Vancouver National Historic Reserve: Cultural Landscape Report, Vancouver National Historic Reserve, National Park Service

Jones and Jones, contractor

The Cultural Landscape Report for Vancouver National Historic Reserve is organized in four main parts: Site History, Existing Conditions, and Analysis and Evaluation, and Treatment. The report provides information about the historical development, significance, and existing character of the Reserve’s cultural landscape. This information is based on primary and secondary research sources, a detailed cultural landscape inventory, and careful analysis and evaluation of landscape characteristics and associated features that contribute to the Reserve’s historical significance. Treatment goals were defined from this in-depth research and analysis, in conjunction with input from the Reserve Partners and public. Research methods involved review of various primary and secondary resources, including the Historic Reserve’s archival collection of historical photos, illustrations, maps, journals, and archaeological records. Additionally, U.S. Army records, periodicals, special studies, research documents, and historical society records were examined, as well as National Park Service planning and management documents. Eight historic periods of significance were identified for Vancouver National Historic Reserve as follows: • Indian Country: pre–1824 • Hudson’s Bay Company: 1824–1846 • Fort Vancouver and Vancouver Barracks: 1847–1860 • U.S. Army: 1861–1916 • U.S. Army and World War I: 1917–1918 • U.S. Army and Civilian Conservation Corps: 1919–1941 • U.S. Army and World War II: 1942–1947 • National Park Service: 1948–1996 These eight periods generally adhere to the larger historic eras identified by prior cultural landscape studies but further break out the World War years as distinct historic periods. Preliminary digital analysis in tandem with archival research allowed us to create a snapshot of the Reserve’s cultural landscape for all eight historic periods. Within a given period of time, especially the longer time periods that span a few decades, changes inevitably occurred prior to or after the period map’s point of reference. Typically, these changes are minor, e.g., the removal or addition of an occasional road or building. In one period, the U.S. Army 1861–1916, the changes are more substantial, including demolition and new construction of Barracks structures. The period maps, however, effectively portray the peak state of the cultural landscape for each period, and clearly demonstrate the evolution or layering of human activities on the site. They also illustrate which landscape characteristics, such as spatial organization, were particularly influential in defining the prevailing site patterns and forms. In addition to tracing the site’s history, and determining landscape character over time, we also documented the Reserve’s existing conditions. By documenting both the existing and historic condition of the Vancouver National Historic Reserve, we determined what landscape characteristics for each historic period are still extant and contribute to the historic significance of the Reserve. Remarkably, the Reserve retains many of the historic resources from each time period. The current landscape pattern clearly demonstrates the cultural landscape layering that began with Native American landscape interactions, extended into HBC activities, and intensified through subsequent periods with the presence of the U.S. Army.

Vancouver National Historic Reserve: Cultural Landscape Report, Vancouver National Historic Reserve, National Park Service

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