David E. Thompson landscape architecture project files , 1936-1970

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Thompson, David E., 1906-
Title
David E. Thompson landscape architecture project files
Dates
1936-1970 (inclusive)
Quantity
12.5 linear feet, (9 containers)
Collection Number
Ax 851
Summary
Collection comprises the project files of landscape architect David E. Thompson, including working drawings, sketches and final plans for 138 projects in Washington and Oregon from 1936 to 1970. Projects include parks and recreation sites, schools and colleges, and residential and professional sites. Many project files include complete landscape designs detailing grading, drainage, paving, furniture, irrigation and plantings.
Repository
University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives
UO Libraries--SCUA
1299 University of Oregon
Eugene OR
97403-1299
Telephone: 5413463068
spcarref@uoregon.edu
Access Restrictions

Collection is open to the public. Collection must be used in Special Collections and University Archives Reading Room. Collection or parts of collection may be stored offsite. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives in advance of your visit to allow for transportation time.

Additional Reference Guides

Paper finding aid with additional information available in Special Collections & University Archives.

See the Current Collection Guide for detailed description and requesting options.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Historical NoteReturn to Top

David E. Thompson was born in Portland, Oregon, May 31, 1906. He studied at Willamette University, 1925-1927, and graduated from Iowa State College in 1930 with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree. He died in 1972.

The following comments were taken from his nomination by the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects to a Fellowship in the ASLA, which he received in 1971.

"He was one of the first, truly professional landscape architects in the Northwest. At that early time, no contract documents pertinent to the practice of landscape architecture were available, so he developed legal forms, general conditions, and technical specifications and made them available to others in the profession. As a charter member of the Oregon Society of Landscape Architects (there was no chapter of ASLA in the Northwest at that time) he devoted his time during the 1950's to private practice and to solidifying the position of the landscape architect as an accepted professional. In 1961, while president of the OSLA, his efforts were instrumental in making Oregon the fifth state in the nation to achieve registration. He served as chairman of the Oregon Board of Landscape Architect Examiners from 1967 to 1972. In 1969, he was national president of the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards. He was president of the PNW chapter of ASLA.

"In addition to his work within ASLA he was an active exponent of the profession in civic activities, and helped promote the interests of the Society by serving on many civic committees and commissions. He was vice-chairman of the Oregon Capitol Planning Commission.

"His executed works of landscape architecture were among the first in the North-west to demonstrate the full potential of the profession. These included road-side improvement, youth camps, an army cantonment, state, county, and city parks, public building work, cemeteries, school and college development, housing developments, subdivisions, residential and commercial properties and teaching. Many of the projects involved complete landscape design, making use of site planning, details of grading, drainage, paving, furniture, irrigation, and plantings. If one project must be chosen as his best, it would be the Portland Zoological Gardens, one of the world's modern zoos, planned and built on a 75 acre site in Hoyt Park, Portland. His was the responsibility for remaking a hillside golf course into a site integrating the zoo grounds and structures.The result is an excellent example of complete cooperation between the professional planning firms involved."

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection consists of the working drawings, sketches and final plans for 138 projects in the Washington and Oregon areas. Included are the landscape plans, irrigation layouts, topographical studies, etc. for recreational sites, schools and colleges, parks and residential and professional sites.

The paper finding aid available in Special Collections & University Archives lists the name of the project, location, title of sheet, date, number of sheets, and the storage roll number.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Landscape architects--Northwest, Pacific
  • Landscape architecture--Northwest, Pacific

Form or Genre Terms

  • Architectural drawings
  • Landscape architecture drawings