Fort Rains Site
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Hikes to this location:
- Fort Rains Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Weather forecast: NWS/NOAA
- Maps: Oregon Hikers Maps Google Maps
- Latitude, Longitude: 45.65327, -121.91840
- Elevation: 100 feet
Description
Before Bonneville Dam was built, navigation on the Columbia River was blocked by the set of rapids known as the Cascades. When Europeans began settling in western Oregon and Washington, the Cascades became a natural bottleneck to immigrants. An early portage trail was replaced with a primitive tramway.
Fort Rains was built in late 1855 at the lower end of the upper portage, to defend the Middle Cascades. The fort was named for Major Gabriel Raines, who later fought for the Confederate States as a Brigadier General. Fort Cascades was built at the Lower Cascades for the same reasons, and there were two other blockhouses constructed along the portage route.
In March 1856, a group of Yakama Indians arrived from the north and stirred dissent in the local Indians, the Chinook. On March 26, they attacked the white settlers. The settlers took refuge at Fort Rains. Fort Cascades was burned the same day. After relief troops arrived from The Dalles on March 28, the Yakamas fled to the north and the local Indians surrendered.
Today the site of Fort Rains is marked by an interpretive sign on the south side of the highway. Another sign describes the early railroads here.
More Links
- "Fort Rains, Washington ... (Middle Blockhouse)" (The Columbia River: A Photographic Journey)
- Fort Rains (Fort Wiki)
Contributors
- Stevefromdodge (creator)