Canby Historical Society

United States State Flower Map. Own a unique antique from Canby's Past. Click on image to see full view of this beautiful map. The map measures 37" x 27", these maps come with authenticity documentation and are only available from the Canby Historical Society. You can purchase one of these pieces of art for $150.00. Please stop by the museum at our regular hours if you are interest in purchasing the map or if you just want to see its beauty close up.

The United States Flower Map Company was incorporated by six Canby men on March 10th, 1911, under the laws of Oregon. This was also the year of copyright of the map itself. The idea of the flower map was first conceived by A.W. Butterfield who was to become the President of the Corporation. Mr. Butterfield spent approximately two years in research to establish the identity of the appropriate flower for each of the listed 46 states and 3 territories.

Lithographed on a satin-finish muslin material by the Katterlinus Litho Manufacturing Co. of Philadelphia, PA., the map did not sell as well as corporation members had anticipated. A tight money situation developed and World War I soon followed. The maps were stored away in the attic of the W.H. Bair Warehouse (previously on Highway 99E in Canby), and all but forgotten until they were discovered in the 1960s.


As the years passed, sole ownership of the copyright and all properties of the company passed into the hands of survivor, Oramel Roscoe Mack, vice-president of the 1911 corporation. In his late years he gave all documents concerning the U.S. State Flower Map Co. to the Canby Herald. At Roscoe Mack's death in 1965, his son and sole heir, William Earl Mack gave full title the remaining maps to the Canby Herald "for such distribution as the owners of that firm believe to be in the best interest of the Canby community." The newspaper publishers, Mr. And Mrs. William G. Weston, felt Mr. Mack's wishes would best be realized by making the maps available to the Canby Historical Society for distribution. This was done shortly after the Society's incorporation in 1968.


The United States Flower Map is not only a beautiful print, but after 97 years has taken and additional significance as a collector's item.

2009 marks Oregon's 150 years of statehood and we have dedicated our Historical Calendar to our Pioneers, Emigrants and families, whose entrepreneurship, vision and hard work established a community called Canby in the very heart of this beautiful part of the Willamette Valley.

In addition to a sampling of Canby Historical Society's large photo archive collection, we have added a new feature to our Calendar, entitled "Then and Now", showing vintage photos of past businesses and the current businesses now in those locations. We are excited about this new feature and hope to make it a permanent part of future calendars. From Canby newcomers interested in the history and progression of our community, to our seasoned citizens who remember the Canby of yesteryear, don't miss picking up one of our Historical Calendars and supporting Canby Historical Society. The cost is $9.00 and the Calendars will be available, in time for the holidays, at the Canby Depot Museum and various businesses around town.


In the past, the Canby Historical Society has offered our Calendar Books for sale as a coffee table item. These books contained all of the pictures with descriptions that were previously used in our calendars. Because they were continuing to grow in size, we decided to redo them into two separate volumes. One of them contains older and more historic photos of Canby and vicinity from the turn of the century up to 1940. The second book offers photos from 1940 through more current times. All of the photos are placed in plastic sleeves for preservation before being placed in a binder. The colorful covers depict an era of Canby from the past.

We encourage anyone to stop by the depot museum to preview these books that are by themselves a small collection of Canby history. They would make great gifts for the holidays or they could be used in waiting rooms or entries. The books are being sold for $40.00 each or the set for $75.00.

Click on images for larger view