Across
the river from Astoria, just north of Oregon's North Coast, lie the treasures
of the Washington side of the Columbia River. Sailing ships came in the
late 1700's to trade with the Chinook Indians for beaver and otter pelts.
Lewis and Clark came with the Corps of Discovery in 1805 in hope of establishing
that the Columbia River was the great Northwest Passage. Today, thousands
come to explore the Lewis and Clark sites, gaze in wonder at the Pacific
Ocean, and walk the sandy beaches of Long Beach. Washington's south west
coast has been a destination for explorers for centuries, and continues
to welcome all who come to experience the Pacific Northwest at its best.
The menu on the left or a hot-spot on the map will take you on a photo tour of Washington's Pacific County.
Cross
the Astoria-Meglar bridge and turn left. Shortly you will arrive at the
pioneer Catholic Church. This area is soon to be under construction as
Highway 14 will be moved around the north side of the church to make room
for the new Lewis and Clark Station Camp interpretive area.
Continue
on Hwy 14 through the tunnel, but prepare to turn immediatly left to visit
Fort Columbia State Park. One of three army forts built at the mouth of
the Columbia to protect the area from invasion, Fort Columbia boa
sts
a wonderful collection of officers quarters, barracks, and gun emplacements.
This park has a $5 parking fee, and a hefty fine for ignoring it.
Lewis
and Clark found an empty Chinook Indian fishing village at this spot.
Thinking it was abandoned, they took the cedar roofing for themselves,
much to the chagrin of the natives who intended to return in the spring,
along with the salmon.
Today you will find a delightfull little town filled with historic homes. It is also home to the Washington's first fish hatchery.
Yes,
Ilwaco is a fishing village, but a whole lot more. Located at Baker Bay
at the mouth of the Columbia River, just 2 miles from
Cape Dissapointment and the new Lewis and Clark State Park, this little
town offers Bed and Breakfasts, a wonderful museum, docks filled with
fishing boats and wonderful shops to occupy your time.
The
mural on the left tells the story of Ilwaco at the turn of the 19th century,
when vacationeers took a ferry from Astoria and met the train in Ilwaco
for destinations north up the Long Beach Peninsula.
Learn more about the "Clamshell Railroad", the train that kept its schedule by the tides, at Heritage Museum. Turn left one block when you see the mural on your left.
The sign says it all. The Beach here is over 30 miles long and is home to kite festivals and even a kite museum. Long Beach has been a destination resort area since the 1800's, and was even visited by Lewis and Clark in 1805. Sailing ships plied the waters since the 1600's. Plan to spend lots of time visiting the shops, entertainment centers and of course the beach.
You
can even drive your car on the beach.
Walking
paths, picknick table, and interpretive signs help enrich your visit to
this 30 mile long spit of sand created by deposits washed down from eastern
Washington by the Columbia River, a spread northward by the currents of
the Pacific Ocean.
Things To See and Do In Pacific County
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