James Carty was special because he was the first permanent white American settler in Clark Country. He started a farm in Ridgefield. Before moving to Clark County in 1839 or 1840, James Carty worked as a fur trader and a whaler. Cathapotle, a 10,000 year old Chinook village, was on his farm.
Carty's nephew, also named James Carty, was born in Wexford County, Ireland on St. Patricks Day.
Willam Carty, the nephew's son, gave the land to the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service. It is now a wildlife refuge. All these birds live there: Red Tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle, Mallard, Canada Goose, and a Great Blue Heron.