Columbia River Gorge Scenic Byway - Washington
Fort Vancouver, WA

Fort Vancouver became the center of political, cultural, and commercial activities in the Pacific Northwest as the main supply depot for the Hudson's Bay Company’s fur trading operations. When American immigrants arrived in Oregon County during the 1830s and 1840s, Fort Vancouver provided them with supplies essential to begin their new settlements. The Vancouver National Historic Reserve was established in 1996 to protect historically significant areas. The reserve includes Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, as well as Vancouver Barracks, Officers' Row, Pearson Field, The Water Resources Education Center, and portions of the Columbia River waterfront.

Archaeological excavations have taken place over the last 50 years, creating a vast collection unparalleled at any other Hudson's Bay Company site. The collection also contains many artifacts of US Army origin, which help the Vancouver National Historic Reserve interpret Vancouver Barracks and early military life in the area. Currently, the site has approximately 1.5 million artifacts.