The chosen site for the new fort was located on a prairie above
a bluff. It was the only open space on the bay and had an excellent
spring, but a homesteader already occupied it. Maria Roberts, whose
husband was away, refused to give up their claim, so the troops
removed her roof. She had no choice but to walk the three and half
miles to Whatcom even though she was many months pregnant. Later,
she and her husband were allowed to build a cabin on the beach,
where they remained for years.
The soldiers lived a life of drudgery at the fort. Desertions
were as frequent as infractions and the jail was always
occupied.
In July 1859, trouble broke out on San Juan Island when an
American settler shot a Hudson’s Bay Company pig. When the
Department of Oregon commander learned that British authorities in
Victoria had threatened arrests, he dispatched Pickett’s company to
the island to protect American interests. In response, the British
sent several warships.
While the opposing forces that summer was facing off at San Juan
Island, Pickett’s men busied themselves by dismantling pieces of
the Fort. Later, when the British and American governments agreed
to joint occupation of San Juan, what remained of Fort Bellingham
was removed. Later still, the Army returned 320 acres to Mrs.
Roberts, who lived there for many more years.
The old walnut tree at the location of the posted coordinates
was planted by Pickett's troops, standing as the lone reminder of
what was once a thriving military outpost.
The cache has been placed on private property with the owner's
knowledge and approval. It is not necessary to enter the fenced
compound or inspect any of the trucks and equipment parked in the
vicinity of the cache. Please remove and replace the cache with
care.
If you are a geocacher in
the state of Washington, please join the Washington State
Geocaching Association. This is a great way to get the most
out of geocaching in our region. Simply go to geocachingwa.org for
details! |