Proud Past

When explorers Lewis and Clark visited Clark County in 1806, Lewis described the area as "indeed the only desirable situation for a settlement which I have seen on the West side of the Rocky Mountains."

Nineteen years later, the Hudson's Bay Company established the first non-native settlement in the Pacific Northwest at Fort Vancouver, now one of the county's most famous landmarks.

Over the years, more and more people have come to call Clark County home. Here are some of their stories:

A.D.	The first residents
1792	Why Vancouver never saw Vancouver
1805	Lewis and Clark pitch their tents
1825	The fur traders and the Hawaiians
1830	The first apple harvest
1844	Clark County (Vancouver, Clark, or Clarke)
1845	Parkersville or Washougal: What a difference a mile makes
1845	Why Esther Short slapped the French Canadian
1846	Living in the Fourth Plain
1847	Curling on the Columbia
1850	First court with Amos Short
1855	Battle Ground: City without a battle
1854	La Center of trade on the Lewis River
1855	First courthouse is built; ends in flames
1866	Fort Vancouver goes up in flames
1883	Camas and the blue lily
1883	Strawberry Knoll, Prune Hill, and Fruit Valley
1890	Second courthouse burns down
1892	Third courthouse opens
1902	Yacolt and the fire demon
1903	The railroad comes to Ridgefield
1905	Blimp lands at local airfield
1908	Railroad prompts growth
1917	Valentine's Day brings a new bridge
1917	World War I means prosperity and more people
1937	The Russians are coming... again
1942	New courthouse is fireproof concrete fortress
1942	WWII brings the shipbuilders
1948 to 1972	Swept away: Floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes
1983	Interstate 205 Bridge jump starts more growth
2003	Public Service Center opens
2003	The judge finally gets out of the closet
2004	Preserving our proud past

 

Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Web site

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