Top 10 Most Haunted Locations in Oregon
While Oregon is often praised for its breathtaking natural landscapes, it is also home to a history rich with otherworldly activity. Reports of ghosts, hauntings, and unexplained phenomena can be found throughout the state, often intertwined with the stories of its past.Â
Why is Oregon Haunted?
From the legends of Native American tribes to the tales of early explorers and settlers, the history of Oregon has given rise to numerous accounts of the spectral. As time passed and the state developed, so did the stories of its haunted places, with new mysteries and legends emerging from all corners of Oregon. Keep reading to uncover some of the most haunted places in Oregon.Â
To visit some of Oregon’s most haunted places in person, book a ghost tour with Portland Ghosts today!
Lithia Park in Ashland, OR
Lithia Park, nestled in the heart of Ashland, Oregon, is known for more than its scenic beauty and rich history. Legends recount a chilling incident from the 1800s when a young girl fell victim to a heinous crime, leaving her spirit to linger within the park. Visitors have reported witnessing an eerie blue light flickering and disappearing above the duck pond, a startling manifestation of her presence.Â
The park’s haunted reputation extends beyond the tragic tale of the girl. Another ghostly figure believed to haunt Lithia Park is a train robber who sought refuge within its borders after a daring heist. However, his ill-fated encounter with a group of vigilantes led to his untimely demise, as he was drowned in the park’s depths. Some claim to have seen the apparition of the disfigured train robber wandering amidst the park’s serene pathways, adding to its haunting allure.
McMenamins Grand Lodge in Forest Grove, OR
The McMenamins Grand Lodge has a captivating history that sets the stage for its present-day allure. Originally built as a haven for poor, sick, and elderly Freemasons, the lodge faced numerous financial challenges and suffered significant damage during a storm. In 1999, the McMenamins family acquired the property and embarked on an ambitious renovation project.
Situated on a 13-acre property with lush grounds, the Grand Lodge now boasts enchanting amenities such as walkable gardens, a year-round soaking pool, a spa named “Rubies,” two restaurants, three bars, and a spacious theater.
The Hauntings of McMenamins Grand Lodge
Beyond its rich history, McMenamins Grand Lodge has gained a reputation for its alleged spectral activity. Countless reports of unexplained phenomena, mysterious events, and eerie sightings have circulated among guests and staff alike. Unexplained shapes have appeared in photographs, and objects have flown off shelves. Even stepping onto the grounds, people say there seems to be a ghostly presence in the air.
One notable apparition is the Lavender Lady, who is said to leave a trail of fragrant lavender in her wake and distribute books with hidden meanings. The lodge’s attic rooms are even named after the titles of the recovered books, paying homage to this mysterious spirit. The staff at McMenamins Grand Lodge keeps a record of these encounters, which is available to the public, further fueling the intrigue surrounding the lodge’s otherworldly reputation.
Multnomah Falls in Columbia River Gorge
This majestic waterfall, renowned as the second-tallest year-round cascade in the nation, carries an ethereal air that transcends the realm of the ordinary. Within its mist-laden veil, the spirit of a Native American maiden is said to linger, captivating visitors and leaving them with an eerie sense of her enduring presence.
The journey to Multnomah Falls takes visitors through time and commences at the historic Multnomah Falls Lodge, a cherished site that dates back to 1925. As visitors ascend to the trail’s highest point, they are greeted by the breathtaking sight of the magnificent waterfall. However, amidst this natural wonder, it is here that the legend of the Native American maiden’s fateful leap unfolds. It is said that in her sacrifice, she sought to protect her village from a devastating illness, forever etching her spirit into the fabric of Multnomah Falls.
Hikers have shared remarkable accounts of witnessing the apparition of the Native American maiden just beneath the water’s surface, her ethereal form blending with the cascading currents—some claim to have even glimpsed her visage amidst the foaming white waters.Â
Battery Russell in Fort Stevens
This remarkable military installation came into existence during the Civil War era, constructed with a noble purpose that would evolve over the years. In 1863, as the ravages of war unfolded, the construction of the fort began, designed to guard Oregon’s vulnerable southern shore. Originally known as the Fort at Point Adams, its completion coincided with the end of the Civil War, leaving the fort dormant and unmanned for two decades.
It wasn’t until the eruption of World War II that the fort’s valor would be put to the test. Japanese submarine 1-25 unleashed a barrage of shells upon Battery Russell, yet the commander’s swift and strategic actions prevented significant damage. The fort stood strong, with its guns silent but poised, thwarting the enemy’s advances.Â
Hauntings at Battery Russell
Amidst the shadowy corridors and crumbling structures, witnesses have reported apparitions of a soldier from a forgotten time. Donning the uniform of World War II, this spectral guardian wanders the grounds of Battery Russell. Yet, the soldier’s spectral vigil is not the sole manifestation of the ghostly in Battery Russell. Mysterious phenomena and unexplained occurrences further shroud the site in mystery. Radiant orbs of light, resembling ethereal beacons, materialize in the darkness, believed to be the lingering souls of the soldiers who once defended Fort Stevens.
