Charles W. Slocum (June 19, 1835 – September 21, 1912) was an American pioneer businessman active in the Pacific Northwest.
In 1857, Charles Slocum and his cousin William C. Hazard decided to seek their fortunes in the Western United States.
The business included importing and exporting goods such as lumber using the nearby Columbia River.
[2] When gold was discovered at Orofino, near Lewiston, in what is now Idaho, Crawford & Slocum set up a merchandise store for the miners in 1862.
He personally then focused on managing the Vancouver store, his other business interests, and his civic and social activities.
Laura's family had traveled west by covered wagon, spending seven months on the trail before reaching Portland, Oregon.
[5] The Slocums built a house in Washougal, Washington Territory, overlooking the Columbia River.
The house was moved in 1966 to the southwest corner of Esther Short Park, in Vancouver, Washington, to save it from destruction.
The progress of the building, from foundation to structure, was regularly reported on by the local newspaper, the Vancouver Independent.
[8]The Slocum House is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, based on its architectural value to the State of Washington.