This viewpoint on U.S. Highway 99E is as good a place to start exploring Oregon City as any.
Willamette Falls from the Falls Vista Viewpoint on August 19, 2006.
This point gives a spectacular view of Willamette Falls.
Historical Sign at the Falls Vista Viewpoint on August 19, 2006.
Historical Sign at the Falls Vista Viewpoint on August 19, 2006.
The viewpoint features signage explaining some of the history of Oregon City.
Bust of John McLoughlin at the Falls Vista Viewpoint on August 19, 2006.
Bust of John McLoughlin at the Falls Vista Viewpoint on August 19, 2006.
The Viewpoint also features a bust of Dr. John McLoughlin. The bust once had a plaque but it has been stolen.
Peter S. Ogden plaque at the Falls Vista Viewpoint on August 19, 2006.
The Viewpoint also features a plaque that reads: "400 FEET SOUTH OF THIS MARKER STOOD THE HOME OF PETER SKENE OGDEN CHIEF FACTOR OF HUDSON’S BAY COMPANY AND RESCUER OF THE SURVIVORS OF THE WHITMAN MASSACRE."
In 1836, Dr. Marcus Whitman and Rev. Henry Spalding had settled with their families at Waiilatpu near Fort Walla Walla in the eastern part of the Oregon Country, near what is today Walla Walla, Washington. Their wives, Narcissa Whitman and Eliza Hart Spalding, were the first white American women in the Oregon Country. Against the recommendation of Dr. McLoughlin, Whitman founded a mission at Waiilaptu, and other settlers joined them there. Some of the new arrivals were hostile toward the Native Americans in the area, leading a group of Natives Americans to attack the mission on November 29, 1847. The Whitmans and 13 additional men were killed, and 54 women and children taken hostage. Henry & Eliza Hart Spalding were not present, but their young daughter Eliza was. One man, a carpenter named Peter Hall, had managed to escape to alert Fort Walla Walla, but then disappeared on the way to Fort Vancouver.
Upon hearing of the massacre, James Douglas, who had replaced Dr. McLoughlin as Chief Factor of the Hudson's Bay Company, set Peter Skene Ogden on December 19 with goods to trade with the Native Americans for the release of the hostages. By that time, several of the hostages had died, but Ogden rescued 49 of them, including the Spalding's daughter Eliza. The Spaldings would settle in Oregon City for a time before moving to Forest Grove, Oregon, where they founded Tualatin Academy, which later became Pacific University.
Ogden later became Chief Factor of the Hudson's Bay Company himself, before retiring and building a home in Oregon City. He died September 27, 1854 at the age of 60 and is buried in Oregon City's Mountain View Cemetery.
Historical Photo:
Portrait of Peter Skene Ogden (Oregon State Library)
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