Chinook, Washington 98614

46° 16′ 20″ N, 123° 56′ 26″ W

Originally established by the Chinook Indians , the town of Old Chinookville was home to over 1,000 native people until the arrival of settlers from the east decimated the village with disease.

Chinook became a wealthy town based on the rich salmon fishery at the mouth of the mighty Columbia river. There was no road connection to Ilwaco until 1891, when the bridge was completed across the Chinook River. Later, the Ilwaco Railway and Navigation Company, built a narrow gauge railroad from Megler to Ilwaco, passing down the main street of Chinook. The railroad was dismantled in 1931.

The town has remained a fishing village and is the site of a busy port on the Columbia River.

Chinook is home to Fort Columbia State Park where the interpretive center features artifacts from the Chinook history, as well as restored historic barracks, gun emplacements and batteries.  The park also features Vacation Rentals and a challenging trail system with spectacular views of the Astoria-Megler Bridge,  and the Columbia River as it empties into the Pacific Ocean.

SEE ALSO:

• Clamshell Railroad
  
• Astoria-Megler Bridge
• Chinook Nation
• Historylink.org on the formation of Pacific County
• Voters approve the formation of the Port of Ilwaco on March 4, 1928.
• Fort Columbia (National Park Service)
• Fort Columbia (Washington State Parks)
• Fort Columbia (Unofficial Site)
• Fort Columbia Rental: Scarborough House

KEY ACTIVITIES:

• Beach Cleanup Days – January, April and July
• Charter Fishing – May through September
• Sturgeon Derby – June