The Hudson's Bay Company's Fort Vancouver was home to hundreds. Founded in 1824, it became the population center of the West until it was surpassed by San Francisco in the gold rush years of the late 1840s.
Inside the fort walls, dozens of clerks, Hudson's Bay Company managers, and their families made their homes. Outside the walls, the Fort Vancouver Village was inhabited by fur trappers and traders, craftsmen, farmers, and laborers - all employed by the Hudson's Bay Company - and their families.
Below, learn about some of people who visited, lived, and worked at the fort.
![]() The Fort Vancouver CommunityFort Vancouver was home to a diverse community that included individuals from many different American Indian tribes. ![]() Women at Fort VancouverLearn more about the women who lived at Fort Vancouver. ![]() Hawaiians at Fort VancouverExplore the history of the Hawaiian employees of the Hudson's Bay Company's Fort Vancouver ![]() Black History at Fort VancouverDiscover the stories of George Washington Créol and George Bush, who worked at Fort Vancouver. ![]() The McLoughlin FamilyLearn about the McLoughlin Family, including Dr. John McLoughlin, who served as Fort Vancouver's Chief Factor. ![]() Naturalists at Fort VancouverLearn about the naturalists who visited Fort Vancouver and the Indigenous people who shared their ecological knowledge with them. ![]() Stories from Fort VancouverDiscover stories from the history of the Hudson's Bay Company's Fort Vancouver. ![]() The GardenLearn about Dr. McLoughlin's Garden at Fort Vancouver. ![]() The VillageDiscover the Fort Vancouver Village, where employees of the Hudson's Bay Company lived. |
Last updated: February 8, 2022