West End in Tacoma in Pierce County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
Captain Charles Wilkes
Photographed By Renee Crist, October 18, 2020
1. Captain Charles Wilkes Marker
Captain Charles Wilkes, commanding a United States exploring expedition, visited this vicinity in 1841 and left the names Point Defiance, Neill Point, Commencement Bay, Maury Island, Robinson's Point, Colvos Passage, Gig Harbor and Fox Island.
The recommendation in 1855 and later of the United States military officers Stoneman, Harney, Casey, Wright and others led the Federal government to reserve land at Point Defiance for military purposes.
Francis W. Cushman in 1905, aided by other representatives from the State of Washington, secured a gift of the land to the City of Tacoma for a city park.
In commemoration of these events and in honor of these men, this tablet has been erected and presented to the Park Board September 25, 1915, by Mary Ball Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution.
'Nothing can exceed the beauty of these waters and their safety. I venture nothing in saying that there is no country in the world that possesses waters equal to these." — Captain Charles Wilkes
Erected 1915 by Mary Ball Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Parks & Recreational Areas
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Location. 47° 18.336′ N, 122° 30.989′ W. Marker is in Tacoma, Washington, in Pierce County. It is in West End. Marker is on North Waterfront Drive north of Roberts Garden Drive, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tacoma WA 98407, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Ten Inch Shell From U.S.S. Maine (within shouting distance of this marker); Tacoma City (approx. 3.1 miles away); Community Life in Old Tacoma (approx. 3.1 miles away); Our First Settlers (approx. 3.1 miles away); Coming of the Railroad to Tacoma (approx. 3.1 miles away); Building the Cabin (approx. 3.1 miles away); The Job Carr Family (approx. 3.1 miles away); Ester Allstrum (approx. 3.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tacoma.
Regarding Captain Charles Wilkes. Charles Wilkes (1798-1877) from 1838 to 1842 commanded a US Naval expedition that took him into the Antarctic Ocean and along the Antarctic barrier, where he reported land at a number of points in the region subsequently known as Wilkes Land. He visited islands in the Pacific, explored the West Coast of the United States
Photographed By Renee Crist, May 19, 2023
2. Captain Charles Wilkes Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2023, by Renee Crist of Gig Harbor, Washington. This page has been viewed 68 times since then and 8 times this year. Last updated on May 21, 2023, by Renee Crist of Gig Harbor, Washington. Photos: 1. submitted on April 16, 2023, by Renee Crist of Gig Harbor, Washington. 2. submitted on May 21, 2023, by Renee Crist of Gig Harbor, Washington. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
