Astoria, Oregon, situated at the mouth of the Columbia River within a few miles of the Pacific Ocean, began as a trading post known as Fort Astoria, named after John Jacob Astor, the New York financier who sent fur traders into the area. Today Astoria is a tourist town and since 1982 has been a port of call for cruise ships.
The Trolley
An antique electric trolley run by volunteers runs along the waterfront giving passengers a narration of the history of the area. Originally, the trolley got its electricity from electrical wires above the track, but this trolley has a special car with a generator providing the electricity. The Trolley, known as “Old 300” was built in 1913 by the American Car Company of St. Louis, Missouri for use in San Antonio, Texas.
Ships