Fort Columbia State Park
State park in the U.S. state of Washington
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Fort Columbia State Park is a public recreation area and historic preserve at the site of the former Fort Columbia, located on Chinook Point at the mouth of the Columbia River in Chinook, Washington. The 618-acre (250 ha) state park features twelve historic wood-frame buildings from the fort complex as well as an interpretive center and hiking trails.[1] The park's grounds are located over a tunneled section of U.S. Route 101.
| Fort Columbia State Park | |
|---|---|
Historic wood-frame buildings at Fort Columbia State Park | |
  Fort Columbia State Park Location in the state of Washington  Fort Columbia State Park Fort Columbia State Park (the United States) | |
| Location | Pacific County, Washington, United States |
| Coordinates | 46°15′39″N 123°55′06″W[1] |
| Area | 618 acres (250 ha) |
| Elevation | 709 ft (216 m) |
| Established | 1950[2] |
| Administered by | Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission |
| Visitors | 120,104 (in 2024)[3] |
| Website | Official website  |
History
Fort Columbia was built from 1896 to 1904 to support the defense of the Columbia River. The fort was constructed on the Chinook Point promontory as part of a "triangle of fire" defensive strategy that included Fort Canby and Fort Stevens.[4] Fort Columbia was declared surplus at the end of World War II and was transferred to the custody of the state of Washington in 1950.[1]
In the 1960s and 1970s, Battery 246 was outfitted to serve as a Civil Defense Emergency Operating Center and was one of several possible locations the governor could use in an emergency. In 1993, the park received a pair of 6-inch guns that were transferred to Battery 246 from the former Fort McAndrew, Naval Station Argentia, Newfoundland, Canada.[5]
Features
Exhibits at the Fort Columbia Interpretive Center focus on the fort's history, early explorers and pioneer history. The Commanding Officers Quarters is decorated with turn-of-the-century furnishings. The park grounds feature three artillery batteries and two coastal artillery guns. There are picnicking facilities and 5 miles (8.0 km) of hiking trails that work their way up Scarborough Hill. Two historic homes, the Steward's House and Scarborough House, are offered for rental.[1] The park is one of several state parks and sites in Washington and Oregon that make up the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park.
