Did you know that during the big wave of immigration to the U.S. around 1900, there were other ports of entry besides Ellis Island? The Pacific Northwest is home to one of these long forgotten sites. Along the north shore of the Columbia River across from Astoria, OR, sits Knappton Cove Heritage Center, preserving this piece of Pacific Northwest History. This non-profit museum is housed in what was once the Columbia River Quarantine Station's hospital, or affectionately known as The Pesthouse. This is also where we have established our "Clothespin Museum." Both museums are open Summer weekend afternoons, or by appointment.

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     We estimate that approximately 100,000 people passed through U.S. Health Inspection at the Columbia River Port of Entry between 1899-1938. They were from many places including Scandinavia, Europe, South America and Asia. Immigrants were coming to better their lives by working in the booming fish and timber industries of the Pacific NW. To visualize the number and diversity of immigrants during this era, our goal is to display pictures of 100,000 handmade clothespin people. Please join us in this effort! If you would like your clothespin creation displayed in our online gallery, please email us a photo. Be inspired by what these 'makers' are creating.