Astoria, Oregon: 19 Jun 2009 to 20 Jun 2009

Charming Astoria, north of Portland on the Columbia River, is the oldest continuous Euro-American settlement west of the Mississippi. Lewis and Clark wintered near here in 1805/06 in the hastily constructed Fort Clapstop during their historic expedition. Thanks to a growing fur trade and the steady supply of settlers following the Oregon Trail westward, Astoria (named for John Jacob Astor) continued to prosper, eventually developing an important canning and lumber industry. By the mid-1940s, there were some 30 canneries in the region, many manned by Scandinavian settlers.

Today, with the canneries and lumber mills long gone, the tourist industry is the primary employer around town. The steep hillsides are lined with elegant Victorians, originally built by wealthy merchants during Astoria’s heyday, some now converted to B&Bs. Hop aboard the quaint Astoria Riverfront Trolley for a pleasant ride along three miles of track beside the Columbia—be sure to stop off at the excellent Columbia River Maritime Museum along the way. Other sites in town include the beautifully restored Flavel House and the Astoria Column, atop the town’s highest hill.