Fort Clatsop Administrative History

Paul Schumacher, 1958 and 1961

1962 Archeological Base Map showing Schumacher and Caywood excavations.

Public Law 590, which resulted in the Suggested Historical Area Report by John A. Hussey, included archeological investigations by western regional archeologist Paul Schumacher. In December 1956 and April 1957, Schumacher conducted excavations at the site. Schumacher's excavations took place around the replica, inside the parade ground, and towards the canoe landing site.

Through excavation of thirteen trenches, Schumacher uncovered a concentrated series of oval fire pits similar to those found by Caywood. He also uncovered a concentration of 19th century artifacts, which appeared to be the location of the Smith house, built on the site during the mid-1850s. Artifacts uncovered were primarily mid-to-late nineteenth century farm and home settlement items and some American Indian items. [6] Schumacher also uncovered hemlock wood "stakes" which he originally thought to be man made. He later determined that these wood stakes were what local lumbermen referred to as "buckhorns." Buckhorns are the hard, resin-filled cores of tree branches, located where the branch meets the trunk. What he thought were man-made stakes turned out to be a natural phenomenon, and Schumacher speculated that Caywood may have been fooled by this occurrence as he almost was.

Regarding the area containing a concentration of nineteenth century evidence, Schumacher cross-checked his findings with the Clatsop County surveyor, who had a 1905 survey that included the Smith house. The area Schumacher believed to be the Smith house did not correspond with the 1905 surveyor's report. However, excavation trenches dug where the report claimed the house was located revealed nothing. The county surveyor reported to Schumacher that the survey could be off by as much as 100 feet and agreed that he had probably located the Smith house. [7]

Archeological excavations, 1958.
(FOCL photo collection)

Regarding the series of fire pits, two of them were associated with nineteenth century materials. The remaining 10 had similar shape (oval with red clay in the center and charcoal around the top and edges), and an average depth of 0.7 to 2.9 feet. Based on the depth of these pits, Schumacher estimated they were pre-1850 and could possibly have been old enough to be from the Expedition. He also determined that the pits were used over an extended period of time. While the pits were old enough, there was no evidence to indicate if they were created by Clatsops or by a group such as the Expedition. The lack of any substantial evidence around or inside the pits made it possible only to speculate who created them.

Schumacher's investigations also re-examined Caywood's findings. His conclusions were the opposite of Caywood's. While Schumacher agreed that the fire pits could be old enough, he did not agree with Caywood's reasoning in stating they were from the Lewis and Clark Expedition. First, the Clatsops and Chinooks would have had the metal tools available to carve or saw the marked wood pieces. He also disagreed with Caywood's assessment that a lack of evidence was indicative of the Expedition's presence for the reason that they would not have left anything behind. Schumacher felt that there would be some remains of garbage pits, bathroom "sinks," or stockade posts.

In completing the 1959 Historic Structures Report, Part I, Schumacher recommended further excavation of the subsurface area around the replica grounds prior to any remodeling work. He returned in June 1961 and completed fourteen additional trenches, two feet wide, with the use of a backhoe. Schumacher's findings were reported in the Historic Structures Report, Part II. The excavation concentrated on the area between the fort replica and two prominent cherry trees (trees that are visible in the 1899 photos of the site). More nineteenth century artifacts were uncovered along with additional oval fire pits. However, nothing was uncovered to lead Schumacher to any different conclusions than his 1957 report. He described extensive vegetative root systems under the surface and determined that these subsurface root systems probably destroyed any evidence of the original fort. While Schumacher stated that whenever ground-breaking construction occurred at the site it should be carefully monitored, he determined that no specific excavations for the purpose of locating original fort remains would be necessary.

Archeological excavations, 1958.
(FOCL photo collection)

Since 1961, no specific excavations for the purpose of locating the original fort site have been conducted. All construction and maintenance projects that have required ground disturbance have been reviewed by cultural resource staff for compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act. In 1986, Pacific Northwest Regional Archeologist Jim Thomson surveyed and approved the location of a new sewer system. In 1989, Bryn Thomas of Eastern Washington University, Archeological and Historical Services, Vancouver Office, was contracted by the Park Service to survey the location of the proposed parking lot expansion and visitor center expansion. Thomas conducted surveys of both areas on foot. Subsurface testing was also completed in the proposed areas. Sixteen shovel holes were completed, roughly 30 cm in diameter and 70 cm deep. No archeological materials were uncovered. In 1990, a remote sensing survey of the area was completed in coordination with Oregon State University (OSU). The study, completed by Regional Archeologist Thomson and by James Bell from OSU, revealed seven possible subsurface features, but no definitive results. [8]

What is the probability of there being actual remains? Even if the actual fort was constructed completely above ground, evidence of fireplaces, garbage pits for animal carcasses, or their bathroom sinks should exist. The extensive root systems described by Schumacher could also have revealed evidence of cutting or disturbance caused by the construction of the original fort. Where that evidence may be is the tricky question. Complicating the issue is the evidence possibly left behind from any Clatsop houses built at the site [9], from the houses built by the Shane and Smith families, from the charcoal production of the Stevenson family, from the general traffic of Euro-American settlement, and from the tourist traffic and littering after 1900. The park's reforestation efforts and commitment to revegetation has made possible excavation more complicated.

Adding to speculation about the possible location of the replica has been the discovery through a 1993 Clatsop County survey of a 67-foot error in the 1905 county survey referenced to by Schumacher in 1961. The Smith house discovered by Schumacher in 1961 had been included in an 1856 survey of the area. Oral testimony of Harlan Smith, former resident at the site, states that next to the Smith house was an old, half-buried log which the Smith family believed to be the last remaining timber of the original Fort Clatsop. [10] In 1905, the county surveyor reported that the Smith house had burned down and it was during his survey that the error was recorded, through the placement of a new 1/4 corner marker which was off the correct mark by 67 feet. This error was discovered through a 1993 survey when the 1/4 corner mark from the 1905 survey did not coordinate with the witness points of the 1856 survey. The location of the Smith house is known to be under the start of the Canoe Landing trail. With the known location of the Smith house, the location of the timber reported by Harlan Smith can also be determined. [11]