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Monday,  January 13 , 2025
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Stories by Martin Middlewood

Columbian freelance contributor

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ClarkCoHist@gmail.com
Vancouver Barracks commander George C. Marshall’s gracious handling of the unexpected landing of the Chkalov transpolar flight prevented cracking the emerging but fragile U.S.-Soviet relations in 1937 and presaged his skill as U.S. secretary of state after World War II.

Clark County History: Gen. Marshall’s short Vancouver stay presaged his greatness

Vancouver Barracks commander George C. Marshall’s gracious handling of the unexpected landing of the Chkalov transpolar flight prevented cracking the emerging but fragile U.S.-Soviet relations in 1937 and presaged his skill as U.S. secretary of state after World War II.

October 26, 2024, 6:10am Clark County Life

While serving as an instructor for the Illinois National Guard, Col. George C. Marshall, then 55, felt of “little importance to the Army.” He’d plateaued at colonel, and his future appeared mediocre. Then, the Army promoted him to brigadier general in October 1936 and posted him to the Vancouver Barracks. Read story

The bell in the Providence Academy cupola, which provides a view of downtown Vancouver, was installed in 1878 and removed after the building was sold in 1968. Its return in 1975 was marked by tragedy.

Clark County history: Academy bell’s return mixed with grief

The bell in the Providence Academy cupola, which provides a view of downtown Vancouver, was installed in 1878 and removed after the building was sold in 1968. Its return in 1975 was marked by tragedy.

October 19, 2024, 6:10am Clark County Life

For a brief time, Providence Academy was Washington Territory’s largest brick building. Constructed in 1874 of bricks supplied from Vancouver’s Hidden brickyard, Mother Joseph designed the structure. Read story

U.S. troops, possibly part of the 14th Infantry from Vancouver Barracks under command of Brig. Gen. John Gibbon, lined up in front of a downtown Seattle hotel during the anti-Chinese mob violence in February 1886.

Clark County history: Vancouver and the Chinese riots

U.S. troops, possibly part of the 14th Infantry from Vancouver Barracks under command of Brig. Gen. John Gibbon, lined up in front of a downtown Seattle hotel during the anti-Chinese mob violence in February 1886.

October 12, 2024, 6:05am Clark County Life

Local rowdies beat Moy Ling after he left a Methodist church, reported the Clark County Register in January 1881. This single local incident demonstrates the anti-Chinese feelings festering within the Washington Territory. Read story

John Gibbon was one of the longest-tenured leaders of the Department of the Columbia. Buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Gibbon is remembered for his influential writings, the scientifically based “Artillerist’s Manual” (1859) and posthumously published manuscripts on the Civil War and soldiering in the West.

Clark County history: Vancouver commander Gibbon chose the Union over the Confederacy

John Gibbon was one of the longest-tenured leaders of the Department of the Columbia. Buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Gibbon is remembered for his influential writings, the scientifically based “Artillerist’s Manual” (1859) and posthumously published manuscripts on the Civil War and soldiering in the West.

October 5, 2024, 6:07am Clark County Life

When the Civil War broke out, John Gibbon, a North Carolinian and 1847 West Point graduate, remained faithful to the Union while his brothers, cousin and brothers-in-law chose the Confederacy. Gibbon received his first wound at Fredericksburg, Va. in December 1862. During Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg, Pa., in July 1863,… Read story

The Kiggins Theatre is one of several landmark Clark County buildings designed by 20th century architect Day Hilborn.

Clark County History: Day Hilborn was Clark County’s landmark architect

The Kiggins Theatre is one of several landmark Clark County buildings designed by 20th century architect Day Hilborn.

September 28, 2024, 5:45am Clark County Life

In 1927, a two-man architectural firm moved from Centralia to Vancouver. A Columbian headline on the brief announcement was simply titled, “Believe in Vancouver.” One of the partners, Day Hilborn, later broke from his partner Richard Gough to run his own firm, becoming a prolific architect in Washington and Oregon.… Read story

Teddy Roosevelt, photographed here while campaigning in Chicago in 1912, traveled through Vancouver without stopping that year. In 1903, he did speak in Kalama. Vancouver Republicans scheduled an early-morning train so they could hear his speech.

Clark County History: Early national politics

Teddy Roosevelt, photographed here while campaigning in Chicago in 1912, traveled through Vancouver without stopping that year. In 1903, he did speak in Kalama. Vancouver Republicans scheduled an early-morning train so they could hear his speech.

September 21, 2024, 6:04am Clark County Life

In this presidential election year, it’s interesting to recall visits to Clark County by presidents and presidential candidates in the early days, before 1950. Read story

On March 29, 1930, towed by the tug Dix, the Swan carried passengers to celebrate the opening of the longest bridge in the United States at Longview. This photograph was taken the day before the schooner Davenport slammed into the Swan, creating the most devastating inland wreck on the Columbia River.

Clark County History: Swan Disaster

On March 29, 1930, towed by the tug Dix, the Swan carried passengers to celebrate the opening of the longest bridge in the United States at Longview. This photograph was taken the day before the schooner Davenport slammed into the Swan, creating the most devastating inland wreck on the Columbia River.

September 14, 2024, 5:59am Clark County Life

After a day celebrating the grand opening of the new bridge crossing the Columbia River at Longview, the longest in the country in 1930, nearly 300 carousers partied onboard the Swan. Some danced on the upper deck; others played cards or enjoyed the cruise back to Vancouver towed along by… Read story

This photo of Edward R.S. Canby was taken in 1873, shortly before he became the only U.S. Army general to be killed in the Indian Wars. Canby is buried in the Crown Hill National Cemetery in Indianapolis.

Clark County History: Vancouver commander Canby was the only general killed in Indian Wars

This photo of Edward R.S. Canby was taken in 1873, shortly before he became the only U.S. Army general to be killed in the Indian Wars. Canby is buried in the Crown Hill National Cemetery in Indianapolis.

September 7, 2024, 6:05am Clark County Life

In all the battles the Army fought against Native Americans, Columbia Barracks commander Edward Canby was the only general to be killed. Read story

Josette (Legace) Work and her husband wanted their daughters to receive an education, so they entrusted them to the care of the Hudson’s Bay Company at Fort Vancouver. It turned out the teacher was a drunkard and predator.

Clark County history: Bickering and scandal at the Fort Vancouver school

Josette (Legace) Work and her husband wanted their daughters to receive an education, so they entrusted them to the care of the Hudson’s Bay Company at Fort Vancouver. It turned out the teacher was a drunkard and predator.

August 31, 2024, 6:05am Clark County Life

Hudson’s Bay Company officers at Fort Vancouver requested a school to educate their children. They got one in 1832. Read story

Hudson’s Bay Company fur trader John Work (1792-1861) traveled much of what is today Washington, Idaho, Montana and California. An Irishman, he was one of the founding families of Victoria, B.C. and served on Vancouver Island’s Legislative Council. His travels often brought him to Fort Vancouver.

Clark County history: Irishman John Wark joined the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1814

Hudson’s Bay Company fur trader John Work (1792-1861) traveled much of what is today Washington, Idaho, Montana and California. An Irishman, he was one of the founding families of Victoria, B.C. and served on Vancouver Island’s Legislative Council. His travels often brought him to Fort Vancouver.

August 24, 2024, 6:05am Clark County Life

When Irishman John Wark joined the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1814, the firm made him a steward and anglicized his last name to “Work” on his contract. In 1823, after the HBC and Northwest Company merged, the firm assigned him to the Columbia District, the most distant and financially tenuous… Read story