This Abandoned Ghost Town in Alaska Is Downright Bone Chilling

I think it's safe to say that most people who live in Alaska have heard a story or two about Bigfoot. Many people have reported sightings of these mysterious creatures, and some of the stories that I’ve heard have been downright terrifying. Today, I am sharing a Bigfoot tale about an abandoned town in Alaska that will send shivers down your spine. Today, let's learn about Portlock's ghost town history.

Right on the southern tip of the Kenai Peninsula, you'll find the town of Portlock, Alaska. It was once a vibrant village, but now all that is left is an unsettling ghost town with several rotting houses. It’s one of the most frightening abandoned places in Alaska, in our opinion. Although Aleut people lived on the southern tip of the Kenai Peninsula for thousands of years, no one had a settlement in the area until the 1780s.

Portlock was a thriving town until everyone abandoned the village in 1950, with most residents moving to nearby villages down the coast. A mine tunnel, house pilings, and rusted cannery equipment are all that remain of Portlock, Alaska, today.

So what happened? How did Portlock become an abandoned town in Alaska? According to local history, an unexplained hairy creature continuously assaulted and stalked the villagers, murdering them and leaving their bodies until they finally all abandoned the area.

Where Is Portlock, Alaska?

This eerie little town lies on the southern end of the Kenai Peninsula in south-central Alaska. The village of Portlock was established when Captain Nathanial Portlock of the Royal British Navy landed there in 1787. It was an unexplored, beautiful area filled with fish and plenty of space. The town eventually became known as one of the creepiest places in Alaska. Many are afraid to visit this area due to the unexplained circumstances that continue to happen there. If you believe the residents of the nearby villages of Seldovia, Nanwalek, and Port Graham, the area of this remote Alaska ghost town is haunted.

When Did the Portlock, Alaska, Mystery Begin?

In 1905, it was reported that all the workers left their Portlock, Alaska, cannery jobs due to something mysterious "bothering" the camp. The cannery workers returned the following season, but strange and unexplained events were continually reported. An air of fear and mystery began to pervade the small town. Was Portlock, Alaska, haunted?

Is There Bigfoot in Alaska?

In one of the most mysterious stories, a town resident claimed to see a huge, hairy man destroying fish wheels along the beach. He ran home to get his gun, and when he returned, the beast stared at him for several moments, then walked off. Sightings like these caused unease to ramp up within the town.

But there are more true stories about Portlock, some of which are bone-chilling, like bodies recovered from the nearby lagoon that often had strange wounds that a bear did not make. The loss of these lives took a toll on the small community. It's understandable how fear began to set in. People started to leave the town. All the unexplained disappearances and murders in the town caused everyone to feel like they had to flee.

After a year alone, the post office closed in 1950, and the postmaster was the last resident to leave. Even the postmaster couldn’t continue here. This town experienced more than 50 years of hauntings, murders, and disappearances before the townspeople gave in and left. To be honest, we don't blame them as there were too many strange events in Portlock that could turn anyone's blood ice cold.

Does Anybody Live in Portlock Today?

Portlock is still primarily uninhabited to this day; the town was dissolved as a census-designated place in the 1980s and has not been reported again since then. However, this abandoned town in Alaska does still get occasional visitors. In the 1970s, for example, fishermen were forced to take refuge from a storm and reported something strange walked through their camp on two feet. It terrified them, and they left as soon as possible. Seventy years after the hauntings started, they were still continuing when people visited the area.

The ghost town of Portlock, Alaska, has a mysterious history. Whether or not this is a stronghold of Bigfoot, you can decide for yourself. The disappearances and the bodies found were too horrible for anyone to continue living in this small town.

Do you love being terrified? If you love creepy places in Alaska, we've put together a road trip to some of the most haunted places that are sure to scare the pants off of you. Or if you are like us and would rather visit someplace full of beauty and not as much spooky lore, check out these beautiful places in Alaska for your bucket list. We also recommend adding some of these hidden gems to your next adventure or even consider booking a quiet, remote vacation rental for a peaceful escape.