Save Fort Columbia!

I've been doing lots and lots of historical posting, anachronistic posting, or whatever you want to call it. I've been working from photos I took in 2001, when I first moved to Oregon, and I've just done a post with lots of photos of Fort Columbia, Washington, just across the river from Astoria. It's a beautiful place, well kept-up and fun to wander around in. You can climb the mountain behind it, too, making a nice, steep loop, not too strenuous or long, and come back down into the fort. The whole time you're walking through forest or forest meadow (sometimes mud, too, but not that bad). When I looked it up online to make a link, I found two things within a minute of each other. First, I didn't realize you can actually rent a couple of these houses for a night. They're historic and lovely, and they aren't that expensive, especially if you double up. There is a house that sleeps four and another that accommodates up to 12 people for a bit over $200.00!!! If you happen to have a party of 12, that's only $23.00 each plus tax!!! What a deal! Or if you had a few people, you could each have two or three beds.

After my excitement at this discovery, the next thing I found was really discouraging. It was a recent article in the Daily Astorian about plans to "mothball" Fort Columbia. (Note: I see that I can't make a direct link; if you're not a subscriber to the Astorian, as I'm not, you'll have to get in by the back door. Use this link to search Google, and then look for the search result 'Fort Columbia targeted for mothballing.' It was the top result today when I searched.) Now, the reason for closing down this historic site? Under-use and lack of funds. I put in my two cents and sent e-mail to the cause, and now I'm posting about it o this blog. It would be a terrible shame. Maybe some PR would help? I mean, who knew you could actually stay in such a unique and historic building for so little? If the plan goes through - and in this economy, I'm afraid it will - they'll allow hikers and day-use people to use the place, but they won't maintain it. Maybe there's a "Save Fort Columbia" organization where I can add a little more than two cents. It would be worthwhile. On the other hand, when school budgets are being cut so drastically and people are losing their jobs, the choices become so difficult. I think there must be a way to preserve both. When you lose history, you don't necessarily get it back. But we can't undereducate kids and take teachers out of schools. The choices to be made in this economy are pathetic and sad. There is so much wealth in the world, yet the balance is horribly off.

I found this on YouTube. Here's one of the strange things you can do at Fort Columbia. Hang on. It may take a minute to load.

July 24: Fort Columbia, Washington

Today I crossed the Astoria-Megler bridge and discovered Fort Columbia on the Washington side of the river. It was another gorgeous day in the mid-60s. I can't get over what beautiful green places there are to explore and enjoy so close to home. This is a view over the Columbia River from the fort grounds. We're not far from where the bridge "lands" on the river bank, so the view from here includes looking back at Astoria itself.

I liked the white flowers in the grass up on the hill here where you can park the car.

Berry bushes and officers' housing. It's really tranquil here, as very few people seem to visit. It's nicely kept up, and it's just beautiful.

Here's one of the few gun emplacements. Fort Columbia has a long history, but it's now used by tourists, hikers, picknickers, and a few people wanting to take nice photos or look for wildlife.

I'm still getting used to the way such a profusion of plants either grow wild or take to the wild here. Nobody needs to water them.

The officers' housing is in two neat rows. It's kind of strange how they're kept up and look like someone should be living in them.

Berry bushes and old buildings, Fort Columbia, Washington.

It's almost like a ghost town, but it's in immaculate condition.

I wandered down a path into the thicket of plants, and found this crazy thing hidden away in an unlikely spot. I'm sure it made sense at the time it was in use: G.E. 50 KW. Gas Generator, Patented March 8, 1913. I would have made a link to some information, but I couldn't find any.

Here's another flower growing wild on the grounds. I imagine it was brought in when people lived here.

Nice berries growing wild.

Here's the Columbia River with a boat jetting along in the direction of the open sea.

I was all set to take a photo in the dim light of the woods, then the wind rippled through and blurred the seeds. I liked the effect.

Looking back across the Columbia at Astoria. You can see the bridge at the horizon on the left.

This is Astoria again. It was a calm, quiet day, and a bit lonesome. It's good to have someone to share nice places with, but at the moment, I don't have that. Feeling kinda sad.

Muddy water here along the rocky bank.