Historic Fort Steilacoom
Fort Steilacoom occupies an important position in the history of early America and the Pacific Northwest. The fort played a significant role in the settling of Washington Territory. Beginning with its construction in 1849 and ending with its closure in 1868, Fort Steilacoom served as beacon of American power and promise, promoting the migration of settlers to Washington & securing American interest in the region.
Today, the Historic Fort Steilacoom Association seeks to interpret and preserve the fort’s remaining structures, reminding current and future generations of the fort’s contributions to the history of the United States.
News
"Ben" & its crew salutes the Wilkes Expedition at JBLM
On July 5th, members of the HFSA Living History Detachment fired a salute from "Ben", our Mountain Howitzer, to dedicate the new Lt. Charles Wilkes Monument now located on the grounds of Joint Base Lewis-McCord. Tom Melberg, in the pre-Civil War uniform of an artillery officer led the gun crew, a group ably-manned by volunteers John Roten, Lawrence Bateman, Bernard Bateman, and Ken Morgan. Providing musical assistance was bugler Bernie Moskowitz of Tahoma National Cemetery. Lt. Wilkes visited this area in 1841 during his scientific circumnavigation of the globe, a mission that required a stop at nearby HBC Ft. Nisqually and the sending ashore of an exploratory party of Marines and sailors across the Naches Pass Trail. Although Ft. Steilacoom had yet to be founded (only a few years later in 1849), it was our fort's privilege to support a monument that honors the rich military history of the Pacific Northwest.
