10 Truly Terrifying Ghost Stories That Prove Portland Is The Most Haunted City In Oregon
Oregon is full of eerie haunted hotels, cemeteries, parks, roads, mansions, and more—but when it comes to the highest amount of concentrated hauntings, Portland takes the cake.
From the phantom ship on the Willamette River to the creepy history of Portland’s Shanghai Tunnels, these 10 bone-chilling ghost stories will give you a glimpse of the Rose City’s history of paranormal activity.
Portland's historic Hollywood Theater is said to be home to a number of benevolent ghosts, including a savvily-dressed man in the upstairs lobby and a woman who paces the halls smoking a cigarette. Guests have also reported seeing apparitions sitting in the back rows of the theater and feeling as though they'd been tapped on the shoulder when no one was behind them.
Lone Fir Cemetery is a lovely---but haunted---place. It's the oldest cemetery in the city, and it's full of fascinating history. There are more than 25,000 people buried here, and some say that there are ghosts still roaming the grounds. Every year on Halloween, the cemetery offers a haunting "Tour of Untimely Departures".
Old Town Pizza in downtown Portland is home of one of the city's most famous ghosts, Nina. She has been haunting the building (which used to be the Merchant Hotel) for over a hundred years. The story goes that she died from being thrown down the elevator shaft, and her ghost has haunted the building ever since. Countless people have seen her wandering the lobby or basement, wearing a black dress.
The Shanghai Tunnels are said to be one of the most haunted places in the country. Underneath the streets of Old Town there's a network of secret underground tunnels that used to be a center for illegal activity between 1850-1941. The terrifying tunnels are most notorious for human trafficking, and ghosts are said to dwell down there to this day. The tunnels are open for tours, and many visitors have claimed to hear ghosts screaming or talking amongst themselves.
The Pittock Mansion is a gorgeous, historic mansion-turned-museum in northwest Portland. While walking through the decadent house, many visitors have reported strange, ghostly occurrences that some believe can be attributed to the Pittock family. Reports include a painting that moves from place to place, disembodied footsteps, apparitions, a window that latches and unlatches on its own, and more.
Over the years, many people have reported seeing a ship sailing down the Willamette River, sounding a foghorn, and then disappearing before their eyes.
Dating back to 1912, this historic hotel is said to be haunted by the ghost of Simon Benson - the hotel's original owner.
This charming amusement park in Portland is said to be inhabited the ghost of a young boy who disappears into thin air.
The Heathman Hotel dates back to 1927, and is said to have a number of haunted rooms. While staying in these particular rooms, guests have reported strange experiences like eerie cold drafts, seeing apparitions, hearing untraceable noises, and faces appearing in the shadows.
This historic music venue in downtown Portland has been the site of numerous paranormal occurrences. Hours after a performance has ended and the crowd has left, people who stuck around have reported hearing disembodied voices and footsteps, and seeing the elevator go up and down with no one in it.
Have you ever had a paranormal experience in Portland?
Portland is not the only haunted city in Oregon. Check out our Ultimate Terrifying Northern Oregon Road Trip for a guide to your next epic ghost hunt.
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