Anyone interested in the old ft nisqually site?

[Zym]

A lot of people think that Ft. Nisqually has always been at Pt. Defiance, but it's not so. The original site was in Dupont. The buildings at Pt. Defiance were moved there later. The original Dupont site was built in 1833 by the Hudson Bay Company who did a LOT of trade there. I've done a little research and located the original site, it's plain as day on google earth. It looks like theres fairly easy access, maybe a mile tops walking distance. Could be some cool relic hunting. The small chance at the oldest coins located in Washington, I believe Ft. Nisqually was the first settlement in the NW. Any interest ? I'm a noob at MD'ing, and would love a chance to work with some of you more experienced guys. I'm looking at trying it this summer.

I'm also heading back up to Camp Griswald next week just in case anyone is interested. Last time I didn't get any MD'ing done, but did get a lot of the site mapped out, including the old dance hall, general store, swimming hole, and housing area. I'm going to camp out for 3 days or so and MD all day every day. It's also hike in only, but it's only a half mile or so.

 

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[crazyman]

Should be some nice relics there Zym. Worth a good hike to check it out. Is it public property? You should also do well at Camp Griswald. 90% of my hunting is lumber mill ghost towns and logging camps. I have a few that I haven't hunted yet. Here is a pic of one that I'll be checking out soon in Jefferson County. It had about 50 buildings. Shoot me an e-mail. I live just north of Bremerton. Maybe we can get together for a hunt. tugmaster2@comcast.net

 

[DFXaholic]

I live in Puyallup and looking for some good sites to hunt and would like to join up. Here is vik2be@yahoo.com sounds like fun.

 

[Paul in WA]

I am interested.

Paul

 

[Tabfry]

I'd like to tag along to Ft Nisqually.

 

[Gabbit]

Count me in!!

 

[petrie]

i have looked into the old ft nisqually and have found it, but i looks nothing like the pic that is posted as a reply to your add!!! i think i may not have the rite spot!!! i would like to go with you!!!

 

[GrantWA]

Actually, the real Ft Nisqually was located Just SW of Lake St. Clair in Thurston County. There is a plaque installed there next to the road pointing out the original location, Houses all around it now.. I think the site you are talking about in Dupont was one of the Hudson's Bay fort's.

Of course I could be wrong

Grant

 

[Zym]

Ft Nisqually was a Hudson Bay Co trading post. It originated above the Nisqually river near present day Dupont. The old Dupont gunpowder factory was built practically on top of it. It was moved in the 1930's to Pt Defiance. Are you positive the site said it was ft. Nisqually? I know the fort was moved once, but the details are sketchy. Maybe your referefing to the second location? I did some more research and interviewed a historian at the Pt Defiance Nisqually site who was a wealth of information. It looks like the Dupont site had some pretty extensive archaeological excavation done to it. Probably not much left. He did give me directions to an apple orchard that belonged to the ft. that is close by. Evidently it is still standing and is probably the oldest orchard in the NW.
Heres a google earth photo of the location of the old Dupont site. Type in the coordinates and take a look around.

 

[GrantWA]

I will have to go back and look at the sign again. It was right on the roadside and i go by it every morning.

One of the last Hudson's Bay employees at the Ft was given a land grant by the Hudson's Bay Company which was just on the outskirts of Roy. According to the research I did they used to barricade the state highway after the state took a right of way thru their grant for the Highway between Roy and Mckenna.

One of my ancestors was William (Billy) Packwood, he was the 3 settler in the Olympia (Mcallister springs) area, went on to Alaska during the gold rush, then came back to Packwood and the Mt Rainier area. He operated a Ferry across the Nisqually river at very close to the site of the present day bridge in the Nisqually valley on Mounts road during his first stay in the area.

Cheers!

Grant

 

[laughingcrow]

Thanks for the Info.

Have a great day!

Lisa

 

[Taps]

Hi,

I'm in Milton and just getting back into detecting. I would be interested in joining you !

Thanks!
"Taps"

 

[GrantWA]

Finally got back past what I thought was the marker for Ft Nisqually. It is for Ft Eaton, and states it was a Ft built by the Settlers during the Indian wars of the 1860's

Man was I off

The old Ft I would like to find is called Moose Meadows. It was located somewhere between Roy and Eatonville as far as I can find out.

 

[Cheapshot]

The 1833 and 1843 sites of Fort Nisqually at DuPont, Washington are protected by State and National historic/archaeological site designations. Anyone caught digging there for "treasure" will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Sorry to rain on your parade.

 

[cykopat]

The 1833 and 1843 sites of Fort Nisqually at DuPont, Washington are protected by State and National historic/archaeological site designations. Anyone caught digging there for "treasure" will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Sorry to rain on your parade.

While that is true you have to remember only these two sites that are marked would be off limits. There is a ton of history here, infact the mouth of the sequalitchew creek is where the first Hudson store house was built at the base of the canyon to puget sound before the Fort's were ever constructed. You can find old remenats of the old train tracks the DuPont Company used to ship out dynamite and other goodies.

Needless to say there are many areas outside the areas designated that have had a lot of traffic. A good place would be off Center Drive by the old DuPont Guard Shack. While the DuPont company was building the plant back around 1905-1909 the workers stayed in canvas tents in "Old Town" this is not to be confused with the Historical Village of DuPont.

 

[rustyfind]

I have been around the perimeter of the area and intend on further eploration. I was looking for a random chance of anything and just the hike. Any idea where they used to do firing practice?

 

[slotman]

Hi, fellow locals, I notice the sat shot of the old dupont site when I view it thru google has at least 2 old foundations, looks like a great spot but has anyone found out if detecting there is possible, a friend of mine plays golf there and it looks like it might be property of the "Home Course" golf course, I would be surprised it they would allow detecting...but it sure would be fun!

12/3 oops didnt see the post about the site being protected....figures.

 

[cykopat]

Hi, fellow locals, I notice the sat shot of the old dupont site when I view it thru google has at least 2 old foundations, looks like a great spot but has anyone found out if detecting there is possible, a friend of mine plays golf there and it looks like it might be property of the "Home Course" golf course, I would be surprised it they would allow detecting...but it sure would be fun!

12/3 oops didnt see the post about the site being protected....figures.

Yeah the area around the forts have been excavated several times according to www.savethehistory.com