OREGON STATE - When tracing the history of the American West, few places hold as much significance as Astoria, Oregon. Established in 1811, it is not only the oldest city in the state but also holds the distinction of being the first permanent American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains.
The Founding: 1811
Astoria's origins are deeply tied to the global fur trade and the ambitions of one of America's first millionaires, John Jacob Astor.
- Pacific Fur Company: In 1810, Astor sent two expeditions—one by land and one by sea—to the mouth of the Columbia River. The goal was to establish a trading post that would secure American dominance in the fur trade against British competitors.
- Fort Astoria: The seagoing party arrived on the ship Tonquin and began construction of Fort Astoria in the spring of 1811. This small outpost marked the United States' first foothold on the Pacific coast.
Though the War of 1812 forced the Americans to sell the fort to the British (who renamed it Fort George), the territory was eventually returned to the United States, and Astoria remained a vital port city and commercial hub.
Indigenous Roots
Long before the arrival of Astor’s expedition or the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery (who wintered nearby at Fort Clatsop in 1805-1806), the land was the home of the Clatsop and Chinook peoples. For thousands of years, these indigenous groups thrived at the mouth of the great river, developing a complex society based on salmon fishing and trade. They were renowned canoe builders and navigators, controlling the trade routes along the river that would later become so valuable to European settlers.
A Technical Distinction: Settlement vs. Incorporation
While Astoria is the oldest settlement in the state, it was not the first to be legally incorporated as a city. That title belongs to Oregon City.
Located near Willamette Falls, Oregon City was founded in 1829 by Dr. John McLoughlin of the Hudson's Bay Company. It later became the first incorporated city west of the Rocky Mountains in 1844. Oregon City also served as the final destination for thousands of pioneers traveling the Oregon Trail and acted as the territory's first capital.
Astoria is the oldest city in Oregon, founded as a fur trading post in 1811 by John Jacob Astor's Pacific Fur Company. It represents the first permanent American settlement on the Pacific Coast. However, the region has been inhabited by the Clatsop and Chinook people for millennia. While Astoria is the oldest settlement, Oregon City holds the title of the first incorporated city (1844) in the American West.
Sources
- City of Astoria. "History of Astoria."
- Oregon Blue Book. "Oregon History: The Fur Trade."
- National Park Service. "Fort Astoria."
- Oregon Encyclopedia. "Astoria."
- City of Oregon City. "Historic Oregon City."
