Attachment_7_Historic_Structures_Report,_Part_1.pdf

HISTORIC STRUCTURES REPORT

PART 1: HISTORIC BACKGROUND & CONTEXT

VANCOUVER BARRACKS, EAST BARRACKS

VANCOUVER NATIONAL HISTORIC RESERVE

Lithograph of Fort Vancouver dated 1854 by Gustav Sohon

[Courtesy Fort Vancouver National Historic Site]

Prepared for National Park Service Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

Vancouver, Washington

Katheryn H. Krafft/Chapin K. Krafft Krafft & Krafft Architecture/CRM Pablo Pizarro/David Leavengood

Leavengood Architects

August 2010

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Executive Summary 3 Administrative Data 4 FIGURE 1: East Barracks Map – Area of Study 5

Project Methodology 6

EAST BARRACKS - DEVELOPMENTAL HISTORY

Historical Background and Context 9 Chronology of Development and Use 16 Physical Description 22 TABLE 1: East Barracks HSR Master List 24 Design Elements and Character-Defining Features 25

PHYSICAL HISTORY- INVENTORY REPORTS 29

Building 410 CCC Automotive Repair Shop Building 704 CCC Inspectors Office Building 721 Gymnasium Building 722 Mess Hall/ Tailor Shop Building 725 Mess Hall/Post Exchange Restaurant Building 728 Finance Office Building 733 Hospital Storehouse Building 746 Barracks Building 748 Motor Repair Shop Building 752 Quartermaster Storehouse Building 753 Quartermaster Storehouse Building 754 Quartermaster Storehouse Building 786 Quartermaster Work Shops Building 987 Double Infantry Barracks Building 989 Double Infantry Barracks Building 991 Administration Building Building 993 Double Infantry Barracks

BIBLIOGRAPHY

APPENDIX

A. Historic Maps B. Glossary

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Executive Summary

This limited Historic Structures Report - Part I describes seventeen historic buildings located within the East Barracks area of Vancouver Barracks that are slated for transfer from the U.S. Army to the National Park Service – Fort Vancouver National Historic Site (NPS/FOVA). These buildings were constructed between 1904 and 1941 and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places as contributing resources within the Vancouver National Historic Reserve Historic District. Information included in the report is based on field examination that occurred during early December 2009 and late January/early February 2010. The level of documentary and physical investigation was “limited” as defined by NPS – Denver Work Center definitions. Data Collection and documentary research was limited; historic records and maps regarding the East Barracks were primarily obtained via digital and photocopy files provided by staff at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, Vancouver, Washington.

Individual physical history inventory reports were prepared for each building in order to identify character-defining features and key interior spaces and their sensitivity to potential changes. Each report includes a building chronology and historic photographs, relevant historic records and floor plans, and current photographs. Annotated floor plans (using the most current floor plan available) are included that identify the degree of preservation or alteration of primary and secondary spaces within each building.

This study is intended to serve as a planning tool to support the transfer of these properties to the NPS and to plan for their future reuse and preservation. The primary objective of this study is to provide guidance during the planning phase for the reuse and rehabilitation of the subject buildings. All of the buildings exhibit good physical integrity and generally intact historic architectural features and historic building fabric on the exterior; however, some buildings are in a deteriorated condition or a few buildings exhibit exterior alterations that post-date the period of significance. Many of the buildings have been modernized and retain limited historic architectural features, historic building fabric or intact primary spaces on the interior. Highly distinctive intact interior spaces and historic building fabric remain in place in Building 721 (Gymnasium), Building 989 and Building 993 (Double Infantry Barracks). Significant interior alterations have been made to Building 987 (Double Infantry Barracks) and Building 989 (Double Infantry Barracks); however, both buildings retain some intact interior spaces and exhibit some distinctive interior building fabric. Two of the more utilitarian service buildings, Building 752 (Quartermaster Storehouse) and Building 748 (Motor Repair Shop) exhibit generally intact unfinished interior spaces and historic building fabric. In some cases distinctive historic building fabric has been concealed and could be restored (Building 991 Administration Building).

While this study did not involve detailed condition assessments, an effort was made to identify any gross deficiencies, conditions that require prompt attention, or serious deterioration of character-defining features. The field examination team did not identify any gross deficiencies, conditions that would require immediate intervention or character-defining features considered to be in a severe state of deterioration.

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Administrative Data

The subject of this study is the East Barracks area of Vancouver Barracks, which is part of the Vancouver National Historic Reserve located in Vancouver, Washington. [See Figure 1 – Area of Study] In 2011, the U.S. Army Reserve will vacate and relinquish all lands and structures within the East and South Barracks to the National Park Service. In preparation for this transfer, the NPS is preparing a master plan for this area that will respond to the planning framework already established for Fort Vancouver national Historic Site, establish a more focused direction for this area, and lay the groundwork for future site design and development. Over the years, there have been other plans, such as the Cooperative Management Plan (2000), General Management Plan (2004), Long- Range Interpretive Plan (2004) and the Historic Reserve Cultural Landscape Report (2005), that have established direction for the future rehabilitation, resource preservation, and public use of the East and South Barracks.

