Columbia River Quarantine Station

Columbia River Quarantine Station was a control facility with a main building, hospital, and fumigation structures positioned at Knappton Cove along the Columbia River. The complex was designed to isolate ships carrying infestations or disease and subject them to thorough treatment processes.

The facility was established in 1899 by the U.S. Marine Hospital Service to monitor shipping traffic along the Pacific coast. It played an important role in early American disease control and helped protect the nation from imported illnesses.

Medical officers at the station became trusted gatekeepers who inspected arriving vessels with meticulous care to shield coastal communities from foreign diseases. The work here reflected a sense of responsibility and the understanding that the health of entire regions depended on these thorough checks.

The site is located along the coast and typically open for visits, but offers limited facilities, so some preparation is wise. It is best to bring weather-appropriate clothing and allow enough time to explore the grounds thoroughly.

The building stands in a remote cove and is one of the few disease control centers of its kind to have survived this era. While similar facilities elsewhere were demolished, this relic remains as a rare witness to early public health measures.

Location: Pacific County

Inception: 1899

Official opening: 1899

Website: http://knapptoncoveheritagecenter.org

GPS coordinates: 46.27083,-123.82778

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:20