 1890. One aspect of student life at OAC in the late 19th century was the requirement that agriculture students work five hours per week on the farm or in the garden during fall and spring terms. According to the 1890-91 college catalog, students received no pay for this work, but the “labor will be made instructive as far as possible.” During winter term, students worked in the mechanical shops. This photo was taken along the southern boundary of the original college farm. Sitting on the farm implement and holding a haying fork is E.E. Wilson, Class of 1889, who was enrolled as a post-graduate student in 1890-91. (P25:1288)
Professor John Letcher and calculus students, ca. 1892. Letcher (1853-1938, front row center) came to OAC in 1888 and taught mathematics, engineering and military science and tactics. He graduated from Virginia Military Institute in 1873 with a degree in civil engineering, and was the son of Virginia’s Confederate governor. Letcher served as acting president in 1892 after Benjamin Arnold’s sudden death and before John Bloss arrived later that year. Letcher was one of the candidates for the position of president, but Bloss had an edge because of his experience as an education administrator. Letcher left OAC in 1894 to teach mathematics at the University of Oregon. (P25:1554)