Women of the McLoughlin House (Self-Guided Outside Tour)

Welcome to the McLoughlin House Unit of Fort Vancouver National Historic Site! This outside, self-guided walking tour takes you to four different landmarks here, and offers an overview of the women who lived in these homes or worked to preserve them.

The McLoughlin House Unit includes two historic homes: the Barclay House and the neighboring McLoughlin House. This tour will begin at the Barclay House, located at 719 Center Street, Oregon City, Oregon, 97045. The Barclay House is a two-story home, painted yellow with white trim. There is a sidewalk leading from the street to the patio in front of the house.

About the McLoughlin House Unit

Dr. John McLoughlin and his wife Marguerite lived at Fort Vancouver until January 1846, when he retired from Hudson's Bay Company service. As the fort's Chief Factor, McLoughlin defied Company policy and provided assistance to Oregon Trail emigrants, which earned him the tile "Father of Oregon." After he was forced into retirement, the McLoughlins moved to Oregon City and were active in civil life. In 1850, the fort's surgeon, Dr. Forbes Barclay, his wife Maria Pambrun Barclay, and their children also moved to Oregon City. Forbes soon became a prominent figure in the area and the mayor of Oregon City. Their two homes, originally closer to the river, now sit side by side in this park, on land donated to the City of Oregon City by John McLoughlin.

Getting Started

Click here to see a map of the tour route and read information for each tour stop.
Click here. to learn more about visiting the McLoughlin House Unit of Fort Vancouver National Historic Site.
*Being an OUTSIDE tour please consider current weather conditions. Please note that this self-guided grounds tour is not fully ADA accessable due to uneven and solf ground.

Details

Duration

15-30 Minutes

Being self-guided, each individual is able to control the length of the tour.

Activity

Self-Guided Tours - Walking

This outside self-guided walking tour stops at four different landmarks located on the grounds of the McLoughlin House site. This short tour offers an overview of the women who lived in these homes or worked to preserve them.

Age(s)

All ages.

Pets Allowed

Yes

This is an outside self-guided tour around the grounds of the McLoughlin House site. Please keep pets on a leash no longer than 6 feet, and pick up and dispose of any pet waste.

Activity Fee

No

Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.

Reservations

No

Season

Year Round

This is an outside self-guided tour so please, dress for your comfort.

Time of Day

Day, Dawn, Dusk

Accessibility Information

Three of the four stops on this tour can be accessed via paved sidewalks.

The tour route includes some stairs between Stops 1 and 2, which can be bypassed via a detour described in the directions provided. Visitors will experience slight changes in elevation when visiting Stop 2 - the McLoughlin gravesite.

To access Stop 3 - The Fountain, visitors must cross a grassy park. For visitors who are unable to cross this uneven surface, the fountain is visible from Stop 2 - the McLoughlin gravesite. Visitors can return to the sidewalk along Center Street and proceed to Stop 4 from there.