Hudson Bay in Vancouver in Clark County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

Officers Row

Vancouver National Historic Reserve

Photographed by Kevin W., June 13, 2008

1. Officers Row Marker

Inscription.
Officers Row, a procession of homes for officers and their families, began during the early frontier years when Vancouver Barracks was considered by many to be a remote and lonely assignment. The first officer’s quarters on the Row wer log cabins built in 1850 – the only surviving example is now called the Grant House.

By the time the Department Commander’s quarters (now known as the Marshall House) was constructed in 1886, Vancouver Barracks was the headquarters for the Department of the Columbia and considered a prestige post.

Set apart from the rest of the post, Officers Row commanded a view of the entire garrison from the Parade Ground down to the Columbia River. Both in placement and style, the Row highlighted the separation between officers and enlisted men.

Some of the residences were later converted to clubs, where officers spent much of their free time.

The Row was carefully maintained through World War II, until the U.S. Army shifted its focus away from Vancouver Barracks. The 21 structures were transferred to the City of Vancouver in the 1980s, and the homes rehabilitated in order to preserve the national significance of this site.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Forts and Castles

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• Military • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.

Location. 45° 37.6′ N, 122° 39.29′ W. Marker is in Vancouver, Washington, in Clark County. It is in Hudson Bay. It is on Officers Row near E. Evergreen Blvd, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Vancouver WA 98661, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Portland Area

and 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,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Whose Anchor? (within shouting distance of this marker); First Japanese on the North American Continent (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Marshall House (about 700 feet away); U. S. Grant Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pearson Airfield (approx. 0.2 miles away); Carlton Foster Bond (approx. 0.2 miles away); Early Aviation History in Vancouver (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Soviet Transpolar Flight of 1937 (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vancouver.

More about this marker. The background picture on the marker is provided courtesy of the Clark County Historical Museum, (#P83). It is identified with the caption, "This image of Officers Row near the turn of the 20th century shows the entrance gate at East Reserve Street and Grant Boulevard (now

Photographed by Kevin W., June 13, 2008

2. Officers Row Marker

Evergreen Boulevard)."

Along Officers Row, in front of every house, is at least one marker outlining the history of Fort Vancouver. Their pictures and text are included in the HMdb database on this marker's page, The Grant House Marker page, and two other markers titled "Officers Row" along E. Evergreen Boulevard. The below ground markers are between the Marshall House and the east end of E. Evergreen Boulevard. This stretch of ground markers is roughly divided in the middle by this marker.

Ground Marker on Officers Row image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin W., June 13, 2008

3. Ground Marker on Officers Row

Life on the Row in the 1850’s Before the original log cabins were replaced by the existing houses, the cabins were described as “damp, unhealthy and uncomfortable in the extreme” and as “mere corrals – of regulation size with roofs on them”. Due to the high transportation costs and the frontier hardships, few officer’s families came to Vancouver. Residents of the City were often invited to social functions at the commander’s home, particularly since feminine company was highly regarded at such a lonely post.
Donated by Voiture 99 Forty Et Eight

Photographed by Kevin W., June 13, 2008

4. Ground Marker on Officers Row

An Abundant Land One of the advantages of this post was the excellent supply of foods and crops. Soldiers and settlers were familiar with products grown here; apples, peaches, hay, potatoes, beans, rutabagas, carrots, cabbage, oats and barley. Beef and mutton were easily fattened in grassy meadows. Fruit from the Hawaiian Islands and California oranges were often available. Fish and wild game were abundant year round. Donated by Great Western Malting Co.

Photographed by Kevin W., June 13, 2008

5. Ground Marker on Officers Row

A Healthy Environment Vancouver was praised for its moderate and healthful climate compared to many military posts around the West. Relatively few viruses, fevers, cholera or other infections that commonly raged through military camps afflicted the garrison here. Dr. Glisan, stationed in Oregon Territory in the 1850’s, considered his military obligations easy work, providing him ample time to admister to the settlers of the area for additional fees. Donated by Security Pacific Bank, Washington.

Photographed by Kevin W., June 13, 2008

6. Ground Marker on Officers Row

The Spanish American War Throughout the Spanish American War Vancouver Barracks was a principal supply and shipping center for provisioning American troops in the Philippines. General Thomas Anderson, post commander, became the first U. S. General to serve overseas. Donated by Tidewater Barge Lines, Inc.

Photographed by Kevin W., June 13, 2008

7. Ground Marker on Officers Row

World War I World War I initiated an era of growth in Vancouver. Wooden shipbuilding became a major civilian industry. Remnants of old shipways are found immediately south of Officers Row. The garrison’s polo field made an excellent landing field for daredevils and wingwalkers as early as 1911. The first documented flight at the field occurerred in 1905 when a gas-filled balloon from Portland landed there. Pearson Air Field, a former Army air strip, is believed to be the oldest continuously operating airpark in the country. Donated by Jack M. Jochim

Photographed by Kevin W., June 13, 2008

8. Ground Marker on Officers Row

World War II At the start of World War II, Vancouver emerged as a major steel shipbuilding center with supporting construction industries. President Franklin Roosevelt visited several times while the famed activist-composer, Woody Guthrie, found work in nearby shipyards. Army activities began to shift to Camp Lewis and the glory days of Vancouver Barracks began to fade. The post remains today as an active Army training center for the region. Donated by Kelly Punteney and Bob Colf.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 24, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,019 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 24, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on July 8, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.

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