ARLINGTON CLUB -- TALK OUTLINE -- L.L. HAWKINS, OLMSTED BROS.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2001

 

RANDOM SHARING OF CONTINUING RESEARCH ON LIFE OF L.L. HAWKINS --1848-1906

 

WAS ASKED TO SPEAK ON A TOPIC WHICH INTERESTS ME -- FAMILY HISTORIAN --

YEARS OF COLLECTING DATA -- FAMILY HISTORY I0 YRS. AGO --CHET ORLOFF WROTE ABOUT CENTENNIAL OF THE OLMSTEAD PLAN FOR PORTLAND --- CAUSED ME TO INVESTIGATE FURTHER ROLE OF L.L. HAWKINS AS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS

 

HOW DOES THIS TIE TO ARLINGTON CLUB?

L.L. HAWKINS, regular member, who signed Constitution and By-Laws in

1882 through 1895 (apparently became a member in 1884), pp.108

(Source- "Arlington Club, and the Men who Built It - Centennial

Anniversary" 1967, by Arlington Club.

pp. 21 - Club used J.C. Ainsworth house, leased by Captain Ainsworth's

bank manager L.L. Hawkins. House was located bet. 3rd and 4th, Oak and

Pine (Ainsworth Mansion moved in 1891 --to 4th and Pine Streets).

Meeting place for planning of Lewis and Clark Esposition of 1905 and for

meeting wtih John Olmsted and later for development of Portland's

Park System.

L.L. Hawkins in 1884 Bank Panic. "In the year of the panic, L.L. Hawkins,

a partner of Captain Ainsworth and manager of the Ainsworth Bank,

offered the bank's safe for the club's valuables and papers."

(pp. 86, "Arlington Club, ....and the Men Who Built It., Centenial Anniv.

 

CONNECTION WITH JOHN OLMSTED

 

APRIL 3, 1903 -- John Olmsted arrived in Portland from S.F., telephoned

Ion Lewis, met at offices of Whidden & Lewis, architects

$1,500 fee settled upon (Olmsted suggested fee of $3,000). Contract secured

Ion Lewis had grown up in Boston area and graduated from MIT before

joining Whidden in 1889. became member of

"Lunches were taken at the Arlington Club with members of the Exposition

Committee. He enjoyed but was amazed to be served, a five inch thick

piece of beefsteak."

Also met for lunch at Arlington Cub with members of Park Commissioners

 

PORTLAND BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS,

Authorized by a State Legislatively approved City Charter in 1900

"A victory for Rev. Thomas Lamb Eliot and Lester Hawkins

MEMBERS OF BOARD: Ion Lewis, J.D. Meyer, Thomas Lamb Elliot,

L.L. Hawkins, and Mayor George Williams, Chair.

T.L. Eliot letter to Olmsted, April 29, 1902

Ion Lewis letter to Olmsted, Mar. 14, 1902

December 31, 1903, Olmsted Annual Report to the Park Board (63 pages)

recommended 37 different Park Projects.

April 10, 1903 met in offices with Whidden & Lewis --began site

analysis of Macleay Park with Hawkins --

Purchased "The Flora of the Northwest" by Thomas Howell from JK. Gill Co.

SHOW BOOK

"Hawkins and Olmsted took extensive drive around city to discuss parks

and areas for pleasure drives" (Ken's Guzowski's Thesis on Olmsted).

Olmstead wrote: "Mr. Hawkins and Dr. Eliot, a minister who is a Park

Commissioner, have a scheme for a pleasure drive from the south

end of Park Street, bending a first SE, the bending back NW and passing

back of the City reservoir and climbing the fluff just back of the houses

already existing and which are accessible from below."

(BECAME TERWILLIGER BLVD.)

Visted Glass Hill (BECAME COUNCIL CREST PARK)

 

"Hawkins envisioned a pleasure drive to Riverview Cemetery and Oregon

City" (BECAME MACADEM EXTENSION AND RIVERSIDE DRIVE)

 

"Hawkins explained that there was an island in the river above the

City (Ross Island) that should be taken for park use.

 

"April 23-25, 1903 were spent primarily with Colonel Hawkins driving in

his carriage, the Tally-Ho Jupiter, about the City making investigations

into the existing parks and looking a additional property with an eye

towards the establishment of a unified system of parks and boulevards."

