Exploring the Historical Charm of Flavel House in Astoria, Oregon.
- Crazydsadventures
- Oct 18, 2023
- 11 min read
Astoria, Oregon, is a city rich with history, and one of its most captivating landmarks is the Flavel House. This historic home offers a glimpse into the past, showcasing the lifestyle and architectural tastes of the late 19th century. Visitors and history enthusiasts alike find the Flavel House a fascinating destination that connects them to Astoria’s heritage.
The Flavel House Museum was the home of Captain George Flavel (1823-1893), one of Astoria's most influential citizens in the late 1800s. Captain Flavel was a noted bar pilot on the Columbia River and a prominent businessman. I will talk about the George Flavel House first, and later in the blog about his great-grandson, Harry Flavel a.k.a. Hatchet Harry.
The Flavel House is approximately 11,600 square feet and consists of two and a half stories, a single-story rear kitchen, a four-story tower, and a full basement. The doors, moldings, and wainscoting were faux wood-grained by a master craftsman to look like exotic hardwoods such as mahogany and burl rosewood. The wood likely came from a mill in Portland or San Francisco and was shipped to Astoria by steamer.
The Carriage House was built on the southwest corner of the property in 1887. It served as the place where the family kept their carriage, sleigh, and small buggies. It also had three temporary holding stalls for their horses, a tack room, and a hayloft upstairs. In the mid-1890s, the Carriage House was home to the family's hired caretaker, Alex Murray. In time, automobiles, including the Flavels' Studebaker sedan, found a home in the Carriage House, and the family's driver kept a room upstairs. Today, the Carriage House functions as the Visitor Center, museum store, and exhibit hall for the Flavel House Museum and the administrative offices of the Clatsop County Historical Society.
The Carriage House is also where you would purchase tickets to take the self-guided tour of the Flavel House.
The First Floor comprises the public rooms such as the grand entrance hall, the formal parlor, the music room, the library (the heart of the house), the dining room, and the conservatory. The butler's pantry, the kitchen, and the mudroom make up the housekeeping area.
This is the music room.
The Story Behind Flavel House
The Flavel House was built in 1885 and belonged to Captain George Flavel, a prominent figure in Astoria’s maritime history. Captain Flavel was a successful bar pilot and businessman who played a significant role in the development of the Columbia River shipping industry. His home reflects his status and the prosperity of the era.
The house remained in the Flavel family for several generations before being preserved as a historic site. Today, it stands as a museum that offers tours and educational programs, allowing visitors to step back in time and experience the elegance of Victorian life.
The house remained in the family until 1934, when George and Mary's great-granddaughter, Patricia Jean Flavel, gave the property to the city as a memorial to her family. In 1936, there was talk of tearing the house down and establishing an outdoor community park on the property. However, the city had financial difficulties and decided to return the property to Patricia Flavel. That same year, the residence and grounds were deeded to Clatsop County with the understanding that both would be kept in good repair and used for public purposes.
The formal parlor.
From 1937 through World War II, the Public Health Department, the Red Cross, and the local Welfare Commission all had offices in the house. In 1951, there was once again the talk of tearing the house down, this time to make way for a parking lot for the County Courthouse. Concerned citizens organized to save the home, and the Flavel House was made into a local history museum managed by the Clatsop County Historical Society while still under the ownership of the County. Eventually, the County transferred full ownership of the property to the Historical Society.
Six fireplaces grace the home and feature different imported tiles from around the world, elaborate hand-carved mantels, and a patterned metal firebox designed to burn coal. The fourteen-foot-high ceilings on the first floor and the twelve-foot-high ceilings on the second floor are embellished with plaster medallions and plaster crown moldings. The house was very modern with wall-to-wall carpeting, gaslighting, indoor plumbing, and a central heating system.
The dining room.
Architectural Features That Stand Out
The Flavel House is an excellent example of Queen Anne style architecture, which was popular in the United States during the late 1800s. Some key features include:
Asymmetrical design with a variety of textures and materials on the exterior
Decorative woodwork such as spindlework and patterned shingles
Stained glass windows that add color and artistry to the home
A prominent turret that gives the house a distinctive silhouette
Intricate interior details, including carved woodwork, ornate fireplaces, and period furnishings
These elements combine to create a visually striking home that reflects the craftsmanship and design trends of its time.
Captain Flavel lived life as an entrepreneur and bar pilot, guiding ships through the treacherous mouth of the Columbia River. Astoria's first millionaire, he was revered for his integrity and support for the townspeople. Mary helped manage the household and involved herself in social events. The Flavel House reflects the Queen Anne architecture, popular during the Victorian era.
