WASHINGTON - When identifying the roots of modern Washington state, the historical timeline begins in Vancouver. Established in 1825, it holds the distinction of being the oldest continuous settlement in the state, starting as a massive fur-trading empire headquarters long before the border between the U.S. and Canada was even finalized.
The Founding: 1825
Vancouver's origins are not tied to American pioneers, but to the British-owned Hudson's Bay Company (HBC).
- Fort Vancouver: In 1825, Dr. John McLoughlin established Fort Vancouver on the north bank of the Columbia River. It wasn't just a fort; it was the colonial capital of the Pacific Northwest.
- The "New York of the Pacific": For decades, this outpost served as the center of trade, agriculture, and manufacturing for the entire region. It was the primary supply depot for fur trappers ranging from Alaska to California and the first destination for exhausted travelers on the Oregon Trail.
When the Oregon Treaty of 1846 established the 49th parallel as the boundary between the U.S. and Britain, the fort fell into American territory. The U.S. Army subsequently established the Columbia Barracks (later Vancouver Barracks) nearby in 1849, ensuring the settlement's continued importance.
Indigenous Roots
Long before the fur traders arrived, the land along the river was the ancestral home of the Chinook and Klickitat peoples. The area was a bustling trade hub for indigenous nations due to its prime location on the Columbia River. The Chinook people were famous for their skill as traders and canoe navigators, controlling the river commerce. Tragically, waves of smallpox and measles introduced by early European explorers in the late 1700s devastated these populations before the fort was even built.
A Technical Distinction: Settlement vs. Incorporation
While Vancouver is the oldest settlement, it was not the first to be legally incorporated as a town in the Washington Territory. That title belongs to Steilacoom.
Located on the Puget Sound, Steilacoom was founded by sea captain Lafayette Balch in 1851. It rapidly developed into a bustling port for timber and was officially incorporated by the Territorial Legislature in 1854, making it the first incorporated municipality in what is now Washington. Vancouver did not officially incorporate until three years later, in 1857.
Vancouver is the oldest city in Washington state, founded as Fort Vancouver by the Hudson's Bay Company in 1825. It served as the economic and cultural center of the Pacific Northwest for decades before American sovereignty. However, the coastal town of Steilacoom holds the technical distinction of being the first town to legally incorporate in 1854, preceding Vancouver's incorporation by three years.
Sources
- City of Vancouver. "History of Vancouver."
- National Park Service. "Fort Vancouver National Historic Site."
- HistoryLink.org. "Vancouver — Thumbnail History."
- Town of Steilacoom. "Town History & Heritage."
- Washington State Historical Society. "Timeline of Washington History."