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Pumpkins, Sauvie Island, Oregon.
Image taken November 8, 2005.
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Sauvie Island ...
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Sauvie Island, Oregon, is 16.5 miles long and 6.5 miles wide, and at 26,000 acres, is the largest island along the Columbia River.
Sauvie Island contains it own rivers, sloughs, lakes, and even its own islands!
The downstream tip of the island is at Columbia River Mile (RM) 86.5, the location of the mouth of the Multnomah Channel. Directly across the Columbia on the Washington side is the mouth of the Lewis River. The Multnomah Channel follows the western shore of Sauvie Island for 21 miles. The upstream point of Sauvie Island along the Columbia River is at RM 101.5, the location of the mouth of the Willamette River, and across from Washington State's Frenchmans Bar and Blurock Landing. Sauvie Island's southeast shore follows the Willamette River for three miles, to a point where the Willamette encounters the southern end of the Multnomah Channel.
The northern 12,000 acres of Sauvie Island is a wildlife area managed by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and provides feeding and resting area for bald eagles, sandhill cranes, great blue herons, and black-tailed deer. Over 150,000 ducks and geese use the area during fall migration.
Sauvie Island was named after Laurent Sauvé, a French-Canadian employee of the
Hudson's Bay Company, who had settled on the island to operate the Hudson's Bay dairy farm.
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Views of Sauvie Island ...
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Wier at Gilbert River, Sauvie Island.
Image taken August 31, 2003.
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Beach, Sauvie Island, Oregon.
Image taken September 13, 2003.
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Sauvie Island Pumpkin Patch.
Image taken September 13, 2003.
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Pumpkins, Sauvie Island, Oregon.
Looking towards the Portland terminals at the mouth of the Willamette River.
Image taken November 8, 2005.
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Pumpkin Patch, Sauvie Island, Oregon.
Image taken November 8, 2005.
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Pumpkins and Squash, Sauvie Island, Oregon.
Image taken November 8, 2005.
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Old Barn, Sauvie Island, Oregon.
Image taken November 8, 2005.
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Bicyclists, Sauvie Island, Oregon.
View from the Sauvie Island Bridge.
Image taken November 20, 2005.
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Sauvie Island from Frenchman's Bar Park ...
Good views of the shore of Sauvie Island can be had from across the Columbia at Frenchman's Bar Park, Vancouver, Washington.
[More]
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Sauvie Island from Frenchman's Bar Park, Vancouver, Washington.
View taken across the volleyball pit at Frenchman's Bar Park.
Image taken July 8, 2006.
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Sauvie Island Bridge ...
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Sauvie Island Bridge and the Multnomah Channel.
Image taken September 13, 2003.
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Old Bridge and New Bridge, Sauvie Island Bridge, Sauvie Island, Oregon.
Image taken February 23, 2008.
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Belle Vue Point ...
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Belle Vue Point on Sauvie Island is located on the left bank at the mouth of the Willamette River. On the right bank lies Kelley Point, Oregon.
Most historicans agree that in 1792
Lieutenant Broughton, of the Captain George Vancouver expedition, named Sauvie Island's Belle Vue Point. Other historians say that Kelley Point is Broughton's "Belle Vue Point", as Kelley Point is on the "southern" bank of the mouth of the Willamette.
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"...
This river Mr. Broughton distinguished by the name of River Munnings. Its southern point of entrance, situated in latitude 45o 39', longitude 237o 21', commanded a most delightful prospect of the surrounding region, and obtained the name of Belle Vue Point; from whence the branch of the river, at least that which was so considered, took a direction about S.57E. for a league and a half.
[Broughton, October 29, 1792]
The "River Munnings" is today's Willamette River.
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Tug boat passing Belle Vue Point, Sauvie Island, Oregon.
View from Kelley Point Park, Oregon, looking downstream at Sauvie Island's Belle Vue Point area.
Image taken September 13, 2003.
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Warrior Point and Warrior Rock ...
Warrior Point, the northern tip (downstream tip) of Sauvie Island, was named in 1792 by Lieutenant William Broughton of the British expedition under Captain George Vancouver. On October 28, 1792, Lieutenant Broughton anchored off the point and found himself surrounded by 23 canoes of natives, each carrying 3-12 people dressed in war gear and prepared for combat.
