ASTORIA, Ore. — An Astoria home featured in the 1985 classic “The Goonies” gets up to 1,500 visitors daily, and the property owner is asking for relief.
An estimated 10,000 to 15,000 visitors were drawn to the area in June, when the Astoria-Warrenton Chamber of Commerce celebrated the film’s 30th anniversary, The Daily Astorian reported.
City signs prohibit fans from parking in the neighborhood, and another tells visitors “Access closed to Goonies house.”
Homeowner Sandi Preston has allowed gawkers to photograph and occasionally go inside the house, but now wants officials to limit access to her home.
City Councilor Russ Warr said Goonies tourism has “absolutely exploded.” He said while many fans are polite, others have refused to leave the property or threatened violence.
Preston wrote on a Facebook page dedicated to the movie’s 30th anniversary that fans are changing, and not for the better.
“They don’t have a sense of family or community but feel entitled and let no one get in their way,” she wrote. “We see it daily with the threats against us; all because we choose to have some privacy. It’s been unrestricted for 14 years and we are worn out.”
Chamber marketing director Regina Willkie says Preston sees a constant stream of people at her property.
“She was overwhelmed and looking for help to try to get some semblance of normal life back,” she said.
The city and chamber of commerce are considering solutions, including a private road to reduce pedestrian traffic.
Washington residents Emerald and Bradley Bishop were at the house Monday, but left when they saw access was restricted.
“We were disappointed. We just wanted to take a quick picture to show that we were there,” she said. “But we were fine with not being able to see it; we know that it’s a private residence and that people live there.”
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