Edwin Russell Jackman Photographic Collection (P 89)
ca. 1875-1964 (inclusive) 1900-1960 (bulk)
2 cubic feet; apx. 1800 items
Scope and Content Note
The collection consists of images collected or taken by E. R. Jackman. Many of the photographs
were used to illustrate his books, such as The Oregon Desert, and other writings. The majority
of them were taken in the eastern, Columbia Basin, and southern parts of Oregon, where Jackman
spent considerable time as a farm crops and range crops extension specialist. Other geographical
regions represented include western Oregon, the Columbia Basin area of Washington, and other
western states, such as Idaho and Nevada. Many of the photos are snapshots that were likely
taken by Jackman or other Extension Service personnel. Jackman acquired photos from other
governmental agencies, such as the Soil Conservation Service, the Agricultural Adjustment
Administration, and the Oregon State Highway Commission.
The photographs pertain to a wide variety of agricultural subjects, such as forage and seed crops,
dairy and beef cattle, grain crops, erosion, orchards, and planting and harvesting. Several
photographs depict The Oregon Desert co-author Reub Long, his ranching operations, and his
collection of NativeAmerican artifacts. Also included are images of rangelands, geographical
features, state parks, towns, and organizations and events that Jackman belonged to and
participated in. Many photographs include Jackman's original hand-written captions.
A large number of images are recent prints of late 19th and early 20th century photographs.
Several were taken in Burns and Harney County, and depict Paiute Indians, hunting and fishing,
cattle, and other subjects. Many of these photographs were likely taken by Burns photographer
R. W. Heck. Other photographers and photography studios represented include Merritt Parks,
Joe Van Wormer, Bus Howyshell, Rey Parodi, Eastman's Studio (Lakeview), and the Coquille
Studio.
Organization and Arrangement
The collection is organized into two components: individually numbered photographs (P89:1-680)
and un-numbered photographs transferred from the E. R. Jackman Papers. Some of the
numbered photographs are grouped into subject categories. The photos from the Jackman Papers
are arranged geographically by county or by general subject category, such as forage crops,
machinery, and seed crops.
Forms
The collection consists of approximately 1,575 black and white prints, 98 b/w film negatives
(some nitrate), 24 color prints, and 64 color slides and transparencies.
Historical Note
Edwin Russell (E. R.) Jackman was born in Stillwater, Minnesota,
February 14, 1894. He lived on his father's 185-acre potato,
grain and livestock farm in Flathead County, Montana, until 1917,
when he entered the U.S. Army. Jackman served as 1st Lieutenant
in the Field Artillery, and was stationed at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma.
Prior to this time, he attended Montana State College in Bozeman
in 1913-1914 and 1916-1917. During the summer of 1917 he served
as County Agent in Blaine County, Montana. Following World War
I, he attended Oregon Agricultural College in 1919-1920 and
received his B.S. in Agronomy. He was appointed County Agent for
Wasco County, Oregon, and except for a short period (1926-1929,
when he resigned to enter commercial business) he worked for
Oregon State College and the Federal Cooperative Extension
Service until his retirement in 1959. In 1929 Jackman was
appointed Extension Specialist in Farm Crops; in 1953 he was
appointed Range Crops Management Specialist.
Jackman helped organize the Oregon Seed Growers' League and
served as secretary for this organization for many years. He was
also instrumental in starting the Oregon Wheat League, an
organization that has been widely copied throughout the country.
As president of the Pacific Northwest Section of the American
Society of Range Management, Jackman instituted the society's
"Youth Range Camp" in 1950. Since that year, the camp has been
held annually. He was a member of Epsilon Sigma Phi, the
national extension honorary fraternity, and in 1949 was awarded
the fraternity's Western States Certificate of Recognition. In
1956 he received the United States Department of Agriculture's
Superior Service Award "for outstanding success in promoting
Oregon's widespread adoption of grassland agriculture and for
leadership in developing the state's multimillion dollar seed
industry." Jackman died on May 12, 1967 in Portland, Oregon,
following a long illness. The E.R. Jackman Foundation, an
affiliate of the Oregon State University Foundation located
within the university's College of Agricultural Sciences, was
formed in his memory.
Related Materials
Other photographs pertaining to E. R. Jackman are located in
Harriet's Collection #969 and #2301; the Extension Bulletins
Illustrations Photographic Collection (P 20); and the Extension
and Experiment Station Communications Photographic Collection (P
120). Additional materials relating to Jackman are located in
the E. R. Jackman Papers; the Sarah Jackman Wilson Papers; the
Extension Service Records (RG 111); and the MC - Jackman, Edwin
Russell file. Information on the Jackman Foundation is located
in the Development Office/University Foundations Records (RG
144).
Shelf Locations:
6 hollinger boxes on Photographic Collections shelves
2/2/2 (12x17 oversize box)
2/2/2 (16x20 oversize box)
LS 1/14/5/11 (nitrate negatives)
Inventory