(SHOW TALLY-HO WHIP. PHOTOS OF TALLY-HO)

 

"Olmsted and Hawkins drove to City View Addition (Sellwood). He

remarked to Hawkins: "It seems desirabe to lay out a parkway along

the bluff and secure the bluff which is wooded and preserve it and to

have a park with some greensward of five or ten acres back of the blufff

and just north of Sellwood (BECAME SELLWOOD PARK AND SELLWOOD

BLVD.)

 

"Olmstead insisted that a park at the summit of Mt. Tabor was desirable

for the views it would command of the city, river plain and Cascade

Mountain range (BECAME MT. TABOR PARK)

 

"The two men toured St. Johns and Olmstead made verbal recommenda-

tions for 29 acre Columbia Park (BECAME ?)

 

"Olmstead gave particular consideration to the enlargement of

Macleay Park so that it might connect with a scenic drive from the

Park Blocks, at the city center to City Park, in the west hills."

(MACLEAY PARK ENLARGED, CONNECTED TO CITY PARK)

 

"It is too bad that the fronts of the hills and the ravines could not have

been with the woods on them as a natural park and background for

the city.... It is hoped that some steep slOpes can be taken by the city

and preserved. Mr. Hawkins wants to do something along this line and

I shall look into it and report in some shape favorably and I hope my

report may help" (Note Marquam canyon, Canyon Drive, Burnside, are

PRESERVED WITH NATURAL SLOPES)

 

April 25, 1903:Olmsted: " "I have had a pleasant time with Mr.

Hawkins. While he has opinions he is not opinionated and he is very

fond of children so I have had no friction and he has been very helpful.

He is a retired banker and rich 'they say" but very modest and simple."

L.L. also promoted the preservation of Forest Park

 

 

LIFE OF L.L. HAWKINS -- HOW TO RECONSTRUCT A LIFE -- story of Frank Branch Riley

and Miss Bickel -- research for George McMath's book "A Century of Portland Arch."

 

1848 - BORN in Cleveland, Ohio -- 14 lbs. Parents: John and Mary (McKee) Hawkins

1851 - TREK WEST with 60 wagons . Incidents included giant buffalo herds, cholera,

massacre by Indians, cyclones, prairie fires set by Indians.

1851 - ARRIVED IN SALT LAKE CITY. Built first house in Salt Lake City --

then continued to Mormon Station (Genoa)

1856 - SAMUEL CLEMMENS IN GENOA --

1856 - EST. RANCH NEAR FRANKTOWN -- 1857- W.J. born on property purchased from

Alexander and Eilley Cowen -- W.J. born in log cabin of Cowens.

1857 - Brigham Young issued proclamation "calling all the wandering members of the

tribe to Salt Lake City." Hawkins family remained in Washoe Valley, along with

Sandy Cowen. She (Eilley) refused to follow her husband back to the home of

Mormondom. Married Sandy Bowers, later Nevada's first Comstock millionairs.

W.J. and L.L. later supported a destitute Sandy Bowers in San Francisco.

1858 - Samuel Clemmens (Mark Twain) founded Territorial Enterprise in Genoa.

Twain knew L.L. and W.J.H. "well."

1860-61 - L.L. Pony Express (Ben Holladay) rider with Col. Dosch.

1866 - Began college at Oakland College School, later University of California

Spent summers "break horses, split posts, drive logging teams, work in sawmill.

- graduated in first Class of University -- 12 apostles (Included George J.Ainsworth

Clarence Jesse Wetmore, and rhomas Patterson Woodward , both later govern.

of California).

1870 - Trip to Yosemite with Joseph LeConte, Met John Muir on this trip- life-long

friends -- two years of graduate work?

1873-79 - Taught mathematics and civil engineering at Oakland College.

1875 - Joseph LeConte published "Ramblings of the University Excursion Party."

1879 - L.L. came to Portland, representing Capt. J.C. Ainsworth's business interests

- Worked "knocking out bottom os Snake River," at Monumental Rapids

- Changed 14 miles of narrow gauge to standards from Dalles to Celilo

in 5 hrs. 20 minutes.

1881 - Brought brother ( 24 yrs.)W.J.H. to Portland -- Worked for O.W.R. & N Co. as

keeper for graders. Est. Ainsworth, Hawkins & Co. -- bank in Eagle City, Idaho.

brought 5000 Chinese to come to U.S. -- handled payments to them.

Ainsworth, Hawkins & Co. continued in Portland as Ainsworth National Bank

L.L. first President of Bank in 1884 (1885-1895)

later the U.S. National Bank. L.L., W.J.H and Capt. Ainsworth equal partners.

1883 - L.L. President of the Portland Hydraulic Elevator Co.

1885-1906 - Treasurers of the Boys and Girls's Aid Society.

