Astoria #1: Fort Astoria

Northwest corner of 15th Street and Exchange Street

Lewis & Clark's Fort Clatsop wasn't actually in what is now the town of Astoria, so the story of Astoria really starts here, at the Northwest corner of 15th and Exchange Streets. This is the site of Fort Astoria, the first American settlement West of the Rocky Mountains, and is marked by a plaque placed by the Astoria Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution on October 6, 1924. This spot was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1962. This structure is a recreation of part of the fort, and a large sign here tells its story. 

After arriving aboard the schooner Tonquin, the initial Astor Party began construction of Fort Astoria on April 12, 1811. The Fort was sold to the North West Company and was renamed Fort George during the War of 1812 to prevent it from being captured. Some notable residents of the fort included Jane Barnes, an English barmaid who was the first white woman in Oregon, and Ranald MacDonald (not Ronald McDonald), born at Fort George in 1824. He was the son of the Hudson Bay Company's manager of the fort and the daughter of Chinook Indian Chief Comcomly, and would become the first teacher of English in Japan.

MacDonald believed that a racial link existed between the American Indians and the Japanese, and was determined to visit Japan, although at the time Japan had been closed to foreigners for over 200 years. In 1848, MacDonald, as a deckhand on an American whaling ship, marooned himself on Rishiri Island off Hokkaido, and was rescued by the Japanese. While awaiting deportation, he was allowed to teach English to 14 Japanese scholars. He also visited Europe, Canada and Australia before his death in 1894.

As for Fort George, the Hudson's Bay company moved its headquarters to Fort Vancouver in 1825, and Fort George was abandoned. But in its place a new city was born. Astoria's first post office opened in 1847, and many of the homes of Astoria's early residents are still standing.

Historical Photos:
Astoria in 1813 (Oregon Historical Society)
Fort Astoria recreation, August 1960 (Salem Public Library)
Fort Astoria recreation, August 1960 (Salem Public Library)

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