Fort William, Historical fort on Sauvie Island, United States
Fort William was a trading post located on Sauvie Island where the Willamette River meets the Columbia River in what is now Oregon. The settlement included structures for storage, housing, and commerce spread across the central area of the island.
A Boston merchant established the post in 1834 as a commercial venture, then transferred it to the Hudson's Bay Company in 1837. This transition marked a shift in how the site operated and its role in the early Oregon region.
The site brought together traders, trappers, and local communities in a place where commerce and daily life intersected. The fort represented a moment when different worlds converged along the rivers for business and exchange.
The site is accessible by walking trails that link with other island attractions and feature interpretive signs about the location's past. Plan your visit during drier months since seasonal flooding from the river can affect access during other times of the year.
The settlement relocated from the island's north side to its center to escape flooding from the Columbia River. This move reveals how early traders adapted to the natural conditions of their surroundings.
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