In 1836, Hudson’s Bay Company established Fort Umpqua near the confluence of Elk Creek (La Bische Ruisseau) and the Umpqua River at the present day town of Elkton, Oregon.  Local tribes; Coos, lower and upper Umpqua and Suislaw Indians traded hides of sea otter and beaver for trade items of beads, pots, knifes and axes.

The site for the fort was selected by  Jean Baptiste Gagnier, picture left, who post master ran the fort for a number of years. It was placed across from the intersection of Elk Creek and the Umpqua River on a known travel route for Hudson’s Bay Company traders. There was also an Indian trail from Coos River to Ash Valley and on to the Umpqua River, and upriver to the Fort.

The fort itself was a 12 ' high stockade with bastions at diagonal corners. The 90' square enclosed a dwelling for Post Master Jean Baptiste Gagnier and his Umpqua family, a range of stores, a few apple trees and quarters for 6 employees. Outside the stockade was a barn and stable. Eighty fenced acres were under cultivation.

The post had only a small staff assigned most of the time. Three to thirteen men manned the fort but the average was five or six. The staff usually consisted of French-Canadians, Metis "mixed breed" Indian/French-Canadian and some contract employees from Hawaii and Polynesia.

In 1840 the post was described by Gustavus Hines as consisting of "...three or four little log huts built on three sides of a square, and covered with cedar bark. These huts are stockaded by poles set in the ground, and rising 12 feet high; and at two opposite corners of the enclosure thus formed, there are two bastions commanding all sides of the fort, and containing means for the defense of theestablishment against the attacks of the Indians...". The fort was twice besieged by Indians.

The fort became a regional trading center and production center for farm goods and livestock. Trade goods in the form of hatchets, kettles, beads and other items desired by the Indians were exchanged for fur pelts. Furs were collected and taken annually to Fort Vancouver on the Columbia River. The post also became a way point for travelers and supply depot along the Oregon-California trail for settlers. It had a significant impact on the Indian culture and quickened the pace of change all along the Umpaqua River and valley.

The fort was destroyed by a fire on 15 Nov 1851 while the commander was at FortVancouver. The Hudson's Bay Company kept the operation going for another three years without the protection of the fort but the post closed in 1854 as the fur trade diminished.

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Metis Music

Michael LaFramboise "Old Raspberries" and Chinook wife Marie