On the east side of Warrior Point just off the tip lies a feature called "Warrior Rock", a basalt outcropping of Grande Ronde Columbia River lava.
To the southeast of Warrior Rock is located the "Warrior Rock Lighthouse". The first lighthouse was a small two-story wooden-framed structure built in 1889 on a square sandstone base. In the 1930s the lighthouse was replaced with a 28-foot concrete tower. The lighthouse was in use until 1969 when it was severely damaged by a barge.
[More]
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Warrior Point and Warrior Rock Lighthouse, Sauvie Island, Oregon.
The white Warrior Rock Lighthouse is just visible in the distance (nearly center of image) in this shot towards Warrior Point, as seen from upstream on the beach at Sauvie Island.
Image taken September 13, 2003.
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Sturgeon Lake ...
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Sturgeon Lake covers over 3,000 acres and has an elevation of 8 feet. The lake is a grouping of shallow lakes covering the center of Sauvie Island with lake level being determined by tidal influence. Inflow and outflow is through the Gilbert River. Much of the land surrounding Sturgeon Lake is owned by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and is managed as a refuge, primarily for water fowl. The oak woodlands of Oak Island border Sturgeon Lake to the west with agricultural land to the south. A dike on the east provides views of the lake.
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Sturgeon Lake, Sauvie Island, Oregon.
Image taken November 20, 2005.
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Gilbert River ...
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Gilbert River is located in the center of Sauvie Island and provides the tidal inflow and outflow for Sturgeon Lake.
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Gilbert River, Sauvie Island, Oregon.
Image taken August 31, 2003.
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Multnomah Channel ...
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Multnomah Channel.
View from Sauvie Island.
Image taken November 8, 2005.
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Multnomah Channel from the Sauvie Island Bridge.
View is looking downstream.
Image taken November 20, 2005.
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Sauvie Island Wildlife Area ...
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The Sauvie Island Wildlife Area is owned by the State of Oregon and managed by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The area comprises approximately 11,500 acres of land and inland water areas on Sauvie Island, slightly less than half of the Island's acreage. The State of Oregon acquired the Sauvie Island Wildlife Area in the 1940's as a waterfowl area.
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Sauvie Island Wildlife Area, Sauvie Island, Oregon.
Image taken November 8, 2005.
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Geese, Sauvie Island, Oregon.
Image taken November 8, 2005.
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Wapato State Park ...
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Wapato State Park is located on Sauvie Island on the east side of the Multnomah Channel and is managed by the Oregon State Parks Department. The State Park was once known as "Virginia Lakes". It is now a designated natural area and wetland in Multnomah County.
Wapato State Park has nature trails and a picnic shelter. It also contains Hadley's Landing, a transient boat ramp on the Multnomah Channel.
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Wapato Access Trail, Sauvie Island, Oregon.
Image taken November 8, 2005.
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Wapato Access Trail, Sauvie Island, Oregon.
Image taken November 8, 2005.
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Sauvie Island Boat Ramp ...
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Sauvie Island Boat Ramp, on Multnomah Channel, Sauvie Island, Oregon.
Image taken November 8, 2005.
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Multnomah Channel, looking downstream, as seen from Sauvie Island Boat Ramp, Sauvie Island, Oregon.
Image taken November 8, 2005.
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Multnomah Channel, looking downstream, as seen from Sauvie Island Boat Ramp, Sauvie Island, Oregon.
Image taken November 8, 2005.
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Willow Bar Islands ...
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Willow Bar Islands, looking across the slough.
Image taken November 20, 2005.
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Willow Bar Islands, Sauvie Island, Oregon.
Looking up the slough.
Image taken November 20, 2005.
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Fort William ...
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Fort William was a trading post established by early Oregon pioneer Nathaniel J. Wyeth. Originally the site was constructed near Warrior Rock, on the downstream end of Sauvie Island. In spring of 1835 the site was moved to the west side of Sauvie Island. Fort William was never profitable against the powerful Hudson's Bay Company and was eventually abandoned. Historians say Wyeth named Fort William after one of his partners, altho they're not sure which one.
