About Sauvie Island

Multnomah Indians

The original inhabitants of Sauvie Island were the Multnomah Indians. Numbering approximately 800 in population when first recorded by Lewis and Clark in 1805, the Multnomah Indians enjoyed the island as a luscious hunting, fishing, and plant-gathering ground in the summer and fall. The island was referred to as Wapato Island in the Lewis and Clark journals because of the large beds of wild potatoes, or wappato as named by the native Multnomahs. Unfortunately, the Multnomah Indians were decimated by smallpox and malaria introduced with European exploration to the region. Today, the county in which Portland and much of Sauvie Island lie, together with the channel running along the western side of the island, are named for the Multnomah Indians.

Laurent Sauvie

Laurent Sauvie, for whom the island is named, was a French Canadian employee of the Hudson Bay Company. Sauvie oversaw dairy farms on the island for the Hudson Bay Company and supplied goods for Fort Vancouver.

The Oregon Trail

By 1856, most of Sauvie Island was staked out by settlers who had crossed the continent via the Oregon Trail. The settlers were attracted to the fertile soil enriched by seasonal flooding in the winter time, superb hunting, and excellent fishing. During this time, the Bybee-Howell House was built on the western side of the island, where it still stands today.

Connecting to Mainland

In the 1930’s the Army Corps of Engineers implemented a dike system to control the annual flooding of the island, and by 1950 the Sauvie Island bridge was constructed to connect the island to mainland. Both of these feats removed the last obstacles to full settlement of the island. To preserve the natural wonder of the area, Oregon Parks and Wildlife set aside 12,000 acres as the Sauvie Island Wildlife Area. This has ensured public access to the lakes, beaches, wildlife, and plants that make the island a unique natural experience.

Today

Sauvie Island is still agriculturally vibrant. The island continues to provide local farmers with the most fertile soil and best growing conditions. The vast farms are a visible reminder that Sauvie Island is still a land apart. In recent years the island has become known for its U-pick options and farm stands along Sauvie Island Road and Gillihan Road. From peaches to pumpkins, there are fruits and vegetables to be enjoyed all season long. The island has also become a recreational get-away for Portlanders offering some of the best hiking, beach access, hunting, and street cycling around.

Sources and Links:
National Geographic: Lewis and Clark Journal Logs
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/…
National Geographic: Multnomah Indians
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/…
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife: Sauvie Island Wildlife Area
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/
Sauvie Island Research Group
http://www.flinc.net/sirg/history.htm

Information researched and compiled by Katrina Lorne