Wolf Creek Inn in Wolf Creek
This extraordinary establishment, once known as Wolf Creek Tavern, emerged in the early 1880s as a sanctuary for weary pioneers navigating the Applegate Trail. Embracing many esteemed guests, the inn became a haven for notable figures, including the illustrious writer Jack London, whose sojourn within these hallowed walls sparked the creation of the mesmerizing novel “Valley of the Moon.”Â
Hauntings at Wolf Creek Inn
Whispers of ghostly apparitions and unexplained phenomena permeate the air, captivating the souls brave enough to venture into the inn’s depths. Among the many spectral encounters is the presence of an unseen pianist whose ethereal melodies echo through the corridors. Visitors have reported flickering lights, doors mysteriously slamming shut, and the faint sound of a piano playing, even when no one is present. Chairs seem to shift on their own, and objects inexplicably vanish from tabletops. In the kitchen, eyewitnesses claim to have witnessed a baking pan take flight across the room.
Amateur ghost hunters and seasoned paranormal experts have been drawn to the inn’s haunting reputation. The famed 1913 Pioneer Saloon in Nevada even dispatched its mediums to investigate the hauntings at Wolf Creek Inn. Confirming the intense spiritual energy, the mediums concluded that the spirits within the building were remarkably active.
Elsinore Theatre in Salem
This magnificent gothic building, constructed in 1926 at a cost exceeding $200,000, embodied the grandeur and opulence of early 20th-century theaters. Named after the famous Danish castle that served as the backdrop for Shakespeare’s legendary play “Hamlet,” the Elsinore Theatre exuded an air of mystique from its inception. Echoing the ghostly presence of Hamlet’s father within the walls of Elsinore Castle, this theater, too, would become entwined with tales of the otherworldly.
Spirits Among the Spotlight
One of the most prominent apparitions is believed to be Jack, the ghost of a former projectionist who continues his ethereal duties from the projection booth and balcony. Another haunting tale involves a young girl dressed in a white gown who is observed wandering the corridors and even occupying the balcony. The theater’s history adds to the intrigue, with legends of the builder and owner, George Guthrie, still watching over his beloved establishment.Â
Hot Lake Hotel in Hot Lake
This remarkable Colonial Revival hotel, also known as Hot Lake Resort, derived its name from the thermal spring lakes on its grounds. It has served as a luxury resort, a sanitarium, and a pioneering establishment that harnessed geothermal energy for heating, making it the first commercial building in the world to do so.
Native Americans were the first to recognize the healing properties of the hot springs at Hot Lake. The Nez Perce referred to the lake as “Ea-Kesh-Pa,” and it is believed to be one of the earliest thermal springs visited by European settlers in the area. During its heyday, Hot Lake Hotel attracted visitors from far and wide. It gained a reputation as a premier medical facility, attracting patients seeking the therapeutic benefits of the mineral waters.Â
However, tragedy struck in 1934 when a fire ravaged the hotel, destroying a significant portion of the building. Despite this setback, the hotel persevered, though its operations declined over time. It served briefly as a nursing home, an asylum, and even a restaurant and nightclub.Â
The Hauntings of Hot Lake Hotel
Hot Lake Hotel earned a reputation as one of the scariest places in the world due to numerous eerie stories. One common sighting is the apparition of a gardener who reportedly committed suicide on the property. Guests have claimed to see his ghost wandering the grounds, eternally tending to the gardens. The hotel’s past as an insane asylum also adds to its ghostly reputation. Former patients and staff are said to haunt the premises, with tales of disembodied voices, screams in the night, and unexplained footsteps echoing through the hallways.
Perhaps the most haunting accounts come from guests who have stayed in the hotel. Reports of phantom hands touching them while they sleep, objects moving on their own, and unexplained apparitions appearing in mirrors have sent shivers down the spines of those brave enough to spend a night in this haunted establishment. The otherworldly activity extends beyond the hotel itself. Nearby ponds are rumored to harbor mysterious creatures that slither beneath the water’s surface, adding an extra layer of fear and intrigue to the already haunted atmosphere.
One of the most chilling phenomena reported at Hot Lake Hotel is the ghostly piano music heard on the third floor. Legend has it that Robert E. Lee’s wife, who frequently visited the hotel, would bring her own piano, and some believe her spirit continues to serenade unsuspecting guests.
With bloodstains appearing on walls and the constant presence of dark figures, Hot Lake Hotel has become a playground for ghost hunters, spectral enthusiasts, and thrill-seekers looking for a bone-chilling encounter with the otherworldly.
Haunted Oregon
Oregon’s natural beauty is paralleled by its haunted reputation, with a spirit-infested building around every corner. Check out our blog for more hauntings in Oregon, and be sure to book a ghost tour with Portland Ghosts to see some of them in person!
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https://thatoregonlife.com/2022/10/mcmenamins-grand-lodge/
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