Extract from "Champoeg: Place of Transition"
by J.A. Hussey, Portland, Oregon
Oregon Historical Society 1967, LC# 67-64639
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......... But, said Tozier in 1935, since Professor Theodore Gegoux desired to exhibit his great painting there, "I stood aside in his favor." Gegoux had spent three years executing a representation of the Champoeg scene of May 2, 1843, and it was considered appropriate that he display the large work, entitled "Birth of Oregon's Civil Government," at the park. He moved into the Memorial Building and charged visitors 25 cents each to see his "art gallery." Seemingly, in return for the quarters he acted as a sort of unpaid caretaker. In 1921 the Legislature appropriated $1500 for the "general improvement of the grounds and the building known as the Champoeg memorial building" and directed that the amount be spent under the direction of the State Board of Control.
During the next biennium the Board used part of this amount for benches, "improving grounds," tables, painting the building, and fencing; and it estimated that the balance of the $1500 "and more" would be required to put the grounds in proper condition. Thus began a long series of biennial appropriations for the operation and improvement of Provisional Government Park under the supervision of the Board of Control. Whether planned or not, the State of Oregon was now operating a state park at Champoeg. Another appropriation of $1500 for the improvement and upkeep of the grounds and building at Champoeg was made by
the Legislature of 1923.
The Board of Control authorized Judge D'Arcy to supervise the expenditure of this fund. Thus, it might be said with some justice that Peter H. D'Arcy was the first superintendent of Champoeg State Park. At any rate, D'Arcy's preeminent position in Provisional Government Park affairs is abundantly demonstrated. The report of the Board of Control for the 1923-1924 biennium contains a restatement of one of his favorite themes during his long campaign to promote recognition of Champoeg.
The meeting of May 2, 1843, said the report "resulted in this territory becoming a part of the United States rather than England"; and consequently Champoeg" is the premier historical spot of the Northwest, and is to the people of the Northwest what in significance Plymounth Rock and Jamestown are to the nation." D'Arcy was determined to see to it that this concept of the park and its significance received wider recognition than was accorded by merely holding the annual May 2nd observances there.
The Board of Control noted in 1924 that there was an "ever-increasing interest" in the park by residents of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana and by tourists from other states, and this was in addition to the crowds on May 2nd. To meet the demands created by the increased number of visitors, the board recommended further improvements, including the grading and resurfacing of the roads leading to and within the park, and the installation of a water supply and rest rooms. The board also urged that money be appropriated for a caretaker to protect the State's $12,000 investment in grounds, buildings, and improvements at Champoeg, to receive visitors, and "to do such other necessary work as naturally falls to the duties of a property custodian or caretaker."
Evidently the artist, Theodore Gegoux, had not demonstrated excessive zeal for the task of maintaining the park. During the annual celebrations the only water supply for the crowds was the well in the Memorial Building. "It was necessary," recalled one observer, "to enter the front door, work one's way into the kitchen-bedroom of Gegoux and pump a drink of water, then work one's way out if possible." Gegoux "relinquished" his place as caretaker during December, 1924, and moved away, taking his painting with him.