Vancouver, Washington
Vancouver, Washington is situated on the north bank of the Columbia River, with the Pacific Coast located less than 90 miles to the west. With the Cascade Mountain Range to the east, and Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument and Mt. Hood are only two hours away, those moving to Vancouver will discover the excitement of a major metropolitan area with small-town charisma and plenty of recreational opportunities.
History:
In the early 1800s, American explorers Lewis and Clark camped near the Vancouver waterfront on the return leg of their famed western expedition. In 1825, Dr. John McLoughlin decided to move the northwest headquarters of the Hudson’s Bay Company from Astoria to a more flattering setting upriver. Fort Vancouver was thus born. For many years, Fort Vancouver was the midpoint of all fur trading in the Pacific Northwest. The northwest soon became part of the US, and in 1849, American troops arrived to establish Vancouver Barracks. The city served as a military headquarters for much of the Pacific Northwest. In 1857, the City of Vancouver was finally incorporated. Through the rest of the century, Vancouver progressed. And in 1908, the first rail line reached Vancouver. Two years later, a railroad bridge was opened south across the Columbia. During World War I, the site later named Pearson Field was the setting of the world's largest cut-up mill. During World War II, Vancouver’s Kaiser Shipyard was responsible for the construction of an assortment of aircrafts that would contribute significantly to the country’s war effort. Today, Vancouver is a community boasting an vision of a future rich with promise.
Economy:
The economy of Vancouver is similar to that of the region. Moving from a salmon and trade based indigenous economy, the Hudson's Bay Company pioneered extractive industries such as the fur trade and timber. Agricultural gave way to market and export crops such as apples, strawberries and prunes. A 1908 railroad swing bridge across the Columbia allowed greater industrial developments, such as the Standifer Shipyard, which opened during World War I. Vancouver saw an industrial boom in the 1940s, with the construction of the Kaiser shipyard and Alcoa, as well as a Boise Cascade paper mill. As the old-growth forests were exhausted and heavy industry left the US, Vancouver's economy has largely changed to high technologies and service industry jobs, with many residents commuting to Portland. Recently, the largest employers in Clark County are government agencies and Fred Meyer grocery stores, as well as Hewlett-Packard, WaferTech, SEH America, Christensen Shipyards and labor subcontractors such as Volt Services Group. Downtown is home to a variety of independently owned small and mid-sized businesses, while outer areas of the city are dominated by strip malls and franchise stores.
Tourism:
For the explorer in the group, spend some time taking on all the historical attractions Vancouver has to offer, including Officers Row, where you can stroll through 22 preserved Victorian houses, and the Cedar Creek Grist Mill, the only remaining old-fashioned grain-grinding mill in the state. Vancouver is also home to over 7,000 acres of public parks and miles of hiking and biking trails, public pools and tennis courts. Check out the Waterfront Renaissance Trail. A seven-foot tall statue overlooking the Columbia River pays tribute to a Chinook Indian Chief's daughter. View this monument and many other sights while strolling along the Waterfront Renaissance Trail—the city’s pride and joy. This four-mile paved pathway connects downtown Vancouver with the shops, parks and many other attractions along the Columbia River waterfront. Finally, head over to Klineline Park. This park is a popular one for swimming or catching some rays. And, before you call it a day, don’t forget to visit all the local wineries and vineyards that call Vancouver home.
Colleges/Universities:
• Clark College
• Everest College at Vancouver
• University of Phoenix – Vancouver Learning Center
• University of Washington Tacoma
Interesting Facts:
• Vancouver, Washington requires all motor vehicles to carry anchors as an emergency brake.
• The city (like the Canadian province) was named after George Vancouver.
Helpful Links:
• Vancouver Real Estate
• Vancouver Storage Facility
• Vancouver Insurance
• Vancouver Dental Offices
• Vancouver Moving Companies