Astoria in Clatsop County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)

Fort Astoria

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 23, 2017

1. Fort Astoria Marker

Inscription. Desiring to dominate the areas explored by Lewis and Clark, John Jacob Astor sent expeditions overland and by sea to seize the mouth of the Columbia. The schooner Tonquin arrived first and work was begun on this site April 12, 1811. "The foliage was budding we imagined ourselves in the Garden of Eden. Buildings were of board tightly covered and roofed with cedar bark." Later palisades were raised against the Indians. Here gathered adventurers from all the vast wilderness; here, in 1814, lived the Oregon Country's first white woman, the English barmaid, Jane Barnes; here were the true beginnings of our stock raising, farming and shipbuilding. The property was sold to the North West Company to avoid capture during the War of 1812 and was operated as "Fort George" until its abandonment in 1825 when the Hudson's Bay Company moved headquarters to Fort Vancouver. The buildings decayed and modern Astoria rose upon the site.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 12, 1811.

Location.

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46° 11.293′ N, 123° 49.643′ W. Marker is in Astoria, Oregon, in Clatsop County. It is on Exchange Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Astoria OR 97103, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Oregon Coast.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast,

in the Pacific Northwest,

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ranald MacDonald (a few steps from this marker); Site of Original Settlement of Astoria (a few steps from this marker); Gimre's Shoe Store (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Into the Unknown (about 600 feet away); A Waterfront at Work (about 600 feet away); Built by Capt. Hiram Brown (about 700 feet away); 14th Street Ferry Slip (about 700 feet away); Clark Gable (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Astoria.

Also see . . . Fort Astoria. Fort Astoria was placed

Fort Astoria and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 23, 2017

2. Fort Astoria and Marker

on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. From the Nomination Form:

Fort Astoria is one of the most significant sites of the American Fur Trade, symbolizing John Jacob Astor's great bid to break the British monopoly of the northwest trade. It commemorates the powerful commercial and political influences exerted by the fur trade interests. It also represents an important American claim to the Oregon Country, even though the effort made in 1811-1813 failed.

During the entire period of the Oregon boundary dispute, one of the principal arguments which the American government advanced to prove its claim to Oreg. was the establishment of the American fur trading post at Fort Astoria in 1811.

(Submitted on July 9, 2026, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)

Fort Astoria image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 23, 2017

3. Fort Astoria

has been designated a
Registered National
Historic Landmark
under the provisions of the Historic Sites Act of August 21, 1935. This site possesses exceptional value in commemorating and illustrating the history of the United States.
U.S. Department of the Interior
National Park Service
1962

Credits. This page was last revised on July 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 1, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 846 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 1, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.