Here is the kitchen.
I loved the old refrigerator and its inside.
The butler's pantry.
The mudroom.
What Visitors Can Expect
When visiting the Flavel House, guests can take guided tours that provide detailed insights into the family’s history and the house’s construction. The tours often include stories about Captain Flavel’s life, the maritime industry, and the social customs of the late 19th century.
The museum also hosts special events and exhibits that highlight different aspects of Astoria’s past. For example, visitors might find displays on local shipbuilding, early Oregon pioneers, or Victorian holiday traditions.
The house’s well-preserved rooms allow visitors to see original furniture and household items, giving a real sense of how the Flavel family lived. The attention to detail in the restoration work helps create an immersive experience.
The Second Floor features the main bathroom, five bedrooms, and a small room that can be used as a sewing room or storage room.
Child's bedroom.
The Flavel House in the Context of Astoria’s History
Astoria is the oldest American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains, founded in 1811. The city’s location at the mouth of the Columbia River made it a hub for fishing, shipping, and trade. The Flavel family’s success was closely tied to these industries.
The house serves as a reminder of Astoria’s growth from a frontier town to a thriving port city. It also highlights the importance of maritime navigation and commerce in shaping the region’s economy and culture.
By preserving the Flavel House, the community honors its roots and provides a tangible connection to the past for future generations.
A Bedroom.
This is a picture of the second-floor hall.
A couple of more bedrooms.
Tips for Planning Your Visit
If you plan to visit the Flavel House, here are some helpful tips:
Check the official website for current hours and tour availability, as these can vary seasonally.
Allow at least an hour to fully explore the house and grounds.
Wear comfortable shoes since the tour involves walking through multiple rooms and some stairs.
Combine your visit with other nearby attractions in Astoria, such as the Columbia River Maritime Museum or the Astoria Column.
Consider guided tours to get the most out of your experience, as guides provide rich historical context and answer questions.
The Attic Floor is a large, unfinished area with two small, plain bedrooms used by the Flavels' domestic help. The tower gave the captain a broad view of Astoria and the Columbia River to keep an eye on the local ship traffic.
The Attic Floor is closed, so you can't go up there at this time.
The library.
The Flavel House rests on park-like grounds covering an entire city block. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1951. The Queen Anne architectural style, popular from 1880 to 1910, can be seen in the house's steeply pitched roof, patterned shingles, and cutaway bay windows. Other characteristics of the Queen Anne style are the octagonal-shaped tower, the one-story wrap-around porch, and the asymmetrical facade. Outlining the roof and verandas of the house is the original wrought-iron cresting.
Shortly after the house was built, the family gardener, Louis Schultz, began planting trees, delicate roses, and wide varieties of bulbs and shrubs. Many of the plants found in the Flavel yard today are typical of those found in Victorian gardens.
Why the Flavel House Matters Today
Historic homes like the Flavel House offer more than just pretty architecture. They serve as educational resources that help people understand the social and economic forces that shaped their communities. The house also preserves craftsmanship and design techniques that are rare today.
For Astoria, the Flavel House is a symbol of pride and identity. It connects residents and visitors to the city’s maritime heritage and the stories of the people who helped build the Pacific Northwest.
Preserving such landmarks encourages respect for history and inspires efforts to maintain other historic sites in the region.
About The Flavel House: This restored Victorian mansion is a must-see in Astoria. Take a self-guided tour to view the period décor and Queen Anne-style architecture. You will learn its fascinating history and marvel at its elegance while you step back into the 19th century.
What to bring: Take your camera, but remember not to use a flash inside the mansion.
No food or drinks are allowed inside the museum.
Hours: The mansion is open from 10 to 5 (November through April) and 11 to 5 (October through March). Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's.
Admission: $5 Adults, $4 AAA/Seniors (65)/Adult Students, $2 ages 6-17, free for ages five and under. Purchase admission tickets at the Carriage House. Also, view their video for background on the Flavel House, visit the museum, and the gift shop.
Teas: * Plum pudding and tea are available from the week before and after Christmas (2-4 pm) * Mother's Day
The notorious Flavel House was built in 1901 by the captain's only son, George. It was a beautiful Colonial Revival-style home with stained-glass windows, intricately carved wooden pillars, and amazing views of the river. When George died in 1923, he left the house to his son Harry M. Flavel, who lived there with his wife Florence and their two children, Harry and Mary, until he died in 1951.
Astoria residents knew something wasn't right with the younger Harry.
