Photograph Album Of Oregon 1899-1902

BENJAMIN A GIFFORD

Publication: 1899-1902, NP, 1809-1902

An extraordinary album containing fifty original photographs of scenes along the middle and upper sections of the Columbia River (from the Cascades to near Biggs / Maryhill) taken between 1899 and 1902 by one of Oregon’s premier photographers, Benjamin A. Gifford of The Dalles, Oregon. Besides the natural features of the picturesque Columbia River Gorge, the images include views of railroads, steamboats, The Dalles, several Columbia River falls (including Celilo), and sixteen (16) different photos of Indians, including identified tribal members and their encampments and fishing activities along the river. All but one of the photographs measures 8” x 5,” and all but two are titled in the negative. Gifford’s logo is present in all but a couple of the images, usually at the beginning of the title. The photos are mounted back to back on album pages that measure 10” x 7.” Benjamin A. Gifford (1859-1936), the subject of many articles and books about photographers in the West, especially those who documented the Indian tribes within their respective regions, is one of the highest regarded early photographers in Oregon for his artistic images. He captured the scenic beauty of the Columbia River east of Multnomah Falls in a series of magnificent, artistically and aesthetically pleasing photographs during his time in The Dalles, Oregon. Gifford was (and still is) regarded as one of the finest photographers of the tribes and bands of Indians along the Columbia River. His work appeared in many promotional booklets issued by railroads, particularly the Oregon Railroad and Navigation Company. The following is a title listing of the fifty photos, in the order in which they appear in the album. Gifford’s negative numbers are at left. 230. Mt. Hood from Lost Lake. Height 11,225 feet 217. Mt. Adams from Trout Lake. Height 12,470 feet 231. Mt. Adams from Trout Lake. Height 12,470 feet 151. The Locks. Columbia River [“Inland Flyer in Cascade Locks” written under image in ink] 233. The Locks. Steamer Dalles City 7 213. Chicago-Portland Special Tunnel No. 2 [with train on one track and a crew of men on another] 210. Tunnel on the O.R. & N. 221. Sheep on the Range 181. At the Ferry. Columbia River [sheep being herded onto a ferry] 208. Memaloose Island. Columbia River 209. Memaloose Island. Columbia River 234. North Abutment to Bridge of the Gods, and Cascades of the Columbia 203. Beacon or Castle Rock 21(?). Str Regulator near the Palisades 162. Str. Regulator near Castle Rock 207. Str. Bailey Gatzert approaching Cascade Locks. Columbia River [No #] [Untitled view of the Steamer Bailey Gatzert] 220. Fish Wheels. Upper Columbia [“Seufert’s No. 5 fish wheel and scow wheel a head of 5 Mile Rapids about 1900” written under image in ink] 168. Fish Wheel and Cascade Locks 175. Cabbage Rock 186. Owl Rock 199. Cape Horn. Columbia River 200. Cigar Rock. Columbia River 167. Oneonta Gorge 218. The Mountains’ Realm 170. Middle Cascades. Steamer Dalles City 169. Steamer Dalles City 185. 80,000 Sacks of Wheat 187. The Dalles, OR., and Mt. Hood 232. Celilo Falls. Columbia River 222. The Whirlpool. Celilo Falls 147. Native and Dugout Canoe. Celilo. Columbia River Gifford Foto, The Dalles, Ore. [No #] [Untitled view of a herd of sheep by the edge of the Columbia River] 179. My Day at Home. Wa-Ku-Kum. [Indian woman by teepee] 166. Multnomah Falls 840 Ft. [Top left corner broken off, not affecting the image of the falls] 180. The Home Guard. On the Columbia [Canoe at river’s edge, a dog, and two Indian lodges] 178. A Sea of Sand Among the Breakers [Sand dunes along the Columbia River] 155. Indian Burying Place. Memaloose Island [Large pile of human skulls and bones at burial site] [No #] [Iconic image of the Indian maiden and child wrapped in a Pendleton blanket] 211. Natives Spearing Salmon on the Columbia 212. Indians Spearing and Netting Salmon on the Columbia 155. Salmon Jumping the Rapids Copyright 1899 193. Indian Dancers [Four Indian men, two women, and one child in full regalia] 8 214. Chief Hash-Nash-Shut 171. Pop Kio Winah, Yakima 227. Wasco Squaw 229. Wasco Squaw and Pack 228. Two Tiger and Twa-Wei [Indian man and young Indian woman] 226. Two Tiger [Indian man] 215. Chief Shen-No-Watch, Wasco Tribe. At the front of the album is a white label with blue printing: “R.A. Brouhard Agency / Cypress 6-3258 / Room 206, U.S. National Bank Bldg., The Dalles, Ore.” A post-1960 address label is pasted down on the inside back cover that reads, “R.A. Brouhard / 7815 N. Denver / Portland Ore / 97217.” Also laid down on the inside back cover is a note dated 4/18/68 that reads, “Mr. R.A. Brouhard bought the Gifford studio after Mr. Gifford died. The large glass plates for the large pictures were sold to the ------ in the area for hot plants to raise flowers, etc. Mr. Gifford’s funeral service was held at Salmon Creek Church just north of Vancouver. He was a Christian Scientist and Wm. E. Farr Sr. read his service. [signed] Wm. E. Farr.” The last four pages (containing 8 images] are detached from the body of the album, as is the front cover. Several of the photos have missing corners, but the loss does not impact the focus of the affected images. The contrast and clarity of the vintage photographs is exceptional. It is quite possible that this album served as one of Gifford’s sample catalogs for people wanting to order particular images by their negative number. This is one of the most historically significant and artistic albums covering a number of interesting subjects that we have had the privilege to handle.

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