Thomas B. Boggs was responsible for obtaining the property for Vanport in the early 1800’s. The area was known as Borough Township. At this time, the democratic nominee for President was Martin Van Buren. Vanport got the first part of its name from “Matty Van” and the second part of its name (“port”) because of the amount of pottery that was shipped out from the location. The name Vanport had been used unofficially since the earliest days of the area; an ode to former United States President Martin Van Buren. It finally became a township in 1890. Then, the Vanport Township name  “officially” came into existence in 1970.