Exploration of what became the state of
Washington began in 1542, with a Spanish
expedition seeking a northwest passage.
British Admiral Francis Drake followed in
1578. Both Spain and England laid claim
to the area.
But Lewis and Clark saved the day for
the U.S. as first Spain relinquished
their claim and then Britain.
~~~~~
The Other
Vancouver – Just across the Columbia from
Portland, Vancouver
was the first permanent settlement in the northwest, established as a post of
the British Hudson's Bay Company in 1824. Fort Vancouver was the site of the northwest's
first farming, horticulture, dairying and wool growing; its first gristmill,
sawmill and bridkyard; building of its first seagoing craft; its first school
and first U.S. Military Post.
In 1855 the City was platted as a part of the 640 acres claimed under the
Donation land Act by a gutsy widowed mother of 10.
Esther Short promptly began selling lots in her new subdivision, without
Federal patents in hand. And she passed in 1862, with no patents ever issued on
any land she claimed.
EstherShortPark
stands today as the public square for which she reserved space. And her remains
lie in the old VancouverCityCemetery,
her only resting place in the northwest to which the Short family had valid
title.
