Fort Clatsop Memorial, Oregon

11. Fort Clatsop Officer's Quarters

Locating a Camp for the Winter It was early December when they found the site where they built Fort Clatsop. They selected this site for several reasons:
1. Elk was abundant (food & clothing)
2. Timber was plentiful (building & fires)
3. Friendly Native Americans (Clatsops)
4. It was on high ground (safe from flooding)
5. It was close to both the Pacific Ocean and the Columbia river (fish, salt and transportation)

To honor the Indians who had helped them, they named it Fort Clatsop. Looking at the picture to the left, can you image what it was like living in this fort? Remember that the winter weather on the Oregon coast is stormy and windy. The Captain's fireplace can be seen on the left.