Fort Clatsop Suggested Historic Area Report

E. Accessibility.

1. Roads. The site is readily accessible by private automobiles, since the paved Fort Clatsop Loop Road (County Road No. 201) passes through both parcels of land owned by the Oregon Historical Society and within 200 feet of the restored fort. A graveled entrance road gives access from the county road directly to the fort site.

Seven tenths of a mile north of the site, the Fort Clatsop Loop Road intersects U. S. Highways 101 and 26. U. S. 101 is the main coast highway which runs from southern California to northern Washington. By this highway, Fort Clatsop is 7.4 miles from Astoria, which lies to the northeast; and 15.4 miles from Seaside, which lies to the southwest. By way of Seaside and U. S. Highway 26, Fort Clatsop is 95.2 miles from Portland. From Astoria, Portland is 106 miles via U. S. Highway 30, which runs along the south bank of the Columbia River.

2. Public transportation. There is no public transportation directly to the site. However, nearby Astoria is easily reached by Greyhound Bus and West Coast Airlines from Portland and other Pacific Northwest population centers. Taxi service and automobile rental service are available in Astoria.

3. Nearby population centers. Fort Clatsop is not situated in the immediate vicinity of any large center of population, but it is in an area which, though now relatively lightly populated, is growing rapidly. Clatsop County, in which it is located, has a population of 30,776, an increase of 24.6% since 1940. The nearest city, Astoria, had a population of 12,331 in 1950. It was estimated in 1956 that this figure had increased to 14,000. Approximately 40,000 people live within a radius of 40 miles from Fort Clatsop. However, the site is within easy driving distance of most of the Pacific North- west's largest cities. For instance, Portland is less than 100 miles to the southeast; Seattle is 184 miles to the northwest.

Population statistics concerning the surrounding country are unsatisfactory as indicators of the potential visitation to the site. Clatsop County and the nearby area at the mouth of the Columbia River form a recreation center which is rapidly increasing in popularity. Each summer the population swells with temporary residents as people flock from the interior to the seashore. Also, Fort Clatsop is, for all practical purposes, located on U. S. Highway 101, which in summer is a heavily traveled tourist route. The availability of hotels and motels in nearby Astoria and Seaside is a factor in encouraging travelers to linger in the area.

4. Utilities. Water is already available at the site through a well which produces 6 gallons a minute. The water table is relatively near the surface (45 feet), and it is believed that larger wells could easily be developed if needed. The water is safe for drinking purposes.

Electric power is already on the property, supplied from the lines of the Pacific Power and Light Company. Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company telephone service is already available on the site. Fuel oil and bottled propane gas are easily obtained in the vicinity.