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OSU Buildings Histories in the Special Collections and Archives Research Center

Building History

The OSU Wave Research Facility, constructed in 1972, was 342 feet long, 12 feel wide, and 15 feet deep; at its completion, it was the first wave tank in the northwest, and served as the genesis for the O.H. Hinsdale Wave Research Laboratory. 

Additions were made in 1990, and additional upgrades in 2003 allowed researchers to study tsunamis. Today the O.H. Hinsdale Wave Research Laboratory at OSU is the largest tsunami and storm wave research facility in the United States, and among the top 10 in the world. The facility is named for donor O. Howard Hinsdale, former president of the Umpqua National Bank of Reedsport, Oregon.

General Information

Address

3550 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR 97333

Architect

CH2MHill (1972); Settecase Smith Doss (1988)

Year Built

1972

Renovations

1990 (circular and rectangular wave basins were completed), 2001 (new flooring installed), 2003 (tsunami wave basin completed)

Square Footage

61,000 (5,400 of which is office and class space)

Purpose/Usage

Used for research on wave behavior and tsunamis

Previous Name(s)

N/A

Namesake

O. Howard Hinsdale, President of the Umpqua National Bank of Reedsport, Oregon

Historic District

No

Blueprints

Facilities Services Records, 1888-2003. Series XX:  Campus, Farm, and Property Maps, 1899-1990. Campus and Farm Maps: 3-A

Maps

Facilities Services Records, 1888-2003. Series XX:  Campus, Farm, and Property Maps, 1899-1990. Campus and Farm Maps: 3-A

Oregon State University Campus Maps, 1894-1994

Photographs

Oregon State University Historical Photographs, 1868-1980

Further Archival Information

SCARC: SCARC's holdings include audio-visual material, personal papers, photographs, and university records documenting the O.H. Hinsdale Wave Research Laboratory.

Oregon Digital: Includes both images and textual materials documenting the O.H. Hinsdale Wave Research Laboratory.

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