FORT COLUMBIA

A deactivated military fort, now known as Fort Columbia Historical State Park, on Chinook Point overlooking the Columbia River.

The Chinook Indians called the point "No's-to-ils" and the hill (now called Scarborough Hill) behind the point "No'si-misp." The point and hill were a permanent Indian encampment for decades unknown before the arrival of white settlers. Chief Concomly, a famed Chinook leader (ca. 1810 to 1830), maintained his principal lodge on the hill.

Capt. James Allan Scarborough, retired Hudson Bay Company employee, and his Indian wife Ann Elizabeth settled on the hill around 1846 and filed a Donation Land Claim under the Law of 1850. After his death in 1855, title to the property was transferred to Rocque Ducheney, HBC employee living in nearby Chenookville.

In 1867, the Federal government purchased Chinook Point for a military reservation from the Ducheney heirs for $2,000. It wasn't until 1895 that the War Department decided to build a fort and install gun batteries. The fort was first occupied by a regular garrison in June 1904.

A post office was established June 30, 1890, and continued in operation until Jan. 31, 1923.

Fort Columbia was deactivated March 28, 1947, and listed as surplus. The old military post became Fort Columbia Historical State Park at a dedication ceremony held June 17, 1951.