The "History of Clarke County Washington Territory.", Published by The Washington Publishing Company, 1885, tells of "Fort Williams" in 1835:
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"... Fort Williams, erected by N. J. Wyeth at the mouth of the Willamette, was
nearly deserted, Mr. Townsend, the ornithologist, being about the only
occupant at that time. Wyeth had gone to his Fort Hall in the Interior.
..."
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Howell Territorial Park ...
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The Howell Territorial Park is located on Sauvie Island one mile north of the Sauvie Island bridge. The park includes 93 acres open to the public, picnic areas, an orchard, an agricultural museum, and the historic 1858 Bybee House.
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Howell Territorial Park, Sauvie Island, Oregon.
Image taken November 8, 2005.
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Closeup, Sculpture, Howell Territorial Park, Sauvie Island, Oregon.
Image taken November 8, 2005.
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Bybee House ...
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The historical Bybee House (also known as the Bybee-Howell House)
was built by James Francis Bybee in 1858, and is
one of the first and finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in Oregon. When James and his wife, Julie, left the home in 1873, it was purchased by their neighbors, John and Amelia Howell. The house remained in the Howell family until 1961, when Mrs. Rose Howell, daughter-in-law of John and Amelia, sold the home to Multnomah County, Oregon. Extensive restoration was done on the structure to make the home appear as it would have in the period between 1855 and 1885.
In 1974 the Bybee-Howell House was added to the National Register of Historic Places (Building #74001716).
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Bybee House, Sauvie Island, Oregon.
Image taken November 8, 2005.
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Bybee House, Sauvie Island, Oregon.
Image taken November 8, 2005.
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The Cascade Range from Sauvie Island ...
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Columbia River and Mount Hood, as seen from Sauvie Island.
Image taken November 20, 2005.
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Mount St. Helens as seen from Sauvie Island.
View from base of the Sauvie Island Bridge.
Image taken November 20, 2005.
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Mount St. Helens as seen from Sauvie Island.
Image taken November 20, 2005.
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Mount St. Helens, Washington (slightly steaming), as seen from Sauvie Island, Oregon.
Image taken November 8, 2005.
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Mount Adams, Washington, as seen from Sauvie Island, Oregon.
Image taken November 20, 2005.
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Sauvie Island and Mount Hood.
Mount Hood, Oregon, with Sauvie Island farms in the foreground.
Image taken November 8, 2005.
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Multnomah Channel, Sauvie Island, and Mount Rainier.
View from off of Highway 30, looking across the Multnomah Channel towards Sauvie Island. Mount Rainier, Washington, is in the background.
Image taken September 13, 2003.
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Bicyclists, Sauvie Island, Oregon, with Mount St. Helens, Washington.
View from the Sauvie Island Bridge.
Image taken November 20, 2005.
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Self Portrait ...
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"Self Portrait", from Sauvie Island.
View at beach on the east side of Sauvie Island.
Image taken November 20, 2005.
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Early Sauvie Island ...
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Sauvie Island has had various names throughout its history, including
"Multnomah Island", "Sauve Island", "Sauvies Island", "Sauvie Island", "Souvies Island", "Wapato Island", "Wappato Island", "Wapatoo Island", "Wappatoo Island", "Wappatto Island", and "Wyeth Island".
In 1891 the U.S. Board of Geographic Names made "Sauvie Island" the official name.
In 1792, Lieutenant William Broughton of the British Vancouver expedition visited the island and named the northern end (downstream tip) of the island "Warrior Point" and, according to some historians, he named an upstream point "Belle Vue Point." Other historians say Kelley Point, across from today's Belle Vue Point, is Broughton's Belle Vue Point.
In 1805 and 1806, the Lewis and Clark expedition called the island "Wappato Island" after the Indian word for arrowhead root which grew in the marshes of the island.
