from a Tower Overlooking Astoria
from 5 Songs from the Mouth of the Columbia R. by the Academic Challenge TeamMost Americans will see the Flavel House for the first and only time while viewing the cinematic epic, Goonies. But before Hollywood could take over the city of Astoria, George Flavel had to amass a large enough fortune to hire German-born architect Carl W. Leick to design and build his expansive Queen Anne styled home, complete with observational tower, in 1886. Located at present-day 714 Exchange Street in downtown Astoria, Oregon, the house was home to one of the city’s most successful and influential citizens in Captain Flavel (1823-1893).EnlargeThe Captain earned a living piloting cargo ships around the infamous Columbia River sand bar. Though the River is several miles wide at its mouth, the sand bar is a large, ever-shifting mass that has claimed the lives of more than a few vessels and men.Captain Flavel spent his last seven years at the residence with his wife, Mary Christina, and two daughters, Nellie and Katie. Though the daughters never married, they were well-respected, educated, travelled citizens who spent many years in Europe and Asia studying language and art.The house was left to George and Mary’s great-granddaughter, Patricia Jean Flavel, who generously deeded the house to Clatsop County for public use. However, the residence was almost torn down several times under plans to build parking lots. Thankfully, local citizens aware of the historical significance the house represented purchased the residence for the local Historical Society. The Flavel House has since been restored to its original splendor and opened to the public as a museum.Next: Cape Disappointment	listen read LyricsreferenceCaptain George Flavel House Museum Wikipedia: Astoria, Oregon WikiMapia: Flavel House Museum Oregeon Historical Photograph Collections: Flavel House Oregon.com: Astoria Column Columbia River Maritime MuseumpurchaseCD BabyiTunes
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