Near Chinook in Pacific County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

Fort Columbia

Photographed by Brian Anderson, September 13, 2018

1. Fort Columbia Marker

Inscription. Here was the home of the Chinook Indians and their great chief, Comcomly.

Capt. Robert Gray dropped anchor near here after his discovery of the Columbia River in 1792.

In the days of the fur trade this area was witness to many stirring events, and in 1843 Capt. Scarborough here became the first permanent settler to the north of the Columbia.

For years this promontory served as a vital landmark for the safe crossing of the Columbia's bar.

Finally, as a coastal fort, its guns here guarded the mouth of the river from 1896 until the end of World War II.

Erected by Washington State Highway Commission in Cooperation with the State Parks and Recreation Commission. (Marker Number 11.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • War, World I • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1792.

Location. 46° 15.18′ N, 123° 55.367′ W. Marker is near Chinook, Washington, in Pacific County. It is at the intersection of U.S. 101 and Columbia Lane, on the right when traveling south on U.S. 101. Marker is located at the entrance to the Fort Columbia Historical State Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chinook WA 98614, 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.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Welcome to Middle Village (approx. 0.7 miles away); What Are the First Stories of This Place? (approx. 0.7 miles away); A Collision of Cultures / How Did They Live? (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Search for the Northwest Passage / Jefferson's Mission Accomplished (approx. 0.7 miles away); How Do These Stories Continue? (approx. ¾ mile away); The Business of Trade (approx. ¾ mile away); In Search of Recognition (approx. ¾ mile away); St. Mary's Church (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chinook.

Photographed by Brian Anderson, September 13, 2018

2. Fort Columbia Marker

Fort Columbia image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brian Anderson, September 13, 2018

3. Fort Columbia

Photographed by Brian Anderson, September 13, 2018

4. Fort Columbia

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. This page has been viewed 858 times since then and 215 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 1, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.