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Pacific Northwest Native Art - ART
Before the flood of European and American settlers, the native people had their own form of art. Their precious metal was copper. It was made into bracelets, ornaments or breastplates. Bones and stone were carved into many items. Some were utilitarian such as pins to secure robes or blankets or containers. Some were ornate masks or bodily piercings. Jewelry such as armbands, earrings, rings or headpieces were worn for decoration, for healing properties or for symbolic reasons. -
Logging - Environment
As the settlers moved into the Pacific Northwest they began clear-cutting trees. Using what they needed for building, they burned the rest of the smaller trees along with the land. Eventually the wood needs were met but land was still needed. Vast amounts of land were clear cut and burnt to make room for agriculture. -
Fur Trade - Economics
Fur was KING in the 1800's. You can see one of the Hudson Bay Company fur loft here. The choicest fur was that of the beaver. The pelts were made into hats that were in high demand from the uprising middle class in Europe.)</ -
Rendezvous - Economics
Rendezvous were a way to get furs out of the Pacific Northwest and goods into it. They took place between 1825 and 1840. Goods were brought in for both native and non-natives. Prized by the natives were pigments, beads, rings and bracelets. The mountain men prized knives, gun powder, rendered soap, new kettles and winter gear. -
François Norbert Blanchet - Religion
François Norbert Blanchet arrived in the Oragon Country and served the Lord by administering to the religious lives of both the settlers and the Natives. He was the first vicar general in the Pacific Northwest and worked out of the first church there. -
Hydraulic mining - Environment
As easy gold started to disappear people bought in heavy equipment to mine. Lone miners were replaced by large companies. They used hydraulic cannons to wash away entire hillsides. The sediments from the hills washed into previously pristine streams. They washed away the trees that stabilized the land. The mercury that they used in mining for gold washed into the stream polluting them.)</ -
Waashat Religion - Religion
The Waashat Religion is also called the Washani Religion, Longhouse Religion, Seven Drum Religion, Sunday Dance Religion, Prophet Dance, and Dreamer Faith. It was started by a Wanapam Indian named Smohalla. He used the rituals of dance and worship to build religion in the Pacific Northwest. It was a back to our roots type of religion that threw off the chains of the white man's culture. -
Reservation reallocations - Government
Non-natives began pouring into the Columbia River basin in the 1840's. By the 1850's the inevitable conflicts between the settlers and the Indians arose. The government began to push the natives of their reservation lands onto other locations placed away from the transportation corridors and the most productive farmland. -
George F. Whitworth - Religion
George F. Whitworth was one of the first Protestant pastors to come to the Pacific Northwest. He founded 20 churches and became superintendent of public schools in Thurston County and in Seattle. He was twice named president of the University of Washington. In 1890 he founded Whitworth University. -
Gold Discovered – Economics
Gold was discovered in the Pacific Northwest. This drew those looking for a lucky strike from all over the world. Populations inflated as miner followed the gold. Personal Wealth grew greatly as those that found the gold, spent the gold. Over 3 million dollars in gold was transported down river in 1861 alone. This injected a much needed surge of wealth into the Union in the Civil War era. -
The Nez Perce Wars - Government
This was a 4 month fighting retreat lead by Chief Joseph. The 800 men women and children traveled on this 1,200 mile flight in an effort to reach Canada. Before they were stopped short of the boarder they had 18 engagements with the American military. This conflict was caused by a large influx of settlers. The Nez Perce are admired for their conduct and fighting ability displayed in this event. -
Fishwheel -Environment
Fishwheels were a way to extract fish from the river with the minimum amount of human effort. The wheels ran by the power of the current. They were also the most effective, and destructive, way of removing fish at the time. They were so effective that by 1883 the valuable Chinook salmon had peaked and were on the decline -
Smoky Sunrise,Astoria Harbor - Art
This is a depiction of Astoria Harbor by Cleveland Rockwell. He traveled the Pacific Northwest in the late 1800's. His artwork is not only beautiful for itself but also for the way of life it depicts. -
Steam Donkey - Technology
The steam donkey was used in logging camps. This invention replaced oxen and horses hauling, and increased logging production enormously. It could be used for yarding, hauling and loading logs. -
Curtailing of Chinese Immigration - Government
With the Act of May 6, 1882, Chinese immigration was severely curtailed. The Chinese had come to the U.S. in response to the need of inexpensive labor. The government under pressure of the American Citizens suspended immigration for 10 years. -
Railways - Technology
The Northern Pacific Railway linked Chicago, Illinois with Seattle, Washington. The construction of the railways brought many immigrants. Many crews were made of mainly Chinese workers. The completion of this rail system enabled people to make the trip in 5 or 6 days compared to the previous 6 weeks. -
Native vs. Settler buildings -Architecture
There was a vast difference among the natives and the settlers in building styles. Here you can see tents scattered along the beach as well as the large cedar planked building sitting at the base of the cliff. Atop the cliff you can see the Cape Flattery Lighthouse among other buildings built by non-natives. This image is of a Makah potlatch on Tatoosh Island in Washington. -
Iron Chink - Technology
The Iron Chink was invented. The name gave a nod to the skill of the Chinese workers while also slurring them. This machine made it possible to process fish much quicker. Fishing was becoming a large industry of the Pacific Northwest.