This project entailed the preparation of a limited Historic Structures Report - Part I (Development History) for 17 historic buildings located within the East Barracks area that are slated for transfer from the U.S. Army to the NPS/FOVA. These buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places as contributing resources within the Vancouver National Historic Reserve Historic District.1 The information included in this study will provide a valuable and necessary planning tool to support the transfer of the subject properties to the NPS and to plan for their future reuse and preservation. The primary objective of this study is to provide guidance during the planning phase for the reuse and rehabilitation of the subject buildings. Although Building 733 and Building 746 are currently listed as contributing properties within the Vancouver National Historic Reserve Historic District, the research undertaken for this Historic Structures Report indicates that they were moved in the early 1950s, which was not fully realized at the time of completion of the District nomination. The NPS is currently considering how this new information will affect the NRHP eligibility of these buildings. For purposes of this report, the assumption was made that each of the buildings is a contributing resource to the District.

The information herein will be used to test the feasibility of various reuse scenarios, assessing the potential impact of different contemplated uses, and will ultimately be used to guide future rehabilitation work. It is anticipated that the balance of information typically included in a full Historic Structures Report - including a condition assessment report and recommendations for preservation treatment - will be prepared at a later date in advance of building rehabilitation after specific reuse scenarios have been identified by project proponents or NPS. While this study did not involve condition assessments of the

1 The Vancouver National Historic Reserve Historic District is a 252.1 acre cultural landscape that reflects continuous layers of use, construction, removal and reconstruction by various inhabitants of the area from Native Americans, to the Hudson’s Bay Company, the U.S. Army and the National Park Service. The period of significance of the District is 500BC-1966 AD. The East Barracks area is located in one of four character areas identified in the NRHP Registration Form, the U.S. Army Vancouver Barracks Era, which has a period of significance identified as 1849-1946.

Pablo Pizarro

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17 subject buildings, an effort was made to identify any gross deficiencies, conditions that require prompt attention, or serious deterioration of character-defining features.

This report was prepared under the guidance and direction of Ray Cozby, Project Manager, NPS/PWR Facility Management, Vancouver, WA and Carey Feierabend, NPS Planning & Project Management, San Francisco, CA. On-site access and assistance was provided by Bill Palfy, Area Facility Operations (Fort Lewis, WA) and Bill Schell, Army Reserve Installation Management. NPS staff members at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site were very gracious in providing digital and photocopy files of historic records and maps regarding the East Barracks. The 100% draft Historic Structures Report

- Part I (Development History) shall be reviewed by the National Park Service in May- June 2010 and the final report will be submitted in August 2010.

Project Methodology

In order to prepare the Historic Structures Report Part I: Historic Background and Context for Vancouver Barracks – East Barracks, Vancouver National Historic Reserve a formal methodology memorandum was presented to and approved by the NPS. The adopted methodology was intended to maximize the ability of the project team to accomplish the project tasks in an efficient, thorough and timely manner and to provide a complete and accurate draft and final report. It was agreed that the level of documentary and physical investigation would be “limited” as defined by the National Park Service (NPS) – Denver Work Center definitions and as further clarified below.

Data Collection and documentary research was “limited” and conducted according to the following NPS definition: Research in available published sources, usually of a secondary character.2 Furthermore, the NPS agreed to locate and provide electronic or high-quality photocopies of all relevant historic records regarding the subject buildings3.

Historic records and maps regarding the East Barracks were primarily obtained via digital and photocopy files provided by staff at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, Vancouver, Washington. Historical information contained in the final report was primarily obtained from the Vancouver National Historic Reserve Historic District NRHP Form and the Historic Structures Report Part I: Historic Background and Context previously prepared in 2002 for Vancouver Barracks –West Barracks, Vancouver National Historic Reserve. The team architectural historian conducted very limited on-site research using primary records provided by U.S. Army and/or NPS. Citations for historic documents and photographs refer to the source or repository from which copies were obtained for use in this report. In most cases, these were duplicates of original records belonging to the U.S. Army that are not currently available.

Field examination was undertaken in two phases. The initial field examination occurred in early December 2009. The field examination team met with the appropriate on-site

2 Per NPS – Denver Service Center Workflows Design and Construction Definitions website [http://workflow.den.nps.gov/9_Glossary/glossary_l.htm] 3 Draft (partially complete) Inventory Reports regarding Building #721 and #991 were provided by NPS.

- 7 -representatives and determined the most efficient approach and coordination regarding access to the subject buildings. Field notes and digital exterior and interior photographs for each building were taken. Specific information regarding the presence of exterior and interior character-defining features was recorded and copies of current and/or historic floor plans were annotated. No field measurement verifications were made.

