Dig will seek clues to site of Lewis and Clark fort

WARRENTON, Ore. – Archaeologists will start probing under the site of the destroyed replica of Fort Clatsop later this month to look for clues to where Lewis and Clark built the original fort 200 years ago.

Fire of undetermined origin burned most of the replica Oct. 3. Many historians believe it was built on or near the site of the original, but several efforts to find the 1805-1806 site have been inconclusive.

The project will be led by Doug Wilson, the archaeologist at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site in Washington.

The excavation will begin Oct. 26 and take several weeks. It will continue into the Nov. 11-15 local bicentennial celebration.

But the celebration will continue on schedule.

Visitors will be able to watch the archaeologists at work.

The ruins of the burned fort will be removed beginning Monday by crews from the Oregon National Guard, the National Park Service and Western Oregon Waste.

Park Superintendent Chip Jenkins says plans are to rebuild the fort where the expedition spent the winter of 1805-1806. Research since the burned replica was built may make it possible to reconstruct one that is more authentic.

A final report on the cause of the fire is not expected for several weeks. A preliminary investigation found no signs of arson.