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Embark on a journey through time as you explore the Flavel House, a preserved architectural and historical gem. Step back into Astoria’s 19th century as you enter the luxurious home of Captain Flavel. Let’s uncover its rich history together.
The Flavel House History
Bar pilot on the Columbia River and businessman, Captain Flavel built his 11,600 square-foot retirement home in 1886. Designed by architect Carl Leick, the new residential house is characteristic of Queen Anne Style architecture, a popular style in the United States from 1880-1910.
Look at the exterior to see some of the architectural elements of Queen Anne Style like the octagonal-shaped tower, the bay windows, and the wraparound porch.
Did you know?
The Flavel House appeared in different movies, including The Goonies
In 1887, the Flavel family built a carriage house. This structure served as a shelter for their carriage, sleigh, and horses.
The Flavel House stood out not only for its grandeur and architectural style but also for its cost. At $36,000, it was significantly more expensive than the average upper-middle-class home, which typically cost around $10,000.
Did you know?
Captain Flavel was one of Astoria’s 1st Millionaire.
About the Interior
The two-story house consists of a formal parlor, a music room, a library, a conservatory, a dining room, and a housekeeping area on the first floor. The second floor is comprised of five bedrooms and one bathroom. The attic floor features domestic bedrooms.
Equipped with gas lighting, indoor plumbing, six fireplaces, and a central heating system, it was a modern house.
Mary Flavel and her two daughters decorated most of their home. The original furniture is still on display today.
About the Grounds
The lawn was embellished with flowerbeds, bushes, and trees. Some of these were planted before the house’s construction, while others were brought back by Captain Flavel from his voyages. This has resulted in a diverse collection of unique trees (a giant sequoia Redwood, Camperdown elm, ginkgo, bay laurel, pear tree, and cork elms), which are now preserved and recognized by the Oregon Heritage Tree Program.
Did you know?
At the time the lawn encompassed a croquet, and tennis court.
Ready to visit the Flavel House?
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Plan your visit:
- Location: Flavel House Museum, 714 Exchange St, Astoria, OR 97103
- Hours: 10 am – 4 pm daily from October-April, and 10 am – 5 pm daily from May-September.
- Admission: $7 for adult
- Duration: I spent 1 hour discovering it
- Parking: unmetered street parking
- More information is available at https://astoriamuseums.org/explore/flavel-house-museum/
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