er, C. M. Kester, R. Weston, Joseph Saunders, J. N. Fulkerson, R. Dickens, James Magers, James Johnson, J. S. Holman, and M. L. Pine. This was the only chartered institution of higher learning in Oregon City. The charter made adequate provision for the addition of faculties of law, medicine, and theology as the trustees saw fit and as the needs arose.
The new organization did little to help develop the school. With the passing of Post from the picture, the school was nearing its end. After the year 1856, the building was idle most of the time (the plans of the charter were never carried out), except for an occasional term of school either directed by the trustees or by some private individual.
In the fall of 1856, the primary department[1][2] of the school was opened under the direction of Mr. F. Johnson and daughter, Julia. Tuition was five dollars for a term of eleven weeks. Again in January, 1858, the trustees announce that "the school will be opened January 4, it will be under the charge of Mr. C. H. Mattoon, late of Jefferson Institute, who has had twelve years experience. Charge will be six dollars to ten dollars per term depending on studies."[3] Probably neither of the above named ventures continued for more than a term as the well-established public free school was beginning to dominate the educational activities of the city. By 1874, the building had become old and dilapidated and was torn down.
The final meeting of the board was held June 16, 1888, at which time the sale of the Oregon City property was authorized. The fifty-one acres adjoining Oregon City were sold for one thousand dollars.[4] To the Baptist College at McMinnville was given the large hand bell of the Oregon City University and two books which had been presented to the Oregon City College library by the Reverend R. S. Cone. The one thousand dollars realized from the sale of the property was transferred to the building fund of McMinnville College, (now Linfield College).