Between 1834 and 1835, Nathaniel Wyeth, an American entrepreneur, built Fort Williams in an attempt to establish a fur-trading enterprise in Hudson's Bay Company territory. The Fort was constructed on the island near the confluence of the
Willamette River with the Columbia, about five miles from Fort Vancouver, and named for one of Wyeth's fur trade partners. Wyeth was unable to get a foothold into the Hudson's Bay Company trade and he abandoned the project in 1836. Some early maps used the name "Wyeth Island".
By 1838, the Hudson's Bay Company was utilizing the island to graze cattle and horse, and by 1841 four dairy farms had been established on the island to supply milk, butter, and cheese. Settler's began arriving on the island by the 1840s.
The lettering "Sauvies Island" appeared on Preston's 1856 Map of Oregon, and in Bancroft's History of the Northwest Coast (Vol.2) it states the island was named after Jean Baptiste Sauve. However, according to McArthur in Oregon Geographic Names (2003):
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"... In the files of the Oregon Historical Society is a letter from George B. Roberts to Frances Fuller Victor, dated November 7, 1879, in which he says that Sauve Island bears the name of a Canadian, Laurent Sauve, also called LaPlante. ..."
George B. Roberts arrived as a member of the Hudson's Bay Company in 1831, and Frances Fuller Victor was one of the authors of the Bancroft publication. To read more about this check out the McArthur publication.
A post office near the mouth of the Willamette River named "Mouth of Willamette" was established in June 1851. In March 1852 the name was changed to "Souvies Island". This post office was discontinued in August 1860. A new post office named "Sauvies Island" was established in May 1866 about two miles south of Reeder Point.
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From the Journals of Lewis and Clark ...
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Clark, November 4, 1805 ...
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A cloudy cool morning wind from the West we Set out at ½ past 8 oClock [from their camp on the north side of Government Island],
one man Shannon Set out early to walk on the Island [Government Island] to kill Something, he joined us at the lower point with a Buck. This island is 6 miles long and near 3 miles wide thinly timbered (Tide rose last night 18 inches perpndicular at Camp) near the lower point of this diamond Island [Government Island] is The head of a large Island Seperated from a Small one by a narrow chanel [Lewis and Clark show two large islands on their maps, both in today's Government Island area], and both Situated nearest the Lard Side, those Islands [even today the Government Island reach is a complex of many islands] as also the bottoms are thickly Covered with Pine &c. river wide, Country low on both Sides;
[since 1983 the Interstate 205 bridge crosses Government Island connecting Oregon to Washington]
on the Main Lard Shore a Short distance below the last Island we landed at a village of 25 Houses: [near Portland International Airport];
...
This village contains about 200 men of the Skil-loot nation
...
at 7 miles below this village passed the upper point of a large Island [Hayden Island] nearest the Lard Side, a Small Prarie [Jolie Prairie, today the location of Fort Vancouver and Pearson Airpark. Lewis and Clark camp on this prairie on their return] in which there is a pond [one of the many ponds which use to dot this area] opposit on the Stard. here I landed and walked on Shore, about 3 miles a fine open Prarie for about 1 mile, back of which the countrey rises gradually and wood land comencies Such as white oake, pine of different kinds, wild crabs with the taste and flavour of the common crab and Several Species of undergroth of which I am not acquainted, a few Cottonwood trees & the Ash of this countrey grow Scattered on the river bank, ...
joined Capt. Lewis at a place he had landed with the party for Diner. ...
dureing the time we were at dinner those fellows Stold my pipe Tomahawk which They were Smoking with [Tomahawk pipe, thus giving rise to the name Tomahawk Island] ...
we proceeded on
[The men have passed through the area which, 20 years later, Dr. John McLoughlin would choose for a trading post of the Hudson's Bay Company, later to become Fort Vancouver and eventually the city of Vancouver, Washington.]
