713 Center Street
Dr. John McLoughlin House on August 19, 2006.
After his retirement from the Hudson's Bay Company in 1845, Dr. McLoughlin moved to Oregon City and built the Georgian-style McLoughlin House near Willamette Falls in 1846. The American settlers, however, resented his large claim, asserting that because McLoughlin was a British citizen, his land claim was no longer valid now that Oregon was part of the United States. McLoughlin applied for U.S. citizenship, and was granted it in 1851, but that did not prevent most of his claim from being transferred to the early state legislature. McLoughlin and his family were allowed to remain in the home. He used much of his remaining claim to benefit the city, platting it in 1850. He gave away 300 lots for various uses, including several churches and a city jail, and built houses, mills and a canal around Willamette Falls all at his own expense. McLoughlin also served as mayor of Oregon City, elected in 1851 by a margin of 44 to 22.
Dr. McLoughlin died September 3, 1857 at the age of 73, before the dispute over his land was finally settled, and was buried in the courtyard of St. John's Catholic Church in Oregon City. His wife Margaret died February 28, 1860 at the age of 85 and was buried there with him. In 1862, the State of Oregon released his remaining property to his heirs. In 1957, McLoughlin was given the title "Father of Oregon" by the Oregon Legislative Assembly.
The McLoughlin house was originally located near Willamette Falls, however, like the Ermatinger House, it was threatened by industrial development near the falls. The house was saved through the efforts of a group of citizens, led by Eva Emery Dye. Mrs. Dye had written the book McLoughlin and Old Oregon and inspired the Chautauqua in Gladstone and the Oregon City Women's Club. In 1909, Mrs. Dye and other saved the McLoughlin house from demolition by moving it down Main Street and up Singer Hill to its current location. The house opened as a museum in 1910.
Dr. John McLoughlin Plaque on August 19, 2006.
A number of markers commemorate the house and its history. The Oregon City Territorial Days Association placed a marker on August 18, 1939 commemorating Dr. McLoughlin and acknowledging dedication of the land the house now sits on as a public park as part of the original survey of 1842.
McLoughlin House Plaque on August 19, 2006.
A marker placed by the National Park Service in 1950 acknowledges the McLoughlin house as being a National Historic Site, and points out that this park was presented to the city of Oregon City in 1850.
Eva Emory Dye Plaque on August 19, 2006.
On September 10, 1989, the McLoughlin Memorial Association placed a marker in memory of Mrs. Eva Emery Dye and other who worked to save the McLoughlin house.
McLoughlin House Fountain on August 19, 2006.
The Oregon City Women's Club placed a fountain on the grounds of the McLoughlin house as a memorial to Dr. McLoughlin. It was dedicated on June 18, 1911.
1978 Fountain Restoration Plaque on August 19, 2006.
The Oregon City Women's Club restored the fountain in 1978 and rededicated it on June 18, 1978.
1994 Fountain Restoration Plaque on August 19, 2006.
The fountain was restored again in 1994.
McLoughlin House Drinking Fountain on August 19, 2006.
A drinking fountain on the grounds is dedicated to the memory of Vara Caufield, the curator of the McLoughlin house museum from 1947 to 1962.
Drinking Fountain Plaque on August 19, 2006.
In addition to being declared a National Historic Site in 1941, making it the first in the West, the McLoughlin house was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966. It became part of the National Park System in 2003 as a unit of the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site.
Historical Photos:
McLoughlin House (Oregon State Library)
McLoughlin House, August 17, 1939 (HistoricPhotoArchive.com)
McLoughlin House, 1946 (Salem Public Library)
McLoughlin House Dining Room, 1946 (Salem Public Library)
McLoughlin House, March 1959 (Salem Public Library)
Graves of Dr. & Mrs. McLoughlin on August 19, 2006.
Dr. McLoughlin and his wife were originally buried in the courtyard at St. John's Catholic Church on Main Street. In 1948, the church moved out of the old building, which was to be demolished, and the McLoughlins' remains were moved to the corner of 5th and Washington Streets on July 6, 1848, where a new church was to be built. However, the church decided to build at the corner of 4th and Center Streets instead. In the 1960s, it was realized that the McLoughlins would have to be moved again. The McLoughlin Memorial Association expressed a desire to have them buried on the grounds of the McLoughlin house. The Advisory Council of St. John's Parish and Archbishop Robert J. Dwyer agreed, provided an appropriate memorial was erected. This monument on the McLoughlin house grounds was placed in 1970. It incorporates the original tombstones of Dr. McLoughlin and his wife.
Dr. John McLoughlin’s Tombstone on August 19, 2006.
Dr. McLoughlin's tombstone describes him as "The pioneer and Friend of Oregon Also the founder of this city".
Margaret McLoughlin’s Tombstone on August 19, 2006.
McLoughlin Monument Plaque on August 19, 2006.
The monument was sponsored by Archbishop Robert J. Dwyer, Dr. Burt Brown Barker, Marie D. Clark, Edna C. Henderson, Trornton T. Munger, Paul F. Murphy, Ruth M. Powers, Albert H. Powers III, Arthur A. Riedel & Barbara B. Sprouse.
McLoughlin House Cannon on August 19, 2006.
Also on the grounds is this small old cannon. It has no plaque or sign associated with it, but it is apparently an example of a cannon used by the Hudson's Bay Company for the defense of their forts.
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