Fort Umpqua was first established in 1832 at the confluence of Calapooya Creek and the Umpqua River. In 1836 it was moved and rebuilt on the south bank of the Umpqua River near the mouth of Elk Creek, at present-day Elkton, Oregon. The fort was intended to serve company's fur trade operations along the Umpqua River, Rogue River, and Klamath River. The United States Exploring Expedition under Charles Wilkes visited Fort Umpqua in 1841. On November 15, 1851, a fire destroyed Fort Umpqua. In 1854 the post was closed for good.