THE ASTORIA BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

OFFICIAL ASTORIA BICENTENNIAL PRESS RELEASE/ABC2011PR2.pdf

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THANK YOU to our newest sponsors: BORNSTEINS SEAFOODS, POLK RILEY PRINTING, Del & Cheri Folk. For a complete list of all our sponsors click on SPONSOR tab above.

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Astoria, Oregon was established in 1811 by the John Jacob Astor fur trading party, and became the first permanent U.S. settlement west of the Rocky Mountains.

John Jacob Astor National Gallery Portrait

The City was recognized as the nation's first real claim to the West by no less than Thomas Jefferson and written about by Washington Irving. (Read more about Astoria History) Want to learn more about Astoria's history? See selected reading materials
Select Bibliography Astorian Bicentennial
John Jacob Astor was planning and dreaming big for his outpost at the mouth of the Columbia River. We, too, are making big plans to celebrate Astoria's 200th birthday. We hope you will join us in making 2011 a year to remember.
The City of Astoria designated the Clatsop County Historical Society to plan, orchestrate, and implement an appropriate bicentennial celebration. A diverse committee of regional leaders was selected in 2008 to provide vision and goals for the celebration. The committee is planning many educational and community-wide events and exhibits at the Heritage Museum, the Liberty Theater and the Columbia River Maritime Museum. A permanent exhibit at the Heritage Museum will tell the story of the founding of Astoria, John Jacob Astor, and the international race for the Pacific Northwest. An Adventure in History Lecture series with nationally acclaimed authors and presenters is also in the works.
We are planning a host of family events at the Opening Ceremony, Saturday, May 21, 2011 and at the Astoria Super Homecoming with the fur trade encampment at Fort Stevens State Park. See the full calendar of activities on the events page as new items are being added weekly.

Please visit us at the Astoria Bicentennial TRADING POST located at 12th Street Docks in Astoria where you can purchase souvenirs, hats, apparel, books on Astoria's rich history, and the collectible silver coin. Open M-Sat.: 503-325-5889
For information about our on-line official souvenirs click here:merchandise



           

UPCOMING EVENTS

This Day in History

August 1, 1904 The first hold up in a number of years happened today when Lars Larson had a gun stuck under his nose and he was compelled to to give up the money he had in his pocket and a gold watch and chain.  A man with a light cloth over his face, in which holes were cut for eyes, threatened to kill him if he did not go directly home.  It was very dark and Larson can give a very meager description of the man except that he was of medium size, wore dark clothes and a black stiff hat.

August 2, 1904 The two youngest fishermen on the Columbia river are Henry Poukkula and Anselm Gustafson who are each 14 years of age and using a regular fish boat.  They are working for the Packer’s Association and have already over $200 to their credit.  They take the same chances as the other fishermen and give promise of developing into experts.

August 3, 1901 Chief Stockton and Sheriff Linville are having a water trough made for the use of horses and it will be placed on Eleventh Street in front of the bell tower.  It will be of a substantial character and its cost will be $60.  The water commission has agreed to furnish running water for it without cost.  This will be the only place in the city where a farmer may water his horses without cost.