About the Vancouver, Battle Ground and Camas, Washington Area 

History of Vancouver 

An Overview of Vancouver's History
For thousands of years, the Vancouver area was home to native people who flourished on the bounty of forest and river.  

In May, 1792, American trader/sailor Robert Gray became the first non-native to enter the fabled “Great River of the West,” the Columbia River. Later that year, British Lt. William Broughton, serving under Capt. George Vancouver, explored 100 miles upriver. Along the way, he named a point of land along the shore in honor of his commander.  

In 1806, American explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark camped near the Vancouver waterfront on the return leg of their famed western expedition. Lewis characterized the area as “the only desired situation for settlement west of the Rocky Mountains.”  

In 1825, Dr. John McLoughlin decided to move the northwest headquarters of the Hudson’s Bay Company from Astoria to a more favorable setting upriver. He named the site after Point Vancouver on Broughton’s original map. Fort Vancouver was thus born.  

For many years, Fort Vancouver was the center of all fur trading in the Pacific Northwest. It was also a center of British dominion over the Oregon Territory. In 1846, American control was extended north to the 49th parallel. The northwest became part of the United States.  

In 1849, American troops arrived to establish Columbia (later Vancouver) Barracks. It served as military headquarters for much of the Pacific Northwest. The neighboring settlement was named “the City of Columbia.”  

Finally, in 1857, the City of Vancouver was incorporated. Through the rest of the century, Vancouver steadily developed. In 1908, the first rail line east through the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge reached Vancouver. In 1910, a railroad bridge was opened south across the Columbia. In 1917, the Interstate Bridge was completed.  

During World War I, the site later named Pearson Field was the location of the world's largest spruce cut-up mill. It cut raw timber into the lumber used to build the planes which helped win the war in Europe. During World War II, Vancouver’s Kaiser Shipyard built a variety of craft that contributed greatly to America’s war effort.  

Today, Vancouver is a community proud of its past with a keen eye toward a future rich with promise. 

Historic Facts
From its long and colorful history, Vancouver boasts these many special distinctions:  

Headquarters of Hudson's Bay Company (established 1825)
Oldest permanent non-native settlement in Pacific Northwest (1825)
Oldest living apple tree in Pacific Northwest (planted 1826)
First sawmill in Pacific Northwest (1827)
Oldest public square in Pacific Northwest (Esther Short Park, 1855)
Notable soldiers who served at Vancouver Barracks:
Gen. Ulysses S. Grant
Gen. George McClellan
Gen. Philip Sheridan
Gen. O.O. Howard
Gen. George C. Marshall
One of the oldest continuously operated airports in the country (Pearson Field, 1905-present)
World’s largest spruce lumber mill for airplane construction during World War I
Pearson Field, landing site of first transpolar flight (Soviet, 1937)
Major shipbuilding center during World War II
Vancouver honored with "All-America City" distinction (1957 and 1987)  

Courtesy of City of Vancouver 

Additional Information  

Welcome to Vancouver, USA! If you've just moved to the area, here's some information we think you'll find useful. 

ANIMAL CONTROL/LICENSE (BACK) 

A license and leash is required for dogs and cats throughout Clark County. You usually have to get rabies shots for your dogs and cats before you can license them. For further information, contact:  

Clark County Animal Protection and Control: Linda Moorhead, Manager
Street address: 1300 Franklin Street, Third Floor, Vancouver, WA 98660
Mailing address: P.O. Box 9810, Vancouver, WA 98666-9810
Information and Complaints: (360) 397-2488 | FAX: (360) 397-2011
After hours emergency: 911
Telecommunications Relay Service: (800) 833-6388, then call (360) 397-2445
E-mail: animal@clark.wa.gov
For document requests, please contact Community Development's Public Records Officer by phone
(360) 397-2375 ext. 4483 or by email commdev@clark.wa.gov . 

AUTOMOTIVE INFORMATION (BACK) 

Driver’s License 

As soon as you establish residency, you must obtain a Washington state driver’s license. A written examination is required for new residents. You can also register to vote at the same time you get your license. 

Plates & Tags 

You must obtain a Washington State license plate for your vehicle within 30 days of establishing residency. If you are from out of state, you must have your vehicle inspected by the Washington State Patrol. Most cars will require an emissions test. 

Washington State Patrol, web site 

Headquarters & Communications:
11018 NE 51st Circle, Vancouver, WA 98682-6686 (360) 260-6333
Directions: From either I-5 or I-205, go east on SR-500. Follow to NE 112th Avenue and turn right (south). Go to NE 51st Circle and turn right (west), then turn right into the WSP parking lot. 

Drivers License Examining Office
web site
Vancouver, 260-6288 

Vehicle Emission Inspection 

West Vancouver
Station 13
14110 NW 3rd Ct
Vancouver, WA 98685
360.574.3731
VancouverWMGR@emissiontestwa.com  

East Vancouver
Station 14
1121 NE 136th AVE
Vancouver, WA 98684
360.254.2173
VancouverEMGR@emissiontestwa.com  

Auditor’s Office 

CLARK COUNTY AUDITOR AUTO LICENSE
1408 FRANKLIN STREET
VANCOUVER WA 98660-2860  

Office Hours: Mon-Fri: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Telephone Number: (360) 397-2288  

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BATTLEGROUND AUTO LICENSE
301 W MAIN STREET #101
BATTLE GROUND WA 98604-4411  

Office Hours: Mon-Fri: 9:30-6:00
Saturday Hours: 10:00-4:00
Telephone Number: (360) 687-5115  

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CAMAS AUTO LICENSE
3316 NE 3RD AVE
CAMAS WA 98607-2436  

Office Hours: Mon-Fri: 9:30-5:30
Lunch Closure: 1:00-2:00
Saturday Hours: 10:00-2:00
Telephone Number: (360) 835-2977  

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AUTO LICENSE SERVICES
1301 NE 136TH AVE
VANCOUVER WA 98687  

Office Hours: Mon-Fri: 9:30-6:00
Saturday Hours: 8:30am - 2:00pm
Telephone Number: (360) 892-1877  

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HAZEL DELL AUTO LICENSE AGENCY
7904 NE 6TH AVE STE B
VANCOUVER WA 98665-8107  

Office Hours: Mon-Fri: 9:00-6:00
Saturday Hours: 9:00-4:00
Telephone Number: (360) 574-0086  

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HEIGHTS AUTO LICENSE
8000 E MILL PLAIN BLVD STE A
VANCOUVER WA 98664  

Office Hours: Mon - Fri 9am - 6pm
Saturday Hours: 10am - 3pm
Telephone Number: (360) 695-2122  

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HWY 99 AUTO LICENSE
True Value Hardware
13009 NE HWY 99
VANCOUVER WA 98686-2727  

Office Hours: Mon-Fri: 9:00-6:00 Wed: 9:00am - 7pm
Saturday Hours: 9:00-4:00
Telephone Number: (360) 573-6226  

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VANCOUVER MARKET CENTER AUTO LICENSE
5000 E FOURTH PLAIN BLVD, STE 110
VANCOUVER WA 98661-6584  

Office Hours: Mon: 9:00-8:00 Tu-Fri: 9-6
Saturday Hours: 9:00-4:00
Telephone Number: (360) 694-0931  

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