met a large & a Small Canoe from below, with 12 men the large Canoe was ornimented with Images carved in wood the figures of <man &> a Bear in front & a man in Stern, Painted & fixed verry netely on the <bow & Stern> of the Canoe, rising to near the hight of a man [Lewis and Clark then named Hayden Island "Image Canoe Island"]
two Indians verry finely Dressed & with hats on was in this canoe
passed the lower point of the Island [Hayden Island] which is nine miles in length haveing passed 2 Islands on the Stard Side of this large Island [the location of Vancouver Landing and since 1917 the Interstate 5 Bridge connecting Oregon to Washington State], three Small Islands at its lower point [The downstream end of Hayden Island was at one time composed of small islands. One of these, Pearcy Island, would become today's Kelley Point.]. the Indians make Signs that a village is Situated back of those Islands on the Lard. Side and I believe that a Chanel is Still on the Lrd. Side [it wasn't until Lewis and Clark's return trip they would discover the mouth of the Willamette River] as a Canoe passed in between the Small Islands, and made Signs that way, probably to traffick with Some of the nativs liveing on another Chanel, at 3 miles lower [Sauvie Island is located at this stretch, but it is not until the return that Lewis and Clark recognize it as a separate island], and 12 Leagues below quick Sand river [Sandy River] passed a village of four large houses on The Lard. Side [on Sauvie Island], near which we had a full view of Mt. Helien [Mount St. Helens, Washington] which is perhaps the highest pinical in America from their base it bears N. 25° E about 90 miles- This is the mountain I Saw from the Muscle Shell rapid [Umatilla Rapids, Captain Clark actually saw Mount Adams] on the 19th of October last Covered with Snow, it rises Something in the form of a Sugar lofe- about a mile lower passed a Single house on the Lard. Side, and one on the Stard. Side, passed a village on each Side and Camped near a house on the Stard. Side [Post Office Lake vicinity, today within the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge] we proceeded on untill one hour after dark with a view to get clear of the nativs who was constantly about us, and troublesom, finding that we could not get Shut of those people for one night, we landed and Encamped on the Stard. Side ...
This evening we Saw vines much resembling the raspberry which is verry thick in the bottoms. A range of high hills at about 5 miles on the Lard Side [Portland's West Hills'] which runs S. E. & N W. Covered with tall timber the bottoms below in this range of hills and the river is rich and leavel, Saw White geese with a part of their wings black. The river here is 1½ miles wide, and current jentle. opposite to our camp on a Small Sandy Island [one of the small sandy islands prevelent in this stretch of the Columbia. Today the Willow Bar Islands on the east side of Sauvie Island lie across from Post Office Lake.] the brant & geese make Such a noise that it will be impossible for me to Sleap. we made 29 miles to day
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Clark, November 5, 1805 ...
Rained all the after part of last night, rain continues this morning, I [s]lept but verry little last night [Post Office Lake, Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge] for the noise Kept dureing the whole of the night by the Swans, Geese, white & Grey Brant Ducks &c. on a Small Sand Island [one of the islands of the Ridgefield Refuge] close under the Lard. Side; they were emensely noumerous, and their noise horid- we Set out <at about Sun rise> early here the river is not more than ¾ of a mile in width, passed a Small Prarie on the Stard. Side [???] passed 2 houses about ½ a mile from each other on the Lard. Side a Canoe came from the upper house, with 3 men in its mearly to view us, passed an Isld. Covered with tall trees & green briers [Bachelor Island] Seperated from the Stard. Shore by a narrow Chanel [Lake River or Bachelor Island Slough] at 9 [8?] miles I observed on the Chanel [Lake River or Bachelor Island Slough] which passes on the Stard Side of this Island [Bachelor Island] a Short distance above its lower point is Situated a large village [Cathlapotle Village, near where Lewis and Clark camped on March 29, 1806], the front of which occupies nearly ¼ of a mile fronting the Chanel, and closely Connected, I counted 14 houses in front here the river widens to about 1½ miles.
