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Home , Fort Vancouver, Oregon Trail, Paul Kane

Fort National Historic Site / U.S. Department of the Interior

Gathering Across Time and Cultures NPS / RICHARD SCHLECHT Stories from the past to the present A place to meet and trade All across the globe, people have been swept up Welcome to a place where centuries of stories, both Long before the trading post, this broad river terrace Despite disease and conflict, traditional ways contin- in two centuries of mind-boggling change. Fort tragic and inspirational, are being uncovered. They was home to many thousands of native people. In ued as much as possible, even as the fort and village Vancouver’s residents and passersby lived that center around an 1800s fur trading post (above), but the spring, they hosted a gathering of thousands grew (far right, above). The terrace continued to change as you are living today’s sweeping changes. go back to a time before European contact and reach more from different tribes. They all came to this be a crossroads, now for native people mixing with Barbara Little, National Park Service archeologist into the present. People’s traditions and beliefs, and great regional crossroads to socialize and trade, and people from Hawaii, , , and the United objects found by archeologists, tell these stories. to welcome salmon returning from the ocean. States. Some came by choice, some did not.

STARK MUSEUM OF ART /

ROYAL MUSEUM / PAUL KANE

ALL IMAGES NPS / FOVA UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED Klickitat Lodge Paul Kane stayed warm and dry during Left to right: Hours of work This stylized bird identifies a Coins turned into ornaments The fort’s store carried a few Marguerite McLoughlin and A field school studentassists painted this lodge (right) near wet winters. He also painted were needed to turn stone into pipe from coastal people. when drilled with holes. A kinds of dishware, including her husband John, who ran the an archeologist by uncovering Fort Vancouver in 1855. He a portable lodge (left), which arrowheads and spear points. Trade beads came in various modern blacksmith forged this Spode, a fine English china. fur trading fort, symbolized artifacts. Curator Theresa Lang- showed how the Klickitat used they used when they traveled Stone for this black pipe may shapes and colors; blue beads trap based on pieces Everyone used it, whatever cultures coming together. She ford says, ”Pieces of our identi- wide cedar planks and other on their seasonal rounds of have come from islands along were among the favorites. found by archeologists. their rank or income. was of -Swiss heritage; ty are captured in the objects materials to make a home that gathering food. the coast of . he was Canadian. we leave behind.”

Native and new These names at right, taken from historic Cathlamet Cayuse Chehalis Chinook Clatsop Cowichan Cowlitz Dalles English records, show the many cultures French-Canadian Hawaiian Kalama Kathlamet Klickitat Métis Mollala Nesqually who crossed paths at the fur trading fort. Nez Perce Nipissing Pend d’Oreille Quinault Scottish Shasta Snake Snohomish Spokane Stikene Tillamook Umatilla Walla Walla Wasco-Wishram Willamette

In 1855, artist Gustavus Sohon visited Fort Vancouver. His illus- tration shows a community Mt Hood shifting from a fur trading fort to a military post. A Catholic mission occupies the lower left

of the scene. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

US Army post

Hudson’s Bay Company fort

Church St. James Mission

Fields and orchards of St. James Mission

From Furs to Fighting A central location for trade and troops After opening in 1825, Fort Vancouver welcomed Then the US Army arrived to keep order locally and to traders from across the to this bountiful support American settlements. During the decades of site. The fort was surrounded by trees for building Indian Wars, the military post was a prison for people and a river full of salmon. Its chief (director), captured during conflict, and spiritual leaders and John McLoughlin, shared food with emigrants who bands who refused to move to reservations. began arriving on the Oregon in the late 1830s. RIGHT—LIBRARY OF CONGRESS / J.F. JARVIS; Even before the Hudson’s Bay Company left in 1860, OTHERS—NPS / FOVA Within a decade, though, trouble began. The new the Army began tearing down houses and other American arrivals were taking the native people’s buildings. They created a parade ground, reduced Left to right: A few of the many Infantry helmet. This oak-leaf can troops, known as Buffalo homelands for their own farms and industries. In farmland, and built dozens of new buildings. Their rifle cartridges found here. Pri- emblem carried a plume for a Soldiers, were stationed at 1846, the US and Britain settled the international changes buried layers of objects—and thus, history— vate Moriarty blew his bugle to soldier’s hat. Civilian Jehu Swit- the military post after fighting boundary, putting this site into American hands. of people and cultures who had come before. send messages at the post. An zler used his telescope to scout in the Spanish-American War eagle emblem decorated a 14th road locations. African Ameri- of 1898. New Centuries, New Roles

