713 Center St, Oregon City, OR 97045
Quebec-born Dr. John McLaughlin was Chief Factor of the Hudson’s Bay Company, in charge of the Columbia District in 1824. Fort Vancouver was built under his direction. McLaughlin established a sawmill in Oregon City in 1832, and in his position as Chief Factor was responsible for encouraging and aiding settlers arriving in Oregon. McLaughlin had Oregon City platted and claimed much of the present center area of town. He left active duty with the company in 1846 and established his residence in Oregon City. He later became a United States citizen and an Oregon City mayor. McLaughlin died in 1857. In 1909, civic-minded citizens moved the building from the south end of the lower town to its present site. In 1941, it became the first National Historic Site west of the Rockies. The McLaughlin House was added to the National Park System in 2003 as a part of the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. (Public)