Guide to the Gustavus Sohon Drawings 1858
Cage 556

Summary Information

Repository
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries
Creator
Sohon, Gustavus
Title
Gustavus Sohon Drawings
ID
Cage 556
Date
1858
Extent
3.0 items.
General Physical Description note
.25 linear feet of shelf space.
Language
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 note

[Item Description]. Cage 556, Gustavus Sohon Drawings . Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.

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Biographical/Historical note

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

Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries © 1987

http://www.wsulibs.wsu.edu/masc
Terrell Library
P.O. Box 645610
Pullman, WA, 99164-5610
509-335-6691
mascref@wsu.edu

Conditions Governing Access note

This collection is open for research use.

Immediate Source of Acquisition note

The drawings of Gustavus Sohon were purchased in 1982.

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Controlled Access Headings

Genre(s)

  • Drawings
  • Sketches

Personal Name(s)

  • Sohon, Gustave--Archives

Subject(s)

  • Expeditions and Adventure
  • Overland Journeys to the Northwestern United States
  • Snake River (Wyo.-Wash.)--Pictorial works
  • Spokane River (Idaho and Wash.)--Pictorial works
  • Washington (State)

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General note

Great Falls of the Spokane River

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Collection Inventory

Box

Great Falls of the Spokane River 1858   1.0 item. Drawings 20 x 18

 1

View of the Snake River at mouth of Tukanon 1858   1.0 item. Drawings 10 x 21

 1

Camp on the Spokane River 1858   1.0 item. Drawings 17 x 22

 1