Date:
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Contact:
Gary Johnson, Chinook Nation, 360-875-6696
David Nicandri, Washington State Historical Society, 253-798-5900
Jilayne Jordan, Washington State Department of Transportation, 360-905-2078
MCGOWAN - The Chinook Nation and the Washington State Historical
Society (WSHS) have reached an agreement on the realignment of US 101
near McGowan, Washington, allowing construction of Station Camp, an eight-acre
waterfront park, to move forward as originally planned after additional
archeological work at the site is completed. Station Camp is where the
Lewis and Clark Expedition reached the Pacific Ocean, and spent 10 days
exploring further to the west near present day Chinook, Ilwaco, and Long
Beach, traded with local Chinook tribes and eventually voted to determine
where to spend the winter of 1805-06--what proved to be Fort Clatsop.
In January 2005, the highway realignment portion of the project was suspended
when archeologists discovered evidence of a Chinook plank house feature
within the highway's new alignment. Further evaluation of the archaeological
evidence by National Park Service Senior Archaeologist Dr. Douglas Wilson
and Portland State University Professor Ken Ames revealed evidence of
an early trade site. The site is in close proximity to a Chinook settlement
known as the "Middle Village."
The agreement allows further archaeological work at the site of the plank
house feature to provide more information on its architecture and size.
National Park Service and Portland State University archaeologists will
be on site in August and part of September.
"The homeland Chinook are pleased to reach this agreement which
will benefit the Chinook Nation and the local community. The Station Camp
Park will tell the story of the ancient Chinook village, Qiyawaqilxam.
It is very important that the story of the first people of the Great River
be told," Chinook Tribal Chairman Gary Johnson said. "I believe
that the community and the Chinook Nation will benefit from our expanded
tribal presence in the cultural landscape of the Lower Columbia".
The agreement opens the door for the Station Camp project, including
the highway realignment, to resume after the additional archeological
work is completed. The Washington State Department of Transportation will
release more specific information about the highway project schedule in
September. Park construction will likely begin in late winter or early
next spring, said WSHS Director David Nicandri.
The park includes major Chinook elements, including the outline of the
plank house, recognition of the ancient name of the Chinook Village and
distinctive artwork and reproductions of Chinook culture including tools
and artifacts recreated in bronze and placed throughout the site, Nicandri
said.
"The archaeology substantially increased our understanding of the
early trade between the Chinook and Euro-American trade ships. In fact,
it was the recognition of this early contact with the Chinook that resulted
in the development of the Chinook Record, which is part of our agreement
and includes an assessment and compilation of known Chinook material throughout
the world," Nicandri added.
The agreement also stipulates a one-time, $120,000 payment to the Chinook
Nation, and half-time WSHS executive staff support. WSHS Station Camp
Project Coordinator Jim Sayce will work with the tribe on evaluation of
a site, site purchase, and development of a tribal cultural center, museum,
library and research center.
"I am honored to work with the Chinook," Sayce said. "Their
early trade experience connected them with world trade two centuries before
it was fashionable. They were great traders then and they are great traders
today."
Upon completion of the Park, WSHS will transfer Station Camp to the National
Park Service. The Station Camp Unit is part of the new Lewis and Clark
National Historical Park authorized by Congress in December 2005. The
new park includes Dismal Nitch, Station Camp, Jefferson Memorial at Cape
Disappointment, Fort Clatsop, Netul Landing, Fort to Sea Trail and Salt
Works.
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