Fort Okanogan
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Fort Okanogan (1811-1860) - Established as a Pacific Fur Company trading post in 1811. Reestablished as a North West Company post and in 1821 became a Hudson's Bay Company post. Located in present-day Okanogan County, Washington.
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Fort Okanogan Visitor Center Site Locator Marker -
Fort Okanogan Marker on the Bluff Above the Fort Sites -
Site of Both Fort Okanogans (center) at the Confluence of the Okanogan River (left) and Columbia River (right)
History
Originally a 16' x 20' log trading post located at the confluence of the Okanogan River and the Columbia River. The post was abandoned after the War of 1812 and re-established by the North West Company and served as the southern terminus of their overland Pacific brigade trail to Fort Alexandria in Canada. The North West Company merged with the Hudson's Bay Company in 1821 and the post became a Hudson's Bay Company post. The fort was rebuilt in 1830 less than a mile away from the original location. The fort was completely abandoned in 1860.
Current Status
A visitor and interpretive center overlook the two sites off of Hwy 17 just east of the confluence of the Okanogan and Columbia Rivers. Although advertised as Fort Okanogan State Park the interpretive center is operated by the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and there was no indication of State involvement. Outside the visitor/interpretive center are a marker and two sighting mechanisms pointing out the two fort locations. Inside are a number of displays that include a diorama of the fort site and information on the archeological digs at the site
Another marker is located further west off of US 97 just across the Okanogan River on a bluff overlooking both sites. This marker is adjacent to an apple orchard and a bit is hidden away. Take a left as you enter the orchard road and that leads to the bluff. A spectacular view!
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Fort Okanogan Site Location #1 -
Fort Okanogan Site Location #1 (center) -
Fort Okanogan Site Location #2 -
Fort Okanogan Site Location #2 (center)
Location: Fort Okanogan State Park, Okanogan County, Washington.
Fort map points are approximate.
Lat: 48.100344 Long: -119.678656 Elevation: 935' Bing, Google
GPS Locations:
48.1023928, -119.7221482
See Also:
- Pacific Fur Company
- Pacific Fur Company Forts
- North West Company
- North West Company Forts
- Hudson's Bay Company
- Hudson's Bay Company Forts
Sources:
- Hart, Herbert M., Tour Guide to Old Western Forts, Pruett Publishing Co., Boulder CO, 1980, ISBN 0-87108-568-2, page 186
- Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 834-835
Links:
Fortification ID:
- WA0243 - Fort Okanogan