Sunday, February 22, 2009

Sunday Stills - Architecture



From old canneries and bridges, to historic downtown buildings and beautiful Victorian and craftsman style homes, Astoria is full of wonderful architecture dating from a by-gone era. I had a fantastic time shooting pictures for this weeks Sunday Stills Challenge. Here are a handful of the fabulous architecture in my town. I hope you enjoy your visit as well as I enjoyed capturing part of it for you.


The Clatsop County Courthouse and our post office across the street are beautiful old buildings, but I didn't seem to get a decent shot. The courthouse sits up high with a big concrete staircase leading to the large front double doors. Inside, it is lined with black, gray and white marble. Marble floors and marble pillars contrast against beautiful turned wood staircase banisters. Buildings just are not made like this anymore and here in Astoria we are very lucky to have quite a few of the grand old buildings left and open for our enjoyment. (I guess there are people who wouldn't say that the courthouse gives them enjoyment. Depends on what you're there for, I suppose!)



If I have my facts straight, than this old building was once the Workers Union hotel, with contrasting cheap rooms available to the working class and a grand lobby and ballroom. A couple of local guys, a contractor and a developer, have recently purchased this run-down remnant of our historic past and have plans to reinvent the splendor of the past, complete with cheap but classic rooms to rent. These guys do beautiful work, so I can't wait to see what they do with this jewel. Don't you just love the spikes on the top of the building? I wonder what that symbolized...



The Flavel House is a gorgeous old Victorian that is open to the public as a museum. Captain Flavel was a bar pilot here in Astoria, helping ships navigate the treacherous waters of the Columbia River bar. He had this house built for his family, where his two daughters lived after his death for many many years. It's a grand, beautiful house, full of the echoes of the past.


I just had to throw this one in. Some of you may recognize this old jail from "The Goonies". It's not a working jail any longer, just used for storage I believe and I hate that the darn old garbage dumpster is sitting right there, but the building itself is old and fun. It's right across the street from the Flavel House.

Come on and visit Astoria. There's so much to see...

26 comments:

VioletSky said...

A nice visit to your city.
I do hope the Workers Union Hotel gets a sympathetic makeover - it deserves to be preserved and enjoyed.

Sherri said...

Lovely structures and beautiful photo composition. Loved the bridge shot.

Ed said...

Nice series! Love the victorian house.

Flo said...

Wow, what fabulous buildings. I've heard of the Flavel House before. I think it was on A&E or something like that.

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Shirley said...

Flavel house is so beautiful.Love the tower, figures that it was built by a seafaring man! I wonder if the spikes on the hotel served the purpose of lightning rods?

gtyyup said...

I love Astoria...I think I've told you that before! Great photos...nicely done~~

Yes, I'd be interested in seeing what the renovation will look like when it's done. Sounds like a project that the McMinimums brewery brothers would do.

Adrienne said...

Dear Paula - It's W-A-Y past time for me to take a weekend trip to Astoria. Your photos always make me 'homesick'. I love the architechture of the town and, when we lived there, I always enjoyed the details. Your photos are gorgeous. The court house is so stately and, yes, you can do 'good' business inside! There are a few offices to get papers signed and then move on with life so it's not all bad. I was always fascintated with the old jail. It was in use when we lived there. And, as you know because you took pictures of my old house for me, the Flavel House was not far from my home. I've been a bit homesick for Astoria this week. Your photos today proved it's time for my sweetheart and I do get away and return! ~Adrienne~

Anonymous said...

Nice shots! Great to see another place in this world.

The Wife said...

Nice job. The bridge is my fav I think. They were all good.

CTG Ponies said...

Very nice view of the historic building of the area.

Caffienated Cowgirl said...

I love it...great range of photos :)

Rising Rainbow said...

What a great tour of your city! The Chamber of Commerce should hire you for promotion.

Unknown said...

Great pictures. I love the neat old buildings in Astoria & am so glad I get to see them next month!

Jen Mo said...

All are very good but I love the Flavel House the most! Good job!

Andrea said...

A lovely glimpse into your city!! Great photos for this week's challenge...all of them unique and interesting!! :)

Anonymous said...

LOVE your photos. Just love them. And the courthouse is so beautiful.

I have a beef with that dumpster too... wish they'd move it. There isn't a time I go down 8th and don't see someone taking a shot of the old jail. Such a shame it has to be in everyone's photos.

Far Side of Fifty said...

Very nicely done! Thanks for the tour, I really enjoyed it. The Victorian house is wonderful! :)

Jeni said...

Some really great pictures there of some beautiful scenes in your town. I loved the ones of the house -or mansion, I should say, I think and also, the one with the bridge. Those two were my favs of this group.
Peace.

Twisted Fencepost said...

Those are some beautiful pictures you shared of those beautiful buildings. I have add Astoria as a destination spot for when I get to visit the west coast.

J9 said...

I love the Flavel house, so beautiful!

Mary said...

Paula,

What beautiful architecture you have in your town. You got beautiful shots. I love the house and would love to live there. Thanks for sharing these jewels from the past.

Thanks for your comments on Dakota. I hope you are having a great week.

Blessings,
Mary

TC said...

You live in a gorgeous town. It's definitely on my list! :)

Tillybud said...

ooh I'd love to visit. thanks for the peek!

Susan said...

I have to visit the Flavel house next time I come see you! I also liked the shot of the courthouse name. Thanks for the tour!!

Anonymous said...

I was married 20 years ago at the courthouse. Thanks for the memories of a great city and the best advent in my life!

Anonymous said...

I love it when you do your "tours" such a beautiful place! I was thinking of you on Sunday when my husband was watching a marathon of Ax Men.