If you love the feeling of being surrounded by history, then you'll love Astoria, Oregon. This northwestern Oregon small town has more historic homes and buildings than any other small town in the state. The reasons for this are unknown; for the most part, it just seems like this town values the past and wants to keep Astoria history available for people of today and tomorrow to see, and that's great for those of us who wish to see it. If you're looking for historic towns in Oregon, Astoria is the place to go. Read on to learn more.
Astoria, Oregon is the oldest city in the state of Oregon and was the first American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains. This small city was officially founded in 1811 and it's been going strong ever since. Today, it has a population of about 10,000.
Many people are familiar with Astoria because it has appeared in several movies. The Goonies, Kindergarten Cop, and Short Circuit were all shot here.
Astoria has a very high concentration of historic buildings. The people of Astoria have always been conscious of this fact and have chosen to save and restore old buildings instead of tearing them down.
There are 18 non-residential buildings in Astoria that are on the National Register of Historic Places. Pictured here is the Clatsop County Courthouse. It was built in 1908.
The Old Clatsop County Jail is also on the list. It was built in 1913. Today, it's the Oregon Film Museum.
The Liberty Theater is a historic vaudeville and movie theater in downtown Astoria. It opened in 1925.
Astoria Fire House Number 2 is one of the oldest commercial buildings in town. It was built in 1896. Today, it's a firefighting museum.
The John Jacob Astor hotel was once known as the Hotel Astoria. It opened in 1924 and it is the tallest building in town. It's no longer a hotel; today, it is apartments.
The Grace Episcopal Church is yet another building in Astoria that is on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built between 1885 and 1886.
There are also 18 historic homes in Astoria that have made their way onto the National Register of Historic Places. The most striking and memorable is the Captain George Flavel House. It's in the center of town and everyone notices it. Tours of the interior are offered daily.
It was built in 1885.
The Ferdinand Fisher House was completed in 1883.
The Gustavus Holmes House is a great example of Queen Anne/Eastlake architecture. It was built in 1892.
The John N. Griffin House was also built in 1892.
The Norris Staples House is a bungalow that was built in 1910.
These are just a few of the many historic buildings in beautiful Astoria, Oregon. If you love older architecture, you'll love this part of the state. It doesn't get more beautiful than this!
Astoria, Oregon, is a special place and it's worth a weekend visit at any time of year. This is one of the best small towns in Oregon, especially if you love history. Plan a trip there today! Once you're there, one of the best ways to experience Astoria history is by taking one of Viator's local tours.
If you love history and are looking for more historic towns in Oregon to visit, check out these 13 Historical Landmarks You Absolutely Must Visit In Oregon.
https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/oregon/historic-landmarks-or/
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