ASTORIA LOVE LOCKS

A love lock is a padlock that significant others lock to a bridge or similar public fixture to symbolize their love. Typically the sweethearts' names or initials, and perhaps the date, are written or inscribed on the padlock.

Astoria Love Locks were first created by Menagerie during our Pier 39 days, inspired by love-lock traditions seen around the world. When Pier 39 owner Floyd Holcom shared his longtime dream of bringing that tradition home, we helped make it happen—turning the pier into a place where love stories are literally left behind.

We passed the lock project over to the Astoria Uppertown Business Association, who is currently the official steward of the locks. Ghost Ship Trading Post on Pier 39 assists the association with assembly and orders. There are two locations where the locks can be placed, both on Pier 39, located at 100 39th Street. Look for the signs and lock cabling at:

  1. South side (entrance) to the pier at the transformer platform on the right as you approach the pier. Requires stepping up on the platform.

  2. North side on the back of pier in the west corner.

Lock kits are $20 and can be found at Menagerie Co-Op, Ghost Ship Trading Post, Coffee Girl, Athena Mediterranean Kitchen, Vineside Wine Bar, Hanthorn’s Tap House, Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa, and the Astoria-Warrenton Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center. The heart-shaped locks come in red, pink and gold, and purposefully do not include keys to symbolize forever love and keep keys out of the Columbia River. The locks come in a fun muslin bag stamped with the retro anchor tattoo logo. Included inside the kit is a permanent paint pen to write your names on the lock, the instruction card, and an Astoria Pier 39 decal to place somewhere special to symbolize the location of your lock—and the memory of placing it there.

After you attach your lock to the cable, snap a picture as a memory and post using hashtag #astorialovelocks to share!

$2 from each kit sold is donated to the Hanthorn Cannery Museum & Foundation on Pier 39 to help ensure the rich history of the cannery lives on.