Spanish Attempts to Colonize the Pacific Northwest (70's, Washington, interior)

[lentzr]

From the 1770's until the 1790's, Spain claimed the Pacific Northwest. In fact, from 1789-1795 there was a Spanish Fort, Fort San Miguel at Nootka Sound on Vancover Island. However, I believe that for a period of two or three years there was also another fortification or settlement by Spain in the Washington State. Where was it? Does anyone know anything else about such Spanish interests in the Pacific Northwest during the late 18th century? I knew about the Spanish colonization of the Southwest, Florida, etc. but I did not know that they were that far north, even for a brief time.

[numbskull]

The San Juan Islands.

[lentzr]

After a long internet search, I can see that in 1792 the Spanish established Nueva Genoa, a fort in Neah Bay on the Olympic Peninsula. It began to be built but was abandoned by the end of the year. However, I understand the Spanish established a second fort that lasted a couple years longer. But where was it and where can I find more info?

[NJGOAT]

The only thing I can find in addition to Ft. San Miguel at Nootka Sound and Nueva Genoa at Neah Bay is the colony of Santa Cruz de Nuca. When the Spanish first began to settle the area, they established a fort (San Miguel) and a colony (Santa Cruz de Nuca). These two were abandoned following the third Nootka Convention. Nueva Genoa was supposed to be the replacement for those as the area of Vancouver Island was declated a free and open port, while the area of Neah Bay was to be the northern terminus of Spanish territory.

The fort was abandoned as the harbor provided a poor year round anchorage for ships. Additionally, there was a battle between the Spanish and Maka Indians that made the site untenable for the future.

Outside of the two forts and the colony, the only thing I've seen are references to camps as part of the Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra expeditions that took place during the Nootka Conventions.

[j_k_k]

It took a while, but the second wave is well under way, and this one's becoming better entrenched.

[joe from dayton]

The Spanish also sent a number of expeditions to Alaska.

[lentzr]

Thanks NJGOAT, but where was Santa Cruz de Nunca? When did it exist?

[NJGOAT]

Originally Posted by lentzr

Thanks NJGOAT, but where was Santa Cruz de Nunca? When did it exist?

Santa Cruz de Nunca was the name of the settlement that was defended by Fort San Miguel. It was located on Friendly Cove in Nootka Sound on what is today Vancouver Island. The colony was established in 1790 and existed until 1795 when it was abandoned following the Nootka Conventions.

The fort was first founded by Martinez in 1789 on San Miguel Island, but later abandoned. The fort was rebuilt and the colony founded by Pedro de Alberni (Free Volunteer Company of Catalonia) as part of the Francisco de Eliza expedition. The fort was basically a gun battery perched on top of a rocky island, while the colony was located on the mainland of Vancouver Island on the interior of the sound. The colony basically served as a trading post to handle trade relations with the local native populations. It wasn't a "colony" in the sense that people moved there to permanently settle. It was really more of an outpost occupied by administrators and military personnel.

[Capt. Dan]

Does this mean that there was interaction between the Spanish and the Russians? Werent the Russians well entrenched in the NW during this time period?

[bustaduke]

This site may help you out.

Beyond the Map | Fort San Miguel


busta