Astoria in Clatsop County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)
Imagine the Scene: Astoria's Custom House - 1849
You might imagine British sea captains tracking in mud from the shore as they came to carry on business with customs officials. You might see "wild-looking specimens of frontier life." as Mrs. Adair described some of the men living in Astoria in the 1850s.
Think of wet clothes dripping Oregon rain, dirty floors and loud conversation about the destination of goods, their worth, and the taxes to be paid on them. This small, austere facility provided quite a contrast to the much grander custom houses set up in other parts of the country. Its simplicity reflects life in the Pacific Northwest at the time.
Erected by City of Astoria.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce.
Location. 46° 11.568′ N, 123° 48.33′ W. Marker is in Astoria, Oregon, in Clatsop County. Marker is on Leif Erikson Drive (U.S. 30) near 34th Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3455 Leif Erikson Drive, Astoria OR 97103, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. First on the Pacific: The Astoria Custom House (here, next to this marker); Custom House Reconstruction (here, next to this marker); Fire Station No. 2 (approx. 0.3 miles away); Columbia River Bar (approx. ¾ mile away); Pilot Boat Peacock (approx. ¾ mile away); A Great Artery of Transportation (approx. one mile away); A Waterfront at Work (approx. one mile away); "Ocian in view, O! the Joy..." (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Astoria.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2018. It was originally submitted on February 7, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 226 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 7, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.