Its finely executed illustrations showed the scenery, architecture, and commerce of Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho, Montana, British Columbia, and Alaska.

Today, West Shore illustrations provide a detailed record of the Pacific Northwest as it existed in the second half of the nineteenth century.

[1][2][3] In the first issue of West Shore, Samuel announced his goal was to create the best literary journal in the Pacific Northwest by securing contributions from the brightest intellects and writers in the region.

Samuel followed through on his promise by publishing poetry by Joaquin Miller, essays by historian Frances Fuller Victor, scientific studies by paleontologist Thomas Condon, and history articles by pioneer Lindsay Applegate and former Governor of Oregon Joseph Lane.

As editor, Wells increased the magazine's news and information content, focusing on feature story about the Pacific Northwest rather than literary articles.

Samuel remained president and general manager, but was forced to report to a board of directors made up of Portland area businessmen.

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.

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.

[8] West Shore magazine produced many finely executed illustrations of scenery, architecture, and commerce in Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho, Montana, British Columbia, and Alaska.

[1] Samuel also run the West Shore Lithographing and Engraving Company, using the magazine's art staff to produce illustrations for catalogs, maps, portraits, printed labels, and business forms for banks and others commercial enterprises.

Samuel regularly advertised this business in issues of West Shore, allowing the magazine illustrations to highlight the quality of the lithography and engraving work his company produced.

Other members of the Portland Art Club who contributed works to West Shore included Cleveland S. Rockwell, James E. Stuart, Charles Clyde Benton Cooke, Edward Lincoln Espey, and Grafton Tyler Brown.