The “other” Vancouver was actually founded before the big Vancouver in B.C. The Hudson’s Bay Company established Fort Vancouver as its administrative centre and depot for the region stretching from Alaska to California deep into the Rockies. The national park has reconstructed the fort on its original foundations and provides live demonstrations in its carpentry, blacksmithing, and baking workshops.
Supply ships from England only came once a year, so everything had to be planned well in advance. The traders had to make what they couldn’t import enough of so they used a lot of wood and very little metal. The houses and many items of furniture were constructed without nails by using mortar and tenon joints.
Downtown, the Slocum house was built for Charles Slocum in 1877, who opened a general store and supplied provisions to the US Army. Nearby the Slocum House is a monument to Captain George Vancouver and the Salmon Run Bell Tower in a public square that blooms with cherry blossoms in spring.
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