Fort Dalles

Fort Dalles (1847-1867) - Originally established from a stockade by volunteer troops at the Dalles, Oregon, 1847-1848 as Fort Wascopum named for the Methodist Mission there. Also called Fort Lee for Major Henry A.G. Lee of the Oregon Rifles. Established as a Federal post 20 May 1850 and named Camp Drum after Capt. Simon H. Drum, 4th U.S. Artillery who was killed 13 Sep 1847 during the Mexican War at Mexico City. In April 1853 Camp Drum became Fort Drum and in July 1853 it was designated Fort Dalles. Substantially rebuilt in 1856. Last garrisoned from 22 Mar to 22 May 1867 and then abandoned. On 28 Mar 1877 the remaining military reservation was transferred to the Interior Department.

1857 Plan of Fort Dalles

The restored Surgeon's Quarters at Fort Dalles. The only remaining fort building.

Fort Dalles History

This regular military fort was used during various Indian disturbances from 1850-66.

After treaties signed with the Indians at Walla Walla in 1855 failed, the fort was rebuilt in 1856 and served as a regimental headquarters for the recently activated 9th U.S. Infantry under the command of Col. George Wright. Fort Dalles became a major military depot for Fort Walla Walla and Fort Simcoe and a central point for military activities in eastern Washington and Oregon during the ensuing Yakima War.

Fort Dalles was designed by architect Louis Scholl who also designed Fort Simcoe. The fort consisted of frame buildings laid out in a semi-circle and was not stockaded. The construction at the fort came under criticism for being overly extravagant especially in the construction of the carpenter-gothic Commanding Officer's quarters and quarters for the other senior officers.

The wooden buildings on the fort were susceptible to fires because of their location on a hilltop and the almost constant wind that would fan the flames. Running water was not available on the post and fire apparatus were not available so several buildings succumbed to fire even before the post was abandoned. On 24 Oct 1864 one of the officer's quarters burned and on 23 Dec 1865 the Commanding Officer's quarters burned to the ground.

Commanders:

• (1850-185?) Lt. J. J. Woods, 1st U.S. Artllery
• (185?-1852) Lt. John B. Gibson
• (1852-1853) Bvt. Maj. Benjamin Alvord
• (1853-1855) Maj. Gabriel J. Rains[1][2]
• (1855-1856) Bvt. Maj. Granville Haller

Current Status

The 1856 surgeon's quarters have been restored and are open for view, it is the only remaining original building. The museum and store are housed in a period building that connects into the surgeon's quarters.

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Location: 500 West 15th St The Dalles, Oregon 97058 On Mill Creek in the west part of the community of the Dalles in Wasco County, Oregon. Maps & Images Lat: 45.596211 Long: -121.197535 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation:

Sources:

• McArthur, Lewis A. & McArthur, Lewis L., Oregon Geographic Names, Oregon Historical Society Press; 7 edition (December 2003), 1073 pages, ISBN 0875952771, ISBN 978-0875952772, page 366
• Oregon Military History, Forts-Camps-Roads
• Hart, Herbert M., Tour Guide to Old Western Forts, Pruett Publishing Co., Boulder CO, 1980, ISBN 0-87108-568-2, page 133
• 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 664
• Frazer, Robert W. (editor), Mansfield on the conditions of The Western Forts, University of Oklahoma Press, Norman OK, 1963, ISBN 0-8061-1083-X, page 175-179, plan J (24)
• Knuth, Priscilla, Picturesque Frontier: The Army's Fort Dalles, 2nd Edition, Oregon Historical Societ Press, 1987, ISBN 0-87595-140-6

Links:

Visited: 11 Oct 2005

Picture Gallery

Click on the picture to see a larger version. Contribute additional pictures - the more the better!

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  Fort Dalles Sign, John Stanton 11 Oct 2005
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  Fort Dalles Museum, John Stanton 11 Oct 2005