Astoria in Clatsop County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)
A Waterfront at Work
Before the fire of 1922, much of downtown Astoria was built on pilings over the river. People built out from the original hilly shoreline, creating a level commercial district with access to the water.
Every type of business might be located over the river: hotels and taverns, churches and fish canneries, lumberyards, and a railroad depot.
Naturally, the riverfront was — and is — the workplace for people in the maritime trades. Official business like customs, public health, and pilotage; transportation via ferry, launch, and steamboats; loading and unloading ship cargoes; boatbuilding, shipbuilding, and other maritime enterprises dominated the waterfront.
Erected by City of Astoria.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Industry & Commerce • Man-Made Features • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1922.
Location. 46° 11.379′ N, 123° 49.572′ W. Marker is in Astoria, Oregon, in Clatsop County. Marker can be reached from East Columbia River Highway (U.S. 30) west of 16th Street, on the left when traveling east. Marker is located along the Astoria Riverwalk, north of the highway, overlooking the Columbia River, west of 16th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Astoria Riverwalk, Astoria OR 97103, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Into the Unknown (within shouting distance of this marker); A Great Artery of Transportation (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ranald MacDonald (about 600 feet away); Fort Astoria (about 600 feet away); Site of Original Settlement of Astoria (about 600 feet away); 14th Street Ferry Slip (about 600 feet away); Gimre's Shoe Store (about 700 feet away); Columbia River Tugs And Towboats (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Astoria.
Also see . . . Astoria Waterfront Fires.
In 1883, and again in 1922, downtown Astoria was devastated by fire, partly because it was mostly wood and entirely raised off the marshy ground on pilings. Even after the first fire, the same format was used, and the second time around the flames spread quickly again, as collapsing streets took out the water system. Frantic citizens resorted to dynamite, blowing up entire buildings to stop the fire from going further. (Submitted on January 25, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 19, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 24, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 663 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 24, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 25, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.