Astoria in Clatsop County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)
Comcomly / Indian Burial Canoe
c. 1765-1830
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Great Chief of the Chinook Nation, known to Lewis and Clark, honored and respected by the founding Astorians, the Northwesters and the Hundson's Bay fur traders.
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Symbolic memorial dedicated by Comcomly's descendants April 12, 1961 Astoria's 150th anniversary. Honored guest was Lord Astor of England, descendant and namesake of the city's founder.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Lewis & Clark Expedition series list.
Location. 46° 10.849′ N, 123° 49.129′ W. Marker is in Astoria, Oregon, in Clatsop County. Marker can be reached from Coxcomb Drive, 0.7 miles 15th Street. Marker is located at the west end of the Astoria Column parking lot, at the hilltop end of Coxcomb Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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. The Lewis and Clark Expedition (a few steps from this marker); "Ocian in view, O! the Joy..." (a few steps from this marker); Shively - McClure National Register Historic District (approx. 0.4 miles away); Columbia River Bar (approx. 0.6 miles away); Pilot Boat Peacock (approx. 0.6 miles away); Built by Capt. Hiram Brown (approx. 0.6 miles away); Site of Original Settlement of Astoria (approx. 0.6 miles away); Ranald MacDonald (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Astoria.
Also see . . .
1. Chief Comcomly.
Chief Comcomly was one of the Chiefs of the Chinook Tribe at the time of Lewis and Clark. He was born around 1770 and died in 1829 or 1830. During his lifetime he was a trader, navigator, and not only befriender of Lewis and Clark, but also benefactor of the early Astorians. (Submitted on January 20, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Comcomly, Chinook Chief.
Among the Chinook men who met with the American fur traders was a young man known as Comcomly, who would later become a major chief. In 1805, the American Corps of Discovery under the leadership of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark reached the mouth of the Columbia River and established their winter camp, Fort Clatsop, on Chinook land. While Comcomly did not greet the Americans when they first arrived, he did sit in council with them at his village later. The Americans provided him with a medal and an American flag. Both Clark and Lewis admired Comcomly’s sea-otter robe and tried to bargain for it. (Submitted on January 20, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 15, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 446 times since then and 83 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 19, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 4, 5. submitted on January 20, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.