Leaving the Columbia
I find Sir George Simpson’s book, An Overland Journey Round the World, an interesting read, partly because of what he says of the reasons he made the plans for the…
Read moreJohn Kirk Townsend & the 1836 Brigade
The 1836 Brigade is only a small part of the story that ornithologist John Kirk Townsend tells — but it is an interesting part of his story. His book, published…
Read moreFort Victoria’s Frenchtown
The fact that Fort Victoria had a Frenchtown of sorts was a surprise to me — even more so when I realized that I had resided on this property. True,…
Read moreWarre and Vavasour’s Report
I am perusing Warre and Vavasour’s Report of their Military Reconnoissance in Oregon over the winter of 1845-46, and finding it very interesting. The fun part of reports and records…
Read moreThe S.S.Beaver sails to the Columbia River
In 1836, the S.S. Beaver sails east from the Sandwich Islands to the mouth of the Columbia River and, eventually, Fort Vancouver, the HBC headquarters on the Pacific Slopes. Here…
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