FORT CANBY

A deactivated military fort on Cape Disappointment overlooking Baker Bay/Columbia River.

An Executive Order, dated Feb. 26, 1852, reserved Cape Disappointment for military purposes. Cape Disappointment Lighthouse was placed in operation Oct. 15, 1856, but construction of a post and fortifications were delayed until August 1863. The fort was not activated until April 15, 1864. For a number of years after its establishment the fort was generally known as Fort Cape Disappointment.

Finally, on Feb. 13, 1875, the government designated the post Fort Canby in honor of Brevet Major General Edward Richard Sprigg Canby, who had been killed by the Modoc Indians, April 11, 1873.

A post office was established June 30, 1890 and continued until Jan. 31, 1923, when it was closed.

Fort Canby was deactivated on March 28, 1947. Jurisdiction over federal property was transferred to other departments, including the Treasury Department which operated Cape D and North Head lighthouses and the U.S. Coast Guard life saving station.