Oregon Blue Book, 1911 Commemorative Edition

This 1911 commemorative Oregon Blue Book is a state government directory and descriptive publication compiled by Secretaries of State Frank W. Benson and Ben W. Olcott. Beyond the official roster of state, district, and county officers and the state constitution, it contains extensive documentation of Oregon's geography, climate, and economic resources circa 1911. The text covers Oregon's discovery by Spanish navigators and establishment through American exploration and settlement; descriptions of the state Capitol building; geographical divisions bounded by the Columbia and Snake Rivers; harbor and stream systems facilitating commerce; soil composition and agricultural suitability across western, central, and eastern regions; and comparative climate and precipitation data showing Oregon's diverse conditions, from coastal rainfall of 45-80 inches annually to drier eastern areas resembling Colorado. The preface emphasizes factual, unexaggerated presentation drawn from official records and commercial organization materials.