Astoriahis

Astoriahis refers to the historical and cultural heritage of Astoria, a city located in Clatsop County, Oregon, United States. Situated at the mouth of the Columbia River, Astoria has a rich history shaped by its strategic geographic location, Indigenous peoples, European exploration, and later American settlement.

The area was originally inhabited by the Chinook and Clatsop peoples, who relied on the river for fishing and trade. The first European contact occurred in 1788 when Spanish explorer Bruno de Hezeta explored the Columbia River. However, it was British explorer Captain Robert Gray who named the area "Astoria" in 1792 after his ship, the *Columbia Rediviva*, and established the first permanent European settlement in the Pacific Northwest in 1811 with the founding of Fort Astoria. This post was later acquired by the United States through the 1818 Anglo-American Convention, which established joint occupation of the Oregon Country.

During the 19th century, Astoria became a key port for fur traders, including the Hudson’s Bay Company, and later for the Oregon Trail pioneers who used the city as a departure point for their westward journey. The city’s economy shifted with the decline of the fur trade and the opening of the Oregon Trail, but it remained an important commercial hub. The completion of the Oregon Railroad and Navigation Company’s railroad in 1873 further solidified Astoria’s role as a transportation and trade center.

Today, Astoria’s historical significance is preserved through landmarks such as the Columbia River Maritime Museum, the Astoria Column, and the historic downtown district, which features 19th-century buildings. The city also celebrates its heritage through events like the annual Astoria Column Lighting Ceremony and the Oregon Coast Maritime Festival. Astoriahis encompasses the city’s Indigenous roots, maritime history, and role in the broader narrative of Oregon’s settlement and development.