Creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky

Published 6:00 am Thursday, October 22, 2009

MacAndrew Burns, Clatsop County Historical Society executive director, stares out from behind one of the four old isolation cells in the basement of the Clatsop County Heritage Museum. The basement once was home to Astoria's police station. Photo by Alex Pajunas.

At first glance, Astoria seems like a pretty normal, even charming, town. Be warned, though – it’s been said that the dead don’t rest here. As the oldest settlement west of the Mississippi, it’s not a big stretch to imagine that we’ve got ghosts. Astoria’s history is rich, notorious even … replete with shanghaied sailors, dope dens and ladies of the evening. Its many historic sites could have attracted denizens of the spirit world … couldn’t they?

A good example is the Flavel House. When it comes to this Victorian mansion turned museum, some swear that things go bump in the night. A lonely lady is said to walk at night, bereft since her fur-trading lover abandoned her. Capt. George Flavel’s wife and daughters reportedly still roam the halls. Lights have been known to get turned off even after they were turned on by caretakers, phones ring when they’re not plugged in and drapes mysteriously open and close by themselves, according to local legend.

Peoples’ fascination with this stuff hasn’t been lost on the Astoria Sunday Market, the Astoria-Warrenton Chamber of Commerce, the Clatsop County Historical Society and the Liberty Theater. They put their heads together and came up with “Haunted Astoria,” a weekend-long event which debuted last year and was a big hit with locals and tourists alike! This year, two new attractions have been added: a “haunted” short story contest and an open mic session for “haunted tales.” So slither, lurch or otherwise make your way to the Pier 11 Steakhouse Restaurant around 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24. You may hear contestants read their winning entries. The general public is also invited to come and tell a scary tale. Perhaps you’ve encountered something otherworldly or know someone else who has. Or maybe you simply have a favorite ghost story … something really “scarifying” to share. Don’t be shy.

Haunted Astoria schedule of events

Friday, Oct. 23

5 to 7 p.m. – Witches Night Out

Witches and their friends and familiars will convene at Country Crafters, 106 10th St. in downtown Astoria. A witch costume contest and Halloween treats should please the kids. A recipe swap and some great Halloween decorating ideas are likely to appeal to adults. You don’t have to be in costume – just put on your favorite witch hat and join the fun.

Saturday, Oct. 24

3 to 7 p.m. – Astoria Psychic and Paranormal Fair

Booths with psychics, tarot card readers, holistic therapists and craftspeople will be on hand to help guide your journey into unknown at the Pier 11 Mall. What’s more, admission is free!

The Paranormal League of America (PLA) will be there again this year. They’ll have investigated a site beforehand and talk about what they found at the Fair, if you’re brave enough. The PLA will also discuss the techniques and equipment used in researching paranormal activity. For more information, visit www.paranormalleagueofamerica.com

3 to 7 p.m. – Underground tours

Mannequins may morph in to monsters inside the Clatsop County Heritage Museum. Photo by Alex Pajunas.A hand reaches out from behind the original door to one of four isolation cells at the old Astoria Police Station in the basement of the Clatsop County Heritage Museum. The isolation cells were completely dark except for the light from the hallway and one person died while locked up. Photo by Alex Pajunas.Take a self-guided tour of the spooky basements in both the Heritage Museum and Liberty Theater. Tours of Pier 39’s Rogue Ales Public House and the Messenger Building (at Ninth and Astor streets) may also appeal to the more intrepid types among us. Tickets are $10 and include admission to Alfred Hitchcock’s classic and highly unsettling film, “The Birds,” which will show at 7:30 p.m. at the Liberty. Movie tickets only can be purchased at the box office for $3.

This hugely popular attraction has happened every October for the last six years, staged in different cemeteries around town. This year, the Pioneer Hillside Cemetery at 14th Street and Niagara Avenue, will be where the action is from 1 p.m. to dusk Sunday, Oct. 25.

While the event may come on the heels of Haunted Astoria, the Clatsop County Historical Society wants to assure parents and others that this isn’t a scary event – it’s historical in focus and all in good fun. You’ll hear some great stories. It starts with a tour of the cemetery. Along the way you’ll meet colorful characters in costume (played by local actors). They’ll talk for five or 10 minutes about their character’s role in local history. Astoria Granite Works sponsors the event. Admission is free but donations are welcome.

“The Passion of Dracula”

This Astor Street Opry Company production is billed as a “tongue-in-cheek melodrama.” The story is set in the English countryside circa 1911 where several girls in the village have died under mysterious circumstances. The familiar characters of doctors Seward and Van Helsing, heroine Wilhelmina Murray, Jonathan Harker (her love interest) and Thomas Renfield (the guy who eats bugs) will, of course, be on hand. The decidedly family-friendly play is directed by Edward James. Performances will be Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays of the last two weekends in October, starting at 8 p.m. Find the ASOC Playhouse at 129 W. Bond St. in Astoria’s Uniontown. For other info, call (503) 325-6104 or visit www.shanghaiedinastoria.com on the Internet.

“Ghosts,” from left: Matt Hensley as Frank Dunbar, Terry Arnall as Lamira West, David Reid as John C. Trullinger and Rachel Fackler as Philipoena Boelling at last year’s Talking Tombstones. Photos courtesy Clatsop County Historical Society.

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