Fort Vancouver

Fort Vancouver sits on the north bank of the Columbia River in Washington State and shows a rebuilt trading post with timber buildings, storehouses, and surrounding palisades. The site includes workshops, living quarters, and a central building that served as the administrative and reception area.

The site was established in 1824 as headquarters for the Hudson's Bay Company to oversee fur trading across the Pacific Northwest. After 1860, it lost its commercial role as trade routes shifted and the area came under American control.

The name honors Captain George Vancouver, who charted this region in 1792. Visitors today see log buildings and palisade walls that show how traders from different backgrounds lived and worked side by side.

The site sits near Interstate 5 and is accessible on foot, with level paths through the buildings and courtyard. Free parking is available, and most rooms are at ground level.

Archaeologists uncovered thousands of artifacts on the grounds, including beads, tools, and fragments of porcelain. These finds reveal the far-reaching trade that stretched from here to China, Europe, and Hawaii.

Location: Vancouver

Inception: 1824

Part of: Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

Website: https://nps.gov/fova

GPS coordinates: 45.62250,-122.66250

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:23