General Thomas Anderson at Vancouver Barracks

Event Location: Red Cross Building, 605 Barnes St., Vancouver, 98661

Ohio native and Civil War veteran General Thomas M. Anderson

(1836-1917) commanded the 14th Infantry at Vancouver Barracks from
1886-1898. As one of the longer-serving commanders, he, and also his family,
because active in the community as well as at the post. Presenter Jeff Davis
(Major, U.S. Army, Ret.) will talk about Anderson’s service in the context of
the larger history of Vancouver Barracks. Anderson’s family had long-time
association with this area as he was a grand-nephew of William Clark of the
Corps of Discovery, and his namesake son also served at Vancouver Barracks. The
desk Anderson used while serving in Vancouver was donated to the Clark County
Historical Museum and is on display at the Howard House.

Speaker Bio

Jeff Davis is an archaeologist and was active with the Vancouver
Barracks Military Association for many years. A native of Vancouver where his
Army father was based, Davis joined the Army Reserve out of
high school and served for many years around the world, and
also at Vancouver Barracks. He has authored and contributed to many
books and other publications on military and Northwest
history and is a frequent public speaker and tour guide.

Historic Trust Speakers Series presented by University Village.

Photo Caption:  Anderson family and friends sitting on the front porch of the post commander’s home. The 1878 home is now called the Howard House after its first residents – General Oliver Otis Howard and his family. 

Credit: Clark County Historical Museum