The Linfield College Historical Monument

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The Linfield College Historical Monument is located near Melrose and Riley Halls in the academic quad on the McMinnville campus. The monument is a bronzed etched reproduction of a 1922 college student newspaper announcing the re-naming of McMinnville College to Linfield College in honor of the Rev. George Fisher Linfield. The bronze newspaper is inset in locally quarried basalt stone that was specially cut and sandblasted for this project.

The monument was designed and created by Trustee Ezra Koch and alumni Ruben Contreras, Jr. and was presented by the Class of 1922. It highlights the pioneer history and Christian values of the historically Baptist college. In his 1938 book Bricks Without Straw: The Story of Linfield College Professor Jonasson quotes from the Minutes of the Board of Trustees to explain Mrs. Linfield's motivation for her large gift to the college:

"Mrs. Linfield's dual purpose in making the gift to McMinnville College was to 'perpetuate the name, scholarly attainments and Christian influence of her late husband, Rev. George Fisher Linfield, and to promote the cause of Christian education.'"

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Monument headline: "Linfield College is New Name"

College named for Rev. George Fisher Linfield

Pres. Riley promises "A distinctively Christian institution"

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Dean Frances Eleanor Ross Linfield gave large gift of property to college in order to honor her late husband and fulfill pact.

The monument was officially presented by the Class of 1922.

The featured photo from the March 2000 Linfield Calendar.