Photograph as originally submitted to this page in the Historical Marker Database www.HMdb.org. Click on photo to resize in browser. Scroll down to see metadata.

Photographer: Barry Swackhamer
Taken: September 23, 2017
Caption: First on the Pacific: The Astoria Custom House Marker
Additional Description: Captions: (bottom left) The U.S. Custom Service, created in 1789, collected duties and taxes as a source of revenue for the country. Until the Federal income tax was created in 1913, Customs funded virtually the entire government.; (bottom, 2nd from left) Between 1861 and 1873 the Customs Service was housed in an existing commercial building along the downtown riverfront. A third structure was completed in 1873 in downtown Astoria, a site still occupied by the Customs and Postal Service.; (top, 2nd from right) John Adair, the first Collector of U.S. Customs in Astoria, was appointed by President Polk in 1849, and served until 1961. He oversaw construction of the first two Customs Houses, in 1849 and 1852.; (top right) Ships await in Astoria's harbor. Ships entering U.S. waters from foreign ports had to register with customs officials.; (background) Sketch of Astoria as it appeared in 1849.
Submitted: February 7, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
Database Locator Identification Number: p415980
File Size: 3.445 Megabytes

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