A second phase of field examination occurred in late January/early February 2010. Based on review of historical records and the findings of the initial examination, the team confirmed and verified those specific features to be identified for each of the subject buildings in the draft and final reports. No destructive testing or extensive concealed item investigations were undertaken. Some concealed historic building fabric and features (i.e.

pressed metal ceilings, steel columns, etc.) that could be easily examined were identified and photographed. There was limited field examination of attic areas as they are unlikely to possess character-defining features. Some spaces were locked and not accessible to the field examination team. The field examination team did not identify any gross deficiencies, conditions that would require immediate intervention or character-defining features considered to be in a severe state of deterioration.

A sample Physical History Inventory Report was prepared by the project architectural historian and project architect and reviewed and approved by NPS. The 100% Draft HSR, the final report and the individual inventory reports included herein are modeled on the Historic Structures Report Part I: Historic Background and Context previously prepared for Vancouver Barracks –West Barracks, Vancouver National Historic Reserve. The current report is supplementary to that report and incorporates historic contextual information drawn from that report. It is intended to be a limited stand-alone report that includes sufficient historical background, contextual information and a discussion of character-defining features and key interior spaces specific to each of the historic properties within the East Barracks area.

Inventory Reports:

The individual inventory reports include a building chronology that describes known physical changes over time. This information is primarily based on Vancouver Barracks Quartermaster General Forms, which were updated by the U.S. Army regarding routine maintenance on an annual basis and included historic photographs. The building chronologies focus most specifically on alterations that may have impacted the original building exterior and/or other character-defining features. The inventory reports also include a section that identifies specific character-defining/significant features. This section is intended to guide future decision-makers and any actions related to the rehabilitation and/or adaptive use of each building. Established NPS terminology was used to identify priorities for the potential treatment of both exterior and interior historic building fabric and significant intact architectural features and spaces. The inventory reports identify exterior and interior character-defining/significant features according to the following terms and definitions:

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EXTERIOR ELEMENTS - HIGHLY SENSITIVE TO ALTERATION:

Listed here are the highly significant exterior features of the building. Most often they are the original or matching historic building fabric or design elements. The form (the overall three-dimensional shape) of the building and the shape of the roof are examples of highly sensitive features; if such a feature were to be altered during rehabilitation work the historic and/or architectural character of the building would be significantly impacted.

EXTERIOR ELEMENTS – LESS SENSITIVE TO ALTERATION:

Listed here are the less significant exterior features of the building. Most often these features have been added after the period of significance; however they may not diminish the historic and/or architectural character of the building. Modern asphalt/composition shingle roofing is an example of a less significant feature. While modern roofing materials may not detract from the established character of the building this feature is not original and does not match the traditional cedar shingle or slate roofing; thus, if altered during rehabilitation work the historic and architectural character of the building would not be significantly impacted.

INTERIOR ELEMENTS - HIGHLY SENSITIVE TO ALTERATION:

Listed here are the highly significant interior features of the building. Most often they are the original or matching historic building fabric or design elements. Original stairwells and railings, pressed metal ceilings, and woodwork are examples of highly sensitive features. Original primary room (i.e. foyer, corridor, meeting room, auditorium) configurations and volumes can also be considered highly significant interior features. If such a feature were to be altered during rehabilitation work the historic and/or architectural character of the building could be significantly impacted.

INTERIOR ELEMENTS – LESS SENSITIVE TO ALTERATION:

Listed here are the less significant interior features of the building. Most often these features have been added after the period of significance and diminish the historic and/or architectural character of the building. Modern interior partitions and finishes (including dropped ceilings, steel doors and carpeting) are examples of less significant features.

Original secondary room (i.e. boiler room, restroom) configurations and volumes that may remain partially intact can also be considered less significant interior features. If such features are altered during rehabilitation and adaptive use work the overall character of the building would not be significantly impacted.

Annotated Floor Plans:

The individual inventory reports also include an Annotated Floor Plan. These plans use the most current floor plans available for each floor level of each building; however, the base plan information may not accurately depict current interior partitions or features.4 The plans are only intended to identify the current degree of preservation or alteration of primary and secondary spaces within each building. The definitions of primary and secondary spaces are based on the following NPS terminology included in Preservation

4 As-built documentation is not part of the scope of work for this report.

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Brief 18 – Rehabilitating Interiors in Historic Buildings: Identifying and Preserving Character-Defining Elements.5

Primary spaces, are found in all buildings, both monumental and modest. Examples may include foyers, corridors, elevator lobbies, assembly rooms, stairhalls, and parlors. Often they are the places in the building that the public uses and sees; sometimes they are the most architecturally detailed spaces in the building, carefully proportioned and finished with costly materials. They may be functionally and architecturally related to the building's external appearance. In a simpler building, a primary space may be distinguishable only by its location, size, proportions, or use. Primary spaces are always important to the character of the building and should be preserved.

Secondary spaces are generally more utilitarian in appearance and size than primary spaces. They may include areas and rooms that service the building, such as bathrooms, and kitchens. Examples of secondary spaces in a commercial or office structure may include storerooms, service corridors, and in some cases, the offices themselves.

