Astoria

-It is estimated that since the early 1800's more than 2000 ships and 1000 lives have been lost in the Astoria region. The wreck of the Peter Iredale (1906) is one of the only sign we found to support these facts.-

Our first stop on our recent trip to the Oregon Coast was in the small town of Astoria. While being a small quaint kind of a coastal town it is able to boast of hosting great explorers such as Lewis and Clark (1805-1806) as well as the great British explorer, David Thompson (1811). More recently Astoria is known for it's role in popular culture. Some of you may remember the best movie ever released in the 80's, The Goonies. This great show was filmed on location in the wonderful town of Astoria as were the movies of Kindergarten Cop, Free Willy, Into the Wild and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

-Built in 1926 as an observation tower, The Astoria Column stands 38 metres tall and boasts an elaborate painting of the events of the famous Lewis and Clark expedition.-

Astoria (more specifically, Fort Stevens) is also famous for it's involvement in the second world war being the only spot in America to come under hostile fire.

-Another shot of the Peter Iredale in the Graveyard of the Pacific.-

-A bay view, looking across the mighty mouth of the Columbia River at the Washington shoreline.-

-Peter Iredale, in colour.-