Fort Columbia

Fort Columbia (1896-1947) - Fort Columbia was built as an Endicott Period coastal defense fort to complete the triangle of protection of the Columbia River mouth. 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. The fort is named after the Columbia River.

Fort Columbia Entrance

Fort Columbia Buildings

History of Fort Columbia

Fort Columbia is 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 at various elevations. However it was also very limited in space, resulting in the batteries being built relatively close together. There was enough land however 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 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 and fifty-one years of continuous active military service, 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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Fort Columbia Endicott Period Battery (edit list) Battery Click on Battery links below No. Caliber Type Mount Service Years Battery Cost Notes Battery Ord 3 8" Disappearing 1896-1898-1898-1917 $ 137,299 Battery Murphy (1) 2 6" Disappearing 1899-1900-1900-1945 $58,624 Battery Crenshaw 3 3" Masking Parapet 1899-1900-1900-1920 $ 15,462 Source: CDSG

Fort Columbia World War II Battery (edit list) Battery Click on Battery links below No. Caliber Type Mount Service Years Battery Cost Notes Battery 246 2 6" Shielded Barbette (SBC) 1942-NC-1945-1947 $ 220,169 Transferred but not completed guns not mounted Source: CDSG

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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 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 1020

Sources:

• Hart, Herbert M., Tour Guide to Old Western Forts, Pruett Publishing Co., Boulder CO, 1980, ISBN 0-87108-568-2, page 182
• Hanft, Marshall, The Cape Forts: Guardians of the Columbia, Oregon Historical Society Press, Portland OR, 1973, 2nd reprint, 2003, ISBN 0-87595-044-2
• Various information displays throughout the park

Links:

• Fort Columbia State Park
• Fort Description
• Coast Defense Study Group, Press, Digital Library, Forums

Visited: 22 Mar 2008, 15 June 2008, 27 Aug 2005

Picture Gallery

Click on the picture to see a larger version. Contribute additional pictures - the more the better!

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  Fort Columbia Gun Emplacement
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  Administration building (Front)
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  Administration building (Back)
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  Barracks (Front)
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  Barracks (Back)
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  Commanding Officer's House (Front)
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  Commanding Officer's House (Back)
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  Concrete bunker
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  Fire House
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  Guard House
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  Hospital (Front-Left)
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  Hospital (Front-Right)
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  Hospital (Back)
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  Lieutenants' Quarters
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  NCO Quarters 1 (Front)
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  NCO Quarters 1 (Right)
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  NCO Quarters 2 (Back)
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  Ordiance Storehouse (Front)
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  Ordinance Storehouse (Right Side)
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  Ordinance Storehouse (Back)
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  Quartermaster Storehouse
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  Steward's House
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  Power Plant
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  50 KW Gas Generator
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  50 KW Gas Generator (Front View)
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  50 KW Gas Generator (Side View)
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  Power Plant (Inside)
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  Power Plant (Inside)
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  Power Plant (Inside)
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  Searchlight Powerhouse
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  Searchlight Powerhouse and New Mine Casemate buildings
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  Telephone Switchboard Room