Oregon Lyceum facts for kids

The Oregon Lyceum was an important club in early Oregon City. It was also known as the Pioneer Lyceum and Literary Club. This group started around 1840. It was a place where important early settlers met to talk. They discussed many big ideas. In 1846, they even started the first American newspaper west of the Rocky Mountains. This newspaper was called the Oregon Spectator.

What Was the Oregon Lyceum?

The Oregon Lyceum was a special club. It was like a public meeting place or a forum. People would gather to discuss important topics. These topics included politics, literature, and science. The club was very important for the early settlers. They were trying to build a new community.

Starting the Lyceum

The Lyceum probably started around 1842. This is when many discussions about forming a government happened. One of their main goals was to create a newspaper. This newspaper, the Oregon Spectator, began in 1846.

The very first meeting of the Lyceum was at Sidney Moss's home. He had bought his land in Oregon City. It was from Dr. John McLoughlin of the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC). Other early members helped build the club. These included Frederick Prigg and Francis Pettygrove. Pettygrove later helped found the city of Portland.

Besides government and newspapers, the group talked about books. They also discussed scientific discoveries. They even talked about local community issues. Some of the group's writings were printed in the Spectator newspaper. The club was also known by other names. These included The Willamette Falls Debating Society. Another name was The Falls Association.

Who Were the Members?

Many important pioneers were members of the Lyceum. Here are some of them:

• Henry A. G. Lee
• William H. Gray
• Lansford W. Hastings
• Elisha Applegate
• Jesse Applegate
• Asa Lovejoy
• Sidney W. Moss
• Robert Newell
• James W. Nesmith
• William C. Dement
• Medorem Crawford
• Hiram Straight
• William Cushing
• Philip Foster
• Theophilus Magruder
• Daniel Waldo
• Peter G. Stewart
• Isaac W. Smith
• Joseph Watt
• Frank Ermatinger
• Albert E. Wilson
• Jacob Hoover
• John Minto
• Barton Lee
• John P. Brooks

Debating Oregon's Future

From late 1840 into 1841, Lyceum members debated Oregon's future. At this time, neither the United States nor Great Britain fully controlled the Oregon Country. This was due to the Treaty of 1818. This treaty was signed after the War of 1812.

During these debates in Oregon City, European settlers argued. Should they form an independent country? Or should they create a temporary, or provisional government?

Some Lyceum members wanted an independent country. Many of these were British, like Dr. McLoughlin and his HBC workers. Also, many former fur trappers and Jesuit missionaries agreed with McLoughlin. They thought an independent country would stop the area from becoming part of the United States.

McLoughlin's lawyer, L. W. Hastings, presented an idea to the Lyceum. He suggested:

Resolved, That it is expedient for the settlers of the coast to organize an independent government.

This idea was accepted. But at the same meeting, George Abernethy of the Methodist Mission introduced a different idea. It was discussed the next week. This new idea suggested waiting for the United States to take over the territory.

Resolved, That if the United States extends its jurisdiction over this country during the next four years it will not be expedient to form an independent government.

After more debate, the idea to wait four years passed. In the end, the group decided to favor America.

What Happened Next?

We don't know exactly when the Oregon Lyceum stopped meeting. However, the larger Lyceum movement in the United States faded away. This happened around the early 1900s.