Secondary spaces tend to be of less importance to the building and may accept greater change in the course of work without compromising the building's historic character.

Historic Alterations:

The subject buildings exhibit a variety of alterations, some of which may have been made during the period of significance. However, many of the alterations post-date the period of significance and are considered non-historic; these alterations do not possess architectural or historic merit and/or they impact secondary or utilitarian spaces. Non-historic alterations that directly impact the visual appearance of exterior and/or interior features of significance, distinctive historic building fabric or primary interior spaces are considered to be intrusive and are generally identified as less sensitive to further alteration and additional change. Interior and/or exterior alterations that appear to have been made during the period of significance are likely to possess architectural and/or historic merit and are generally identified as sensitive to further alteration and any additional change. It is assumed that all future work affecting the building exteriors and/or the primary interior spaces (including those spaces that possess intact historic features and building fabric as well as those primary spaces that may have been previously altered to some degree) shall be undertaken according to The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.

EAST BARRACKS - DEVELOPMENTAL HISTORY

Historical Background and Context

The East Barracks is the name applied to a geographic portion of Vancouver Barracks located to the east of McLoughlin Road, an historic roadway that came to define the west

5 The terms “intact” and “altered” are used to describe the current condition. Intact spaces generally retain historic dimensional proportions, spatial volumes and historic building fabric. Altered spaces do not retain or exhibit these characteristics.

- 10 -end of the parade ground. The East Barracks is one of several defined historic sub-areas within the former military reservation along with the West Barracks, Officer’s Row and the former Quartermaster’s Depot. The identification of this area as the East Barracks appears to date to the initial construction in the 1880s of a series of wood-frame single Infantry Barracks to the southwest and south sides of the west end of the parade ground; four of the barracks were located to the east of McLoughlin Road. The layout of the post from its earliest establishment in 1849 was defined by the parade ground, a former Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) agricultural field. A linear east-west group of log and frame buildings was constructed in 1850 along its northern edge that established Officer’s Row and the essential pattern for the subsequent development and expansion of the reservation.

From the outset of the post, service buildings were primarily located to south of the parade ground and closer to the Quartermaster’s Depot, the former Fort Vancouver Depot adjacent to the Columbia River. Thus, by the 1880s the East Barracks area included several soldier’s barracks, administrative offices and storage/service buildings while the West Barracks was defined by hospital services and Officer’s Row was dominated by distinctive residences.

The layout of the post followed a basic post layout used throughout the American West.

While the earliest extant buildings within the East Barracks date from a subsequent early twentieth century period of development, all of the buildings within the East Barracks reflect the broad patterns of historic use and development of the reservation.

At present, the extant buildings originally constructed in the East Barracks include three former Double Infantry Barracks buildings, two former mess halls, one large administrative building, two smaller office buildings, a gymnasium building as well as six service and/or storage buildings. Two additional extant historic buildings (a former hospital storehouse and a former Emergency Barracks) were relocated to the East Barracks from the West Barracks due to freeway and bridge construction in the 1950s. Among the East Barracks buildings are two buildings constructed during the Civilian Conservation Corps era and two buildings constructed during the World War II era. The following is a brief discussion intended to provide a brief history of the developmental eras of Vancouver Barracks and place the East Barracks within that broader context.

Hudson’s Bay Company Fort Vancouver Era (1824-1860)

Prior to the establishment of Fort Vancouver, the Portland/Vancouver basin is believed to have contained one of the densest populations of American Indians to the north of Mexico.

There was a resident population of approximately 4-5,000 Chinookan people, which during the spring salmon runs swelled to nearly 10,000. This seasonal population brought together native peoples from throughout the region who established marriage and other kinship ties and shared in an abundance of fish, game, bulbs, roots and other natural resources.

By late 1824 Euro-American activities in the vicinity of Fort Vancouver had began as the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) built the initial Fort Vancouver on a bluff about a mile north of the Columbia River. Fort Vancouver rapidly became the HBC administrative center and supply depot for the region. However, the original fort site proved to be impractical and in early 1829 the fort and stockade location was moved closer to the

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Columbia River providing easier and more efficient access to the Columbia River, the company wharf and supply depots. While established as a fur trading center the HBC fort grew to include agricultural enterprises, lumber manufacture and a host of productive crafts. In the 1830s, Fort Vancouver became the initial destination of missionaries and American settlers, all of whom received material assistance from the HBC in the form of agricultural tools, seed and livestock. The fort grew to employ hundreds of people and the HBC Village located to the SW of the stockade complex was home to many different nationalities. It is believed to have been the largest Euro-American settlement on the Pacific Coast to the north of Spanish California until c.1845.

Official religious services offered by Catholic priests began to be held at the fort in 1838.

As part of their duties, the priests and nuns established a cemetery located a short distance to the northwest of the fort/stockade, the first burial there was recorded in January 1839.

