Eerie glow inside the column

I took this photo and the photo for the yesterday's post as evening was coming on. The last rays of sun had left the column by the time I reached it to look out over the expanse of land, water, and clouds. The light on yesterday's post was simply the light remaining in the atmosphere. This light is supplied by electricity. There's a skylight at the top, but at this time of day it wasn't letting in a lot of light.

Nicole says there are 164 steps. I didn't count them. I was busy breathing, and actually it's never occurred to me to count them. I'm usually thinking of the view at the top or the great exercise I'm getting or a knee that I didn't realize is not crazy about hiking up steps. Or the ambiance inside the column itself. It's not so different from any other interior stairway, I just happen to like them. I'm remembering the Arc de Triomphe for one, although it seemed like there were many more stairs inside that monument.

Who stole the column's stairs?

On yesterday's walk along the river, I passed the Public Works yard where the metal spiral stairs are being stored that were removed from the Astoria Column column in June and replaced with new ones. I had heard recently that the stairs had been stolen from the yard. What a feat that would have been, and the Public Works yard is only a block down the street from the Police Station, too. Some nerve. But I pictured them as being gone. So, when I saw them yesterday, I was surprised. Had they been returned? Recaptured? What was the deal? I looked up the story online, and found the original police press release, which puts it all into perspective, as only "several stairs" were taken. . . .

Police Department City of Astoria
TYPE OF INCIDENT: Theft of old Astoria Column steps
DATE/TIME: 09/16/2009
RELEASED BY: Eric Halverson, Sergeant

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On 09/16/2009 The Astoria Police Department began an investigation into the theft of cast iron steps that were removed from the Astoria Column recently for replacement.

The steps were being stored at the Astoria Public Works yard. Several stairs were cut off a section of the staircase. The steps have an estimated weight of 130 pounds and required the use of a torch to cut them loose. The estimated scrap value of the stairs is approximately $70.00, however the historic and sentimental value of the stairs is quite high.

The Astoria Police Department is seeking information leading to the recovery of the steps and prosecution of the suspects. “This was a calculated move on the part of the suspect (s) requiring time, knowledge and specialized equipment to accomplish” said Sgt. Halverson. Anyone with information is requested to contact the Astoria Police Department at (503) 325-4411.

So, there you have it. That's the story :)

OOPS, HOLD THE PRESSES: UPDATE FROM "ANONYMOUS" . . .

"They haven't retracted the story yet, but the guys who work for the city told me no stairs were stolen-that someone just goofed up."

Thanks for the info. I don't know if that's encouraging or discouraging, but it seemed mighty strange that someone hopped over all that chain link with those hefty stairs in hand. Well, amusing story, anyway.