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word
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By RYAN HUME
Nicolai
[ni•koʊ•laɪ]
noun
1. Nicolai Ridge: Part of
the hill range known as the
Clatsop Crest, this ero-
sion-produced basalt ridge
sits high above the Colum-
bia River near Wauna
2. Nicolai Mountain: a
2,970-foot-tall mountain
peak that rises off of Nicolai
Ridge that was once home
to an Oregon Department of
Forestry fi re lookout tower.
In 2010, the Oregon Depart-
ment of Forestry opened
30 miles of forested trails
on the mountain, which
has since become popular
with the off -highway vehicle
community. The recreation
area also has four campsites
and is accessible through
the Shingle Mill staging area
and parking lot
Origin:
The mountain and the
ridge were offi cially named
by the U.S. Geological Sur-
vey in 1980 in honor of Louis
and Theodore Nicolai, a pair
of German-born entrepre-
neurs who moved west to
Oregon from Detroit, Mich-
igan, in 1868 and opened
a business. The mountain
is near a mill the brothers
once owned. The Nicolai
Brothers Company opened
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in Portland as a lumber mill
but soon expanded into the
production of doors and
many other ventures. Louis
Nicolai also served as the
president of the Portland
Cracker Company.
Nicolai is a Northern
German variant of the Italian
name, Nicolao. All variants,
including the English form,
Nicholas, trace their way
back to the Greek, Νικόλαὸ,
or Nikolaos, which combines
Νικό, or Niko (Nike — the
Greek goddess of victory)
with λαὸ, or laos (the Greek
word for “people”) to literally
mean “victory for the peo-
ple” or “people’s champion.”
“The Nicolai Brothers are natives
of Germany, and accompanied their
parents from the fatherland to
America in 1853, coming direct to
Detroit, Michigan. Theodore, at that
time, was but 3 years of age, while
Louis was 13. They were reared and
2
T H RU
18
TH
Fridays & Saturdays | 7pm
Sundays Dec. 11th & 18th | 2pm
TICKETS $8-$15
1198 Commercial Street
Astoria, Oregon 97103
503.975.5305
Tuesday-Friday
4pm-6pm and
8:30-Close
“Motorsports clubs are calling all
off -road enthusiasts to Nicolai Moun-
tain to perform trail maintenance.”
—“Off -road clubs tackle trails on Nicolai
Mountain, east of Astoria,” The Daily Astorian,
Monday, Nov. 14, 2016
All Fridays are only $5 admission!
F OR TICKETS :
www.astorstreetoprycompany.com
or call 5 03-325-6104
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129 W. BOND ST
ASTORIA
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A S O C c an hos t y our C hris tm as party at a s how .
C all C hrislynn to schedule or to inquire at 503-325-6104
SUBMITTED PHOTO
The name “Nicolai” and all
variants, including “Nicholas,”
stem from the Greek word
“Nike,” the Greek goddess of
victory, combined with “laos,”
the Greek word for “people,”
to literally mean “victory
for the people” or “people’s
champion.”
Open 7am
Daily!
S C R O O G E D
IN A ST O R IA
ND
Happy Hour
—Rev. Harvey Kimball Hines, An Illus-
trated History of the State of Oregon, Lewis
Publishing Company, Chicago: 1893, P. 388
2016
D E C E M BE R
CARRUTHERS
educated in Wayne county, near
Detroit, where they continued to
reside until they came to the Pacifi c
coast in 1868.”
SERVING BREAKFAST,
LUNCH & SUPPER
European Style Coffeehouse by day,
intimate bistro offering neo-regional
cuisine by night.
Regional selection of beers, wines and
vintage cocktails available.
We cater your event!
Weekly Specials: 5-8 PM
Sushi & Martinis Mondays
Taco & Margarita
Thursdays (3 Buck Tacos)
243 11th Street, Astoria, OR 97103
503-325-1787
www.AstoriaCoffeeHouse.com
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