Explore an 1854 lithograph of Fort Vancouver by Gustavus Sohon—capturing early Pacific Northwest history, Hudson’s Bay Company influence, and frontier life.
Category: Local History
Forgotten Portland: The Witch’s Castle
Explore Portland’s Witch’s Castle in Forest Park—its dark past, eerie legends, and the abandoned stone ruins tied to one of Oregon’s earliest crimes.
History of the Clark County Courthouse
Explore the history of the Clark County Courthouse in Vancouver, WA—from its first 1855 building to today’s 1941 landmark and its role in local government.
How did Battle Ground, WA Get its Name?
Discover how Battle Ground, WA got its unusual name from a tense 1855 standoff between settlers, soldiers, and the Klickitat tribe — a “battle” that never actually happened. Explore the fascinating local history behind one of Southwest Washington’s most curious place names.
D.B. Cooper Didn’t Jump from the Plane
In November 1971, a man known only as D.B. Cooper pulled off one of the most daring hijackings in American history. After commandeering a commercial jet, he extorted $200,000 in ransom, then…
Joseph “Bunco” Kelly: Portland’s Notorious Shanghaiier
Discover Joseph “Bunco” Kelly, Portland’s most notorious shanghaiier—his ruthless tactics, Shanghai Tunnels ties, and role in the city’s dark waterfront past.
Vancouver’s Hanging Holiday
Step back into Vancouver’s hanging holiday of 1890, when a public execution of Edward Gallagher drew crowds, tickets, and one of the city’s darkest moments.
Vancouver and the Great Flood of 1894
As the Columbia River continued to rise, so did the destruction of Vancouver, Washington. At first no-one noticed the water rising in town, or didn’t care much, as they weren’t expecting a…
Postcard History of Portland’s Bridges
Explore vintage postcards of Portland bridges—Burnside, Broadway, and Interstate—capturing the city’s rise as “Bridge City.”
Forgotten Portland: Council Crest Amusement Park
Explore Council Crest Amusement Park, Portland’s lost mountaintop attraction (1907–1929), and discover how its legacy lives on today at Council Crest Park, with scenic views, historic charm, and a story of rides, trolley access, and eventual decline.