Astoria Column vandalized days before restoration complete

ASTORIA, Ore. — Vandals broke into the Astoria Column and damaged the historical landmark just days before a $1 million restoration project was expected to be finished.

The Daily Astorian reports that someone knocked over white primer and spilled it across on the 125-foot structure.

The Column was built in 1926 to celebrate the region’s history and attracts an estimated 400,000 visitors each year.

Trespassers would have had to get through a locked fence and climb scaffolding to reach the top of the landmark, where the primer was kept in sealed containers.

Astoria police say they are reviewing footage from the gift shop surveillance camera.

Parks and Recreation director Angela Cosby estimates the damage is between $1,000 and $5,000. The crew may have to work extra hours to remove the spilled primer and repaint.