Tag: Fur trade

columbia river, Oregon indians, tradeLeave a comment

Encounters with Chief Kiesno of the Columbia

David G. Lewis, PhD

Chief Kiesno was one of the most powerful chiefs on the Columbia River at the time of the fur trade and American settlement. He was related to tribes throughout the lower Columbia region. He is well documented in numerous encounters with a number of explorers, fur traders, and settlers. His time spanned the whole of the early colonization of Oregon and ends in 1848, when he passes. There is then a transition to Oregon as an official U.S. territory.  It is probable that he is the model for the figure of Chief Multnomah fictionalized by Frederick Balch in his book … Continue reading Encounters with Chief Kiesno of the Columbia

columbia river, Oregon indians, Uncategorized, Willamette ValleyLeave a comment

Charge it to my Account in the Next World- The Nathaniel Wyeth Venture

David G. Lewis, PhD

Nathaniel Wyeth  was an early American explorer and investor in a salmon fishing and fur trade industry in the Oregon Territory. Wyeth  built as many as four forts in the West, including Fort William on Wappatoo Island (Sauvie Island), Oregon Territory, and Fort Hall on the Lewis River (Snake river)  in what is Idaho today. In 1831 Wyeth, then a young businessman (29 yrs), was being courted by Hall Kelley of Boston to join an expedition to colonize the Oregon Country. Kelley envisioned some 200 persons, many of them women and children would make the overland trip to the Oregon Country. … Continue reading Charge it to my Account in the Next World- The Nathaniel Wyeth Venture

Oregon indians, Uncategorized, Willamette ValleyLeave a comment

Fort Calipuyaw- Willamette Trading Post

David G. Lewis, PhD

Fort Calipuyaw was a trading post erected to hold some 29 people from the Pacific Fur traders. It was erected in 1812 by Alexander Henry and continued to be used by the Pacific Fur Traders until 1814. It was located about 10-15 miles beyond Champoeg near the location of Dayton. Fort Calipuyaw Fort Calipuyaw- 30 miles above the Falls of the Wollamut, Wednesday 8th December. (1813) The Party under Mr. Henry, or which I am a member, reached this place, where buildings are to be erected, On Monday the  29th Novr. It consists of 29 men, Mr. H’s woman and child, … Continue reading Fort Calipuyaw- Willamette Trading Post

Oregon indians, Uncategorized, Willamette Valley1 Comment

Location of the Campement Du Sable

David G. Lewis, PhD

The much-storied Campement du Sable (Sandy Camp) was established originally by Pacific Fur Traders in 1812,  but soon after became the property of the North West Company Fur Traders. Its purpose was primarily for hunting for the Astorians and fur trade with the natives. PFT sold out to NWFC before their property could be taken by the British in the War of 1812.  Later Hudson’s Bay Company utilized the encampment as a port on the Willamette River. The location of this camp is much debated. Various historians have located the camp at Champoeg while others locate this camp at least … Continue reading Location of the Campement Du Sable

colonization, columbia river, General History, Oregon indians, Uncategorized, Willamette Valley5 Comments

Wallace House, The First American Building in the Willamette Valley; and the Taking of Fort Astoria

David G. Lewis, PhD

Fur traders with the Pacific Fur Company, an American company, left Fort Astoria in 1812, 23rd, October (Franchere), for the Willamette Valley to establish a fur trading outpost.  The intent was to establish a fur trading post close to the Kalapuyan tribal villages and form positive relationships with the tribes.  Wallace House was built by William Wallace and Stephen Halsey in December 1812 with the help of fourteen other men included Donald McKenzie (Henry, et al. 1897). Wallace house became the first American building in the Willamette Valley and was occupied until at least 1814. The first information the fur traders had heard … Continue reading Wallace House, The First American Building in the Willamette Valley; and the Taking of Fort Astoria