THE WEST SHORE.
Fifteenth Year.
FEBRUARY, 1880.
Nrxiirn 2.
VANCOUVER ON THE COLUMBIA.
PON the north bank of the
great Colombia, and bat
a short distance above the
mouth of the Willamette,
lies the city of Vancouver,
occupying the most beau
tiful and eligible site of
any city in the entire
northwest. Rising in a
gentle slope from the riv-
er s brink, it commands a
view of great extent and
wonderful beauty. To the
south lies the great Wil
lamette valley, between two parallel ranges of moun
tains; to the west the river soon loses its identity
among the wooded hills; to the north stretches a re
gion of timbered upland and forest-clothed hills and
mountains, dominated by the great white mass of
Mount St Helens; but it is to the east the eye turns
with the greatest sense of pleasure, for there, with
the sparkling waters of the broad Columbia in the
foreground, and framed in a massive setting of vcr
dant mountains, the kingly Hood rears his snowy
crown far into the heavens, a sight to fill with admi
ration every soul possessing a spark of love for the
beauties of nature. On a clear day, when the sun has
passed well to the south, so that the shadows cant by
the huge, projecting ridges mark distinctly the deep
canyons and glaciers that scar tho mountain's sides,
the view of Hood obtained by looking up the broad
channel of the Columbia from Vancouver, is the most
striking and enchanting the peak can offer. At no
other point can all the elements of this great picture
be had, and it is worth all the time and trouble neces
sary to obtain this view of Oregon's famous moun
tain. Sitting on the dock, waiting for the steamer, or
promenading on the beautiful parade ground at tho
barrack, with its soft, green carpet, the eyes invol.
untarily turn toward the great gorge of tho Colam-
bia, from which tho great river issues in a mighty
Hood, and fasten themselves upon tho commanding
form of that majestic mountain with sensations of
pleasure that seem uever to loao their xteucy. It is
a scene of which the eyes never weary, aud ono which
can never bo effaced from tho mental canvas of ono
who has beheld it
Vancouver dates its birth from tho first quarter
of the century, and was for years tho commercial
center of tho entiro region from California to Alaska
and from tho Pacific ocean to tho summit ridges of
tho Kocky mountains. In 182.1 tho headquarters of
the great Hudson's Hay Company, which had former
ly been at Astoria-called Fort (leorgo by tho com.
pany and other Rritiah subjects -wero established at
this point, and wero given tho namo of that celebrat
ed English explorer, Captain (leorgo Vancouver, ono
of whoso lieutenants had ascended tho river in a lxat
as far as this placo soon after tho discovery of tho
river by Captain Oray, in ll'Jt Thero wero Itnpor
tant reasons for this change of headquarters by tho
great fur company. All tho routes of tho company's
employes from the various trapping grounds to tho
north, south and eat converged at tho mouth of tho
Willamette, near which, of course, should bo tho
great central station and supply point Ad extra
day's travel was necessary to reach tho mouth of tho
river, ami the vessel which came annually with sup
plies and to carry away a cargo of tho accumulated
furs, could ascend tho stream and lio in safety along
the bank of tho river in front of tho fort Wul-
this, hay, grain and vegetables could bo produced to
Utter advantage For years Vancouver was tho hub
of Oregon, a namo far moro coinprchensivo ii tho)
days than now, and so remained until tho settlement
of tho Willamette valley by Americans raised up suc
cessful rivals. With interests , antagonistic to tho
great fur company, tho settlers fouuo commercial
centers of their own on tho Oregon side of thfl Col.
umbia river, both below tho mouth of tho Willam.