...
about 1½ miles below this village on the Lard Side behind a rockey Sharp point [Warrior Point, Sauvie Island], we passed a Chanel ¼ of a mile wide [Multnomah Channel] which I take to be the one the Indian Canoe entered yesterday from the lower point of Immage Canoe Island [Hayden Island, at this point Lewis and Clark had not discovered Hayden Island and Sauvie Island were two separate islands]
a Some low clifts of rocks below this Chanel [St. Helens, Oregon],
a large Island Close under the Stard Side opposit [Lewis River floodplain, home of Woodland, Washington, possibly more of an "island" in 1805 ???], and 2 Small Islands, below [today's Burke and Martin Islands], here we met 2 canoes from below,- below those Islands a range of high hills form the Stard. Bank of the river [Martin Bluff], the Shore bold and rockey, Covered with a thick groth of Pine
an extensive low Island [Deer Island], Seperated from the Lard side by a narrow Chanel, on this Island we Stoped to Dine I walked out found it open & covered with <Small> grass interspersed with Small ponds, in which was great numbr. of foul, the remains of an old village on the lower part of this Island, I saw Several deer
...
below the lower point of this Island [Deer Island] a range of high hills which runs S. E. forms the Lard. bank of the river the Shores bold and rockey & hills Covered with pine,
[Lewis and Clark are passing Goble, Oregon, and the area around the Trojan Nuclear Power Facility
The high hills leave the river on the Stard. Side a high bottom between the hill & river [Kalama, Washington]. We met 4 Canoes of Indians from below, in which there is 26 Indians, one of those Canoes is large, and ornimented with Images on the bow & Stern. That in the Bow the likeness of a Bear, and in Stern the picture of a man- we landed on the Lard. Side & camped [near Prescott Beach, Oregon] a little below the mouth of a creek [Kalama River] on the Stard. Side a little below the mouth of which is an Old Village which is now abandaned-;
here the river is about one and a half miles wide. and deep, The high Hills which run in a N W. & S E. derection form both banks of the river the Shore boald and rockey, the hills rise gradually & are Covered with a thick groth of pine &c. The valley [Columbian Valley] which is from above the mouth of Quick Sand River [Sandy River] to this place may be computed at 60 miles wide on a Derect line, & extends a great Distanc to the right & left rich thickly Covered with tall timber, with a fiew Small Praries bordering on the river and on the Islands; Some fiew Standing Ponds & Several Small Streams of running water on either Side of the river; This is certainly a fertill and a handsom valley, at this time Crouded with Indians. The day proved Cloudy with rain the greater part of it, we are all wet cold and disagreeable- I saw but little appearance of frost in this valley which we call <Wap-pa-too Columbia> from the root or plants growing Spontaniously in this valley only
...
We made 32 miles to day by estimation-
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Clark, March 30, 1806 ...
we got under way verry early [from their camp near Wapato Portage] and had not proceeded to the head of the island [Bachelor Island] before we met with the three men of the Clan-nar-min-a-mon's who met us yesterday brackfast at the upper point of the Island [Bachelor Island] we met Several of the Clackstar and Cath-lah-cum-up in two canoes.
Soon after we were overtaken by Several Canoes of different tribes who reside on each Side of the river the three above Tribes and the Clâh-in-na-ta cathy-lah-nah-qui-up & Cath-lah-com-mah-tup reside on each Side of Wappato inlet [Multnomah Channel] and back of Wappato Island [Sauvie Island] which Island is formed by a Small Chanel which passes from the Lower part of Image Canoe Island [Hayden Island] into an inlet which makes in from the S W. Side, and receves the water of a Creek which heads with the Kil a mox River. this wappato Island [Sauvie Island] is about 18 or 20 Miles long and in places from 6 to 10 miles wide high & furtile with ponds on different parts of it in which the nativs geather Wappato. nearly opposit the upper point of the Isld. behing which we encamped last night, or on the Wappato Isld. is Several Camps of the nativs catching Sturgion. about 5 miles Still higher up and on the N E. Side we halted for brackfast at the place which We had encamped the 4th of November last [near Post Office Lake, Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge]. here we were visited by several canoes of Indians from two Towns a Short distance above on the Wappato Island [Sauvie Island]. the 1st of those Tribes Call themselves Clan-nah-quah and Situated about 2 miles above us, the other about a mile above Call themselves Mult-no-mah
...
