Current Fort Umpqua News
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The replication of the Fort Umpqua complex is a work in progress. The complete project plans have been drawn and approved by the Douglas County Planning Department and the Douglas County Building Department. As of August, 2009, the stockade, bastions and gate are up and ready for a special dedication ceremony at Fort Umpqua Days, on Sunday, September 6 at 1pm. The three buildings inside the fort will be the next major project at this exciting and historical site. See the photos for changes in the fort site in June and the driving of the last peg in August
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Historical significance, threatened historical information
The original fort was located one mile upstream from the ECEC site, but fire and flood destroyed all evidence of its existence. The person who owns the land where once Fort Umpqua will not allow restoration on his property.
If Fort Umpqua is not built, an important part of the human experience of Oregon will be lost forever. As the southernmost trading outpost of the Hudson Bay Company, Fort Umpqua represented the British claim on Oregon territory during its existence from 1836- 1851, the time of western expansion. When the beaver pelts lost fashion favor, Fort Umpqua remained as an agricultural center and is credited with being the first white settlement in southern Oregon, the first farm, the first domestic habitation and the site of the introduction of the first cattle and fruit trees. Such achievements are worthy of preservation.
Site
The property near the river at ECEC has similar qualities of the original fort. It fronts the Umpqua River on a pasture of bottom land. No other structure will be near it and a visual barrier of trees has been planted to give the site an ambiance of seclusion. Fort Umpqua will be a place for further interpretation of not only area history, but the history of the United States. Local students will act as interpreters of the site and the history. When completed, visitors will see an actual fort, visit buildings of the 1836-1851 era and see a heritage garden and orchard on the premises. Heritage trees have already been grafted and are now ready for transplanting in a fort orchard setting.
Heritage development and resources
Fort Umpqua will promote understanding of and appreciation for the important era of expansion of the west. Fort visitors and construction partners will become aware of the historical British presence in Southern Oregon and the significance of the Hudson Bay Company in establishment of farms and orchards in Douglas County. Development of the site will include a trading post, a representative heritage garden and orchard and interpretive information on the significance of the Fort. A demonstration garden of heirloom species will planted be near the fort.
Youth employees will research area history, consult with historians and be guided by living history experts on methods of giving tours to the public in an authentic and appropriate manner. A local woman has volunteered to sew all period costumes for the docents and guides. On a day to day basis in the summer and on a celebration basis during the summer months, the Fort Umpqua project will be a living history museum for community members as well as a destination for visitors to the area.
Interpretive signage will relate information about fort construction, original personnel and methods of trapping and trading. After consultation and collaboration, information on tribal activity in the area will be depicted by signage or construction. The Douglas County Museum and local artists are working conceptually on the interpretive materials.
Local artifacts have already been gathered from people willing to contribute to the preservation and display of historic tools, clothing and pictures. In addition, narrative tapes and books relating to area history or by area authors have already been procured for further use as a public record of Douglas County history.
The development of the Fort Umpqua site will be a continuing process as passionate people emerge with ideas related to the accurate portrayal of the rich history of the region. As an example, a woman from Roseburg has recently volunteered to teach pioneer cooking when the fort is completed.
Fort Umpqua will become an educational center, a museum and a spot for preservation of artifacts and traditions to demonstrate the rich heritage of significant things, thoughts and activities associated with the human experience in Oregon.
Photos
