Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 18.djvu/106



82 T. C. Eluott

It will be conceded that Point Vancouver can be best located from a station on the bank or shore of the Columbia river in relatively the same spot that Lieutenant Broughton stood upon, and by taking the same observations that he took. Recogniz- ing that fact, the writer, in company with Mr. George H. Himes and Mr. Leslie M. Scott, of the Oregon Historical Society, and Mr. E. O. S. Scholefield, Archivist of the Prov- ince of B. C, on October 30th, 1916 (an anniversary date), took a launch at Camas, Wash., and carefully followed the track of Lieut. Broughton on the river, lunched about where he dined, and afterward stood upon the extensive bar of sand on the Oregon shore between the false mouth and the upper, or true mouth, of the Sandy river and checked the narrative of Capt. Vancouver (from Broughton's report, of course) with the physical appearance of the opposite shore and surrounding country. An observation of Mt. Hood was impossible on that day, but steamboat men have repeatedly assured the writer that Mt. Hood is not visible from the river levels at any point much above the true mouth of the Sandy river. It at once , became conclusive that Point Vancouver is that low and quite broad point of land situated southeast from Washougal and southwest from Cape Horn, Washington, and nearly opposite to the railway station of Corbett, Oregon ; forming the extreme southern end of the extensive meadows stretching southeast- ward from Washougal and around which the river flows from Mt. Pleasant to Washougal. This point in 1792 was probably composed entirely of sand, but is now overgrown with cotton- wood trees and brush and a sand island in front of it is also covered with brush. From this physical condition it has come to be known by the river-men as Cottonwood Point. It is quite possible that in October, 1792, the sandy island was joined to the shore line and formed the point, or made it appear more like a point than observation from other stations, such as Crown Point, now indicates.

Is it not possible that official cognizance of this landmark may soon be taken and Point Vancouver be designated on the maps and charts issued by the national government?