Astoria Burning

Much of Astoria burned to the ground in 1922, so it's appropriate that the city has made a special effort to commemorate its firefighters. At the Uppertown Firefighters museum at 30th and Marine Drive, there is a super collection of old firefighting equipment from 1879 to 1963. You'll enjoy looking at the hand-pulled, horse-drawn, and motor-driven fire engines. The building itself, built in 1896, was a brewery before it was a fire station. First things first, I guess.

Not many years ago, it was hard to find top class accommodations in Astoria, but a couple of new places have changed the scene. Pier 39 Hotel and Cannery Pier Hotel have added a touch of class to the waterfront.