Astoria (Oregon)

December 09, 2013  •  Leave a Comment
LogsLogsLogging truck on the main street through Astoria

I was a kid who would look on maps and see that Astoria on the other coast, on the Pacific, and who wanted to go there. It was a port city, downstream from Portland, and I imagined ships in addition to bricks like the Astoria I was growing up in, on the Atlantic.

This year I went to that other Astoria.

 

There is a 600 foot column in a park on a hill above the city. It was put up by the Astor family and sports a mural depicting  scenes from the lives of the indians that their ancestors displaced.
There is a 600 foot column in a park on a hill above the city. It was put up by the Astor family and sports a mural depicting  scenes from the lives of the indians that their ancestors displaced.
 
Those who climb the inevitable spiral staircase are able to see all the way to Megler, Washington (unless there is fog), which is said to be inspiring.

 

Down below is the town, a riverfront harbor city hit hard by the recession, dog-eared home of the Scandinavian Midsummer Festival. There are a few brick warehouses near the docks but, unlike the Astoria of my eastern provenance, the buildings are mostly paint-starved wood.
 
 
SuomiSuomiAstoria’s Suomi Hall

 

There is also the inescapable bridge.

The bridge across the Columbia dominates the town, towering over the main road whether you're coming from east or west. A tiny park at the river's edge clings to the base of the southern tower. It features plaques welcoming visitors to Astoria and more murals celebrating displaced aboriginals.

PostsPostsThe Astoria Bridge at dusk

 

When in Astoria, one simply must take pictures of the many wooden posts in the river, soulful remnants of rotted docks. I learned this by researching my trip on Flickr, where enthusiasts may find many excellent contributions to the genre. These are mine.
PostsPostsAstoria is know for the many remnants of rotting docks in its waterways PostsPostsRotting pillars under the Astoria Bridge

 


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