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 it 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 buildings 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.
Paul M/Trip Advisor 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.
By Ian Poellet (User:Werewombat) - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9661779 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.
Jan OR/Trip Advisor
The Liberty Theater is a historic vaudeville and movie theater in downtown Astoria. It opened in 1925.
By Visitor7 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17600994
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.
By Steve Morgan - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20340018
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.
By Mark Hogan from San Francisco, USA - Downtown Astoria, Oregon, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=52951563
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.
By Steve Morgan - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20380384
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.
CruiserIllinois/Trip Advisor It was built in 1885.
The Ferdinand Fisher House was completed in 1883.
By Steve Morgan - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20357480
The Gustavus Holmes House is a great example of Queen Anne/Eastlake architecture. It was built in 1892.
By Ian Poellet - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=31609029
The John N. Griffin House was also built in 1892.
By Steve Morgan - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20380496
The Norris Staples House is a bungalow that was built in 1910.
By Steve Morgan - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20380961
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!
David S/Trip Advisor
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!
Paul M/Trip Advisor
Many people are familiar with Astoria because it has appeared in several movies. The Goonies, Kindergarten Cop, and Short Circuit were all shot here.
By Ian Poellet (User:Werewombat) - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9661779
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.
Jan OR/Trip Advisor
By Visitor7 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17600994
By Steve Morgan - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20340018
By Mark Hogan from San Francisco, USA - Downtown Astoria, Oregon, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=52951563
By Steve Morgan - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20380384
CruiserIllinois/Trip Advisor
It was built in 1885.
By Steve Morgan - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20357480
By Ian Poellet - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=31609029
By Steve Morgan - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20380496
By Steve Morgan - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20380961
David S/Trip Advisor
If you love history and are looking for more historical places to visit in Oregon, check out this post: 13 Historical Landmarks You Absolutely Must Visit In Oregon
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Address: Astoria, OR 97103, USA