[This was the second HBC cemetery; an earlier cemetery was located further east.] The cemetery was located to the east side of north-south running road that was known as McLoughlin Road. In c.1844 the HBC offered the priests a tract of land southwest of the cemetery where they constructed c.1845-46 a new Catholic church known as St. James Mission. Between 1839 and 1856, 208 burials in the nearby cemetery were documented by the priests. An east-west road, known as Upper Mill Road passed in front of the mission church. The uphill area to the north and land area to the east of the cemetery were grasslands and scattered HBC pasture areas.

U.S. Military Fort Vancouver - Vancouver Barracks Eras (1849-1941)

Hudson’s Bay Company Fort Vancouver and Chief Factor Dr. John McLoughlin were instrumental in aiding American settlers drawn to the Willamette Valley. As a result of the degree of Euro-American settlement in the region, the United States and Great Britain entered into the Treaty of 1846. The treaty established the northern U.S. boundary at the 49th parallel and the U.S. Congress recognized its responsibilities to protect settlers in the new territories. On January 29, 1848 the Secretary of War authorized the creation of an American military establishment in the Oregon Territory and a ten square mile reserve was set aside at Fort Vancouver for this purpose.

Vancouver Barracks – initially established in 1849 and known as Camp Vancouver and Camp Columbia – was the principal U.S. military establishment in the Pacific Northwest region until World War I. It was originally established to protect increasing numbers of American settlers from hostile native people and to support the United States occupation of the Oregon Territory. During the summer of 1849, the U.S. troops camped in tents on high ground above the HBC Fort and cemetery; there they began to construct log buildings for more permanent shelter. The military also used buildings/structures rented from HBC. In May 1850, the U.S. government entered into a formal agreement with HBC for the use of an eight-acre field !-mile north of the HBC stockade. Local carpenters constructed twenty-six buildings, including log and frame structures for officers and two, two-story log barracks. The officer’s housing was laid out in an east-west linear fashion (Officer’s Row) along the north side of the field and the soldier’s barracks were located at opposite ends of the field. The arrangement of these buildings established the basic footprint of the parade

- 12 -ground. Additional buildings that became part of the Quartermaster’s Depot were constructed in the vicinity of the HBC Village and near the Columbia River.

In October 1850 the U.S. Army formally proclaimed establishment of a reduced (four square mile) military reservation that included the HBC stockade as well other land and improvements to the east and west. The post was given the title of “Columbia Barracks.”

By 1854, various temporary military buildings had been repaired or rebuilt. A scattered collection of small log buildings appear to have been located to the east of the HBC cemetery and south of the parade ground. This area is the antecedent of the current East Barracks.

Beginning in 1856 what had been an amicable relationship between the HBC and U.S.

Army began to deteriorate, as the military took greater control of HBC lands. By 1860, the HBC ceased commercial operations on the Columbia and moved to their headquarters in Victoria, British Columbia. The U.S. Army subsequently consolidated the property and established the 640-acre Fort Vancouver Military Reservation.

As the U.S. Army began to take control of the HBC site, the Catholic Church relinquished any claims to the cemetery area by c.1856. The surface features of the HBC cemetery – including wooden markers and fences - were gradually removed or burnt as firewood.

Some of the graves may have been moved to a new U.S. Army cemetery at the northwest edge of the military reservation. U.S. Army buildings were gradually built on the sites of the HBC cemetery and St. James Mission. A map of Vancouver Barracks dated June 1892 [prepared by Maj. Tulley McCrea] indicates that the former HBC cemetery area was primarily an Oak grove with only a few buildings (including the 1880’s era chapel and an infantry barracks located to the south of the parade ground and east of McLoughlin Drive.

From 1849 until 1881, Columbia Barracks (renamed Fort Vancouver in 1853) served as the U.S. Army’s staging area for various minor and major conflicts with natives peoples in the region. The last major Indian Wars campaign occurred in the summer of 1878. Numerous Army officers who played important roles in the Civil War and the Indian Wars were trained and served at the fort. Vancouver Barracks also played an important role in several explorations and surveys of the Pacific Northwest during this period.

There is little documentation regarding post construction during the intervening years from 1854 until 1874. A map prepared in 1874 (by Lt. F.K. Ward) shows that the fort included a formal parade defined by an established road system. Wood-frame and log Officers Quarters were located along both the north and the NW sides of the parade ground and wood-frame soldiers barracks appear to remain located at both the west and east ends of the parade ground. An arsenal area had been established to the east of the parade ground. The Vancouver Depot and the wharf facilities were located to the SW adjacent to the Columbia River. The site of the HBC stockade and gardens was in use as pasture land. The HBC cemetery had been abandoned and the Fort Vancouver Cemetery established to the west of the parade ground. The area to the SW side of the parade ground (including former HBC cemetery) was occupied by several buildings of undetermined use. Administrative buildings appear to have been added along the south side of the parade ground: this may be

- 13 -indicative of an expanding administrative role in the region. In 1879 the U.S. Army Department of Columbia was relocated from Portland to Fort Vancouver and the military post became known as Vancouver Barracks.

