Surrounded by the forested foothills of Northwest Oregon's coastal mountain range, the town of Clatskanie is located in the verdant valley where the Clatskanie River flows out of the mountains and into the wide plain of the Columbia River. Named for the Native Americans who once inhabited the area, Clatskanie was first settled by pioneers of European descent in the 1850s who were drawn here by the towering forests, the fish-filled streams, and the fertile farm land. A century and a half later, it remains a close-knit, friendly community, rooted in its natural resources, but with the promise of new job-creating industries at the nearby Port Westward industrial park. While looking forward to a stronger economy and modest growth in the years to come, the citizens of Clatskanie share of strong sense of tradition - multi-generational families, locally-owned small businesses, the preservation and restoration of the town's historic flavor, community spirit and volunteerism.  Many of Clatskanie's amenities - its library and related facilities, its swimming pool, ball fields and skatepark, its veterans memorial, historical museum, the Clatskanie Arts Commission Performing Arts Series, the annual Clatskanie Heritage Days and Bluegrass, Quilt Show and Lavender celebrations - have been created and sustained through volunteer efforts and partnerships of local individuals, organizations, businesses and governmental entities working together to enhance of life of the community.

Clatskanie Overview The town of Clatskanie is pictured as viewed from its northern hillside. Nehalem Street, the historic business district, crosses the Clatskanie River which winds picturesquely through town, and intersects with Highway 30. Clatskanie boasts many vintage buildings and homes, as well as newer additions such as the Clatskanie Library, built with volunteer funds and labor in the mid-1980s. It is the white building with the blue roof in between the tall Douglas firs at the lower left. - Photo Courtesy of the Clatskanie Chamber of Commerce

The Castle Built by Clatskanie timber baron T.J. Flippin as the 20th century dawned, the Flippin House - known locally as "The Castle" - is a national historic preservation site owned and operated by the Clatskanie Senior Citizens, Inc.  Filled with antiques and local memorabilia, "The Castle" houses the senior nutrition and recreational programs, and is open for tours, receptions, weddings and other events. - Photo Courtesy of The Clatskanie Chief

Dikelands and Wigwam Burner Fog lies low over the Clatskanie dikelands which stretch to the Columbia River. The silhouette of the long-unused "wigwam burner" in the lower right bears testimony to the community's historic lumber mills. The pilings extending from the fog-enshrouded Beaver Slough are remnants of the "cigar raft cradle" where logs cut from the surrounding forests were once assembled into ocean-going rafts by the Benson Timber Company - Photo Courtesy of George Throop

Reading Pavilion The dedication of the Children's Reading Pavilion in the Clatskanie Library Park was the cause for celebration by young and old alike. The fairy tale inspired structure, designed and created by local chain saw artist Susan Miller, features a roof shaped like an open book, support poles carved to depict favorite children's stories, a reader's chair resembling a stack of books, and "book worm" benches.  Another example of Clatskanie's volunteerism and community cooperation, it was built through a partnership of the Clatskanie Friends of the Library, the Clatskanie Kiwanis Club, the City of Clatskanie's Scout Lake Fund, and donations of cash, materials and labor from local businesses and individuals. - Photo Courtesy of The Clatskanie Chief

4th of July Parade Thousands of local residents and visitors line Clatskanie's Nehalem Street each 4th of July for the Clatskanie Heritage Days parade - one of the signature events of the annual patriotic hometown celebration sponsored by the Clatskanie Chamber of Commerce. Pictured above is the marimba band entry from the Great Vow Zen Monastery which was established in the rural Clatskanie area in 2002. - Photo Courtesy of The Clatskanie Chief

Lewis and Clark Carving Dedicated on November 6, 2005, the 200th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery's passage by Clatskanie on their trek to the Pacific Ocean, was an original wood sculpture representing the explorers. "Buckskin Dan" Orr, a Lewis and Clark impersonator, stood by as wood sculptor Susan Miller, Clatskanie Mayor Diane Pohl, and State Senator Betsy Johnson cut the ribbon to dedicate the landmark which stands between Highway 30 and the Clatskanie River in the middle of town. The project was sponsored by the Clatskanie Chamber of Commerce and was funded by donations from numerous local individuals and businesses. - Photo Courtesy of The Clatskanie Chief

Clatskanie Veterans Memorial A moving Memorial Day observance is held each year at the Clatskanie Veterans Memorial, located in Clatskanie's beautiful downtown parks. Built with volunteer funds and labor, the memorial bears the names of Clatskanie area military personnel killed in the service of their nation. In an on-going project, the names of deceased local veterans who returned to this community after service in the United States armed forces are being added on granite slabs around the base of the memorial. - Photo Courtesy of The Clatskanie Chief