Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
VANCOUVER BARRACKS
Established in 1849 after the Whitman Massacre in Walla Walla, Vancouver Barracks played an important role in the U.S. Army for over a century.
It was the central command post during the Northwest Indian Wars, and it was a mobilization center during the Spanish-American War and both
World Wars. The site was continuously occupied by the Army and National Guard until 2011, when it was turned over to the National Park Ser-
vice. It is now available to tour under its new name, Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. Take a stroll down the sun-speckled, tree-lined Barnes
Street and McClellan and Hatheway Roads to get a close look at the picturesque brick structures built around the turn of the 20th century.
OFFICERS' ROW
The only complete row of restored Army officers' homes in the nation is at Vancouver's Officers' Row National Historic District. The homes
occupy one side of a tree-shaded street and are now used by local businesses; opposite is spacious
Central Park
—a favorite place for locals to
relax on a sunny day. Find here an old Army cemetery with the graves of around 1,400 soldiers, including four Medal of Honor recipients.
The two most famous buildings on Officers' Row are houses named for General George C. Marshall and President Ulysses S. Grant. The
Mar-
shall House
(1313 Officers' Row, 360/693-3103, 9 A.M.-5 P.M. Mon.-Fri., and on select Saturdays) is open for free tours and has videotapes
describing the fort and Officers' Row. The building is very popular for weddings and other events, so it is often closed to the public on weekends.
Named for the man who authored the famous post-WWII Marshall Plan, it was George C. Marshall's home during his time as commanding officer
at Vancouver Barracks, 1936-1938.
Built in 1849,
The Grant House
is the oldest remaining building on Officer's Row. This stately home was built as the commanding officer's
residence and is now home to
The Restaurant at Historic Reserve
(360/906-1101). While President Grant never actually lived in the house, he
was a frequent visitor during his time as the post's quartermaster in the 1850s.
See
VANCOUVER, USA
PEARSON AIRFIELD
Ever wanted to strap into a genuine flight simulator? The
Pearson Air Museum
(1115 E. 5th St., 360/694-7026,
www.pearsonairmuseum.org
,
10
A.M.-5 P.M. Wed.-Sat., $7 adults, $5 seniors and active duty military with ID, $3 ages 6-12, free for kids under age 6) offers you the chance. The
museum also displays dozens of aircraft and memorabilia from all periods in aviation history. The adjacent Pearson Airfield is one of the oldest
operating fields in the nation; its first landing was a dirigible that floated over from Portland in 1905, and the first plane arrived seven years later.
This was also where the Russian transpolar flight ended in 1937.
