A weekly look back compiled by the Clark County Historical Museum from The Columbian archives available at columbian.newspapers.com or at the museum.
- 100 years ago
On March 19, 1925, Vancouver saw the “greatest celebration of its kind ever held” in the city. A great banquet was held in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the Hudson’s Bay Company’s Fort Vancouver. With oysters on the half-shell, bagpipes, and representatives from Washington, Canada and Vancouver presiding over the event, the “whole Northwest, whether present of not” joined in the celebration.
- 75 years ago
On March 17, 1950, the U.S. Maritime Commission announced it was studying whether the Vancouver Shipyard should be sold. In the meantime, the shipyard, which during World War II produced a variety of ships including small aircraft carriers, would “remain a defense reserve shipyard for an indefinite time.” U.S. Sen. Warren G. Magnuson sent a letter to the chair of the Clark County Central Democratic Party relaying the information, noting “there is no immediate change contemplated” for the site.
- 50 years ago
On March 19, 1975, costumed actors, accompanied by bagpipers, re-created Fort Vancouver’s dedication ceremony in honor of the fort’s 150th anniversary. A crowd of 5,000 watched the event, including local students who received early dismissals in order to attend.
