Near U.S. 101, 1.7 miles west of State Highway 401, on the right when traveling west.
A Collision of Cultures
First they came by sea and then by land - the Euro-American presence swelled through the region. The newcomers brought strange illnesses, like smallpox and malaria, and unwittingly spread plagues of death to the . . . — — Map (db m177402) HM
On U.S. 101, 0.6 miles State Highway 401, on the left when traveling west. Reported missing.
Here the Columbia River, the mightiest river flowing into the Pacific Ocean from the American continents, ends its journey. Native people have lived along the banks of this river and fished its waters for thousands of years.
Euro-American . . . — — Map (db m177312) HM
On U.S. 101 at Columbia Lane, on the right when traveling south on U.S. 101.
Here was the home of the Chinook Indians and their great chief, Comcomly.
Capt. Robert Gray dropped anchor near here after his discovery of the Columbia River in 1792.
In the days of the fur trade this area was witness to many stirring . . . — — Map (db m125769) HM
Near U.S. 101, 1.7 miles west of State Route 401, on the right when traveling west.
The Chinook people remember the significance of Qiqayaqilxam and have handed this knowledge down through the generations. They continue to live along the lower Columbia River and cherish this place. Their old ways — from art and language to fishing . . . — — Map (db m177356) HM
Near U.S. 101, 1.7 miles State Route 401, on the right when traveling west.
After the U.S. government's failure to ratify the Tansy Point treaties signed by chiefs of five Chinookan tribes, the Chinook continued to hold tightly to their identity as a tribe and to their homeland. In 1855 on the Chehalis River, Washington . . . — — Map (db m177353) HM
Near U.S. 101, 1.7 miles west of State Route 401, on the right when traveling west.
In 1904, P.J. McGowan donated the land and paid for the construction of a Catholic church. Built of Port Orford cedar, the church sat 150 worshippers. In the town's heyday, many families lived and worked here. After the cannery moved and fish traps . . . — — Map (db m177352) HM
Near U.S. 101, 1.7 miles west of State Route 401, on the right when traveling west.
The Chinook commanded the mouth of the Columbia and lands up the coast to Willapa Bay in the north and down the coast to Tillamook head in the south going back centuries. They lived at the heart of a vast trade network, and served as middlemen, who . . . — — Map (db m177358) HM
Near U.S. 101, 1.7 miles west of State Highway 401, on the right when traveling west.
The Search for the Northwest Passage
How did Euro-Americans lay claim to this place? For centuries, explorers sent by European nations with imperial ambitions sought the Northwest Passage — a navigable sea route connecting the Atlantic and . . . — — Map (db m177405) HM
On U.S. 101, 1.7 miles west of State Route 401, on the right when traveling west.
This place — where river meets ocean – is one of many stories. The Chinook people lived here at Qiqayaqilxam, or Middle Village, for countless generations. Qiqayaqilxam is one of several villages that stretched from Cape Disappointment to Pillar . . . — — Map (db m177411) HM
Near U.S. 101, 1.8 miles west of State Route 401, on the right when traveling west.
The Chinook people have lived along the Pacific Coast for countless generations — in fact, the Chinook say their ancestors were here at the end of the last ice age, when the waters and forests were very different. The people of this place would have . . . — — Map (db m177409) HM
On North Head Road, 1.6 miles north of Robert Gray Drive (Washington Route 100), on the left when traveling north.
Sailing a ship into the narrow channel at the mouth of the Columbia River was always dangerous and often deadly. Sailing ships would frequently be forced to wait for days and sometimes weeks for the weather to be right to "cross the bar."
Even . . . — — Map (db m116577) HM
On North Head Road, 1.6 miles north of Robert Gray Drive (Washington Route 100), on the left when traveling north.
In the past two centuries there have been many changes at Beard's Hollow. Historically, the Chinook Indians visited the tide pools near the water's edge to collect sea life for food and shells to use as tools and decorations.
When the Lewis and . . . — — Map (db m116578) HM
Near Cape Disappointment Road, 0.4 miles south of Coast Guard Road when traveling south.
The lighthouse has watched over the entrance of the Columbia River since was first lit on October 15, 1856. It stands fifty-three feet tall, has a focal plane of 220 feet above the sea, and tapers from a diameter of fourteen feet four inches at . . . — — Map (db m116607) HM
On Lake Street east of 1st Avenue South, on the right when traveling east.
"It is estimated that with two canneries, the lumbering, cranberry and railroad interests centering at Ilwaco annually put into circulation at this town about $600,000. This is a solid town and is entitled to the attention of all visitors to . . . — — Map (db m116580) HM
Near Cape Disappointment Road, 0.4 miles south of Coast Guard Road when traveling south.
The U.S. Army constructed Fort Canby, along with Fort Columbia and Fort Stevens, to defend the entrance to the Columbia River from enemy warships. U.S. Army troops manned the forts from the mid-19th century until the end of World War II.
The . . . — — Map (db m116597) HM
Near Cape Disappointment Road, 0.4 miles south of Coast Guard Road when traveling south.
The fort had barracks for the men, cottages for officers and their families, and a large residence for the commanding officer. Other buildings included the post exchange, which was much like a general store, and the guardhouse, which served as . . . — — Map (db m116595) HM
November 18, Monday 1805
William Clark recorded in his
journal that on this date:
"I set out with 10 men and my man York to the ocian by land.... (later in the day) … I found Capt. Lewis name on a tree. I also engraved my name.... I . . . — — Map (db m120771) HM
Near North Head Lighthouse Road, 0.8 miles west of North Head Road, on the left when traveling west.
Working and Living on North Head
Lighthouse keepers maintained the North Head Lighthouse from 1898 until its automation in 1961. Keeping the light burning 365 days a year was arduous, repetitive work.
Keepers carried gallons of oil up . . . — — Map (db m116574) HM
On State Highway 6 at Camp 1 Road, on the left when traveling west on State Highway 6.
On the hill behind is the grave of Willie Keil, nineteen year old son of Dr. William Keil, leader of the Bethel Colony that came west to settle here in November, 1855.
Willie was to have driven the leading team in the wagon train which was to . . . — — Map (db m129100) HM
On Duryea Street at 5th Street, on the right when traveling west on Duryea Street.
Registered National
Historic Place
Washington State Advisory Council
on Historic Preservation
Raymond Public Library
Under the provisions of the
National Historic Preservation
Act of 1966, this property possesses
exceptional . . . — — Map (db m197148) HM
On Memorial Drive south of West Cowlitz Street, on the right when traveling south.
Registered National Historic Place Washington State Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
Pacific County Courthouse
Under the provisions of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, this property possesses . . . — — Map (db m129143) HM