Congress authorized work at the fort in 1883; thus, a major period of relocation and building construction occurred in the 1880s as substantial improvements at Vancouver Barracks were undertaken. Many new post buildings were constructed and older buildings were relocated or demolished. In 1884 a new Post Hospital was constructed near western boundary of Vancouver Barracks. This established the West Barracks area of the post as a medical services sub-area. In 1886, additional infantry units were stationed at the post;

thus, several new wood-frame single Infantry Barracks were constructed to the SW and south of the parade ground (within West and East Barracks areas that are divided by McLoughlin Road) and additional Officers Quarters were constructed at north side (Officer’s Row) of parade ground. By 1892, additional administrative buildings and a chapel were located along the south side of the parade ground. An angled service road (now known as Alvord Road) was in place that connected a Quartermaster’s service yard area - situated within the East Barracks area – and McLoughlin Road. The post canteen and commissary were also situated within the East Barracks area. [See Appendix A – Map 1 & 2]

During the Spanish American War in 1898 and 1899 Vancouver Barracks served as a mobilization and training center for Oregon and Washington volunteers and there was a sweeping reorganization of the U.S. Army. Higher standards of military professionalism were sought and a more standardized system of architectural design and construction materials for U.S. Army facilities nationwide was adopted. During the following decade numerous modern wood-frame and brick masonry medical, administrative, barracks and service buildings were constructed within the West and East Barracks areas.

According to a 1902 annual report, two field artillery batteries were living in tents and the remainder of the battery occupied old cavalry barracks. By this time Vancouver Barracks had become a permanent station for field artillery and the force stationed at the fort included 2,000 men, 450 horses and 12 pieces of artillery. Many of the barracks at the fort were old and inadequate. The initial modern construction efforts were completed in 1904 as a new Post Hospital (Building 614) replaced the 1884 hospital and a new Double Artillery Barracks (Building 638) was constructed at West Barracks. Two large new Double Infantry Barracks (Building 95/989 and Building 91/997, now demolished) were constructed at southern edge of parade ground to the north of the line of older barracks buildings in the East Barracks area. As the new Infantry Barracks buildings were completed some of the older barracks facilities were removed.

A Vancouver Barracks map prepared in March 1904 (corrected July 1904) shows the recently completed Double Infantry Barracks and planning for the construction of the Band Barracks (Building 105/1064, demolished), Administration Building and Gymnasium. The map clearly shows the established Post Exchange and the Quartermaster’s service yard that were situated to the south of the still-remaining older single Infantry Barracks. [See Appendix A – Map 3 & 4]

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In 1905, a modern Gymnasium (Building 721) and Administration Building/Post Headquarters (Building 991) and the Band Barracks (Building 105/1064, demolished) were constructed in the East Barracks area. The former Post Headquarters building (Building 38) located among the older barracks was removed. During 1905-1906 the Quartermaster service yard was improved by the addition of a Quartermaster Storehouse (Building 752) and the Quartermaster Work Shops (Building 786).

A map of Vancouver Barracks initially prepared in May 1904 (and corrected Nov. 1905 & March 1906) shows the recently completed Gymnasium, Administration Building, Quartermaster Storehouse and Work Shops. It also shows planning for the construction of two additional Double Infantry Barracks buildings at the south side of the parade ground and a proposed board fence as an enclosure around the established Quartermaster service yard area. [See Appendix A – Map 5 & 6]

During 1906-1907, a second set of Double Infantry Barracks (Building 987 and Building

993) were constructed adjacent to the existing set of Double Infantry Barracks within the East Barracks area. The building plans and construction materials for the barracks were virtually identical to the earlier construction; however, there were some minor changes in fenestration, most notably the absence of Palladian windows at the attic level. In 1909, the Quartermaster service yard area was improved to include the Quartermaster Shops/Machine Shop (Building 754) a unique concrete service building.

In 1913, the Department of the Columbia was abolished and Vancouver Barracks became headquarters of the Seventh Brigade reporting to Third Division headquarters in San Francisco, California. In 1914, Camp Lewis was established at American Lake near Tacoma, Washington and soon became the foremost Army installation in the Pacific Northwest region. During this period, six new Mess Houses were constructed at the post including Mess Hall (Building 722) and Mess Hall (Building 725), Mess Mall (Building 163/727, demolished), Mess Mall (Building 162/713, demolished) located within the East Barracks area. [See Appendix A – Map 7 & 8]

During World War I Vancouver Barracks served as a recruiting station; however, its principal role was as an airplane-materials manufacturing center under the direction of the Spruce Division of the Army Signal Corps. This was an unusual alliance between Pacific Northwest lumber companies and the U.S. military, which provided necessary lumber for airplane manufacturing and facilitated the expansion of the lumber industry. In early 1918, the Cut-up Plant was constructed near the site of the HBC stockade; it was operated by Spruce Division soldiers and included several drying kilns and drying sheds. Thousands of tents and support facilities were also erected around the mill area. A cantonment was also constructed to the north of Officer’s Row to house members of the Spruce Division and rail spur lines were built.

