Willamette Trading Post facts for kids
The Willamette Trading Post was an important place for trading animal furs long ago. It was set up by a company called the North West Company near the Willamette River in a region known as Oregon Country. This area is now part of the state of Oregon in the United States.
The post, started around 1813, was a small station. Here, trappers who worked in the Willamette Valley could trade their animal pelts and hides. In return, they received other goods they needed.
Starting the Trading Post
This trading outpost was built around 1813. It was created by the North West Company, which was a British company focused on trading furs. The post was located southeast of where the city of Newberg is today. It sat on the eastern bank of the Willamette River, a few miles west of Champoeg.
How the Post Was Used
The Willamette Trading Post was built to be a trade center. The North West Company used it for trading and as a place to collect game. It also supported their main outpost, Fort George, which was located at the mouth of the Columbia River.
In 1821, the North West Company joined with another big fur trading company, the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC). After this, the HBC took over the Willamette fur post. The HBC then used the post as a meeting spot for their traders. These traders would form groups called "fur brigades" before traveling to areas further south.
The Willamette Trading Post was used until the mid-1830s. Later, a former employee of both companies, Pierre Belleque, settled there. He started farming at the site around 1833 and even lived in the old trading post building for a while.