1887-94 - Treasurer of the Portland electric Cable Car Railway

1890 - Promotional of Portland with Ainsworth National Bank.

1893 - Death of Captain J.C. Ainsworth, also National Recession -- Portland

Savings Bank failed, not Ainsworth or U.S. Bank. L.L. lost $250,000

and his 500 shares of Ainsworth National Bank

J.C. Ainsworth, the Captain's son took over the bank forcing L.L. to pay all losses

to bank from Recession --

1894 - Founding officer (Treasurer) of Mazamas. 1895 Photo of first outing,

1895 - Director of Portland's Mechanics Fair

1898 - Founding of the Portland Free Museum (1891 collections began) --

met in study of Dr. Roland D. Grant, Pastor of 1st Baptist Church

attending were Mr. Gorman, Mr. Pomeroy, Mr. Drake. 8000 specimens

Museum disbanded in 1936 - with collections dispursed.

1898 - Member of Oregon Emergency Corp. (Spanish American War) -- made an

honorary Colonel --

1898 -- Mountain climbs with Edwin Curtis other Mazamas

1900 - Portland Board of Park Commissioners

1903 -- Tours of Portland with John Olmsted.

1904 - Plan for scenic drives and trails, published in Oregonian

"Skyline Trail Commanding Magnificent Views Proposed for Portland Hills,

L.L. Hawkins Plan for Driveway to be Constructed at Small Expense."

1905 - Founding member of Oregon Academy of Science. "aims to encourage

scientific research and learning, to promote scientific knowledge among its

members, to aid in developing the resources of the State, and to work in

harmony with other institutions."

1905 - "Along the Wildwood Trail of Macleay Park" in Lewis & Clark (Expos.) Journal

1906 - Jan 10 - Last of settlement with with Ainsworth National Bank

"Void: all these papers aare now dead D& void, but must be kept for a possible

reference." This is the last of the "Ainsworths" Thank God." LLH

1906- March 11, Died after returning from a trip Buried in Riverview Cemetery

NAMES CONNECTED WITH LIFE OF LESTER LEANDER HAWKINS:

 

SAMUEL CLEMMENS

 

BRIGHAM YOUNG --

 

JOSEPH LECONTE (L.L. organized expedition to Yosemite in 1870)

Le Conte described L.L. as "strong, thick-set, almost herculean in build." When

L.L. deparaated the group, "everyone was sincerey affected. He had been the soul

of our party. I don't believe we could have gotten along without him. So generous, so

efficient, so thoroughly acquainted with camp and mountain life, he scents out a trail

with the instinct of a bloodhound. As he turned we all waved Hurrah! Hurrah! His

face flushed and his eyes filled: I know he was gratified with the heartiness of our

salute." (Ramblings of a University Excursion Party")

 

JOHN MUIR: L.L. met Muir on the Univsity tour of Yosemite. Hosted him in Portland on his

various lecture tours -- undoubtedly influenced founding of Mazamas. Visited Portland

in 1880.Conservation efforts in Portland included Robert Moran, Judge John Waldo,

L.L. Hawkins, William Gladstone Steel, and Phidlemon Beech Van Trump. Included

efforts to save Crader Lake, as well as protect Mt. Rainier.

Muir lectured at the Portland Mechanics Fair -- a local scientific and industrial group

Muir and Hawkins joined efforts to retain the Cascade Range Forest Reserve and

protect Mt. Rainier between 1895 and 1905 (Sierra Club and Mazamas)

 

GOVERNERS NEWARK AND BOLTON (classmates of LL at Oakland Collection, part of

group of 12 Apostles)

 

Graduating address: "With these external rites let us strive to perpetuate the old

spirit of the scholar, the spirit of labor and self-sacrifice, the love of learning and

culture, the desire to gather up the experience of the past for the benefit of the future.

With this high commission, the University of California sends you forth the first of its

four year classes. You are twelve in number: be jurors, sworn to declare the truth as

you find it to be: be apostles, bearing everwhere the Master's lessons

 

CAPTAIN JOHN AINSWORTH: BECAME PRESIDENT OF AINSWORTH NATIONAL BANK

(later U.S. National Bank

PLATES FROM FANNIE AND JOHN AINSWORTH

 

R.R. THOMPSON

COMING OF THE WHITE MAN AND THOMPSON ELK

 

