the best that could be found. On a fine prairie about three quarters of a mile from the river, McLoughlin built the first Fort Vancouver, and occupied it in March, 1825. Four years later another establishment was built on the low ground near the river bank. It was simply a stockade made of posts about twenty feet in length, inclosing a rectangular space thirty-seven rods long by eighteen rods in width, which contained all the principal buildings, including Dr. McLoughlin's residence. The servants of the company, with their Indian families and friends, lived just outside, where in course of time a considerable village grew up. Such was the famous Fort Vancouver, round which clusters so much of the romance, as well as the more sober history, of early Oregon.^ Dr. McLoughlin remained in charge of the establishment for twenty-two years, managing the company's business with rare success; and by his firm control over the Indians of the entire Oregon country, his kindness and hospitality to American traders, missionaries, adventurers and colonists, richly deserving the title, "Father of Oregon," bestowed upon him by the pioneers.
The fur trade at Vancouver. Vancouver was the clearing house for all the business west of the Rocky Mountains. Here the annual ships from London landed supplies and merchandise, which were placed in warehouses to await the departure of the boat brigades
lA fascinating picture of life at this western emporium of the fur trade is given by Mrs. Eva Emery Dye in her "McLoughlin and Old Oregon."
