Astoria, Oregon Showcases Over 200 Years of History

For a small coastal town, Astoria has many claims to fame-- America's oldest permanent settlement west of the Rocky Mountains; site of the first post office west of the Rocky Mountains; the Salmon Canning Capital of the World; and it's also on the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Dozen Distinctive Destinations list. What a reputation!

Accolades aside, come to Astoria to enjoy the history and the scenery. First visited by Lewis & Clark in 1805, then permanently settled six years later by wealthy New Yorker John Jacob Astor, Astoria is scenically situated along Oregon's spectacular North Coast where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean. The photogenic Astoria-Megler Bridge connects Astoria to the state of Washington, and at 4.1 miles long, it's considered the longest three-span truss bridge in the world.

Climb the Astoria Column
For a literal overview of the area, climb 164 steps to the top of Astoria Column on Coxcomb Hill. On a clear day, you won't be disappointed in the sweeping birds-eye view from 725-feet up, and should even be able to see the confluence of the Columbia River and Pacific Ocean. The column itself is quite unique and was decorated in 1926 using a "sgraffito" technique (carving through colored layers of plaster) by Italian artist Attilo Pusterla. His depictions of Pacific Northwest history spiral from the bottom to the top.

Visit the Flavel House
Once back down at sea level, get even more exercise by roaming Astoria's San Francisco-like streets and admiring the charming Victorian homes. Take a tour of the Queen Anne style Flavel House that now serves as a museum. Captain George Flavel, one of the first licensed Columbia River Bar Pilots and Astoria's first millionaire built the house in 1885. The impressive museum is two and a half stories tall, covers 11,600 square feet, and takes up an entire city block!

Ride the Old 300 Streetcar
To explore the waterfront, begin at the Port of Astoria. Board the "Old 300" and for just $1 enjoy a four-mile ride on a beautifully refurbished 1913 streetcar. A volunteer conductor and guide narrate the trip, so it's a great way to learn about the city's history. Don't be shy about asking questions. From the trolley's windows you'll see lots of ship traffic on the Columbia River and plenty of aged-canneries-turned-trendy-shops-and-restaurants. There's a trolley stop at the Columbia River Maritime Museum, so hop off there to take a tour.

Tour the Columbia River Maritime Museum
Inside the first-rate museum, you'll discover why the treacherous mouth of the Columbia River is called the "Graveyard of the Pacific" (over 200 major shipwrecks have occurred there). You'll also learn about the dangerous work done by Columbia Bar and River Pilots and the skills required to safely navigate ships in such rough water. You can even try your hand at steering a tugboat. Next, take a walk on the bridge of a World War II US Navy Destroyer and notice the olden-day communications equipment. One of the most photographed exhibits in the entire museum is a diorama of a 44-foot Coast Guard lifeboat plowing through crashing waves. It depicts a true story-- the lifeboat was tossed almost completely vertical during a rescue mission and still survived, so it's now permanently mounted that way for display.

That's a short list. Plenty more museums and historic sites around Astoria are just waiting to be explored. In fact, Astoria boasts more buildings on the National Historic Register per square foot than anywhere else in Oregon.