ASTORIA, Ore. -- One of the most popular movies ever made in Oregon is getting its own museum.
Clatsop County is giving the county Historical Society the use of the old county Jail for a museum dedicated to “The Goonies” and other films with Oregon ties, county officials said Thursday.
The 1985 film follows the adventures of a group of treasure-seeking kids, played by stars like Cory Feldman and Martha Plimpton.
Fans from around the world come to see many of the filming locations.
“The Goonies” brings its own 'built-in' audience," historical society executive director, McAndrew “Mac” Burns said,
The society plans to have the new facility up and running by June 2010, in time for the 25th anniversary of “The Goonies” release.
The society decided to include information on the more than 300 movies filmed entirely or in part in Oregon.
The county will lease the first floor of the building to the historical society for $1 a year.
“There’s a market out there – people want to see where these movies are filmed,” referencing the recent "Twilight" phenomena of fans flocking to Forks, Washington filming locations.
Films such as “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” “Drugstore Cowboy,” “Animal House” and “The Shining,” all had parts shot in the state. Astoria and Clatsop County have also been seen in such movies as “The Black Stallion,” “Kindergarten Cop” and “Free Willy II.”
Commissioner John Raichl recalled how he fulfilled a special request from a group from England to tour the old jail, where some breakout scenes were set for "Goonies."
In 2005, a special "Goonies" exhibit brought the hisotrical society its “busiest weekend, busiest month and busiest summer ever,” according to Burns.