During the post-war era a Motor Repair Shop (Building 748) was constructed at East Barracks. In the 1920s Vancouver Barracks became the site of a Civilian Military Training Camp located to the north of Officer’s Row. By 1923, an aircraft training field for the U.S.

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Air Service had been established on site of former Spruce Mill. In 1925, the airfield was named Pearson Field; operated as an intermediate field within larger framework of the Army Air Corps. It also served as a maintenance and hanger facility, where mail service planes were stored.

Civilian Conservation Corps at Vancouver Barracks (1933-1942)

Vancouver Barracks served as the district headquarters for the Ninth Corps of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and played an important role in the enrollment, training and supply of a network of CCC camps in the Pacific Northwest. Between 1935 and 1939, twenty-one modest buildings had been constructed at Vancouver Barracks to house CCC activities and personnel. The great majority of the CCC buildings were located south of the Evergreen Highway (now East 5th Street) near the west end of the former Spruce Mill site and near the former HBC and Quartermaster’s depot locations. [See Appendix A – Map 9 & 10] However, one CCC building that was built in 1935 – the CCC Inspectors Office (Building 704) - was located near the Administration Building/Post Headquarters Building (Building 991) within the East Barracks. A second extant CCC building that was also constructed in 1935 is the CCC Automotive Repair Shop (Building 410); it is located on the south side of East 5th Street immediately adjacent to south of the Quartermaster’s service yard. Most of the CCC buildings appear to have been retained and used during WWII. With the exception of the two extant CCC buildings reference above, all of the other CCC buildings were removed by the U.S. Army at an unknown date sometime prior to 1963.

World War II Era to present

After December 1941 Vancouver Barracks came under the control of the ninth Service Command headquartered at Fort Douglas in Salt Lake City, Utah. The post subsequently served as a staging area for the Portland Subport of Embarkation and as a training center.

As the war progressed, the garrison size increased dramatically. In order to accommodate troops traveling to and from the Pacific theater, it became necessary to construct temporary barracks. Thus, late in the summer of 1942 Camp Hathaway was constructed near the far north end of the reservation where open land area was available. Only a few additional buildings appear to have been constructed within the West and East Barracks during this era. An Emergency Barracks (Building 746) was constructed in 1940 a short distance to the SW of Post Hospital (Building 614) within the West Barracks [it was subsequently relocated to East Barracks] and a Finance Office (Building 728) was constructed in 1941 within the East Barracks and in relatively close proximity to the Administration Building/Post Headquarters (Building 991). [See Appendix A – Map 11 & 12] Older East Barracks buildings were adapted to new uses during this era; the Gymnasium (Building

721) began to be used as a cafeteria, a former Mess Hall (Building 722) that had been adapted to a restaurant c.1931 was adapted to a Red Cross Office and a former Mess Hall (Building 725) became a tailor shop.

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In January 1946 Vancouver Barracks was declared “surplus” by U.S. Army and slated for disposal. A last minute reprieve reactivated 84+ acres of the post as a center for reserve training for Pacific Northwest. Pearson Airfield was acquired by City of Vancouver for use as a municipal airfield. In 1948 an Act of Congress authorized the Fort Vancouver National Historic Monument, which was re-designated as a National Historic Site in 1961.6

In 1950, interior portions of two Double Infantry Barracks (Building 987 & Building

989) were extensively altered and remodeled in order to adapt them for administrative and training purposes as part of the USAR (U.S. Army Reserve) headquarters and training facility. In 1958, Vancouver Barracks became a satellite of Fort Lewis, Washington and was maintained by a detachment from that post. During this period several buildings that had been located to the west of the Post Hospital (Building 614) were relocated due to the construction of a new Highway 99 segment (now Interstate 5) associated with the expanded Columbia River Interstate Bridge project. Relocated buildings included Hospital Storehouse/Medical Detachment Barracks (Building 733) originally built in 1919 and an Emergency Barracks (Building 746) originally built in 1940. Both of these buildings were moved to new locations within the East Barracks and adapted to new uses. [See Appendix A – Map 13]

In 1986, the U.S. General Services Administration deeded Officer’s Row to the City of Vancouver, to be preserved as an historic district. The buildings underwent a two year rehabilitation project and were adapted to commercial and modern residential uses. In the summer of 2004, the West Barracks area was acquired by the City of Vancouver. The Vancouver National Historic Reserve Historic District was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2006. The Vancouver National Historic Reserve partners including the City of Vancouver, National Parks Service, State of Washington, U.S. Army and the Vancouver National Historic Reserve Trust are currently working with private sector partners to rehabilitate 16 historic buildings on the West Barracks for a variety of uses, from education and the arts to recreation and hospitality. The U.S. Army Reserve intends to relinquish the East and South Vancouver Barracks to Fort Vancouver National Historic Site (FOVA) in 2011.

