out and replaced with original illustrations produced by the West Shore staff artists. In 1883, Samuel hired a full-time editor, Henry L. Wells. As editor, Wells increased the magazine's news and information content, focusing on feature story about the Pacific Northwest rather than literary articles. In January 1884, the magazine was increased to forty-eight pages per issue. Three years later, the format was enlarged to match Harper's Magazine and the magazine was expanded to seventy-two pages. In 1888, West Shore changed to a quarto format. In September 1889, Samuel decide to begin publishing West Shore as a weekly magazine. At about this time, noted author and poet Ella Higginson edited a women's department for the magazine. West Shore reached its peak circulation of about 15,000 in 1890. In August of that year, Samuel enlarged the size of the pages. That turned out to be the magazine's last format change. In September, the West Shore Publishing Company was reorganized. Samuel remained president and general manager, but was forced to report to a board of directors made up of Portland area businessmen. Following the reorganization, plans for expanding the publication were announced along with new advertising contests and upcoming special editions. However, the magazine's advertising revenue was insufficient to cover the cost of the high quality illustrations and expensive paper that readers had come to expect from West Shore. As a result, Samuel resigned in February 1891. The new general manager, J. M. Lawrence, announced additional changes, but without Samuel's vision and drive the public quickly lost interest in the magazine. West Shore closed its doors on 2 May 1891. Illustrations West Shore magazine produced many finely executed illustrations of scenery, architecture, and commerce in Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho, Montana, British Columbia, and Alaska. However, its original illustrations were limited to small black and white wood engravings. It added lithography in 1878. Color lithography illustrations were introduced in 1886. Finally, the magazine switched to halftone photoengraving just prior to closing in 1891. After the first few years of publication, the magazine began using itinerant artists and engravers to produce local illustrations. In 1881, the magazine hired its first full-time artist, Henry Epting. His first illustrations appeared in the July 1881 issue. Illustrator Junius F. Whiting joined the staff in early 1882, and Albert B. Burr was hired a year later. These excellent artists produced numerous illustrations for each addition of the magazine.