Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-12-04
ASTORIA.

John Jacob AstOr organized the Pa
citic Fur Company in 1910, and sent out
the TOnquln to establish a trading post
on the northwest coast. The good ship
doubled the Horn and arrived safely off
the bar, ut the entrance to the Columbia
River, in March, 1911. About twelve
miles from its mouth the stream sep
arates, its borders forming a spacious
estuary, and here on the left bank where
the shore line rises to the crest of q
woody hill, a settlement was made early
III April, and was christened in memory
of the head of the undertaking, Astoria.
But the little port was not destined to
experience a speedy growth; on the con-
trary, 1t hinge ed in utter insignifcance
until 1913, when the building of Gus
tom house enthused measure of life
INTO the town. 1t was not, however. I'M
til 1866, a short time subsequent to the
establishment of salmon oannery
there, that the place showed signs Of
Importance. ThencefOrward its devel-
opment has been rapid, attaining with
III few years corporate rights, and
claiming at present population of
1900, of which 300 are Chinese. The
annual growth of the city is remarka-
BILE, and every indication points to a
continuance Of its prosperity, for AstO-
ria Is the threshold of Oregon,
the natural seaport of the State. Being
the farthest west of the American cities,
she looks forward to maintaining the
balance of Asiatic trade with the north
ern coast. Furthermore, she has hopes
of sometime overtaking Portland, the
star of the northwest. To be sure she
does not even enjoy railroad privileges
at the present time, yet a few months
will doubtless unite her with the coast
lines. Portland, by the way. with the
exception of Denver, is the wealthiest
city of its size in America. and bids fair
To retain its distinction, at least many
years to come. OF course. Astoria has
the advantage of her proximity to the
sea. and considering the foreign trade
which this coast will inevitably enter
upon as her resources unfold, this ad-
vantage is sufficient in itself to ensure
to the namesake of the great banker a
brilliant future. The amount of this
trade i'll 1882 was estimated in round
numbess at SIS, GOO, 600, while the retail
trade was III the neiehborhood of g.
0O,WO. The industries of Astoria are
composed mainly Of fishing and lum-
bering. The greatest salmon can
neries in the world are here,
and there are in all twenty five. A
large proportion OF the inhabitants are
engaged in catching the salmon and
preparing 1t for market, and whatever
other enterprise IL carried on depends
for the most part upon this business.
However, this state of things will grad
ually give way to a broader range of
employment. A splendid agricultural
country Is tributary to the town and
with the development of foreign and do
mestic trade, manufactures of varied
description will spring up accompanied
by an increase of population of varied
culture and nationality. CITY real
estate advances annually about IL per
cent, and the citizens take pride in
erecting dwellings aud bueiness blocks
OF attractive style and structure. Al
ready the city possesses gas and water
privileges and shows the necessary en-
terprise to make il keep pace with mod.
ern municipal Improvement Of every
kind.
The climate of Astoria is a marked
feature among its attractions, being a
happy medium between the HIT and
cold extremes of our temperate zone.
Together with the natural resources she
Presents all those socisl Inducements
Il rising from a sturdy attention to edu-
cational and moral interests which |
make Rev dwelling place homelike to |
those migrating from older lands.-TLs |
Iar5rc Coast.