Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Guide to the Gustavus Sohon
Drawings
1858
Cage
556
Table of Contents
Summary Information
- Repository
- Washington State University Libraries, Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
- Creator
- Sohon, Gustavus
- Title
- Gustavus Sohon Drawings
- ID
- Cage 556
- Date [inclusive]
- 1858
- Extent
- 1 container., .25 linear feet of shelf space., 3 items.
- Language
- Collection materials are in English.
- Abstract
- Three pencil drawings: Great Falls of the Spokane River, 1858; View of the Snake River at Mouth of the Tukanon, 1858; Camp on the Spokane River, Sep. 6, 1858; annotations.
Preferred Citation
[Item Description]. Cage 556, Gustavus Sohon Drawings . Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.
Biography/History
Gustavus Sohon was born in Tilsit, Germany on December 10, 1825. He came to America at the age of 17 and lived in Brooklyn, New York. On July 2, 1852, he enlisted as a private in the United States Army, at the age of 26. He was ordered West for service on the Pacific Coast.
A gifted linguist (he spoke English, French, and German), Sohon quickly learned the Salishan languages of the Flathead and Pend D'Oreille Indians. He also made drawings of the country and important landmarks while working on expeditions. These drawings were useful in later expeditions.
At the request of Washington Governor Stevens, Sohon was transferred to his command. Stevens had been very impressed with Sohon's work. On later expeditions Sohon worked as map maker and barometrical observer as well as sketcher and interpreter. Sohon was involved in the building of the Mullan Road, the first wagon road from Fort Walla Walla to Fort Benton.
On July 29, 1863, Sohon married Juliana Goh and moved to San Francisco, California. There Sohon opened a Photographic and Ambrotype Gallery. He finally closed his shop and moved back to the East Coast in 1865 or 1866 and lived in Washington, D.C. There he died on September 3, 1903.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections © 2012
http://www.libraries.wsu.edu/masc/
Terrell Library
P.O. Box 645610
Pullman, WA, 99164-5610 USA
509-335-6691
mascref@wsu.edu
Restrictions on Access
This collection is open for research use.
Acquisition Information
The drawings of Gustavus Sohon were purchased in 1982.
Digital Archival Object
Great Falls of the Spokane River
Names and Subjects
Genre(s)
- Drawings
- Sketches
Personal Name(s)
Creator(s) :
- Sohon, Gustave--Archives
Subject(s)
- Snake River (Wyo.-Wash.)--Pictorial works
- Spokane River (Idaho and Wash.)--Pictorial works
- Overland Journeys to the Northwestern United States
- Expeditions and Adventure
- Washington (State)
Detailed Description of Collection
box | ||||
Great Falls of the Spokane River 1858 1 item. Drawings 20 x 18 |
1 | |||
View of the Snake River at mouth of Tukanon 1858 1 item. Drawings 10 x 21 |
1 | |||
Camp on the Spokane River 1858 1 item. Drawings 17 x 22 |
1 | |||