Chronology of Development and Use

1824 Euro-American activities in the vicinity of Fort Vancouver began; the

Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) built the initial Fort Vancouver on a bluff to the north and east of the present site.

1829 Fort Vancouver became the HBC administrative center and supply depot for the region; fort location moved closer to the Columbia River for easier access to company wharf [This is the present location of the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site.]

6 As early as 1915, the War Department designated the portion of Vancouver Barracks that encompassed the site of the HBC fort as a national monument under the Antiquities Act. However, no federal actions were taken to preserve or restore the area until 1948.

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1840-1846 Increasing Euro-American migration and settlement in Oregon country

1846 Treaty between the United States and Great Britain established the northern boundary of the U.S. at the 49th parallel. [This is the present U.S. - Canadian border, a significant distance north of the mouth of the Columbia River and Fort Vancouver.]

1846 U.S. Congress authorized military establishments for regiments of

“mounted riflemen” in order to protect immigrants on the Oregon Trail and the increasing number of settlers in the Willamette Valley.

1848 The Secretary of War selected Fort Vancouver as the location of the first

U.S. military post initially known as Camp Vancouver (and Camp Columbia)

1849 U.S. Army arrived at Camp Vancouver having traveled by ship via Cape

Horn and/or across the Isthmus of Panama. The Army occupied a portion of lands claimed by HBC. Initial improvements were constructed along perimeter of agricultural lands leased from HBC on higher river terrace north of HBC stockade. The earliest buildings were both log and frame construction situated in an east-west linear fashion along the northern edge of the parcel and established a pattern for future development of the reservation.

1850 Camp Vancouver became known as Columbia Barracks

1853 The U.S military post became known as Fort Vancouver

1854 Fort Vancouver military reservation mapped by J.K. Mansfield. Reservation included a parade ground; nine log Officers Quarters were located at the north side of the parade ground and log Soldiers Barracks were located at both the west and east ends of the parade ground. Numerous other frame and log buildings were part of the post. An established HBC cemetery and a Catholic Church were located to the SW of the parade ground.

1854 Lithograph of Fort Vancouver (by Gustav Sohan) shows Officer’s Row, parade ground, old HBC cemetery, St. James Mission, gardens, orchards and HBC fort/stockade. (FOVA Archives)

1860 The HBC Fort Vancouver ceased commercial operations; HBC cemetery no longer in use; HBC buildings and structures began to be removed

1865 The Army created the Department of the Columbia and in 1867 moved its administrative headquarters from Fort Vancouver to Portland.

Quartermaster Depot was further established within the original site of the

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HBC Village to the SW of the parade ground and adjacent to the Columbia River.

1866 Remaining buildings at HBC Fort Vancouver destroyed by fire.

1874 Fort Vancouver mapped by Lt. F.K. Ward. Fort included a formal parade defined by an established road system. Wood-frame Officers Quarters were located along the north and NW sides of the parade ground and frame (or log) Soldiers barracks were located at both the west and east ends of the parade ground. The area to the SW side of the parade ground was occupied by a scattered group of (possibly) service buildings. An arsenal area had been established to the east of the parade ground. The Vancouver Depot and the wharf facilities were located to the SW adjacent to the Columbia River.

The former site of the HBC stockade and gardens was in use as pasture land. The HBC cemetery had been abandoned and the Fort Vancouver Cemetery established to the west of the parade ground near Reserve Street.

1879 Department of Columbia relocated from Portland to Fort Vancouver and the military post became known as Vancouver Barracks

1882-1888 U.S. Army reorganizations; efforts undertaken to consolidate activities at fewer posts in the American West, raise quality of enlistees, improve post facilities nationwide

Completion of transcontinental railroad lines throughout the West enabled convenient movement of troops and construction materials; Northern Pacific railroad to Portland completed in 1883

1882 General Sherman recommended substantial improvements at Vancouver

Barracks and listed it as a post to be retained. Many post buildings were constructed or relocated during the 1880s and older buildings were demolished.

1884 Post Hospital constructed near western boundary of Vancouver Barracks.

This established the West Barracks area of the post as a medical services sub-area.

1886 Fourteenth Infantry began a 14-year period of service at Vancouver

Barracks; it replaced the Twenty-First Infantry Regiment that had been there since 1872

1886-87 Wood-frame single Infantry Barracks constructed to the SW and south of the parade ground within West and East Barracks areas; additional Officers Quarters constructed at north side of parade ground

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1890s Vancouver Barracks troops assisted in subduing incidents of civil unrest in the region and Alaska.

1892 Vancouver Barracks mapped by Tully McCrea. Four standardized plan single Infantry Barracks buildings were located on a north-south axis along the south side of the parade ground and two similar single barracks buildings were located in the same alignment further to the west. Three other barracks buildings were also located on an east-west axis along the south side of the parade ground and one similar single barracks buildings were located in the same alignment further to the west. Post canteen, commissary and quartermaster storehouse were situated to the south of the parade ground and Infantry Barracks in the East Barracks area.

1892-189…