Fort Clatsop, built by Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark's Expedition Party in December, 1805 for use as their winter quarters, was situated 4.5 miles south of present day Astoria.On the inside of the elk-skin cover of one of his journals, William Clark drew this plan of Fort Clatsop. The three rooms across the top of the plan are barracks for the enlisted men; in the center is a parade ground; and across the bottom are four rooms for the captains, for Charbonneau's family, and for storage.
The site was selected because of plentiful game in the surrounding countryside such as elk and because it was convenient to the coast (present day Seaside) where salt could be made for the preservation of meat. It would be needed for the journey of the Exploration Party back to the Missouri and home.
An important undertaking by the captains at Fort Clatsop was reworking and organizing their journals and maps. The other members were occupied by hunting, preparing food and clothing, and trading with the local Indians. The Indians were friendly yet they were disappointed that no trading ships entered the Columbia River during their stay.
After enduring a wet and stormy winter the Exploration Party led by Lewis and Clark left Fort Clatsop on March 23, 1806 and began its "Homeward Bound Journey."
Fort Clatsop, the focal point of the Lewis and Clark 200th anniversary, was destroyed by an accidental fire last October (2005) by the National Park Service. The fire destroyed the replica that had been built by locals in 1955. The photo shows the replacement rising like a phoenix rising out of the ashes.
Instructions for logging waymark: A photograph is required of you (or your GPS receiver, if you are waymarking solo) and the place.