Vancouver Barracks

The U. S. Army arrived in the Pacific Northwest in 1949 in response to the Whitman massacre and other Indian uprisings. The soldiers arrived at Vancouver, first by ship and then a few months later, overland reinforcements arrived with a thousand men, 700 horses, 1,200 mules and 171 supply wagons.

Vancouver Barracks was the headquarters for military response to conflicts in Alaska, Washington, Idaho and parts of Montana and provided personal and goods sent out for many conflicts from the Spanish American War to the end of World War II.

The number of soldiers stationed here rose and fell according to need. During WW I, it swelled to 30,000 with the Spruce Production Squadron and then dwindled again after the war. It was made the Pacific Northwest Headquarters for the CCC until WW II.

Vancouver Barracks was responsible for the Kaiser Shipyards established in 1942 with 38,000 workers operating around the clock to produce 10 Liberty ships, 30 landing craft, 50 escort aircraft carriers, 31 attack transports, 12 C-4 troopships, 8 C-4 cargo vessels and 2 (14,000 ton) drydocks.

After WW II the military presence dwindled ending completely in 2011. Today many streets and landmarks provide lasting significance of the U.S. Army’s 160 year plus presence in Clark County.