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July 28, 1966: Astoria-Megler Ferry Makes Final Run

Front page of the Oregonian Newspaper, July 29, 1966 with photo of a ferry with bridge in the background. Headline "$24 Million Astoria Bridge Opens Friday"

The ferry boat M.R. Chessman made the final Astoria-Megler run across the Columbia River on July 28, 1966 (The Oregonian, 29-July-1966).

Hundreds of nostalgic ferry riders left the Astoria dock at 9 p.m. Thursday to crossover the 4 1/2 miles of river, returning from Megler at 10:30 p.m. Dozens of present and former crewmen who have worked in the ferry service here over the last five decades were aboard.

Though the Astoria-Megler Bridge did not officially open until August 27, the bridge opened to automobile traffic at 6am on July 29, relieving the ferry boats of their duty.

Shanghaied in Astoria is the greatest show west of the Coast Range!

Shanghaied in Astoria is the greatest show west of the Coast Range!

Performances of the 39th season of Astor Street Opry‘s Shanghaied in Astoria are running through August 20, 2023.

Shanghaied in Astoria is a vaudeville-esque musical melodrama set in mid-summer 1904, around the time of the annual Scandinavian Midsummer Festival.  Eric Olson, our Norwegian hero, sets out to rescue his sweetheart Miss Virginia Sweet, who is a ward of the villainous Max Krooke.

Visit the website for ticket purchase options.  The Astor Street Opry company theater is located at 129 W Bond Street.