Just down stream from the handsome prairie where Lewis & Clark and David Thompson camped there was a natural boat landing that would play an important role in the Oregon Trail. This would become Parker's Landing.

Many pioneers coming out west would arrive at the Dalles, Ore. and they would make rafts to float down the Columbia River. Dr. John McLoughlin, the chief factor of the Hudson's Bay Fur Company at Ft. Vancouver, tried to dissuade American pioneers from settling on the north side of the Columbia River. He sent men to build barges and rafts and to float pioneers to Ft. Vancouver where they received food and clothing and were encouraged to settle in the Willamette Valley (Oregon). But, many who did not want to settle in Oregon, would float rafts to Parkers Landing where a natural eddy would wash barges and rafts up against the north bank and then they would travel to the interior of what would become Washington State. Obviously, this was done strategically to avoid the British at Fort Vancouver who would try to persuade them other wise.

A well-known free African-American named George Washington Bush entered the state of Washington through Parker's Landing and he would eventually travel to the center of the state where he founded the community of Tumwater. David C. Parker came out on a wagon train with Bush and both floated down the Columbia on rafts in 1845. In 1846, when the Oregon Territory land dispute was resolved between England and the United States and the northern boundary was moved to the 49th parallel,

Parker was quick to file for a land grant, which included the popular beach landing that would later assume his name. In fact, Parker would apply to have a young, fledgling community incorporated in 1852, and the community would be called Parkersville. This is thought to be the oldest incorporated community in the state of Washington. But, a new community was developed just one mile upriver from Parkersville, closer to the lowlands for dairy farming and logging, and this community would become Washougal.. Parkersville would become a relic of the past....

They took up land claim just east of the mouth of the Washougal River and began to platt a town but he died before he could finish it ..A Man by the name of Lewis Van Vleet a pioneer of 1853 was appointed admininster of the Estate .he was a goverment surveyor. He bought the estate and finished the work started by Parker . Joe Durgan was appointed to appraise the estate, Joe bought 6 lots at the Auction for 25 bucks apiece . Joe E C Durgan became postmaster there in1879 .

The post office was in the store owned by H H Carpenter who came to Parkersville in 1877. Carpenter sold the store to Durgan. Durgan shortly after moved the store to his new town up river to Washougal.

There was deeper water up river so the steamer's could get to the dock in low water which was not possible at parkers Landing. There was a Channel marker light at Parkersville known as Parkersville light that warned the steamboats they were approaching Ladys Island and shallow water so stay in the Channel. The light burned coal oil and had to be lit every day by Van Vleet..

Dr Louisa VanVleet a daughter took over the Parkersville property when she married Jim Wright a widower with five children. The Dr was killed in 1913 when kicked by a horse and the estate was left to her son Cecil Van Vleet who lived there most of his married life. He wished that the property that has a grand view of Mt Hood be turned into a park for all to enjoy like he did when he lived there. The Port of Camas Washougal bought the property and made it into a park.

The park is Supported by a joint effort of the Port and the Parkersville Heritage Foundation

Parkersville Heritage Foundation is a not for profit organization supported by volunteers of The city's of Camas and Washougal organized to collect funds for maintaince of the park.

If you would like to support this fine organization or have your name engraved on a brick in the park please Contact the Heritage Foundation P.O. Box 587 Camas Washington 98607-0363