Fort Columbia State Park

Fort Columbia State Park
Washington State Park
Historic wood-frame buildings
at Fort Columbia State Park
Country United States
State Washington
County Pacific
Elevation 709 ft (216 m) [1]
Coordinates 46°15′36″N 123°55′08″W / 46.26000°N 123.91889°W / 46.26000; -123.91889Coordinates: 46°15′36″N 123°55′08″W / 46.26000°N 123.91889°W / 46.26000; -123.91889 [1]
Area 593 acres (240 ha)
Established 1950
Management Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
Location in the state of Washington
Website: Fort Columbia State Park

Fort Columbia State Park is a 593-acre (240 ha) Washington state park that preserves the site of Fort Columbia in Chinook. It is one of several state parks and sites in Washington and Oregon that make up the Lewis and Clark National and State Historical Parks.

Fort 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 because of the unobstructed view. 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.[2]

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.

Park features

One of two coastal artillery guns on display at the park

Twelve historic wood-frame fort buildings still stand. The Commanding Officers Quarters is decorated with turn of the century furnishings. Exhibits at the Fort Columbia Interpretive Center focus on the fort's history, early explorers and pioneer history. Visitors can walk around three artillery batteries and two coastal artillery guns on the park grounds. 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.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 "Fort Columbia State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
  2. 1 2 "Fort Columbia State Park". Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
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