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OSU Buildings Histories in the Special Collections and Archives Research Center

Building History

A color image of Reser Stadium.

 

The home of the Oregon State University Beavers has had over $200 million in fiscal improvements completed since the 2005 season. Originally built in 1953 at a cost of $330,463 with a seating capacity of 28,000, the stadium has expanded multiple times over the last seven decades to over 45,000. The stadium was known as Parker Stadium until 1999, named for Charles T. "Charlie" Parker, a Portland businessman and 1908 OSU graduate who had played a major financial role in its construction. The area to the east of the stadium is now called Parker Plaza. A major renovation happened thanks to Al and Pat Reser, who made a significant leadership investment in OSU athletics. Both members of the OSU class of 1960, Al and Pat built their Beaverton-based family business, Reser Fine Foods, into an industry leader with 3,000 employees at nearly 20 facilities in the United States and Mexico.

General Information

Address

660 SW 26th St, Corvallis, OR 97331

Architect

Moffat, Nichol, and Taylor, Engineers

Year Built

1952-1953

Renovations

2005, 2007, 2016, 2021-2023

Square Footage

28,00 seating capacity (at construction in 1953); 45,674 (maximum seating capacity)

Purpose/Usage

Athletics field (Football)

Previous Name(s)

Parker Stadium

Namesake

Pat and Al Reser

Historic District

No

Blueprints

Facilities Services Records, 1888-2010

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: The Special Collections and Archives Research Center's holdings include audio-visual material, personal papers, university records, and photograph collections documenting the history of Reser Stadium.

Oregon Digital: Includes both photographic and textual materials documenting Reser Stadium.

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