at 10 a. m. we Set out and had not proceeded far before we came to a landing place where there was Several large canoes hauled up, and Sitting in a canoe, appearantly waiting our arival with a view to join the fleet indian who was then along Side of us. this man informed he was a Shoto and that his nation resided a little distance from the river. we landed and one of the indians pointed to the Shoto village which is Situated back of Pond [Vancouver Lake] which lies parrelal with the river on the N E. Side nearly opposit the Clan-nah quah village. here we were also joined by Several Canoes loaded with the natives from the Island who Continued to accompany us untill about 4 oClock when they all returned and we proceeded on to the place the Indians Stole my Tomahawk 4th Novr. last [Hayden Island] and Encamped in a Small Prarie ["Jolie Prairie" where Fort Vancouver and Pearson Airpark would some day be located] above a large Pond on N. E and opposit the Center of image Canoe Island [Hayden Island]. capt Lewis walked out and Saw Several deer. Jo. Field Shot at Elk he killed and brought in a fine duck.
...
we made 22 Miles only to day the wind and a Strong current being against us all day, with rain. discovered a high mountain S E. Covered with Snow which we call Mt. Jefferson [Mount Jefferson, Oregon]
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Clark, April 2, 1806 ...
This morning we came to a resolution to remain at our present encampment [Cottonwood Beach, Washougal, Washington] or Some where in this neighbourhood untill we had obtained as much dried meat as would be necessary for our voyage as far as the Chopunnish.
...
about this time Several Canoes of the nativs arived at our Camp [Cottonwood Beach] among others two from below with Eight men of the Shah-ha-la Nation those men informed us that they reside on the opposit Side of the Columbia near Some pine trees which they pointed to in the bottom South of the Dimond Island [Government Island], they Singled out two young men whome they informed us lited at the Falls of a large river [Willamette Falls] which discharges itself into the Columbia on it's South Side Some Miles below us. we readily provailed on them to give us a Sketch of this river [Willamette River] which they drew on a Mat with a coal, it appeared that this river which they Call Mult-no'-mah discharged itself behind the Island we call the image Canoe island [Hayden Island], and as we had left this Island to the South both in decending & assending the river we had never Seen it. they informed us that it was a large river and runs a Considerable distance to the South between the Mountains. I deturmined to take a Small party and return to this river and examine its Size and Collect as much information of the nativs on it or near its enterance into the Columbia of its extent, the Country which it waters and the nativs who inhabit its banks &c. I took with me Six Men. Thompson J. Potts, Peter Crusat, P. Wiser, T. P. Howard, Jos. Whitehouse & my man York in a large Canoe, with an Indian whome I hired for a Sun glass to accompany me as a pilot. at half past 11 A. M. I Set out ...
at 8 miles passed a village on the South side [Chinook Landing and Blue Lake area] at this place my Pilot informed me he resided and that the name of his tribe is Ne-cha-co-lee, this village is back or to the South of Dimond island [Government Island], and as we passed on the North Side of the island both decending & assending did not See or know of this Village. I proceeded on without landing at this village. at 3 P. M. I landed at a large double house of the Ne-er-cho-ki-oo tribe of the Shah-ha-la Nation. at this place we had Seen 24 aditional Straw Huts as we passed down last fall [November 4, 1805, in the vicinity of the Portland International Airport] and whome as I have before mentioned reside at the Great rapids of the Columbia [Celilo Falls]. on the bank at different places I observed Small Canoes which the women make use of to gather Wappato & roots in the Slashes. those Canoes are from 10 to 14 feet long and from 18 to 23 inches wide in the widest part tapering from the center to both ends in this form and about 9 inches deep and So light that a woman may with one hand haul them with ease, and they are Sufficient to Carry a woman on Some loading. I think 100 of those canoes were piled up and Scattered in different directions about in the Woods in the vecinity of this house, the pilot informed me that those Canoes were the property of the inhabitents of the Grand rapids who used them ocasionally to gather roots.
...
