facade. 1  Architecture. the front of a building, especially an imposing or decorative one. 2  a superficial appearance or illusion of something: They managed somehow to maintain a facade of wealth.
The Oregon Territory stretched from the Pacific coast to the Rocky Mountains, encompassing the area including present-day Oregon, Washington, and most of British Columbia. Originally Spain, Great Britain, Russia, and the United States claimed the territory. In 1819, under terms of the Transcontinental Treaty, Spain ceded its claims to the territory to the United States. Shortly thereafter the United States contested a unilateral Russian move to grant its citizens a fishing, whaling, and commercial monopoly from the Bering Straits to the 51st parallel.
The region was claimed by both the British, who called it Columbia District, and the United States, who called it Oregon Country. The United States officially gained the region in 1846 with the Oregon Treaty. Idaho became part of Oregon Territory and later Washington Territory where Idaho was split in two. However, the entire region became part of Washington Territory after Oregon was made a state.