Charles Bergman with a group of his finest works
By Bill Carter
Astoria, Oregon, located at the mouth of the Columbia River, is a coastal town rich in
history. The area was explored by Lewis and Clark during their epic Expedition of 1805.
Astoria was established in 1811 as a fur-trading outpost and became the first settlement
on the Pacific Coast.
Astoria is a major stopover point for migrating waterfowl along the Pacific Flyway.
Hunting has been a way of life for many and played a major role in the area's sporting
heritage. Astoria has been the home to some of the finest decoy carvers and boat builders
on the West Coast. Carvers such as Ted Anderson, Jack and Frank Bay, Charles Bergman, Jim
Jensen, John North, Charles Pice and Jim Titus turned out stylish birds much sought after
by collectors. Boat builders produced durable craft with classic lines. Most notable were
Ernest Gustin, Charles Bergman, Pete Welch and Adolph Lindstrom.