I left them [village near today's Portland International Airport] and proceeded on on the South Side [North Portland Harbor] of Image Canoe Island [Hayden Island] which I found to be two Islands hid from the opposit Side by one near the Center of the river. the lower point of the upper and the upper point of the lower cannot be Seen from the North Side of the Columbia on which we had passed both decending and ascending and had not observed the apperture between those islands. at the distance of 13 Miles below the last village [location of Portland International Airport] and at the place I had Supposed was the lower point of the image Canoe island [Hayden Island], I entered this river which the nativs had informed us of, Called Mult no mah River [Willamette River] so called by the nativs from a Nation who reside on Wappato Island [Sauvie Island] a little below the enterance of this river. Multnomah [Willamette River] discharges itself in the Columbia on the S. E. and may be justly Said to be ¼ the Size of that noble river. Multnomah had fallen 18 inches from it's greatest annual height. three Small Islands are situated in it's mouth [Belle Vue Point and Kelley Point, on opposite sides of the mouth of the Willamette, use to be islands] which hides the river from view from the Columbia. from the enterance of this river [Willamette River] , I can plainly See Mt. Jefferson [Mount Jefferson, Oregon] which is high and Covered with snow S. E. Mt. Hood East [Mount Hood, Oregon], Mt St. Helians [Mount St. Helens, Washington] a high humped Mountain to the East of Mt St. Helians [Mount Adams, Washington, is east of Mount St. Helens]. I also Saw the Mt. Raneer [Mount Rainier, Washington] Nearly North. Soon after I arived at this river an old man passed down of the Clark a'mos Nation who are noumerous and reside on a branch of this river which receives it's waters from Mt. Jefferson [Mount Jefferson, Oregon] which is emensely high and discharges itself into this river one day and a half up, this distance I State at 40 Miles. This nation inhabits 11 Villages their Dress and language is very Similar to the Quath-lah-poh-tle and other tribes on Wappato Island [Sauvie Island].
The Current of the Multnomar [Willamette River] is as jentle as that of the Columbia glides Smoothly with an eavin surface, and appears to be Sufficiently deep for the largest Ship. I attempted fathom it with a Cord of 5 fathom which was the only Cord I had, could not find bottom ? of the distance across. I proceeded up this river 10 miles from it's enterance into the Columbia to a large house on the N E. Side and Encamped near the house [downstream of Cathedral Park and the St. Johns Bridge, Portland, Oregon, near Portland's Terminal 4.], the flees being So noumerous in the house that we could not Sleep in it.
this is the house of the Cush-hooks Nation who reside at the falls of this river which the pilot informs me they make use of when they Come down to the Vally to gather Wappato. he also informs me that a number of other Smaller houses are Situated on two Bayous which make out on the S. E. Side a little below the house. this house appears to have been laterly abandoned by its inhabitants
...
The course and distance assending the Molt no mar R [Willamette River] from it's enterance into the Columbia at the lower point of the 3rd Image Canoe island.
[This area has changed during the past 200 years. Lewis and Clark called today's Hayden Island "Image Canoe Island". Their "3rd Image Canoe Island" however maybe in reference to the "three Small Islands are situated in it's mouth" (see journal entry above), two of the islands possibly were islands which are today's Belle Vue Point on Sauvie Island, and Pearcy Island which eventually became Kelley Point. Lewis and Clark's route map (Map#79 and Map#80, Moulton, Vol.1) shows a long "Image Canoe Island" with two small islands on the north side of "Image Canoe Island", and three small islands at the mouth of the "Multnomah R.". ]
S. 30° W. 2 Miles to the upper point of a Small Island [???] in the Middle of
Moltnomar river [Willamette River]. thence
S. 10° W. 3 miles to a Sluce 80 yards wide [Multnomah Channel] which devides Wappato Island [Sauvie Island]
from the Main Stard. Side Shore passing a Willow point on the Lard. Side [???].
S. 60° E. 3 miles to a large Indian house on the Lard Side below Some
high pine land.
[Lewis and Clark's map plotted against an 1888 map of the area shows this location to be closer to 2 miles from the Multnomah Channel, just upstream from Portland's Terminal 4, and across from the community of Linnton.]
high bold Shore on the Starboard Side
[Tualatin Mountains].
thence
S. 30° E 2 miles to a bend under the high lands on the Stard Side [St. Johns Bridge area located at the base of the Tualatin Mountains]
miles 10 passing a Larborad point [???].
thence the river bends to the East of S East as far as I could See [the stretch through Portland, Oregon]. at this place I think the wedth of the river may be Stated at 500 yards and Sufficiently deep for a Man of War or Ship of any burthern.
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