You're Not An Official Oregonian Until You've Climbed To The Top Of This Historic Tower
By Catherine Armstrong|Published December 14, 2018
×
Catherine Armstrong
Author
Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
Astoria is one of the Oregon coast’s loveliest cities, and a popular spot for a weekend getaway. It’s also home to the Astoria Column, and if you’ve never climbed it, you’ll want to visit asap.
The Astoria Column is the crown jewel of a series of monuments that stretch from St. Paul, Minnesota, all the way to Astoria. The monuments were created to celebrate American achievement and westward expansion.
The column is 125 feet tall and was dedicated on July 22, 1926 - even though the artwork wasn't completely finished. No matter! More than 8,000 people still showed up for the dedication of this unique landmark.
Artist Attilio Pusterla designed the artwork that wraps around the column. Each scene depicts a part of western U.S. history, including the Lewis & Clark expedition, the discovery of the Columbia River, and the arrival of the Tonquin, the ship that left New York City in 1810 and reached the Columbia River in the spring of 1811.
The Astoria Column received a $1 million renovation in 2015. Because of its location, the column is subjected to gale-force winds that affect both the structure of the column and its artwork. Workers repaired structural damage and painstakingly restored the murals.
When you visit the column, you'll want to climb to the top. The spiral staircase inside the column contains 164 steps. It's certainly a workout, but well worth your effort.
...look at the scenic vista spread out before you. From up here, you'll have stunning views of the Columbia River, the town of Astoria, the Astoria-Megler Bridge, and the ocean.
