Before there was an I-5, or any roads at all for that matter, you got to the Puget Sound country from the end of the Oregon Trail (Portland) by way of the Cowlitz Portage. This is how David Denny scouted out the future sight of Seattle before sending for the rest of the Denny Party, who arrived by sail. The Cowlitz Portage was an arduous muddy slog from the Cowlitz River to the little pioneer town of Olympia.
The Woodinville Heritage Society is putting on a free event on the history of the Cowlitz Portage. This, from the event's webpage:
Come hear the story of “The Cowlitz Portage” Overland Adventures with George, Jim, Hank & Ed, of the Hudson’s Bay Company, 1840-1850
This fully illustrated presentation will introduce you to the Cowlitz Portage through the experiences of four travelers. The first being the Hudson’s Bay Company’s North American Governor George Simpson, who traveled the portage in1841. The second traveler was the HBC’s Chief Factor James Douglas who rode it through the snow in 1843. A third was an HBC apprentice clerk named Henry Peers, who made a difficult passage in 1845. And finally, Edward Huggins, our fourth traveler, bested the trail in 1850 as a tenderfoot – but recorded his memories for those of us in the 21st century. The audience will follow all four of these travelers’ trips while moving simultaneously from Fort Vancouver on the Columbia River northward to Fort Nisqually on Puget Sound.
Presented by: Steve Anderson - Pacific NW Historian & former Fort Nisqually Director
August 23rd, Saturday 10-11:30
Brightwater Education Center - Conservation Classroom
22505 WA - 9 (North of Costco)
Woodinville 98072
No Registration Required - Ample Parking - Complimentary Refreshments
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ABOUT THE SEATTLE HISTORY FIELD TRIPS MEETUP
We are amateur historians with an interest in Seattle. Newbies to Seattle are most welcome. Once a quarter, or so, this group organizes a field trip to visit sites which are significant in Seattle's history, and to share what we know about them. In the past we have visited the gravesites of important personages and the locations of famous events. This Meetup is for anyone who has an interest in Seattle's history or who would like to learn more about the founding and growth of Seattle and the surrounding cities, towns, native peoples, highways, dams, natural resources, industries, famous events & dignitaries, famous visitors, etc.
