Fort Colville

Fort Colville (1859-1882) - A federal fort established upriver from the Hudson's Bay Company fort after the gold rush had started. It was originally known as Harney's Depot, followed by Camp Colville. (Do not confuse with Fort Colvile which was the Hudson's Bay Company fort located in the same area)

Fort Colville drawing, 1867 (University of Washington Archive)

Fort Colville History

The U.S. Army responded to the request for a post in the vicinity of HBC's Fort Colvile to monitor the border and help prevent trouble between settlers and Indians. Two companies of the 9th U.S. Infantry, under the command of Major Pinkney Lugenbeel, arrived in the spring of 1859 to begin construction of Fort Colville, located about three miles east of the present town of Colville. Within four years, it encompassed forty-five buildings.

Commanders:

• (1859-1861) Bvt. Maj. Pinkney Lugenbeel, 9th U.S. Infantry
• (1861-1862) Maj. James F. Curtis, 2nd California Volunteer Infantry
• (1862-????) Maj. C. H. Rumsill, 1st Washington Volunteers

Current Status

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Location: Located on Mill Creek a few miles north of Colville, Stevens County, Washington Maps & Images Lat: 48.57152 Long: -117.88389 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 1940'

Sources:

• Hart, Herbert M., Tour Guide to Old Western Forts, Pruett Publishing Co., Boulder CO, 1980, ISBN 0-87108-568-2, page 183
• Frazer, Robert W., Forts of the West, University of Oklahoma Press, Norman OK, 1965, ISBN 0-8061-1250-6, page 172-173
• 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 831

Links:

• Natonal Park Service History
• North American Forts - Fort Colville

Publications:

• Converse, George L., A Military History of the Columbia Valley: 1848-1865, Pioneer Press Books, Walla Walla, Washington, 1988, ISBN 0-936546-16-6

Visited: 14 May 2010

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