Marshall J. Kinney Cannery

The Marshall J. Kinney Cannery, located in Uniontown, Astoria, Oregon, United States, between Fifth and Seventh streets, was constructed in 1879 and became one of the city's longest-running salmon canneries. Run by the Astoria Packing Company, of which Marshall J. Kinney was president, the complex quickly became the "largest and most extensive salmon-packing establishment on the Pacific Coast". In 1894, the cannery was completely rebuilt after being burned to the ground. Five years later Kinney became part of the Columbia River Packers Association, joining several other canneries and packing companies. By 1904, the complex supported three production lines; Kinney continued cannery operations until the 1920s when it was primarily used as a central machine shop and warehouse for the Columbia River Packers Association. In 1954, a cargo ship ran into the complex, part of which was lost. Intact portions were used for storage until 1980 and today house shops and small businesses. The cannery was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 30, 1989, but was delisted on September 8, 1997.

Marshall J. Kinney Cannery
Formerly listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location	1 Sixth Street Astoria, Oregon
Area	1.1 acres (0.45 ha)
Built	1879
Architectural style	Post and truss industrial
NRHP reference No.	89000515[1][2][3]
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	June 30, 1989[1]
Removed from NRHP	September 8, 1997[2]

History

Kinney Cannery, located in Uniontown between Fifth and Seventh streets, was constructed in 1879.[4] The cannery was run by the Astoria Packing Company, of which Marshall J. Kinney, son of Robert C. Kinney, was president.[5] During 1881 the complex, then referred to as the "largest and most extensive salmon-packing establishment on the Pacific Coast", reportedly packed 26,000 cases of salmon.[5] According to the Chief of Engineers of the United States Army, as printed in the Annual Report of the Secretary of War (1890), the cannery packed 7,500 cases of salmon worth nearly $40,000 during the season of 1887.[6] In 1894, the complex burned to the ground and was completely rebuilt.[7] In 1899, the cannery became part of the Columbia River Packers Association, joining the Samuel Elmore Cannery, Fisherman's Packing Co., J.O. Hanthorn & Co., J.W. Seaborg and Scandinavian Packing Co., among others.[7][8][9] Kinney buildings at the river end were used for warehouse space; the older ones along the shore continued cannery operations.[8]

The former location of the cannery

By 1904, the Kinney complex supported three production lines.[8][10] It was divided into two sections separated by a "planked extension" of Sixth Street. On the west side stood a 200' x 170' wood frame warehouse which, after 1910, housed the machine shop and stored cannery equipment, cans and labels, and marine engines. This section later housed offices for Alaskan production. On the east side of Sixth Street stood an 80' x 150' "two-story, semi-mill constructed" can factory building. The complex continued cannery operations until the 1920s when it was primarily used as a central machine shop and warehouse for the Columbia River Packers Association.[8]

Nothing remains of Gunderson's Cannery Cafe after a 2010 fire

By the 1940s, the Kinney complex had expanded "significantly".[4] In 1954, an outbound cargo ship carrying 8,000 tons of grain ran into the complex, part of which was lost.[4][8] Remaining buildings were used for storage until 1980 and have since been converted to shops.[8] Part of the complex was restored and a lookout was built on its wharf to encourage business;[11] however, other parts of the Kinney complex remained in ruins.[8] The cannery was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 30, 1989.[1] However, the complex was delisted from the Register on September 8, 1997.[2] It housed Gunderson's Cannery Café and other small businesses until a fire destroyed the buildings in December 2010. Discussions of condominium development have taken place, including Riverpark Suites for the "ruined half" of the complex.[4][8]

See also

• Cannery Row, located in Monterey, California
• List of canneries
  • List of salmon canneries and communities
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Clatsop County, Oregon
• Union Fishermen's Cooperative Packing Company Alderbrook Station

References

1. "Weekly list of listed properties: 6/26/89 through 6/30/89" (PDF). Weekly Register List 1989. National Park Service. July 7, 1989. p. 163. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
2. "Weekly list of actions taken on properties: 9/08/97 through 9/12/97". National Park Service. September 19, 1997. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
3. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
4. "Astoria III: Pack It in at a Former Cannery!". Oregon Home. Portland, Oregon: MEDIAmerica Inc. October 27, 2009. Retrieved July 24, 2012.
5. Hittell, John Shertzer (1882). The Commerce and Industries of the Pacific Coast of North America: Comprising the Rise, Progress, Products, Present Condition, and Prospects of the Useful Arts on the Western Side of Our Continent, and Some Account of Its Resources, with Elaborate Treatment of Manufactures; Briefer Consideration of Commerce, Transportation, Agriculture, and Mining; and Mention of Leading Establishments and Prominent Men in Various Departments of Business. San Francisco: A. L. Bancroft & Company. pp. 380, 382. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
6. United States Department of War (1890). Annual report of the Secretary of War. United States Government Printing Office. p. 2,994. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
7. Smith, Jeffrey H. (July 25, 2011). Astoria. Arcadia Publishing. pp. 99, 110. Retrieved July 24, 2012.
8. Steen, Sarah L. (December 2009). "Expanding Context: A Look at the Industrial Landscapes of Astoria, Oregon, 1880–1933" (PDF). pp. 36, 79, 90–91, 117–118, 137–138, 140–142. Retrieved July 24, 2012. Note: Thesis presented to the Interdisciplinary Studies Program: Historic Preservation and the Graduate School of the University of Oregon.
9. Martin, Irene. "Columbia River Packers Association". The Oregon Encyclopedia. Portland State University. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
10. Newell, Dianne (December 1, 1989). The Development of the Pacific Salmon-Canning Industry: A Grown Man's Game. McGill-Queen's University Press. p. 105. ISBN 0-7735-0717-5. Retrieved July 26, 2012.
11. Simmons, Bob (May 3, 1992). "Real Waterfront -- Skamokawa & Astoria Are Trying To Make It Work". The Seattle Times. The Seattle Times Company. ISSN 0745-9696. OCLC 9198928. Retrieved July 25, 2012.