A Japanese submarine shelled this Oregon fort in 1942, and the guns never fired back
Oregon has one of the strangest World War II footnotes in the country, and you can walk right through it. In 1942, an enemy submarine fired on a fort near Astoria, and the soldiers standing next to the big guns were ordered to hold their fire.
That fort is now a state park with paved trails, a beach, and concrete batteries you can explore. Not a bad place to spend an afternoon, right?
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The night the war came to Clatsop County
On June 21, 1942, the Japanese submarine I-25 surfaced several miles offshore and shelled Fort Stevens, at the mouth of the Columbia River. It was the first time a foreign power had attacked a U.S. mainland military fort since the War of 1812.
The damage was almost comically small. One of the best-known hits landed on the backstop of a baseball diamond near the guns, and the fort’s main battery was left untouched.
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Why nobody shot back
Here’s the part that makes this story stick. The officer in charge declined to return fire, even though the gun crews wanted to, because answering would have shown the submarine exactly where the batteries were hidden.
Reports about whether the sub was even in range were conflicting that night, and the searchlights stayed dark. My take: it’s the rare war story where the quiet choice is the most interesting part.
What you can see there today
Fort Stevens was built during the Civil War and kept in service through several later wars, so the park is dotted with weathered concrete gun batteries tucked into the trees. Battery Russell, the one the submarine was aiming for, is part of that collection.
Weathered concrete tucked into the trees makes the whole place feel cinematic, especially on a gray coastal afternoon. The park’s military museum and information center also keeps displays up year-round if you want the full backstory.
Turn it into a full day
History is only one slice of this park. Our full Fort Stevens State Park guide covers the beaches, lake, and trail loops, so you can mix a bunker wander with a walk by the water.
When you’re done, Astoria is a short drive away for dinner, and Seaside works if you’d rather end the day on the promenade.
Before you go
Day-use areas at Fort Stevens require a parking permit, available at self-serve kiosks, the visitor center, or the ranger station. A valid campsite permit or confirmation also counts.
Spring through mid-September, parts of the Columbia River beach are closed to vehicles, so check the state parks page before you plan a beach stop. Which would you explore first, the batteries or the shoreline?
Trip tips: grab a rental car to get out here, lock in your hotel before the good rooms are gone, or skip both and book a camper van instead.
Rules and fees change, so always confirm current requirements before you go.