Preparing for War From foot soldiers to airplane pilots CLARK COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM / GORDON STUART With the new century came a new technology that took over the logging industry to quickly log millions You can still see small planes landing at Pearson Above, Parade Ground Below, Spruce Mill Workers would change the world—the airplane. By 1911, of spruce trees from the surrounding forests. In less Field, a city airport. The park’s air museum houses Their job done, soldiers from lived in tents beside the mill the Spruce Production Division where they turned trees into aviators were thrilling the spectators who gathered than one year, the fort’s sprawling Spruce Mill (below) early planes and exhibits of aviation history. Keeping await a parade in front of lumber for planes. This push to watch their acrobatics over the military fields. In turned out enough lumber to produce over 120,000 stories alive—from native peoples to a fur trading commanding officers. It is for wood in the first world the first world war, planes became essential fighting airplanes. This massive war effort introduced motor- fort, to a military post and airfield­—is the role of Armistice Day, November 11, war revolutionized the lumber machines. To make enough planes, the US military ized trucks and other changes to the logging industry. Fort Vancouver National Historic Site ever since it 1918—time to recognize the industry. end of the war. was proclaimed a national monument in 1948.

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS / EDWARD F. MARCELL

ABOVE—CLARK COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM ABOVE—CLARK COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM © MONROE PHOTOGRAPHY / CASSIE AND DAVID MONROE NPS / JUNELLE LAWRY ALL IMAGES NPS / FOVA UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED LEFT—NPS / JOHN F. EDWARDS Military at Fort Vancouver Spruce Mill workers might have In the 1920s, the Pearson A soldier in the 7th Infantry Great Depression, came here for historic reenactors portray two May 29, 2017, park rangers Below From the air, you can Left to right: People pose in worn pins of the Loyal Legion Field’s hangars and landing would have worn this collar training to work in the national roles of women during this raise a garrison flag in the see one of the many reasons front of the post exchange, or of Loggers and Lumbermen. strips replaced the Spruce Mill disc (pin). Participants in the forests. Fort Vancouver bustled period—”Wendy the Welder,” same place where one flew why city residents treasure this store, in 1910. The ”PX” system These two Army nurses were complex. Civilian Conservation Corps with soldiers and civilian work- who assembled ships, and an in the 1800s. Flown for cere- park. Its fields and paths are began here in 1880; now most among the 20,000 registered (CCC), a job program of the ers during World War II. These Army nurse. monies and some holidays, perfect for all kinds of outdoor US military posts have a PX. nurses recruited for the war. this flag can be seen for miles. activities and events. The river is just a Land Bridge away. And on a sunny day, the view is spectacular.

Tribal pullers (paddlers) Fort Vancouver National Historic Site guide a traditional . Today, still a place for and discovery NPS / FOVA

Welcome to a place where the stories of Bridge, which has reunited the fort with Getting to the Park From I-5, Accessibility We strive to More Information many cultures are being revealed. The the waterfront one hundred years after exit at Mill Plain Boulevard;­ fol- make our facilities, services, and Fort Vancouver objects and stories come from decades the railroad separated the two. low the signs to the visitor cen- programs accessible to all. For National Historic Site of careful digging, research, discussion, ter on East Evergreen Boulevard.­ information go to the visitor 612 East Reserve St. and thought. Explore the park and see As you explore the park, look for signs of • From I-205, exit at WA 14. Go center, ask a ranger, call, or Vancouver, WA 98661 west on WA 14 about six miles check the park website. 360-816-6230 how other cultures contribute to your ongoing discovery. Archeologists, students, and take I-5 North. Exit on Mill www.nps.gov/fova own history. and volunteers work here every day to un- Plain Boulevard; follow signs to Emergencies call 911 cover the many layers of stories this place the park.

Start at the visitor center, which has has witnessed. Add your own experience Follow us on social media. NPS / FOVA exhibits and films. Walkways connect to the history of Fort Vancouver. Safety and Regulations Walk McLoughlin House The home of the 1800s and beyond. This site is most features of the park. Pearson Air carefully—the ground is uneven. Fort Vancouver National Historic the John McLoughlin family is in Oregon City, OR, about 30 min- IGPO:20xx—xxx-xxx/xxxxx New in 20xx Museum displays planes and tells the Don’t let a slip or fall spoil your Site is one of over 400 parks in part of Fort Vancouver National utes from the Fort Vancouver visi- Printed on recycled paper. story of aviation. Talk to the volunteers visit. • Keep your children close. the National Park System. To Historic Site. He retired here after tor center. Limited hours; be Thesure reverse logo is centered in the • Federal law protects all cultur- learn more about national decades of running the fur trad- to check the park website or call and rangers who bring history to life at rulled box above. Place in the frame the stockade and village. Cross the Land al and natural resources. • Fire- parks, visit www.nps.gov. ing post. Find out how he affect- before going. Brochure available arms regulations are on the park ed the during at the site or on the park website.so the rule is not visible. website.