Astoria Column, Commemorative tower on Coxcomb Hill, Astoria, United States.
Description
The Astoria Column is an observation tower on Coxcomb Hill in Astoria, Oregon. The outer wall carries a continuous painting that wraps around the structure like a ribbon climbing upward to reach an open platform at about 125 feet.
History
A local businessman from Portland financed the construction in 1926 to commemorate important events in the region. The dedication coincided with the city's hundredth anniversary, when it already stood as a western gateway to the Pacific.
Culture
The name honors fur trader John Jacob Astor, whose trading post Fort Astoria became the first permanent American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains in 1811. Visitors today see the painted spiral on the outer wall showing scenes with animals, ships and people from different eras.
Practical
The interior staircase winds upward in tight turns and requires some stamina. Those who reach the top should take time to enjoy the view over river, ocean and forested hills.
Did you know?
Every year visitors throw small wooden airplanes from the platform, a tradition that has continued for decades. The airplanes are available in the gift shop below and glide far out over the trees.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Astoria).
Cinema transforms real places into legendary sets, and some filming locations have become as famous as the movies themselves. From Hobbiton in New Zealand, with its round-door houses built for Tolkien adaptations, to the Nabataean temple of Al Khazneh in Jordan, memorable from Indiana Jones and the...
Fort Astoria
1.1 km
Captain George Flavel House Museum
1.5 km
Oregon Film Museum
1.6 km
John Jacob Astor Hotel
1.1 km
Columbia River Maritime Museum
1.1 km
United States lightship Columbia
1.1 km
Captain George Conrad Flavel House
948 m
Peter L. Cherry House
799 m
Liberty Theatre
1.3 km
George C. and Winona Flavel House
1.5 km
Old Astoria City Hall
985 m
Clatsop County Courthouse
1.6 km
Ferdinand Fisher House
1.2 km
Astoria City Hall
1.3 km
Albert W. Ferguson House
766 m
Christian Leinenweber House
1.5 km
Astoria Elks Building
1.3 km
Gustavus Holmes House
1.5 km
John N. Griffin House
766 m
Norris Staples House
853 m
Martin Foard House
750 m
Robert Rensselaer Bartlett House
751 m
Peter and Maria Larson House
1.3 km
Old Grace Episcopal Church Rectory
882 m
Charles Stevens House
1.1 km
Old Clatsop County Jail
1.6 km
Pier 12
1.4 km
Astoria Public Library
1.4 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes