In the fall, the landscape of the Beaver State comes alive with color, which creates an enchanting and irresistible experience. But as fall gives way to winter and the leaves begin to shrivel and shed, there's a stillness that descends upon Oregon that's positively eerie. And it's during this late-fall season that we recommend checking out Oregon's most haunted places... because there really isn't anything better than reveling in delightful, frightful fun. This creepy day trip will take you through some of the spookiest places in Oregon, and it's positively perfect for fall!
All seven stops on our Creepy Day Trip Through Oregon are located near Portland, so you can easily complete this adventure in a day. Be sure to make reservations for the various ghost tours, and note museum/restaurant hours on the day you choose to complete this creepy trip.
St. John's Bridge
Standing tall over what's now Portland's Cathedral Park is an allegedly haunted bridge. Legend has it, a 15-year-old girl named Thelma Anne Taylor was murdered beneath the St. Johns Bridge. Her murderer, Morris Leland, bludgeoned her before burying her in a shallow grave in the shadow of the bridge. Over the years, those who drive over the bridge have claimed to hear the blood-curdling screams from poor Thelma.
Oregon Witch's Castle
Just a stone’s throw from Portland, there’s a mysterious woodland trail that leads to one of the most intriguing places in the state. Known as the Witch’s Castle, these ruins in Oregon are nothing short of magical — albeit, perhaps of the dark magic variety.
Pittock Mansion
Known as Oregon's most haunted house, the Pittock Mansion is a place that's sure to give you the creeps. Over the years, this mysterious mansion has played host to a number of eerie residents, both human and spectral. From hoarders to hatchets, this house has seen it all, and that’s why it’s known today as the most haunted house in Oregon! Take a tour and see for yourself... if you dare.
Shanghai Tunnels
Portland was one of the most dangerous ports in the U.S. during the early 19th-century; it was the epicenter of an illicit maritime practice known as shanghaiing. While originally designed for storage and transportation, the Shanghai Tunnels, or the Portland Underground, were also used for human trafficking. It is rumored that the tunnels were used to traffic, or "shanghai," men from the streets of Portland to work as unpaid laborers; many worked for years before being released, and some perished deep in this underworld. This was a dark and violent time in Oregon's history, so it should come as no surprise that these tunnels are now haunted by the aggrieved spirits of the captives who died in the dark recesses beneath the city.
The White Eagle
The White Eagle is one of Oregon's oldest bars, as it dates all the way back to 1905. Originally owned by a duo of Polish immigrant brothers, the bar has had quite the storied history. It's believed that at one point the saloon acted as both a brothel and opium den, in fact. Its haunted reputation isn't surprising when you think about its colorful history. Many believe the spirits who lurk here were once unlucky individuals who mysteriously vanished after descending into the opium den. If you feel like mingling with ghosts, you'll want to have a drink at this haunted bar in Oregon.
Lone Fir Cemetery
Lone Fir Cemetery has been around since the earliest days of Portland, and ghost stories abound about this historic burial ground. As a final resting place for the city's pioneers, founders, early Chinese immigrants, asylum patients, firefighters, and more, the cemetery holds plenty of secrets and lore. If you don't believe in ghosts, you just might after a visit to this haunting cemetery!
The Benson Hotel
The Benson Hotel in downtown Portland is beautiful, sure; but it's also one of the most notoriously haunted hotels in the state. This beautiful hotel was built in 1912, and its "Historic Stairwell" features more than 160 vintage photos and stories about its early days. During your stay, you might just catch a glimpse of the original owner, Simon Benson… who has been dead since 1942.
What did you think of our creepy day trip through Oregon? Did we miss any of your favorite haunted locales? Share your picks for frightful fun in Oregon in the comments below!
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