Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
The earliest permanent settlement on either side of the Columbia River was established as a trading post in 1824 by Hudson's Bay Company. When Washington fell under complete control of the United States through the 1846 Oregon Treaty, Fort Vancouver became the nation's foremost military post in the Pacific Northwest. This 207-acre site in the middle of present-day Vancouver tells the story of the settlement's early days, and how it's been the home of such renowned military leaders as Ulysses S. Grant, George McClellan, and George Marshall (of Marshall Plan fame). In this impressive and somewhat overlooked component of the National Park System, orient yourself at the park visitor center, where you can watch a film about its history. Then tour the reconstructed fort stockade and barracks, and visit the 22 stately Victorian homes of Officer's Row (including the Queen Anne–style Marshall House, which is operated by the Clark County Historical Museum). The Pearson Air Museum is also part of the park.
