Vancouver, Washington, a city nestled on the north bank of the Columbia River in Clark County, boasts a rich history that predates many of its regional counterparts. Founded in 1825 and incorporated in 1857, its origins are deeply intertwined with the establishment of Fort Vancouver, a significant fur trading outpost. This strategic location, directly north of Portland, Oregon, along the Washington–Oregon state line, has shaped its development from
a frontier settlement to a modern city. Its early days were marked by a unique joint occupation agreement between the U.S. and Britain, leading to the Oregon boundary dispute, which was eventually resolved in 1846, granting the United States full control of the area.
Early European Settlement and Naming Conventions
The area now known as Vancouver was once described by Meriwether Lewis as "the only desired situation for settlement west of the Rocky Mountains." However, permanent European settlement didn't begin until 1824 with the establishment of Fort Vancouver by the Hudson's Bay Company. Before this, in 1845, American Henry Williamson laid out a large claim west of the Hudson's Bay Company, naming it "Vancouver City." He properly registered his claim in Oregon City before moving to California. In 1848, Williamson's claim was surveyed and platted by Peter Crawford. By 1850, Amos Short traced over Williamson's claim and renamed the town "Columbia City," though it reverted to "Vancouver" in 1855. The city was officially incorporated on January 23, 1857.
Interestingly, Vancouver, Washington, shares its name with the larger city of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, located approximately 300 miles to the north. Both cities were named after British sea captain George Vancouver. However, the U.S. city is older, with Vancouver, British Columbia, incorporated 29 years after Vancouver, Washington, and more than 60 years after the name "Vancouver" was first associated with the Fort Vancouver trading post. This shared name has periodically led city officials to suggest changing the U.S. city's name to "Fort Vancouver" to reduce confusion. Pacific Northwest residents often differentiate by referring to the Canadian city as "Vancouver, B.C." and the U.S. city as "Vancouver, Washington" or "Vancouver, USA." Local nicknames have also included "Vantucky" (though considered derogatory) and "The 'Couv(e)."
Military Presence and Transportation Evolution
Vancouver's history is also characterized by a strong military presence. The Department of the Columbia moved to Vancouver Barracks, which became the region's largest Army base until Fort Lewis surpassed it. This military reservation stretched from the Columbia River to what is now Fourth Plain Boulevard. Pearson Army Field, later Pearson Field, was built on old company gardens and a skirmish range, becoming a key facility. At one point, the U.S. Army Signal Corps operated the world's largest spruce cut-up plant there, providing wood for airplanes.
Pearson Airfield also played a role in aviation history, serving as the endpoint for two ultra-long flights from Moscow, USSR, over the North Pole. The first, in 1937, was performed by Valery Chkalov on a Tupolev ANT-25 RD airplane. Chkalov was initially scheduled to land in Portland, Oregon, but was redirected to Pearson Airfield. A monument commemorating this event was dedicated in 1975 and later moved to the north side of Pearson Field in 1987. Chkalov Drive in east Vancouver is named in his honor.
Transportation infrastructure also evolved significantly. An early electric trolley, operated by the Northcoast Power Company, served the Orchards-Sifton route from 1910 to 1926, running along Vancouver's Main Street. This trolley, which made ten stops and ran hourly, charged 15 cents per ride. A mural in Orchards now depicts this trolley and the rural character of the area during its operation. However, the public's growing preference for motor cars in the 1920s ultimately led to the trolley's demise. Later, a 1908 railroad swing bridge across the Columbia River facilitated greater industrial development, including the Standifer Shipyard during World War I, further connecting Vancouver to the broader region and its economic opportunities.
Annexation and Growth Challenges
Vancouver has experienced significant growth, often leading to conflicts with other Clark County communities. The city's first annexation in 1909 more than doubled its size. A major annexation in 1997 added 11,258 acres and 58,171 residents, leading to the perception of Vancouver being split into East and West, divided by NE Andresen Road. West Vancouver encompasses downtown and historical areas, along with recent high-density mixed-use developments, while East Vancouver includes communities like Cascade Park East and West, which had substantial populations before annexation. More than one-third of the Vancouver urban area's population resides in unincorporated areas north of the city limits, including communities such as Hazel Dell, Felida, Orchards, and Salmon Creek. Proposals for further annexation, such as a 2025 plan to expand the city limits by 56 square miles and add approximately 171,000 people, highlight the ongoing growth and the associated challenges, including potential budget deficits due to the cost of providing services to new areas. Such an expansion would make Vancouver the state's second-largest city, a status it nearly achieved with a similar proposal two decades prior.
