Near Chinook in Pacific County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
"of the large Kind"
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 10, 2026
1. "of the large Kind" Marker
"nine feet from the points of the wings"
On November 18, 1805, William Clark led a party of eleven men on an excursion to Cape Disappointment and the Pacific Ocean. As they started out that morning, the explorers followed a route along the Columbia River shore, and around "Haleys Bay" (now known as Baker Bay). The men walked right through this area.
It was an interesting day for the explorers. A few miles downriver from here, they encountered a California condor feasting on the remains of a whale up on the shore. The large bird amazed them. Clark wrote, "Rubin Fields Killed a Buzzard of the large Kind near the meat of the whale we Saw.... measured from the tips of the wings across 9 1/2 feet ...."
The Magnificent Condor
At the time of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, California condors (Gymnogyps californianus) were a common sight on the Columbia river. Today, the California condor is an endangered species that no longer inhabits this area. In 2004, there were 90 in existence in the wild and 125 in captivity. Recovery efforts are underway in Arizona and California.
(U.S/ Fish and Wildlife Service)
this page online
"I Set out with 10 men and my man York to the Ocian by land. i.e. Serjt. Ordway & Pryor, Jos & Ru. Fields, Go. Shannon, W. Brattin, J. Colter, P. Wiser, W. Labieche & P. Sharon one of our interpreters ...." William Clark
one of the party killed a verry large turkey buzzard which had white under its wings, and was nine feet fro the points of the wings ...." John Ordway
Erected 2023 by Washington Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Commission Washington Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Exploration. A significant historical date for this entry is November 18, 1805.
Location. 46° 15.676′ N, 123° 55.87′ W. Marker is near Chinook, Washington, in Pacific County. It can be reached from Chinook Park Road near Coast Guard Road (U.S. 101). This marker is in Chinook County 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.
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 10, 2026
2. "of the large Kind" Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Fort Columbia (approx. 0.7 miles away); Welcome to Middle Village (approx. 1.4 miles away); What Are the First Stories of This Place? (approx. 1.4 miles away); A Collision of Cultures / How Did They Live? (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Search for the Northwest Passage / Jefferson's Mission Accomplished (approx. 1.4 miles away); How Do These Stories Continue? (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Business of Trade (approx. 1.4 miles away); In Search of Recognition (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chinook.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 21, 2026, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 21, 2026, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
