What Is Fort Astoria?
This city park has a reconstruction of Fort Astoria, headquarters of the Pacific Fur Company!
What Makes It Historical?
John Jacob Astor was the leading fur merchant in the United States and just couldn’t stand that Britain had a monopoly over the northwest fur trade! On June 23, 1810, he formed the Pacific Fur Company and set out to stake his claims in Oregon. On March 22, 1811 his expedition arrived, and they started constructing their fort on April 12!
The fort got off to a strong start for about a year, until the War of 1812 broke out and supply ships couldn’t make it to the West Coast! Mr. Astor, his hopes dashed, sold the fort to the British Northwest Company on October 16, 1813, and they renamed it Fort George. It was a British fort until 1846, but at the end of the day, the city that grew up around the old fort kept the name of John Jacob Astor!
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Pay the entrance fee to help maintain trails, signs, structures, and other visitor services!
- Become a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution – Astoria Chapter!
- Become a member of the Clatsop County Historical Society!
- Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
How Do I Get There?
1498 Exchange St
Astoria, OR 97103
(Take Me There!)
When Should I Visit?
Whenever the mood strikes you!
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