, Washington, USA (state)
1811 - John Jacob Astor built Fort Astoria, part of Pacific Fur Company at Columbia River mouth

In 1811, John Jacob Astor, a German-American entrepreneur and fur trader, established Fort Astoria at the mouth of the Columbia River. This strategic outpost marked a significant moment in the early American fur trade and westward expansion. Astor, known for his ambitious vision and business acumen, founded the Pacific Fur Company with the goal of tapping into the lucrative fur markets of the Pacific Northwest. Fort Astoria was intended to serve as a central hub for collecting furs from native trappers and facilitating their shipment to lucrative markets in Asia and Europe.

The establishment of Fort Astoria represented not only Astor's entrepreneurial spirit but also American efforts to assert economic influence in the region against British and Canadian fur traders. However, the fort faced numerous challenges, including competition from rival traders, Native American relations, and geopolitical tensions. Ultimately, despite its initial ambitions, Fort Astoria would change hands in 1813 to the British during the War of 1812, becoming Fort George under the North West Company.

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