When the going gets tough, I leave town. During the crazy of the web site remodel, construction project and heat wave, a day trip to the coast seemed like the best course of action. My friend and I headed for Astoria for cool breezes, clouds, seafood and research.
We both have wanted to tour the Flavel House Museum for years and finally our timing was right. The Flavel House was finished in 1886 for Captain George Flavel, a mover and shaker in early Astoria.
Not only did Flavel see the coming shipping boom, his most impressive feat for me is being the father of the Columbia River Bar pilots. These men and women today continue his legacy of heroic measures to keep river traffic flowing across the Columbia River Bar, considered the most dangerous bar in the world.
Flavel did it with wooden ships, sail and row boats. Yowsa.
So working hard and smart his whole life, he had an 11,600 square foot home built for him and his wife, Mary, and daughters Nellie and Katie. His son, George Conrad Flavel, had married and did not live in the home.
The most amazing part of all Flavel’s accomplishments? He was regarded as a fair, good man by the community. He was truly mourned when he died in 1893, after living seven years in his retirement home.
The house went on the National Register of Historic Places in 1951. The refurbishing of the home over the years has been nothing short of astounding. The additional Carriage House was built in 1887 and now holds the Visitor Center, gift shop, introductory video, and exhibits.
The home and Carriage House take up one whole city block. With a great river view of course.
This grand old lady is well worth taking a visit to see. The fresh sea air, cool interior and fabulous food in town made for a great day getaway.
I took more than one-hundred twenty photos and I could have taken more. I’m lazy so I take pictures of the placards so I can read them for in-depth research later.
Astoria is famous for movies being filmed there like “Kindergarten Cop,” “Short Circuit,” “Sometimes A Great Notion,” and of course “Goonies.”
But I think the star of the town is the Flavel House. She was there first and she’s the belle of the town.
For more information: www.cumtux.org
Love the Flavel House. Love Astoria. I’m in awe of the bar pilots. My dad was in the Coast Guard and stationed in Astoria for a while. It’s amazing that anyone ever crossed it alive before modern equipment and technology.
Thank your Dad for his service. Bet he’s got some stories to tell! We are a nation built by tough men and women. 🙂 Coasties are rock stars!
Thank you for sharinh
Thank you for reading! Hugs across the oceans. 🙂
We visited in November 2018. I am not a ghost hunter but I am a sensitive with a variety of past experiences. I did not study the house or the family in advance, and I had no preconceived expectations. My visit was for love of architecture, history and museums. None of the docents mentioned anything to me about the house being haunted. I toured the main floor completely without incident. I had vivid personal experiences on the second floor. Specifically on the grand staircase, in the hallway at the top of the grand staircase (very strong) and in Katie’s room (the one with the fireplace). The information in the room states that she died in that room of something similar to starvation from complications of another illness. Captain Flavel passed away in his own quarters. I have nothing to report about the remaining rooms including the Captains room. Based on my experiences here I don’t believe this house is actively haunted but I am willing to say that there are residual energies present, be it of the homes past residents or from the decades of visitors who have passed through it since. Perhaps it’s a combination of all of this but I cannot confirm either way. It left me melancholic and intrigued by the Flavel family and their history in Astoria. Feel free to contact me if you are interested in the details of my experiences here or elsewhere.
Tina,
Thank you for the information about your visit. It is a fascinating home and the Flavell family is quite a story. I’m glad you recognize and honor your gift of sensitivity. Best Wishes,
Kim