What Is the Dr. Forbes Barclay House?
This was the home of Fort Vancouver’s Scottish physician, Dr. Forbes Barclay!
What Makes It Historical?
After several summers of Arctic explorations to find a Northwest Passage in the late 1830s, a shipwreck forced Forbes Barclay to find safer work. After getting his medical diploma on July 5, 1838 from the Royal College of Surgeons, Dr. Barclay connected with his uncle’s friend, Governor George Simpson of the Hudson’s Bay Company, and headed west to Oregon Territory!
After arriving at Fort Vancouver in 1840, Dr. Barclay seved as both surgeon and clerk of the Indian Trade Shop. (Imagine going to a gift shop for surgery!) There, he met his future wife, Maria, who was the daughter of the Chief Trader, and after ten years of service, Dr. Barclay brought his wife and seven children to Oregon City, where they were retirement neighbors of John McLoughlin!
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Volunteer at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site!
- Donate to the McLoughlin Memorial Association!
- Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
How Do I Get There?
719 Center St
Oregon City, OR 97045
(Take Me There!)
When Should I Visit?
The Barclay House is open for tours from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM, Fridays and Saturdays from February to December!