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Economics: Lewis and Clark
1803-1806 On their expedition, Lewis and Clark collected valuable information regarding the wildlife that flourished in the PNW. Due to this knowledge, people shifted their attention west to gain riches through the trade of beaver and other animal furs. (Schwantes 53-64) -
Economics: John McLoughlin
1824-1846 Due to his involvement in the PNW John McLoughlin earned the name “Father of Oregon.” He was the Chief factor for the Hudson Bay Company and was headquartered at Fort Vancouver. With harshness he ruled the Columbia District which in turn aided the flourishing of the Hudson Bay Company. (Schwantes 70-73) -
Religion: Hudson Bay Company
1825 The Hudson Bay Company encouraged the sons of Native American leaders to travel to a Red River settlement and attend an angelic mission school. This later led to other Native sons to follow suit. (Schwantes 93) -
Religion: Seeking William Clark
1831- A group of men from the Nez Perce and Flathead tribes go in search of William Clark so they could ask for “black robes” and “book.” Their journey took them to St. Lewis where they communicated with sign language for their requests. (Schwantes 92) -
Environment:Captain Benjamin Louis Eulalie de Bonneville
1832-1834 Captain Bonneville traced many routes along the PNW. He was attempting to find a route to California from the Rocky Mountains. On one of his journeys he proved that it was possible to cross the continental divide with full wagons. He also gathered other information that was useful in the establishment of Oregon. (Schwantes 115) -
Religion: Whitman Mission
1836 The Whitman’s establish their mission after their long journey west. The Whitman’s focused on converting and civilizing the Cayuse Indians. The Whitman’s were later killed after the Cayuse believed Marcus Whitman was killing Native Americans with witchcraft when they passed away from sicknesses the whites were able to recover from. (Schwantes 83-89) -
Science and Technology: The Beaver
The Beaver, was the very first steamboat in the Northwest. The Hudson Bay Company had it constructed and sent to Fort Vancouver. Steamboats soon became an important form of shipment in the PNW.(Schwantes 181 -
Science and Technology: Spalding Mission
1839 Henry Spalding ordered a printing press in order to translate books from the bible for the Nez Perce people. This new technology allowed for more material to be accessible faster to the Native Americans. Even though printing made materials more readily available, the Spalding Mission still faced hardships. (Schwantes 94-95) -
Environment: Oregon Trail
1840-1860 Even though the Oregon Trail had been laid many years before, in 1840 the first family looking to settle a home arrived in the PNW. Following the settlers were many others that were searching for a new beginning. Due to sickness and hardship many people and animals perished along the way. Due to the amount of death and lack of proper burial, others that followed ended up falling ill. This environmental change caused sickness and death to flourish along the way. (Schwantes 99-108) -
Environment: Manifest Destiny
During the Mid 1840’s a mindset changed the environment of the PNW forever. Manifest Destiny inspired many people to venture out west to settle new territories and look for a new start. This forever shaped the PNW by bringing new populations of people that ended up creating farmland, cities, and mines. (Schwantes 114-117) -
Art and Architecture: Cataldo Mission
1846-1877 Anthony Ravalli began the construction of a permanent Catholic Church for the Cataldo Mission. The church was built with very little supplies and styled after Greek Revival structures. The mission went on to convert Natives to the Catholic religion and western way of life. (Schwantes 96) -
Government: Oregon State Constitution
The Oregon State constitution is voted upon and approved by the people after being completed earlier in August. In the election it was also voted and approved to reject African Americans but to also ban slavery. (Swantes) -
Government: Oregon State
Oregon becomes the thirty-third state, after the Oregon admission bill was passed by congress, President Buchanan approved the status of Oregon State. -
Economics: Gold Rush of 1860
August 1860 gold was discovered all over the PNW and the Washington Territory. This gold rush led to new mining camps throughout the PNW, gold for the Civil War, and to the destruction of the environment. (Schwantes 129-133) -
Art and Architecture: Idaho City
Due to the gold rush, Idaho City’s population swelled in size in 1863. The city had opera houses, music stores, and theaters for residents that came in search of gold. pg 131 -
Art and Architecture: Anti-Mormonism Cartoon
In the late 1800’s the West Shore published a cartoon of an Idaho angel casting a Mormon man out. During this time Mormonism was not accepted and many cartoon depictions can be found of the anti-Mormonism movement. (Schwantes 160-161) -
Science and Technology
The railroad was one of the most inventive technologies the Americas had during this time. In 1869, the golden spike was placed in celebration of the transcontinental railroad. It took fourteen more years to finally connect the PNW with the rest of the United States. In Sept of 1883 Pudget Sound and Portland were finally connected to the Great Lakes. (Schwantes 169) -
Government: Dawes Severalty Act
1887 The Dawes Act was passed by congress to reform the Native American lifestyle. The act encouraged the shift from traditional tribal culture to a more agricultural way of life. This act ultimately resulted in the diminishing of reservation sizes to give white settlers more land. (Schwantes 144-145)
