Built in 1926 as one of the 12 historical markers from St. Paul, Minnesota to the Pacific Ocean, the 125-foot tall Astoria Column sits high above the city on the North Oregon Coast, but the years have taken a toll on the Column. A non-profit group, The Friends of Astoria Column, was formed to raise money for renovation, and with more than $600,000 in the bank, the renovation began. On Saturday, Oct. 10, the Column reopened to the public after being closed for five months. The Column has 535 feet of murals on its exterior. They depict the Lewis and Clark Expedition and Capt. Robert Gray’s discovery of the Columbia River. The Friends are still raising money. They need another $500,000 to complete the work such as repairing pavers and installing LED lights.
