This will be our last time over the Astoria-Megler Bridge for a while as we head south on Tuesday.
Each time we have driven to Washington we have gone right by this entrance. I looked it up yesterday and was surprised that behind this unassuming sign is an amazing state park. Fort Columbia is one of the twelve parks that make up the Lewis and Clark National Historic Park.
Fort Columbia State Park is considered to be one of the most intact coastal defense sites in the United States.
Behind us are barracks, officers' homes, and administration buildings. (The ones in the far back are currently available to rent as vacation homes.)
Many of the underground buildings, like the searchlight powerhouse behind Eric, are open to walk through. And the best part is that no one is here. Even though it is Saturday morning.
There was a little mist in the air but I don't think this is why no other visitors were around. I can only assume that people just drive right by not realizing what this park is, like we did so many times over the past few weeks.
Of course A1 is more interested in the birds and the berries than anything else.
Fort Columbia was an active site from 1896 to 1947 (it was fully manned and operational for two wars).
The fort was constructed on Chinook Point because of the unobstructed view of the Columbia River (when there isn't fog, that is).
Who would have guessed all those times we went through this tunnel that a fort was sitting right on top of it!
Not us!
We, too, went to Fort Columbia because you did. We are such Copycats. Though your explore was way more thorough. Did I mention we were on the way home from our upper reaches of Washington?
ReplyDeleteSuch great history and thorough. Thanks for filling in my gaps. Love it.