Fort Dalles
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Fort Dalles | |
|---|---|
| The Dalles, Oregon | |
 The Surgeon’s Quarters of Fort Dalles |
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| Type | Military base |
| Built | 1850 |
| Built by | Major Tucker |
| Construction materials |
wood |
| In use | 1850-1867 |
| Demolished | 1867 |
| Controlled by | United States Army |
| Garrison | 9th Infantry |
| Commanders | George Wright |
Fort Dalles was a United States Army outpost located on the Columbia River at the present site of The Dalles, Oregon, in the United States. Built when Oregon was a territory, the post was used mainly for dealing with wars with Native Americans. The post was first known as Camp and then Fort Drum.[1]
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[edit] Construction
In the fall of 1849 United States Army troops arrived in the new Oregon Territory.[2] This Rifle Regiment established a military base at The Dalles on the Columbia River.[2] Built in 1850, the log fort was constructed under the supervision of Major Tucker.[2] Prior to the arrival of federal troops, the location had been used as a post by the militia of the Oregon Provisional Government under the command of Henry A. G. Lee during the Cayuse War and was named Fort Lee and Fort Wascopam.[3] The post was built at the site of the former Wascopam Mission operated by the Methodist Mission.[3]
New buildings were built from 1856 to 1858 under the direction of the commander Captain Thomas Jordan at a cost of nearly $500,000.[3] In 1858, the log fort was torn down and a new fort was constructed under the command of Colonel George Wright.[2] Wright was in command of the 9th Infantry. The site overlooked an encampment used by Lewis & Clark in October of 1805.[2]
[edit] Operations
During the Yakima Wars Fort Dalles served as operational headquarters for the Army.[4] The garrison had eight companies of troops assigned during this time.[4] After these wars the post was downgraded to a quartermaster’s depot in 1861.[4] A fire burned down the officer’s quarters in 1866.[3] Fort Dalles was then abandoned in 1867.[4]
[edit] Legacy
The Surgeon’s Quarters built during the Yakima Wars still stands and is the home to the Rorick House Museum in The Dalles.[4][1] The Fort Dalles Surgeon's Quarters is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It is considered one of Oregon's finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture.[5]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Main page. Wasco County Historical Society. Retrieved on February 26, 2008.
- ^ a b c d e Horner, John B. (1921). Oregon: Her History, Her Great Men, Her Literature. The J.K. Gill Co.: Portland. p. 122-123
- ^ a b c d Corning, Howard M. Dictionary of Oregon History. Binfords & Mort Publishing, 1956.
- ^ a b c d e The City at The Dalles. Settling the Oregon Country. End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center. Retrieved on 2007-03-05.
- ^ Survey of Historic Sites and Buildings, Fort Dalles, Oregon. Soldier and Brave. National Park Service. Retrieved on 2008-06-10.
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