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

The Sutler's Store

— Officers Row —

Photographed By Kevin W., June 16, 2008

1. The Sutler's Store Marker

Inscription. Until the late 19th century, the U. S. Army awarded sales commissions to civilian traders, known as sutlers. Each post or regiment was authorized to appoint one. Described as “a combination of saloon keeper and general store operator,” the sutlers supplied troops with goods and food to supplement army rations.

The first sutler at Vancouver Barracks was Elisha Camp, who came with the 4th Infantry in 1852. By all accounts, Camp rana profitable enterprise selling diverse items such as coffee, flour, liquor, tobacco, crockery, wool socks, and toothbrushes. However, after less than a year in Vancouver, his store mysteriously “exploded.” Camp returned to the East Coast leaving behind at least one unhappy investor: a young Brevet Captain named Ulysses S. Grant. A successor soon rebuilt the store, and the sutler tradition continued until being replaced by a post canteen, the first in the military.

Erected by Vancouver National Historic Reserve.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1852.

Location. 45° 37.563′ N, 122° 39.952′ W. Marker is in Vancouver, Washington, in Clark County. It is in Hudson Bay. Marker is on

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Hathaway Road near Fort Vancouver Way, 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Artillery Barracks (within shouting distance of this marker); St. James Mission (within shouting distance of this marker); The Red Cross Convalescent House (within shouting distance of this marker); Clark County Veterans Memorial (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Post Hospital (about 500 feet away); The Infantry Barracks (about 500 feet away); The O. O. Howard House (about 700 feet away); The Vancouver Farm (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 captioned, "The sutler’s store, surrounded by a stockade, appears just left of center in this 1855 sketch by Gustavus Sohon." It is provided for the marker, "Courtesy of the Library of Congress and Dr. McDermott."

In the lower right corner of the marker is a picture of items found during Fort Vancouver area archeaological digs. It includes the caption, "Unlike the British imports sold at Fort Vancouver, the sutler stocked mostly American and French goods, like these items found during archaeological excavations at the site."

Photographed By Kevin W., June 16, 2008

2. The Sutler's Store Marker

Lower right corner picture on The Sutler's Store Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kevin W., June 16, 2008

3. Lower right corner picture on The Sutler's Store Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 8, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,454 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 8, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.