Guide to the Gustavus Sohon Drawings 1858
Cage 556

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.

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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.

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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.

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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)

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Detailed Description of Collection

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the 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