Clark County Historical Museum

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News Release

Wander Clark County - Take A Walking Tour Through Time This Summer (Photo) - 05/11/18

Vancouver, WA – Clark County Historical Museum(CCHM)’s History Walking Tours is an annual and popular series that offers an opportunity to get out and visit some of Clark County’s most fascinating neighborhoods and city centers. The tours kick off on Friday, June 1 along Vancouver’s Officers Row.

Summertime is the right time to wander through and learn the stories of people who have lived, worked, and carved out their place in our area’s history. A mix of memories, research, and architectural details, our history tours are a fascinating glimpse through the windows of time.

Guides will lead up to 25 people for approximately a mile, making frequent stops along the way to view buildings, tell stories, and answer questions. Good walking shoes and balance aids are recommended, as terrain varies and consists mostly of city sidewalks.

Tour hours are NOON on Fridays and 9:00 AM on Saturdays, and each weekend highlights a different destination:

  • Vancouver: Officers Row (June 1-2), Esther Short Neighborhood (June 15-16), Lower Main Street (June 22-23), Middle Main Street (June 29-30), Uptown Village (July 6-7), and Hough Neighborhood  (July 13-14)
  • Around the County: Heritage Farm (July 20-21), Downtown Camas (July 27-28), Downtown Ridgefield (August 3-4), and Downtown Battle Ground (August 10-11)

All are welcome on the tours, though they are best suited for those 13 years and older. All persons attending over the age of six need a ticket, and tours happen rain or shine. Please dress and hydrate appropriately.

Tickets are $10.00 for CCHM members, $12.00 for the general public, and the Downtown Ridgefield tours are FREE to Ridgefield residents (registration still required).

Contact or visit us for more information and to purchase tickets:

These annual tours help support CCHM’s mission to gather, save, and share Clark County history. 

CCHM History Tour Sampling

Blurock House - Vancouver’s Esther Short Tour (photo1)

The Blurock family has deep roots in Clark County. John Blurock, the family patriarch, came to Clark County with his parent in 1876. John started off helping his father with a dairy, named Blurcok & Son. However, after some years, John went into partnership with Jere Harmer in a local meat market. After some time, his partner passed away and John took full control of the business.

Then in 1897, Charles, John’s son followed in his father’s footsteps became a grocery/market owner. His success allowed him to build the home on our tour in 1905.

Luepke Florist Building – Vancouver’s Middle Main Tour (photo2)

In 1906, Frank and Ella Luepke opened a flower shop in Vancouver on W 13th St. The following year, they commissioned Donald Stewart, one of the most prominent architects in Vancouver, to design a building close to the original store. The Luepke family was well known in our area for their civic work, as well as their flower shop. New owner, Bruno Amicci, has begun the Luepke Renaissance giving the architectural treasure a face lift both inside and out, yet retaining the bones and rich history of the site.

Union Ridge Church - Downtown Ridgefield Tour (photo3)

This church was built between 1883-1884 by the Henry and Stephen Shobert on land donated by Frederick and Catherine Shobert. They were among the first settlers in the Ridgefield area, known at the time as Union Ridge.

The church’s congregation, the Union Ridge Presbyterians, was established sometime between 1882-1883 by Rev. A.L. Lindsley of Portland. The group boasted a total of twelve (12) members during its first accounting and grew to prominence in the mid-20th century. While the parishioners have moved on, the church still holds a place in the heart of the city and its adjacent park.

###

The Clark County Historical Museum is operated by the Clark County Historical Society (CCHS), which is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization governed by a Board of Trustees. CCHS works in partnership with Clark County and the City of Vancouver to operate the museum in a 1909 Carnegie Library building. Our vision is to facilitate a more educated and connected community through meaningful engagement with history. CCHM is located at 1511 Main St, Vancouver, WA 98660 – just off the I-5 and Mill Plain Blvd. Daily hours of operation: Tuesday through Saturday, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM. For further information, call 360-993-5679, email info@cchmuseum.org, or visit cchmuseum.org.

