Karl WP Beyer Astoria is a port city in the US state of Oregon. It lies at the mouth of the Columbia River in the Pacific Ocean. The port of Astoria is important as a seaport for the Pacific and as an inland port for the Columbia River.
Astoria on the Columbia River
The city was named after Johann Jakob Astor. The German-born entrepreneur made a fabulous fortune in the USA in the first half of the 19th century through fur trade and real estate. In 1811 he built the trading post called Fort Astoria on the Columbia River. Today's city developed from this location.
Columbia River - Tongue Point
Astoria - formerly Oregon's second largest city
In the mid-1840s, settlers moved from the eastern United States to the west of the country via the Oregon Trail. The region around the city of Astoria benefited from the influx of settlers. The city of Astoria developed into an important inland and sea port. State institutions also emerged. Astoria owned the first post office west of the Rocky Mountains. A customs post and the first court in the western United States followed. In 1900, Astoria was the second largest city in the US state of Oregon with more than 8.300 residents. However, the success did not last. Today Astoria is not even one of the 30 largest cities in the state.
Astoria is not without its charms
But that does not mean that Astoria and the surrounding landscape are unattractive. The six kilometers wide Columbia River and the mountain landscape in the east are rather very inviting. Even if the city center is perceived by the visitor as a collection of bland buildings, a visit to the city by cruise ship is not a wasted day. By the way: In 2019, 18 cruise ships called at Astoria. More than 30 ship arrivals were planned for 2020. They had to be canceled because of the Covid pandemic.
Commercial Street in the city center
Astoria's economic importance
The city lives mainly from tourism. After all, the city is located on major tourist routes. Shipping and the port industry create additional jobs. The county seat is also the base of the US Coast Guard. Only at second glance does the visitor discover that Astoria is very popular with Hollywood producers because of its attractive surroundings. Well-known films were made in Astoria.
Cruise ship berth - Norwegian Sun
We report on the regional highlights at Astoria Landmarks.
Update April 2021
