Ilwaco in Pacific County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
Keeping Pace with Technology
Fort Canby
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 10, 2015
1. Keeping Pace with Technology Marker
The fort had barracks for the men, cottages for officers and their families, and a large residence for the commanding officer. Other buildings included the post exchange, which was much like a general store, and the guardhouse, which served as the police station.
Families of the officers resided at Fort Canby. Much like a small town, the fort also had a hospital, school, library, fire station and a gymnasium.
The U.S. Army began constructing Fort Canby in 1863. The next year the first troops arrived. Over the next 80 years, improvements at Fort Canby kept pace with changes in the military technology of coast defense. The fort remained intact as a military reservation until 1948.
Here at Battery Harvey Allen you can explore the interior of a typical pre-WWI American coastal fortification. You can also visit the site of the nearby radar station that was built during WWII.
”Big Betsy”
The granite blocks to your right are some of the foundation stones that once supported "Big Betsy," a 15-inch Rodman gun originally emplaced at West Battery near the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse.
The first batteries at Fort Canby were little more than simple banks of earth that formed a low wall in front of the guns. The batteries contained a collection of Rodman guns and
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1863.
Location. 46° 16.691′ N, 124° 3.217′ W. Marker is in Ilwaco, Washington, in Pacific County. It can be reached from Cape Disappointment Road 0.4 miles south of Coast Guard Road when traveling south. This marker is located at the Cape Disappointment Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. The marker is on the back (north) side of the Interpretive Center, near the parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ilwaco WA 98624, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Washington State. It is also on the American Pacific Coast, in the Pacific Northwest, and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Fort Canby (here, next
Washington State Historical Society, Tacoma
2. Marker detail: "Big Betsy"
The massive blast force of "Big Betsy" (in background) broke the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse glass when it was fired for the first time.
The gun was then moved to a better location.
After "Big Betsy" was removed from the defenses, the granite foundation stones were pushed into the draw behind the lighthouse.
They were move here in the mid-1970s and reassembled.
More about this marker. Marker consists of two panels on a tall kiosk structure.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. "Big Betsy" 15-inch Rodman gun
Also see . . .
1. Fort Canby. Daily Kos website entry (Submitted on July 10, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Cape Disappointment State Park (formerly Fort Canby State Park). Wikipedia entry (Submitted on July 10, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 10, 2015
3. Keeping Pace with Technology Marker (tall view)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 10, 2015
4. Keeping Pace with Technology Marker (wide view; "Big Betsy" foundation stones in background)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 10, 2015
5. Bettery Harvery Allen
In 1905, the Army constructed Battery Harvey Allen and Battery Elijah O'Flyng as part of the modernized defenses of Fort Canby.
At Battery Allen, each of the three emplacements contained a 6-inch gun mounted on a disappearing carriage. The innovative carriage design used levers, hydraulics and a counterweight to move the gun above and below the wall.
When the U.S. entered World War I, the guns of Battery Allen were dismounted in anticipation of their use on European battlefields. Later, the guns of Battery O'Flyng were dismounted and remounted at Battery Allen.
When the U.S. entered World War I, the guns of Battery Allen were dismounted in anticipation of their use on European battlefields. Later, the guns of Battery O'Flyng were dismounted and remounted at Battery Allen.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 10, 2015
6. Battery Harvey Allen
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 10, 2015
7. "Big Betsy" foundation stones (view from near marker)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 19, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 430 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 19, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 6. submitted on April 20, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 7. submitted on April 19, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
