Fort Columbia
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Fort Columbia (1896-1947) - Fort Columbia was the only Endicott Period coastal fort on the Columbia River mouth built from the ground up during the modernization project of US coastal artillery batteries between the 1880s and 1920s. Construction began in 1896 and was completed four years later in 1900. The Fort was activated for military service as part of the Harbor Defense Project in 1899.
Fort Columbia is actually a small fort but at a very strategic location, being built on top of a hill. Because of the location the batteries commanded an excellent vantage point over the Columbia River, but it was also very limited in space and the batteries were built close together. It was big enough to build garrison housing, another artillery battery during World War II, and a mine casemate building when it took over mining operations from Fort Stevens before the second world war.
The fort operated like a small town due to its remote and isolated location. It had a hospital, firehouse, theater, jail, and a generator plant. The men stationed there were more than just soldiers. They were also bakers, barbers, gardeners, and musicians. During the world wars the population of Fort Columbia exceeded that of the neighboring communities of Chinook, McGowen, Megler, and Knappton.
The fort relied on regular shipments of Army issue food. These large deliveries required a dock and storehouses. The soldier's meals were supplemented with food produced locally such as milk (the fort had their own dairy cow), butter, eggs, and fresh vegetables.
Although the soldier's lives were highly regimented, they still had some time for fun. Soldiers enjoyed many of the same activities in small towns today. The baseball team played neighboring towns and the other two forts on the Columbia River mouth. When dances were held, local women were invited and trucked to the fort. Occasionally, the troops were entertained by famous actresses and comedians.
After serving in three wars, Fort Columbia was declared surplus in 1947 and was transferred to the custody of the state of Washington in 1950. The site is now a state park and historical landmark with 12 historic wood-frame buildings still standing and numerous gun emplacements. Fort Columbia is one of the few intact coastal defense sites left in the United States.
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Location: Located two miles west of the Astoria Bridge on Hwy. 101 in Chinook, Pacific County, Washington. Maps & Images Lat: 46.252546 Long: -123.92047
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Sources:
- Hart, Herbert M., Tour Guide to Old Western Forts, Pruett Publishing Co., Boulder CO, 1980, ISBN 0-87108-568-2, page 182
Links:
Visited: 22 Mar 2008 and 15 June 2008 Nightshade, 27 Aug 2005
Picture Gallery
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 Fort Columbia Gun Emplacement |
 Administration building (Front) |
 Administration building (Back) |
 Barracks (Front) |
 Barracks (Back) |
 Commanding Officer's House (Front) |
 Commanding Officer's House (Back) |
 Concrete bunker |
 Fire House |
 Guard House |
 Hospital (Front-Left) |
 Hospital (Front-Right) |
 Hospital (Back) |
 Lieutenants' Quarters |
 NCO Quarters 1 (Front) |
 NCO Quarters 1 (Right) |
 NCO Quarters 2 (Back) |
 Ordiance Storehouse (Front) |
 Ordinance Storehouse (Right Side) |
 Ordinance Storehouse (Back) |
 Quartermaster Storehouse |
 Steward's House |
 Power Plant |
 50 KW Gas Generator |
 50 KW Gas Generator (Front View) |
 50 KW Gas Generator (Side View) |
 Power Plant (Inside) |
 Power Plant (Inside) |
 Power Plant (Inside) |
 Searchlight Powerhouse |
 Searchlight Powerhouse and New Mine Casemate buildings |
 Telephone Switchboard Room |