HENRY PITTOCK: MAZAMAS AND OREGON BICYCLING - pall-bearer at service

DR. THOMAS LAMB ELIOT: " Dr. Eliot closed his eulogy by reading the 104th Psalm, one of

those of which Colonel Hawkins was fond. 'Good citizens are indeed the riches of a

city,' said Dr. Eliot in his sermon. ' Portland is indeed poorer for his absence. Let a fresh

sense of the priviledge of public service come to us all, and especially to the young men

of the city. The spontaneous esteem of this whole community in following our friend to

the grave would amaze him if he could see it, for his sevice sprung out of his very

nature. He could not do otherwise and asked for no commendation, only that others

should see the beauty he cared for and help him bring the good things of God to the use

and appreciation of others. Mr Hawkins' comradship was a delight to all who shared it,

whether in work or play, in efforts for the welfare of the community or in the joy of

exploring woods and mountains. He foreever shared with others in noble feelings and in

kindly good wishes leading to humble services. Nature never did betray the heart that

loved her, and our friend's life reflected the constancy and cheerfulness which he saw

in creation and which he strove to share with his fellowmen."

 

WILLIAM G. STEEL: founded Oregon Alpine Club in 1887 -- first known mountaineering club

in west --Steel promoted with L.L. preservation of Crader Lake.

 

EDMUND P. SHELDON : "Your brother was one of the most eminent scientific men in the

West and he was one of the originators of this Academy. I am sure that every member

joins me in feelings of the deepest regret at this loss, not only to our Academy but to

the City and to the State." (Edmund P. Sheldon, President, March 12, 1906)

 

RODNEY GLISAN: " Resolved, that in the death of Colonel Hawkins everyone who came

under the influence of his selfless, unassuming, cheerful life -- a man ever thinking of

others, never of himself -- feels a deep personal loss and that we, as a committee,

express the sincere sorrow of the Mazamas in the sudden death of a friend a man of

rare sentiment, endowed with a love of nature and Nature's handiwork; and further

resolved that the Mazamas attend the funeral in a body, that these resolutions be placed

on the records of the club and that copies be sent to his relatives. (HH Northrup,

Chairmn, M.C. George, Rodney Glisan, Mark O'Neil, E.H. Thomas)

 

EDWIN CURTIS: PHOTOGRAPHS OF MOUNTAIN CLIMBS - pall-bearer at service.

 

ABIGALE SCOTT DUNIWAY: Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins, My beloved and Valued Friends: -

This morning in looking over the list of my personal friends to whom the management of

a reception to be tendered my humble self on the evening of the eighteenth instant, has

accorded me the right to extend invitations, I find not only your envelope already

addressed for mailing, but that of our mutually beloved friend and brother, Col. L.L.

Hawkins, who was so suddenly called higher yesterday morning. I therefore enclose

both invitations in another envelope, that addressed to our risen brother being

probably the last social function to which he was bidden while in the body.

I know the futility of words to convey consolation at such a time, so can only say with

Longfellow: "There is no death; what seems so is transition. God Bless and comfort

you, is the loving prayer your faithful friend, Abigail Scott Dunniway.

 

THOMAS C. DEVLIN, AUDITOR OF THE CITY OF PORTLAND ...." We recall his indefatigable

seal in behalf of good parks, the beautifying of the city, the public welfare, the upbuilding of the Museum of Natural History which remains as his noble monument, and other unselfish service to this city and state, for the care of its dependents, or the development of its great natural features of beauty and for every kind of human good.

To all these we desire to add our sense of personal bereavement, as his friends who have become attached to him for traits of character of the highest order; and chiefly for his noble ideals of citizenship, and for the conception of the obligation to generous service which inspired his soul. The impress of his radiant personality is left upon this Park System and his memory will have an endearing charm for those who have been priviledged to service with him, as members of the board and its co-operant work."

Yours very respectfully, Thomas Devlin, Auditor of the City of Portland.

 

DR. ROLAND GRANT: "The sequoia giganteas about the city will grow to be his nature

monuments, and may his benediction fall on us, who tarry at the base of the mount he has climbed. I say this in lovingmemberance of one of the rarest of men: a true disciple of nature."

 

As Centennial of the Olmsted Plan approaches, it is an opportune time to reflect on the City's magnificent parks -- of the Olmsted Plan which represent the first sound planning in the development of our Park System, around which our citizens then and later can rally -----and of those Portlanders of the first Park Board who so vigorously brought Olmsted to Portland. L.L.,

 

I have heard that whenever L.L. ascended a mountain top, or came to a particularly impressive and beautiful view - he let out a deep, basic yell of pleasure, which rattled the mountains and sent the elk scattering.

You can hear it now, if you listen carefully.