In 1947, at the age of 20, Harry Flavel earned his nickname. Fred Fulton, a neighbor of the Flavels, heard screams for help coming from the home. He ran inside, found Florence locked in a room upstairs. Harry had locked her in. When Fulton tried to help, he began hacking at the banister with the hatchet in a fit of rage, and eventually turned on Fulton. Harry was charged with assault with a deadly weapon.
During Harry's trial, his mother insisted she had not been in danger. The family testified that Fulton had been drunk, and Harry had acted in self-defense. The charges were dropped.
There were other incidents over the years. Neighbors would report gunshots from inside the home, particularly on Halloween and New Year's. Police were called to physically remove Mary from a social gathering at another residence because she refused to leave. Harry locked Mary and Florence outside their home on the window's peak on a cold night and sprayed them with a garden hose.
February 1983. Harry was out walking two of his dogs when a car driven by a 22-year-old named Alec Josephson came speeding down the road. As the vehicle passed, Flavel swung the chain of a dog leash at it and made contact. Josephson stopped, furious, and chased Harry on foot down an alley.
The story goes that Josephson had grabbed Harry by the sleeve, demanding his name so he could call the police, when Harry stabbed him in the abdomen. Josephson survived, but once again, Harry was facing assault charges. This time, however, it came with an additional charge of attempted murder. A conviction meant up to 20 years in prison.
"Hatchet" Harry Flavel was found guilty of assault, but not attempted murder, in 1985.
After exhausting a string of appeals that took years, Harry failed to appear for his sentencing in 1990. Authorities discovered Harry, Mary, and Florence had vanished. An elderly neighbor had watched them get into their car, along with their dogs, and drive away, abandoning their home.
Neighbors said they returned from time to time. They would receive phone calls from the Flavels, asking if police were around. But the Flavels never lived there again. Some believed they left the house behind as an eyesore to spite the proud historical city for turning its back on its "First Family."
Harry was arrested in Pennsylvania later in 1990 for stealing motel towels, but disappeared again when he was released. The FBI arrested him the following year in Massachusetts. They brought him back to Clatsop County, where he spent a year in jail awaiting a hearing.
He disappeared again after his release.
Harry's whereabouts remained a mystery until his death on May 31, 2010. He and Mary were both still in Oregon.
FLAVEL HOUSE RESTORATION
In 2012, after extensive efforts to locate Mary, the last-known remaining Flavel, Astoria officials used a newly adopted derelict building ordinance to enter the house.
"Newspapers and magazines from the last 100 years were spread three-feet thick over all levels of the home, including the attic, the basement, and the bathrooms," The Astorian reported. They also found a 1950s-era woman's swimsuit hanging in an all-pink bathroom, a 1960s issue of Playboy, self-help books, a 12-inch knife, and a Valentine's Day card from Mary to her mother. Clothes still hung in closets. There was a dead dog in the refrigerator. The stairwell banister, which might still have borne the marks of Harry's hatchet attack, was completely gone.
It looks a lot different today.
The city sold the property in 2015 to Greg Newenhof, who began the arduous task of restoring the home. He opened it for tours, which included a stop in the attic where some of the Flavels' possessions, such as a jacket, a cradle, and some books, remained.
The condition of the house itself was better than many had expected. The bones of the structure were sound. It seemed the newspaper covering the floor probably absorbed most of the water leaking in through the roof, which prevented the floor from rotting.
Astoria decided it was time to do something about the Flavels' crumbling commercial properties in 2018. Anonymous tips helped officials discover that Mary was still alive. She was living in a nursing home in Portland. They issued her fines totaling $5.6 million in hopes of getting her attention. Her health was failing, though, and she died in October 2018 at the age of 92.
She was buried in the Flavel family plot at Ocean View Cemetery in Warrenton, Oregon.
Final Thoughts on Visiting Flavel House
The Flavel House in Astoria, Oregon, is more than a Victorian mansion—it is a living chronicle of elegance, ambition, and the maritime legacy that shaped the Pacific Northwest. Its ornate architecture, stained glass, and period furnishings transport visitors into the late 19th century, offering a rare glimpse of the grandeur that defined the Gilded Age.
Walking through its halls, you sense both the prosperity of Captain George Flavel’s family and the enduring spirit of Astoria’s seafaring past. The house is not simply preserved—it is alive with stories, from the rise of commerce on the Columbia River to the quiet domestic moments that unfolded within its walls.
In the end, visiting the Flavel House is an invitation to step into history, to honor the craftsmanship of another era, and to reflect on how one family’s legacy became woven into the identity of an entire town. It is a reminder that heritage is not just remembered—it is experienced.
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