History

The History of Columbia Memorial Hospital

A Lutheran-affiliated acute care facility

Columbia Memorial Hospital is committed to providing compassionate health care in a healing environment, and to providing leadership to improve the health of the community we serve. We are a full service, 25-bed, Critical Access, not-for-profit, Level III Trauma Center, Planetree affiliate, hospital located in Northwest Oregon where the Columbia river meets the Pacific Ocean.

Columbia Memorial Hospital evolved from the region’s first hospital, St. Mary’s Hospital, established in 1880. St. Mary’s Hospital served as the region’s only hospital until the early 1890’s.

In 1919, the Astoria Finnish community began a second facility, Columbia Hospital. The Augustana Lutheran Church took over the project and the Hospital opened to assist its first patients in 1927.

In 1971, St. Mary’s Hospital was purchased by Columbia Hospital. In the mid-70’s, the Hospital Trustees approved a new site and plan, and Columbia Memorial Hospital, now located at 2111 Exchange Street, opened in 1977.

Due to the expanding population and need for more health care services, the Board of Trustees has announced its intention to expand Columbia Memorial into a regional medical center.

Columbia Memorial Hospital is currently a JCAHO accredited hospital, which serves all of Clatsop County, Oregon and the lower Columbia River region of western Washington. Clatsop County residents serving as a volunteer Board of Trustees direct our management.

CMH continues to be a community-owned, not-for-profit hospital that serves the health care needs of the community. CMH receives no tax support from the city of Astoria or Clatsop County. Dedicated to improving the health of the community, CMH invests all excess revenues in services, equipment and facilities which further that mission.

Photo Credits: Historical Photos—Courtesy of the Clatsop County Historical Society