Things To See and do in Astoria
Firefighters Museum/Childrens Museum
Union Town
Fort Astoria
Take the Trolly
The
summer sun sets just north of Cape Dissapointment. The name comes from
British Captain John Mears, who in 1788 failed to find the entrance, just
left of the cape, to the mighty Columbia River. William Clark re-affirmed
that name when in 1805 he failed to locate a merchant ship anchored at
the mouth.
Just 6 years later the Tonquin sailed over the treacherous shifting sand bars and deposited the first Astorians on high ground just to the right of the bridge. Sent by fur trading magnate John Jacob Astor to estabish the trading post that would become the oldest settlement west of the Rocky Mountains.
Did you know?
- Astor was the first American fur trader and first American millionair.
- Although founded by Americans, most of the
original Astorians were British citizens formerly employed by the British
NW Fur Company.
- In 1813, one year after the outbreak of the war of 1812, the Astorians sold Astoria to the NW Fur Company. John Jacob Astor didn't learn of this for another year.
- When British captain William Black arrived aboard the HMS Racoon, he was furious that he had been robbed of conquest and demanded the British Flag be raised over the new "Ft. George." He noted in his log that he had "conquered" Astoria.
- The Treaty of Ghent ended the war in 1814, and stipulated that all conquered land be returned to the United States. So British run Ft. George became American property.
- The British continued to operate Astoria until all the fur was exhasted and moved to Ft. Vancouver in 1825.
America did not fully regain this sea coast settlement until the settlers began arriving in the 1830's
Astoria's River Front Walk
Cargo ships wait their turn to
head up river to ports in Portland and Vancouver. A lone gull catches
the
sceen from the waterfront walk. Waterfront walk
extends from the east end of town to Union Town west of the Astoria-Meglar
Bridge. Watch gulls and sea lions from 
scenic
lookouts along the walk. 
Interpretive
signs dot the way, offering valuable information about river life and
history.
The Flavel House today, at left, and as it appeared in 1890. (From the pages of the Clatsop County Historical Society Quarterly "CUMTUX."
Located at 441 Eighth, the Flavel House is operated as a house museum by Clatsop County Historical Society. Designed by a San Francisco architect, it was built in 1885 for Captain George Flavel and his wife, mary Christina Boelling. With its six distinctive fireplaces and carved woodwork, it is recognixed as one of the finest examples of Victorian architecture in Oregon. From its fourth story cupola, Captain Flavel, sea captain, master of his own sailing fleet, and one of the first bar pilots licensed by the Oregon Territoria Legislature (Jan. 1852), could keep watch on his ships. A booklet detailing the family and its mansion is for sale in the museum.
The Flavel House is open 10 a.m. to 5p.m. - May through September: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. - October through April. There is a fee. For more information call (503) 325-2203
All of downtown Astoria was destroyed by fire
in 1922, but the magnificent Victorian homes of the late 19th century
still stand. Many have been reconditioned to original condition and visitors
can stroll the streets today
and examine the fine architecture. One example is the house at 690 Seventeenth
St. built in1892, seen on the right, for Martin Foard, co-owner of Foard
and Stokes Mercantile and Furniture Store. It is now a Bed & Breakfast.
This
house at 469 Bond is Astoria's oldest residence to remain in continous
family ownership. The house, built entirely of Port Orford cedar, was
the home of John Hobson, pioneer from England in 1843, who came west with
the "Great Migration" wagon train led by Marcus Whitman an Jesse
Applegate.
There are 71 structures to see along a 1.4 mile route that begins at the Flavel house and ends at the Clatsop County Museum and Maritime Museum. All but the museums are private residences or B&B's. Come to Astoria and enjoy.
Built in
1904 as Astoria's City Hall, this building is now home to the Clatsop
County Historical Society's regional museum, 
archives
and research center. Galleries feature both permanent and changing exhibits
about natural history, geology, industries, commerce, and the peoples
of this historically rich area.
The Museum is open 10 a.m. to 5p.m. - May through September: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. - October through April. There is a fee. The museum is closed Sundays and Mondays during the winter season. Call (503) 325-2203 for more information.
Find out what it is like to pilot
a tug boat, participate in a Coast Guard rescue on the Columbia River
Bar, walk 
on
the deck of a WWII era US Navy Destroyer, see the world class collection
of maritime artifacts and ship models. Learn why sailors know the mouth
of the
the Columbia River as the Graveyard of the Pacific.
Founded in 1962, the Columbia River Maritime Museum is one of the finest maritiem museums on the West Coast and the official maritime museum of the State Of Oregon. Six Galleries, the Great Hall, and the Lightship Columbia interpret the Pacific Northwest's rich maritime history.
Located at 1792 Marine Drive, just before you enter Astoria from the east, the museum is open 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily. (Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas) Admission charged. Call (503) 325-2323 or e-mail: information@crmm.org See their web site at www.crmm.org
High
above Astoria, perched on 620 ft. high Coxcomb Hill, the Astor Column
affords a panoramic view of the North Coast. The Great Northern Railroad
and Vincent Astor, great grandson of Astoria founder John Jacob Astor
underwrote the cost of the column and the site's 30 acres. It was built
in 1925 as a memorial to Lewis and Clark.
Constructed of concrete, it measures 12 feet at the base and stands 125 feet tall. There are 164 breath-robbing steps in the spiral staircase that leads to the top. Forteen scenes, and text explaining them, spiral up the Astoria Column's sides. They depict 14 chapters of white man's push westward.
The view from Coxcomb Hill offers a great way to orient ones self to the lay of the land here at the mouth of the the Columbia. At low tide, the narrow shipping channel to the sea can easily be traced.
Looking
to the south we see Young's Bay, the Netal River, known today as the Lewis
and Clark River, and the Location of Fort Clatsop.
A
Chinook canoe reminds us of the great culture that florished here when
Captain Gray crossed the Columbia River Bar. It was in a canoe like this
one on Coxcomb Hill that Chief Concomly would use to meet the sailing
ships and safely guide them into the river.
Uppertown Firefighters Museum and Childrens Museum
Located
at 2968 Marine Drive, just as you enter town from the east, this three
story brick building was constructed in 1896 and served as beer storage
for the North Pacific Brewery until closed by prohibition. In 1928 it
was remodeled into the Uppertown Fire station until 1961. Today it is
home to many historic artif
acts
of Astoria's past, such as this 1878 American LaFrance, Hayes Patent type
Arial Ladder wagon.
In addition to the firefighting
equipment, the building is also home to the Childrens Museum. The only
museum of its type on the Oregon Coast, they offer hands-on creative
and educational play experiences for the entire family.
Contact 503-325-8669 for group and party information