Lot Whitcomb facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lot Whitcomb
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Lot Whitcomb
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| Born | April 24, 1807 |
| Died | March 31, 1857 |
| Resting place | River View Cemetery |
| Citizenship | U.S. |
| Spouse(s) | Irene Chamberlain |
| Children | 4 |
Lot Whitcomb (1807–1857) was an American businessman and politician. He is famous for starting the city of Milwaukie, Oregon. Whitcomb became very rich by cutting and shipping wood for gold miners in California. He also launched the first steamship in the state of Oregon.
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Who Was Lot Whitcomb?
Lot Whitcomb was a smart and active person who helped build early Oregon. He was a pioneer, meaning he was among the first to settle in a new area. He used his skills in business to create new opportunities.
His Early Life
Lot Whitcomb was born in Vermont on April 24, 1807. In 1828, he married Irene Chamberlain. They had four daughters together. Around 1830, Whitcomb moved to Michigan. There, he worked as a contractor, building things. Later, he moved to Illinois. In Illinois, he served as a representative in the state's government. This meant he helped make laws for the people of Illinois.
In the spring of 1847, Whitcomb and his family joined a group of 13 families. They left Illinois to travel to Missouri. From there, they took the Oregon Trail to the Oregon Territory. This area was very popular at the time. Their group met others, forming a huge train of 114 wagons pulled by animals. They arrived in Oregon City in November 1847. Whitcomb stayed there for the rest of that year.
Starting a New Town: Milwaukie
In early 1848, Whitcomb claimed a piece of land. This was allowed by the Donation Land Claim Act. He used parts he brought with him to build a sawmill. This mill used water power from Johnson Creek. The creek flowed into the Willamette River. On his land, he planned out the town of Milwaukie in 1848.
In the summer of 1848, news reached Oregon that gold had been found in California. Many people left Oregon to search for gold. But Whitcomb saw another way to get rich. He decided to make and sell wood to the busy towns in Northern California. He built a sailing ship called the Milwaukie. He also bought another ship, the Forest. These ships carried wood and other goods to California. Whitcomb's mill made 6,000 board feet of wood planks every day. This wood sold for $300 per thousand board feet in San Francisco. This was three times the price in Oregon!
Whitcomb's business did even better during a flood in the winter of 1849–50. Many other lumber mills were washed away or badly damaged. But Whitcomb's mill was okay. He also started a flour mill. This allowed him to sell flour to miners at very high prices.
His milling and shipping businesses made a lot of money. He added more ships to his fleet. These included the Louisville, Ocean Bird, and Keoka by 1851. Whitcomb used some of his profits to start a newspaper. It was called the Western Star and was based in Milwaukie. In 1851, this newspaper moved to Portland. Its name changed to the Oregon Weekly Times.
Operating a Steamship
In 1850, Whitcomb built his own steamship. It was named Lot Whitcomb after him. John C. Ainsworth was the captain of this ship. It was about 160 feet (49 meters) long. It had large side wheels that were 18 feet (5.5 meters) across. Jacob Kamm installed the ship's machinery and was the engineer.
Whitcomb wrote in his newspaper on November 21, 1850, about his new steamboat. He said it was for "river travel between Oregon City and Pacific City." It would stop at every place where there was business. After it launched, the ship made regular trips. It traveled between Oregon City and Astoria. Astoria is at the mouth of the Columbia River. However, sandbars in the river between Milwaukie and Portland made Portland easier for big ships to reach. Soon, Portland became the main port for sea travel.
Whitcomb sold his ship to a group in Oregon City. They then sold it to the California Steam Navigation Company in 1853. It was then used on the Sacramento River in California.
His Political Work
Lot Whitcomb also worked in politics. From 1852 to 1853, he was a representative for Clackamas County. He served in the House of the Oregon Territorial Legislature. This was the government for the Oregon Territory before it became a state. He also worked as the postmaster in Milwaukie from 1851 to 1857. This meant he was in charge of the mail service there.
Death and Legacy
Lot Whitcomb died on March 31, 1857. He was 49 years old.
Lot and Irene Whitcomb were first buried in a private cemetery in Milwaukie. Later, their bodies were moved to River View Cemetery in Portland.
Today, Lot Whitcomb Elementary School in Milwaukie is named after him. In Oregon City, Lot Whitcomb Drive also carries his name. A Liberty Ship from World War II, the SS Lot Whitcomb, was also named in his honor.
