Astoria Column

The Astoria Column stands at the top of Coxcomb Hill, the highest point in the city, and offers panoramic views in every direction: the Columbia River, the Pacific Ocean, the forested hills of Washington state, and the volcanic peak of Mount Rainier on clear days. The column is 38 metres tall, with 164 steps spiralling to the top.

The exterior is covered in a 152-metre-long painted frieze depicting the history of the region, from the first Pacific Northwest discovery by Robert Gray in 1792 through the Lewis and Clark expedition, the arrival of Astor's fur traders, and the coming of the railroads. Visitors can buy small balsa wood gliders to launch from the top — a tradition that has become part of the experience. There is a small fee to climb; the surrounding park is free. The column is open daily year-round.

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The Astoria Column was built in 1926, modelled on Trajan's Column in Rome. It is covered in a continuous spiral frieze depicting the history of the Pacific Northwest from the age of exploration to the arrival of railroads. The column was a gift from Vincent Astor — great-great-grandson of John Jacob Astor — and the Great Northern Railroad, who also funded the road up Coxcomb Hill.

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