explore fort vancouver
Dr. John McLoughlin
As Chief Factor from 1824 to 1845, McLoughlin was effectively the head of the Hudson's Bay Company's (HBC) Columbia Department, overseeing HBC's operations from Fort Vancouver. Often called the "Father of Oregon" for his significant role in the region's early development, he provided support to American settlers arriving via the Oregon Trail.
At The Fort
Born in Rivière-du-Loup, Quebec in 1784, McLoughlin was educated as a physician before joining the North West Company. When the North West Company merged with the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) in 1821, McLoughlin emerged as a key figure within the combined entity.
In 1824, McLoughlin was appointed as Chief Factor of HBC's Columbia Department and tasked with establishing a new headquarters - Fort Vancouver. Under McLoughlin, Fort Vancouver became the economic and social hub of the Pacific Northwest. He developed an extensive trade network, managed agricultural and manufacturing operations, and oversaw relations with local indigenous tribes.
But McLoughlin's influence extended beyond trade and commerce. Despite HBC's British ties, he provided assistance to American settlers arriving in the Oregon Country via the Oregon Trail, offering them food, farming equipment, and seeds on credit. This policy was controversial among his HBC peers, yet McLoughlin persisted, believing it was both humanitarian and good business.
McLoughlin retired from the HBC in 1845, eventually becoming an American citizen and settling in Oregon City. He was a prominent figure in his community, contributing to its development until his death in 1857.
Though his relationships with the HBC and the early American settlers were complex and at times contentious, McLoughlin's lasting impact on the Pacific Northwest is undisputed. Today, he is remembered as a critical figure in the region's history, a man whose vision and policies played a significant role in shaping the Oregon of today.
The Hudsons's Bay Company
Founded in 1670, the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) is one of the oldest existing corporations in the world. Originally established by English merchants under a royal charter from King Charles II, HBC initially focused on the fur trade, operating an extensive network of trading posts across North America. The vast area over which they traded and conducted operations, known as Rupert's Land, comprised much of what is now Canada.
Key Events At The Fort
Establishment by the Hudson's Bay Company (1824): Fort Vancouver was established by the British Hudson's Bay Company as a fur trading post and the administrative center of the company's Columbia Department. Its location along the Columbia River made it a strategic hub for the lucrative fur trade and a center for agricultural production.
People At The Fort
Fort Vancouver in Vancouver, Washington, has a rich history and served as a key location for many influential individuals throughout its existence. Including dr. John McLaughlin, James Douglas, George Simpson, Peter Skene Ogden, Major John S. Hatheway, Ulysses S. Grant, General O. O. Howard, and Geroge C. Marshall.