Historic Astoria

In November 1805, the Corps of Discovery, headed by Lewis and Clark, canoed past Astoria. They bivouacked across the Columbia River to reconnoiter and unfurl a flag to lay claim to their surroundings for the U.S.

Disgusted by the wet, windy weather at the river, they elected to relocate a half-dozen miles south of present-day Astoria to construct more accommodating cold-weather quarters: Fort Clatsop. Following 16 mostly rainy weeks at the fort, they loaded their remaining supplies into canoes and headed homeward.

In 1811, fur magnate John Jacob Astor dispatched a work party to construct a trading post at the Astoria site, Oregon Country's first permanent U.S. settlement. An exhibit and copy of one tower are on the premises at 15th and Exchange. In summer, volunteers describe Fort Clatsop's colorful past.

In 1885, after Astoria had prospered as a shipping hub at the Columbia River mouth, Captain George Flavel, who had enriched himself as a Columbia River bar pilot, constructed an estate in the Queen Anne style in Astoria. Handsomely restored and furnished with antiques of the era, the mansion at 441 8th Street is open to visitors.

In the fall of 2005, a copy of the fort was engulfed by flames. Work is in progress to rebuild the historic attraction. A nearby interpretative center was not affected by the fire and thus remains open.

Location:
Astoria OR

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