Attached Media Files: Walking Tour Release, Union Ridge Church, Luepke Florist, Blurock House,

Wander Clark County - Take A Walking Tour Through Time This Summer (Photo) - 05/11/18

Vancouver, WA – Clark County Historical Museum(CCHM)’s History Walking Tours is an annual and popular series that offers an opportunity to get out and visit some of Clark County’s most fascinating neighborhoods and city centers. The tours kick off on Friday, June 1 along Vancouver’s Officers Row.

Summertime is the right time to wander through and learn the stories of people who have lived, worked, and carved out their place in our area’s history. A mix of memories, research, and architectural details, our history tours are a fascinating glimpse through the windows of time.

Guides will lead up to 25 people for approximately a mile, making frequent stops along the way to view buildings, tell stories, and answer questions. Good walking shoes and balance aids are recommended, as terrain varies and consists mostly of city sidewalks.

Tour hours are NOON on Fridays and 9:00 AM on Saturdays, and each weekend highlights a different destination:

  • Vancouver: Officers Row (June 1-2), Esther Short Neighborhood (June 15-16), Lower Main Street (June 22-23), Middle Main Street (June 29-30), Uptown Village (July 6-7), and Hough Neighborhood  (July 13-14)
  • Around the County: Heritage Farm (July 20-21), Downtown Camas (July 27-28), Downtown Ridgefield (August 3-4), and Downtown Battle Ground (August 10-11)

All are welcome on the tours, though they are best suited for those 13 years and older. All persons attending over the age of six need a ticket, and tours happen rain or shine. Please dress and hydrate appropriately.

Tickets are $10.00 for CCHM members, $12.00 for the general public, and the Downtown Ridgefield tours are FREE to Ridgefield residents (registration still required).

Contact or visit us for more information and to purchase tickets:

These annual tours help support CCHM’s mission to gather, save, and share Clark County history. 

CCHM History Tour Sampling

Blurock House - Vancouver’s Esther Short Tour (photo1)

The Blurock family has deep roots in Clark County. John Blurock, the family patriarch, came to Clark County with his parent in 1876. John started off helping his father with a dairy, named Blurcok & Son. However, after some years, John went into partnership with Jere Harmer in a local meat market. After some time, his partner passed away and John took full control of the business.

Then in 1897, Charles, John’s son followed in his father’s footsteps became a grocery/market owner. His success allowed him to build the home on our tour in 1905.

Luepke Florist Building – Vancouver’s Middle Main Tour (photo2)

In 1906, Frank and Ella Luepke opened a flower shop in Vancouver on W 13th St. The following year, they commissioned Donald Stewart, one of the most prominent architects in Vancouver, to design a building close to the original store. The Luepke family was well known in our area for their civic work, as well as their flower shop. New owner, Bruno Amicci, has begun the Luepke Renaissance giving the architectural treasure a face lift both inside and out, yet retaining the bones and rich history of the site.

Union Ridge Church - Downtown Ridgefield Tour (photo3)

This church was built between 1883-1884 by the Henry and Stephen Shobert on land donated by Frederick and Catherine Shobert. They were among the first settlers in the Ridgefield area, known at the time as Union Ridge.

The church’s congregation, the Union Ridge Presbyterians, was established sometime between 1882-1883 by Rev. A.L. Lindsley of Portland. The group boasted a total of twelve (12) members during its first accounting and grew to prominence in the mid-20th century. While the parishioners have moved on, the church still holds a place in the heart of the city and its adjacent park.

###

The Clark County Historical Museum is operated by the Clark County Historical Society (CCHS), which is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization governed by a Board of Trustees. CCHS works in partnership with Clark County and the City of Vancouver to operate the museum in a 1909 Carnegie Library building. Our vision is to facilitate a more educated and connected community through meaningful engagement with history. CCHM is located at 1511 Main St, Vancouver, WA 98660 – just off the I-5 and Mill Plain Blvd. Daily hours of operation: Tuesday through Saturday, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM. For further information, call 360-993-5679, email info@cchmuseum.org, or visit cchmuseum.org.

Attached Media Files: Walking Tour Release, Union Ridge Church, Luepke Florist, Blurock House,