Ft. Stevens State Park
From freshwater to salt all it takes is a short walk and your there.
Enjoy shipwrecks, wildlife and beachcombing in one of Oregons most idyllic destinations.
On The Beach At Fort Stevens
Ahoy There Matie Argghhh!
Some of the great highlights you will find here at Ft. Stevens are the picturesque views from plenty of vantages beach side against the Pacific Ocean or the Fresh Water Columbia River.Meandering around the northern confines of the state park you find yourself at the confluence of the
Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean.
From this area you are sure to see the passing cargo ship, bald eagles, sand pipers and much of what you would expect from a classic Northwest beach scene.
Make sure to bring the binoculars to spy on the birds of prey in action!
Heading further South on the beach you will come across the ship wreck of the Peter Iredale. Grounded in 1906 while on a voyage from Salina Cruz Mexico to Portland OR, the wreck of the Peter Iredale is still visible today.
And for the beachcomber there are jellfish galore, sand dollars, beach glass, sea shells, driftwood, and the occasional buoy. - go figure this is Oregon after all!
Photo credits: Van de Graeff 2007
Some Tom Foolerly On The Battlements
I'm going to try this next time!
A Beach Must & A Good Read!
Fort Steven Military Museum
Yep and you can play on the stuff too!
From the Civil War to soon after the Second World War Fort Stevens had been the guardian of the entrance to the Columbia River.Ft. Stevens has changed hand periodically but now is an Oregon State Park, which has endeavored to preserve this bit of American history.
Some of the early defenses were installed in 1800's at the west battery.
The Battery Meriwether Lewis pictured right was one of the locations of the early defenses.
Several upgrades to this military complex took place through World War Two. One of which was the Battery Pratt pictured right.
Battery Pratt protected the Columbia River mine field with two, six inch rifles on disappearing carriages.
To the right you see a position vacated of its weaponry.
Illustrated to the right is one of these rifles in a retracted position. These rifles mind you weigh one ton each!
The Fort Stevens Military Museum boasts many other features and outbuildings to explore.
Take time to stop into the museum building for interesting displays of military ephemera including: uniforms from the civil, 1st & 2nd World Wars, military weaponry from many periods, and a scale model of the entire fort with a working train!
These displays highlight various stages that Fort Stevens experienced from one era to the next in an effort to protect our coast from harm.
Brush Up On Your Military HIstory
kapow!
The Original Inhabitants Before The Civil War
The Clatsop Tribe first inhabited the area where Ft. Stevens now resides.According to historic maps of this area, a Clatsop village was situated on the north shore of Pt. Adams.
In 1994 a replica of a Clatsop long house was constructed. Like most of the other structures located at Ft. Stevens, this one is also interactive.
Take a peek and go inside of this wonderful construction.
The Original Northwest
Other Adventures
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Roadside Oddities: Oregon Vortex
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In Southern Oregon not to far from Grants Pass lives a vortex of unimaginable power. Or so they say. None the less this off the beaten path roadside attraction is a true gem that is a must be seen or rather felt experience.
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Jessie M. Honeyman Mem. State Park
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On the southern reaches of the Hwy. 101 in Oregon a unique terrain emerges. The great sand dunes of Oregon & Jessie M. Honeyman Mem. State Park. Along this stretch of the Oregon coast you will encounter new and contrasting terrain.&nbs...
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Oregon Caves National Monument
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Situated Southwest of Grants Pass on HWY 199 on your way to connect with coastal HWY 101, lies a truly awesome site. You are now entering Oregon Caves National Monument located in the Siskiyou National Forest. From the scrawls of pencil graffiti...
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Roadside Oddities: Prehistoric Gardens
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Unbelievable as it may seem the same giants who roamed the world millions of years ago still live on today. Dragons there be! Beware and forewarned dinosaurs still rule this actual rainforest located on historic hwy.101.
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Roadside Oddities: Sea Lion Caves
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Some 25 million years ago on Highway 101? huh? exists the World's Largest Sea Cave and the home to the Sea Lion Caves. Tucked underground in this cavern that lies 208 feet from the surface lives the shelter of the Stellar Seal Lion.
With Regular Intervals
Civil War Reenactment
It was an interesting coincidence that this visit to Fort. Stevens State Park featured a Civil War reenactment of a shore party.It got off to a friendly start with cannon fire? huh.
Suddenly eager reenactors appeared willing to shed some light on the early beginnings of what was to become Fort. Stevens.
The displays of the reeactment were quite informative and the participants had an answer to any question you could dream of.
While the displays were authentic looking the reenactors were quite frank about the subject, and pointed to which items were representations.
Like all things at Fort Stevens the displays were interactive as well!
As illustrated to the right all visitors were welcome to experience that era first hand.
Jumping inside one of the various tents, a glimpse of what it was like to be a civil war soldier was revealed.
Did I say there was a real cannon? Yes I did. It went off loudly several times to give the crowd shock and awe the old fashioned way.
While this performance may have been coincidental and early in the yea, everyone was reassured that performances were held regularly throughout the summer and fall.
Civil War Video Footage
So It Was Just A Re-enactment!
Souvenir Regrets
Yeah you wanted one the first time!
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byTell everyone what your experience was at Fort. Stevens!
Or let me know how you liked this lens!
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Reply
- QuantumTraveler QuantumTraveler Oct 7, 2008 @ 7:36 pm
- Fort Stevens sounds like a place I would enjoy. I have some friends in Eugene,Oregon. The next time I visit them I'll suggest we visit Fort Stevens. Thanks.
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Reply
- ArtByLinda ArtByLinda Jul 9, 2008 @ 12:46 pm
- Hi, Wonderful lens, what a interesting place, I'm going to have to check it out! I would like to invite you to join my new group called Exploring Oregon. :-) I'm inviting lens' of quality, and I like yours, you did an excellent job! Linda
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Reply
- StVDG StVDG Oct 1, 2007 @ 8:09 pm
- I really like this place too!
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