There’s a place in southern Oregon that seems to blatantly defy the laws of physics, gravity, and perspective, distorting the way we experience reality entirely. This place is called the Oregon Vortex and the House of Mystery and, after opening to the public in the 1930s, the vortex in Oregon has garnered attention from media companies throughout the world, including the History Channel, The New York Times, Ripley’s Believe it or Not, and more – and for good reason.

 

When you enter the vortex in Oregon, things begin to change. 
James Wellington/Flickr
First, there's nowhere within the vortex where you can stand fully upright. As if pulled by a magnetic force, your body leans slightly north. And then, you may start to notice the people around you subtly changing sizes.
Aaron/Flickr
According to the Oregon Vortex's website: "Nowhere in the circle do you normally stand erect. Inevitably the visitor assumes a posture that inclines toward magnetic north....as another person, on a level platform, recedes from you towards magnetic south, they appear taller. When they approach you, coming towards magnetic north, they become shorter. This is contrary to the laws of perspective, as we know it, and must be seen to be believed."

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They're absolutely correct about that - it definitely must! 
Jim Hickcox/Flickr
The strangeness of the area has been recognized for many years. Past generations of Native Americans were known to avoid the area, and their horses refused to go there. Per OregonVortex.com, the official website: "The Native Americans called the area the Forbidden Ground, a place to be shunned. Many years before The House of Mystery was built, it was noted that unusual conditions existed there." (oregonvortex.com)
The House of Mystery seems to be at the center of the weirdness.
nac!/Flickr
James Wellington/Flickr
In this old, slanted house, balls roll uphill and brooms stand on their own. Honestly, this place is an absolute wonder.

Of course, there is an explanation for all of this high strangeness, but we don’t want to spoil it. You’ll have to pay a visit to the vortex in Oregon to find out what the big secret is! Looking for more Oregonian weirdness? Check this article out! 

What do you think makes The Vortex in Oregon so special? Have you ever visited this hidden gem? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

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The Vortex in Oregon

Tori Jane | February 23, 2021

What are some weird places in Oregon?

Lucky for us, there's no shortage of weirdness in the beautiful state of Oregon. After all, "Keep Portland Weird" is the slogan for that particular city, and it's no surprise - the Enchanted Forest Theme Park, for example, is a fairy-tale wonderland full of weirdness within city limits. Also in Portland is the world's largest indie bookstore, called Powell's City Of Books (it's huge). You also can't miss the Freakybuttrue Peculiarium, a museum of oddities that will leave you scratching your head.

Are there any supernatural places in Oregon?

Oregon is filled to the brim with (allegedly) haunted and otherwise unsettling spots. Take your pick from any number of weird, unexplained things around the state, like the Geiser Grand Hotel (rumored to be haunted by the wandering souls of dancers and previous patrons of the hotel), or any of the hundreds of rumored-to-be haunted hotels and motels. There are also other, less-usually haunted spots, like Lithia Park, in Ashland, where people report three different apparitions on the regular.

What are some unusual things to do in Oregon?

Defy gravity at the Vortex in central Oregon, or check out Mill Ends Park - the tiniest park in the world. It's all of two feet wide. Seriously. The Painted Hills are pretty weird, too, looking like something out of an alien landscape. There's also the creepy "Octopus Tree" in Tillamook, which is an unusually large spruce tree with entirely too many trunks. There are literally hundreds of weird and interesting things to discover in Oregon!

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4303 Sardine Creek L Fork Rd, Gold Hill, OR 97525, USA