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Photographer: Barry Swackhamer
Taken: May 11, 2018
Caption: West Barracks and Wellhouse
Additional Description: Originally rough log buildings surrounded by log palisades, Fort Owen was completely rebuilt with sun dried adobe bricks from 1857 to 1860. The west barracks was the first building completed and contained the Fort's kitchen, dining room, and all-important trade room. In 1889 the roof of this structure blew off during a violent wind storm, killing then owner Washington J. McCormick. The remaining walls posed a threat and were demolished a few years later.

The Fort Owen well house was completed in the autumn of 1860 during the final phase of adobe reconstruction of the Fort. The wellhouse covered a stone-lined well shaft from which water was drawn. The building was reconstructed in 1977 based on historic photographs and archaeological evidence.
Submitted: September 19, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
Database Locator Identification Number: p445875
File Size: 3.632 Megabytes

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