Covington House

In 1846 Richard Covington accompanied by his wife Anna arrived from England to take up the position as teacher for the Hudson’s Bay Company.

Both of the Covington’s were teachers, musicians and artists and brought the first piano into Oregon Country along with a violin and guitar.

Their home built in 1848 on Fourth Plain soon became a center of learning during the day (and boarding school) and a place for lively social gatherings and entertainment for the entire region in the evenings.

From 1852 to 1853 Ullysses S. Grant, a quartermaster at the Fort would often ride over 7 miles to enjoy an evening with the Covingtons. The couple lived in Vancouver for almost twenty years until 1867 when they departed to Washington , D. C. where the now President Ulysses S. Grant arranged for Richard to work in the Patent Office of the President.

The home fell into disrepair until 1925 when local businessmen raised funds to save and restore the home. It was moved to its present location at 4201 Main Street and is now a National Landmark as one of the oldest buildings in Clark County.

Historic Markers & More

Chakalov Monument of the first Transpolar flight from Russia to the United States.

If you want to know the mind and heart of a city, pay attention to the markers and monuments that have chiseled the life stories of its residents into stone and art.

From the whimsical and colorful umbrellas on Main Street to the numerous military remembrances of local heroes fallen but not forgotten.

From pathway art that marks native struggles embracing time since the Ice Age to cement and steel noting the first tranpolar flight of three brave Russian flyers ending their 63 hour journey from Moscow to land (unexpectedly) at Pearson Air field in 1937.

Every city leaves its imprint for generations to follow. You might enjoy adding these markers to your bucket list of “Things to Visit” in Vancouver. If so, we have provided small boxes that you can mark the date of your visit.