Slocum House, Vancouver, Washington
Posted by: 
Rose Red
N 45° 37.556 W 122° 40.543
10T E 525278 N 5052538
Slocum House originally stood at 404 or 414 W. 5th. It became the center of early Vancouver society. The house was moved in 1966 to the southwest corner of Esther Short Park. It now houses a theater company.
Waymark Code: WMBFN
Location: Washington, United States
Date Posted: 04/28/2006
Views: 50
Charles Wilbur Slocum (1834-1912) was born in Massachusetts. He grew up in Rhode Island where he learned carpentry. At age 23, he traveled by various steamers to Portland, Oregon. After spending a few days in Portland, he accepted a government position at the Vancouver Barracks where he was employed as a carpenter earning five dollars per day. He continued working there for the next three years and became superintendent.
In 1860 Charles opened a several general stores in the Pacific Northwest. With the assistance of two Army officers in 1863, he laid out the town of Boise, Idaho.
Disposing of the other businesses in 1869, Charles assumed the management of the Vancouver store until 1890, when it was also sold. From 1860 to 1869, he had many freighting contracts with Army camps. At this time he owned thirty mule teams composed of ten mules per team.
Charles was married to Laura R. Riggs (1838-1914) in 1861. Her family had traveled west by covered wagon, spending seven months on the trail before reaching Portland. Her family settled in Washougal.
Charles built a beautiful house of distinctive New England style architecture with a distinctive, roof top widow's walk next to the octagonal cupola. The house’s ornate scrollwork makes this building outstanding. A fan light sits above the large, double front doors.
Slocum House originally stood at 404 or 414 W. 5th. It became the center of early Vancouver society. The house was moved in 1966 to the southwest corner of Esther Short Park. It now houses a theater company.
Both Charles and Laura were buried at the Old City Cemetery at Grand and Mill Plain Blvd. in Vancouver, Washington.
Instructions for logging waymark: A photograph is required that shows you (or your GPS receiver, if you're waymarking solo) and the sign or the historic house or both.
Street address:
605 Esther Street
Vancouver, WA USA
98660
County / Borough / Parish: Clark
Year listed: 1973
Historic (Areas of) Significance: Architecture
Periods of significance: 1825-1849, 1850-1874
Historic function: Domestic
Current function: Performing Theater
Privately owned?: no
Primary Web Site: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 1: [Web Link]
Season start / Season finish: Not listed
Hours of operation: Not listed
Secondary Website 2: Not listed
National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
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