Pritam Rohila Travels: ASTORIA, OREGON

On August 13, 2017, with my brother-in-law Rohit and his wife Rita, we went to Astoria, Oregon & Long Beach, Washington. On the way, we enjoyed pastoral scenes along US Highways 26 West & 101 North.

Pastoral scenes along US Highway 26

A little south of Seaside, we witnessed a chase scene back and forth, between a police car and a motor-cyclist. It stopped traffic on both sides.

Police pickup chasing a motorcyclist two cars ahead in right lane

On the way, we passed through Seaside, which according to the official website, has “historically been one of the Oregon Coast’s most visited and popular oceanfront resorts.”

Businesses along Highway 101 North

South-bound traffic on Highway 101 South was even now practically at a stand-still.

Traffic at stand-still on Highway 101 South

Anyway, it took us about three hours to reach Astoria, the first settlement white-folks established west of the Rocky Mountains.

We were very hungry by the time we reached the Astoria Column. Therefore, the first order of business for us was to have lunch, which my wife, Kundan had packed for us.

(L-R) Rohit, Kundan & Rita enjoying lunch at Astoria Column

Chairs and tables outside the concession stand, which we used for our lunch, had images of the Astoria Column engraved on them.

Astoria Column images on furniture at concession stand

After lunch, it was time to explore the Astoria Column.

Astoria Column, Astoria, OR

Erected atop Coxcomb Hill, the Astoria Column was dedicated on July 22, 1926, as a symbol of westward expansion of the United States. It gets 400,000 visitors each year.

The Astoria Column reminded me of the Qutub Minar, at Delhi and the Vijaya Stambh at Chittorgarh, Rajasthan , both in India. But while the Astoria Column is a symbol of commercial expansion, the I ndian counterparts were representations of military conquests.

Qutub Minar, Delhi, India

Vijay Stambh, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, India

Astoria Column was the last of the 12 historical markers erected starting from St. Paul, Minnesota. It was a project of Ralph Budd, president of Great Northern Railroad. Like other tourists.

Rohit and Rita went up the 164-step spiral staircase to reach the top of the 125-ft high Astoria Column. Later they and Kundan posed for pictures in front of Astoria Column.

Kundan posing for a photo in front of Astoria Column

Astoria Column is believed to be based off the Trajan’s Column, in Rome, Italy. Completed in 113 A.D., Trajan’s Column is well known for its spiral bas-relief, which is an artistic description of the epic wars between the Romans and Dacians, which took place between 101 and 106 A.D.

Trajan's Column, Rome, Italy

The Astoria Column’s spiraling frieze was done by the Italian immigrant artist from Milan, Attilo Pusterla. Some of his frescoes appear also in the New York County Supreme Courthouse, the Senate Banking & Commerce Committee Room and in the House of Commons in Ottawa, Canada.

The frieze on Astoria Column depicts several significant events that occurred in the region surrounding Astoria, OR. These events include Captain Gray’s discovery of the Columbia River in 1792; arrival of the ship Tonquin in 1811; and Lewis & Clark Expedition in 1804-1806. Each of the events depicted on Astoria Column contributed to the states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho and parts of Montana and Wyoming becoming part of the United States.

Artwork closest to the base depicts forest around Astoria, Oregon. It includes a beaver, the animal hunted for its fur, and used in the lucrative fur trade, in which Jacob Astor was engaged.

Events depicted on Astoria Columns

Glass exhibits on the Astoria Column grounds describe experiences of Lewis & Clark upon arrival around Astoria, and the route they had followed to reach here..