Jackson House State Park Heritage Site
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 First American Home in WA — The OLDEST American-built home in Washington state (1845) — built by John R. Jackson, the first US citizen to settle north of the Columbia River
Jackson House State Park Heritage Site preserves the oldest American-built home in Washington state — a hand-hewn log cabin built by John R. Jackson in 1845, three years before the Oregon Territory was officially organized. Jackson was the first US citizen to settle permanently north of the Columbia River in what would become Washington. His cabin served as the first US courthouse, post office, and county seat north of the river. Jackson sheltered travelers on the Oregon Trail and hosted the first session of the Lewis County court in 1850.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Lewis County, WA |
| Entry Fee | Free |
| Built | 1845 — OLDEST American home in WA! |
| Firsts | 1st courthouse, post office, county seat! |
About Jackson House
Jackson House State Park Heritage Site preserves the oldest American-built home still standing in Washington state — constructed by John R. Jackson in 1845. The hand-hewn log cabin served as a courthouse, post office, and hotel on the Cowlitz Trail — the overland route from the Columbia River to Puget Sound before roads existed. It’s a tangible link to Washington’s earliest pioneer settlement.
Things to Do
Touring the restored 1845 log cabin (one of the oldest structures in the Pacific Northwest), reading interpretive panels about pioneer life on the Cowlitz Trail, and picnicking in the heritage site grounds. Open seasonally — check Washington State Parks website.
Insider Tips
Oldest American home: The Jackson House (1845) is the oldest surviving American-built home in Washington state. Pro tip: John R. Jackson was one of the first American settlers north of the Columbia River — his home served as a courthouse, church, and meeting hall. Oregon Trail: Settlers arriving via the Oregon Trail passed through this area — the end of a 2,000-mile journey from Missouri.
Best Time to Visit
Summer: Best for touring the grounds. Spring: Green countryside and wildflowers. Year-round: Historical site accessible. Fall: Lewis County foliage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long was the Oregon Trail?
The Oregon Trail stretched approximately 2,170 miles from Independence, Missouri to Oregon City, Oregon — a journey that took 4-6 months by covered wagon. Between 1843 and 1869, approximately 400,000 emigrants made the crossing. The trail crossed prairies, deserts, and mountain passes — an estimated 20,000-30,000 people died along the way from disease, accidents, and exposure.
🏠 Visit Jackson House
1845 — oldest American home in WA, first courthouse north of Columbia!
Wildlife & Nature
Jackson House State Park Heritage Site — a small interpretive site near Chehalis — preserves the oldest remaining American home north of the Columbia River, built by John R. Jackson in 1845. The hand-hewn log cabin served as the first US courthouse north of the Columbia and hosted the first session of the territorial legislature. The surrounding meadow supports western meadowlarks, red-tailed hawks, and black-tailed deer. The site provides a window into Washington’s pre-territorial settlement era.
Nearby Attractions
Chehalis — 5 miles north — has the Lewis County Historical Museum. Centralia — 10 miles north — has antique shops and the historic downtown. Mount St. Helens — 40 miles east — provides volcanic landscape viewing. Ike Kinswa State Park — 25 miles southeast — offers camping on Mayfield Lake with Mount Rainier views.
