Toledo in Lewis County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

Toledo

Earliest Settlement of Lewis County

Photographed by Shirley A Stirling, September 29, 2024

1. Toledo Marker

Inscription.

Toledo. Earliest Settlement of Lewis County. Simon Plamondon, the son of a Royal Surveyor, was born in Quebec, Canada in 1800. Losing his father at an early age, he learned to hunt, fish, and trap with neighboring Indian boys. At age 18, Plamondon traveled to the Pacific Northwest to trap for the British North West Company in Astoria, Oregon. He's recognized as the first non-Indian explorer of the Cowlitz River. Plamondon's marriage to a Cowlitz Indian chief's daughter provided an important alliance between the British company and Indians of the Cowlitz Corridor. Learning their languages, he worked to develop and maintain good relations with the tribes., Plamondon established a 40-acre farm on the Cowlitz Prairie in 1835, near present-day Toledo. In 1836, the Hudson's Bay Company sent him to explore the agricultural potential of the Cowlitz Portage. By 1839, Plamondon's assessment led to the establishment of a 4,000 acre farm on Cowlitz Prairie, just north of present-day Toledo., Simon Plamondon was elected to the Oregon Provisional Legislature in 1846, and during the next year, the Lewis County Court convened at his home. In addition to numerous political positions, Plamondon also served as Lewis County's first Treasurer., The years 1854 and 1855 were marked by stressful relations between white settlers and Indians. Plamondon remained on his farm during this period, providing supplies and protection to the Cowlitz Indians who risked extermination as a result of government policy., Simon Plamondon died in 1900, three months before his 100th birthday. He is remembered as an adventurous and honest man. Some of Plamondon's descendants still live on the Cowlitz Prairie., Captions , (Photo #1) The Hudson's Bay Company Coat of Arms bears the motto Pro pelle cutum, meaning "The animal's skin for the sake of the fleece." , (Photo #2) Simon Plamondon, circa 1875. Photo courtesy of the Lewis County Historical Society. , (Photo #3) Simon Plamondon's farm plot colors represent current crops, circa 1845. Illustration courtesy of Lewis County Historical Society.

Simon Plamondon, the son of a Royal Surveyor, was born in Quebec, Canada in 1800. Losing his father at an early age, he learned to hunt, fish, and trap with neighboring Indian boys. At age 18, Plamondon traveled to the Pacific Northwest to trap for the British North West Company in Astoria, Oregon. He's recognized as the first non-Indian explorer of the Cowlitz River. Plamondon's marriage to a Cowlitz Indian chief's daughter provided an important alliance between the British company and Indians of the Cowlitz Corridor. Learning their languages, he worked to develop and maintain good relations with the tribes.

Plamondon established a 40-acre farm on the Cowlitz Prairie in 1835, near present-day Toledo. In 1836, the Hudson's Bay Company sent him to explore the agricultural potential of the Cowlitz Portage. By 1839, Plamondon's assessment led to the establishment of a 4,000 acre farm on Cowlitz Prairie, just north of present-day Toledo.

Simon Plamondon was elected to the Oregon Provisional Legislature in 1846, and during the next year, the Lewis County Court convened at his home. In addition to numerous political

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positions, Plamondon also served as Lewis County's first Treasurer.

The years 1854 and 1855 were marked by stressful relations between white settlers and Indians. Plamondon remained on his farm during this period, providing supplies and protection to the Cowlitz Indians who risked extermination as a result of government policy.

Simon Plamondon died in 1900, three months before his 100th birthday. He is remembered as an adventurous and honest man. Some of Plamondon's descendants still live on the Cowlitz Prairie.

Captions
(Photo #1) The Hudson's Bay Company Coat of Arms bears the motto Pro pelle cutum, meaning "The animal's skin for the sake of the fleece."
(Photo #2) Simon Plamondon, circa 1875. Photo courtesy of the Lewis County Historical Society.
(Photo #3) Simon Plamondon's farm plot colors represent current crops, circa 1845. Illustration courtesy of Lewis County Historical Society.

Erected by Lewis County Commissioners, Washington State Department of Transportation, U.S. Forest Service and Lewis County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1800.

Location. 46° 26.324′ N,

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122° 50.715′ W. Marker is in Toledo, Washington, in Lewis County. It is at the intersection of Cowlitz Street (State Road 505) and Front Street, on the right when traveling east on Cowlitz Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Front St, Toledo WA 98591, 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,

in the Cascade Range,

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 17 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Washington Territory Was Created August 29, 1851 (here, next to this marker); Toledo Boat Launch Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Oregon Trail (approx. 0.3 miles away); Jackson Courthouse (approx. 7.2 miles away); a different marker also named Oregon Trail (approx. 7.7 miles away); In Memoriam (approx. 11.8 miles away); The Old Oregon Trail (approx. 16.4 miles away); Claquato Church (approx. 16.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toledo.

More about this marker. The two maps on the markers are largely illegible, as is some text.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2026, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. This page has been viewed 49 times since then. Photo 1. submitted on January 19, 2026, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide view photo of the marker and the surrounding area together in context. • Can you help?