Women of the McLoughlin House (Self-Guided Outside Tour)

Welcome to the McLoughlin House Unit of Fort Vancouver National Historic Site! This short, self-guided walking tour takes you to four different landmarks here, and offers an overview of the women who lived in these homes or worked to preserve them.

Learn more about visiting the McLoughlin House here.

 

Follow this tour route to experience this self-guided tour.

NPS

 

 

Maria Barclay, circa 1873.

Oregon Historical Society

Stop 1 - The Barclay House: Maria Barclay

The Barclay House was home to Maria Barclay, her husband Dr. Forbes Barclay, and their children. Maria was the eldest daughter of Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) Chief Trader Pierre Pambrun, who died tragically in a horse-riding accident while they were living at Fort Nez Perces. Shortly after Pierre's death, Maria moved to Fort Vancouver with her mother, where they supported themselves doing "fine needlework."

During her time at Fort Vancouver, she wed the fort's physician, Dr. Forbes Barclay. They had three children while living at Fort Vancouver, then moved to Oregon City in 1850. Here, the pair had four more children. Maria died in 1890. Her obituary described her as "of strong will and sterling integrity... with a kind disposition and a loving heart.

Learn more about Maria Barclay here

Directions to the next stop: From the patio of the Barclay House, turn left and descend a short flight of steps, then proceed to the McLoughlin gravesite, an area that is surrounded by a waist-height metal fence. Inside the metal fence is a stone monument with two gravestones. The area in front of the grave marker is covered in English ivy. To avoid the stairs, you can also return to the main sidewalk on Center Street, proceed south down the street, and take the first right onto a sidewalk that will lead you directly to the gravesite.

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This daguerreotype of Marguerite McLoughlin was taken in her later years.

Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

Stop 2 - The McLoughlin Gravesite: Marguerite McLoughlin

This is the site of Marguerite and Dr. John McLoughlin's resting place. The pair were originally buried at a nearby Catholic church before being moved to this location. Marguerite was born in eastern Canada, and began a relationship with Alexander McKay when she was around the age of 19. They had four children. In 1811, Alexander was killed when a trade expedition turned violent. At the time, Marguerite was living at Fort William. There, she met Dr. John McLoughlin, a fur trade officer caring for his young son, whose mother died in childbirth. The two began a relationship and had four children together.

After her husband was sent to establish Fort Vancouver for the HBC, Marguerite spent her time at the fort caring for her children, managing servants, and using her skills as a seamstress and beader. In 1846, John was forced into retirement over company disagreements, and the pair retired to their brand new home in Oregon City. Fourteen years later, Marguerite died around the age of 85.

Learn more about Marguerite McLoughlin here

Directions to the next stop: From the gravesite, proceed south across a grassy park to a fountain. There is no paved path to this fountain. It may be visible from the gravesite.

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Eva Emery Dye

Oregon Historical Society

Stop 3 - The Fountain: Eva Emery Dye

Dedicated in 1911, this fountain is a tribute to Dr. John McLoughlin from the Oregon City Women's Club. Founded by a visionary woman named Eva Emery Dye, the Women's Club has served their mission of giving back to their community for over 116 years. In the early 20th century, when the McLoughlin House had been vacant for some time and was threatened with demolition, Eva began a grassroots preservation effort to save it. It was ultimately successful and the genesis of the McLoughlin Memorial Society. A plaque dedicated to her achievements is located in this park, along Center Street.

Directions to the next stop: Proceed to Center Street. At 713 Center Street, you will see the white, two-story McLoughlin House. Southeast of the entrance to the house from the street is a large flagpole; near the flagpole is a stone with a plaque on the history of Dr. John McLoughlin. There are two steps leading up to the house's front door.

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This photograph of Eloisa McLoughlin was taken while she lived in Oregon City.

Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

Stop 4 - The McLoughlin House: Eloisa McLoughlin

When Marguerite and John moved here in 1846, they were joined by their youngest daughter, Eloisa, and her three children. Eloisa McLoughlin was born in 1817. At the age of 21, she married William Glen Rae, a clerk at Fort Vancouver. In 1841, Dr. McLoughlin assigned Rae with establishing an HBC post in San Francisco, but his superiors did not support this venture. Under the stress of managing the failing post, Rae committed suicide. The now-widowed Eloisa returned to the Northwest with her children, and moved into this home with her parents. Four years later, Eloisa married former Fort Vancouver employee Daniel Harvey, who now ran a mill in Oregon City. The pair had three children, and the three generations lived in the McLoughlin House together. After Eloisa's parents died, the Harveys moved to Portland, Oregon. Eloisa lived until 1884, the age of 66.

Learn more about Eloisa McLoughlin here

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We hope you enjoyed this brief look at serveral of the women who had significant roles in the history of Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. To learn more about the women of the fur trade at Fort Vancouver, click here.