9 Reasons That Washington Is The Most Terrifying, Spookiest State
By Jessica Wick|Updated on December 15, 2022(Originally published December 15, 2022)
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Jessica Wick
Author
Jessica Wick is a writer and travel enthusiast who loves exploring new places, meeting new people and, of course, beautiful Big Sky Country and every part of Washington State.
Washington is a beautiful state. It’s also surprisingly creepy. Every state has its ghost stories and unsolved mysteries, and some of them are pretty eerie – but we think that Washington has them beat. The sheer number of creepy places and moments in history in Washington is staggering! If there was a medal for Most Hauntings, we like to think we’d take it home. Here are some of the things that make Washington the creepiest state, starting with the 13 Steps to Hell.
1. First, let's talk about Maltby's 13 Steps to Hell.
This spot is so creepy, the steps have been removed from Maltby's cemetery. But before they were, there were 13 steps starting at ground level descending into the ground leading to the back entrance of the tomb of a wealthy family. People, especially teens, would dare each other to go down the stairs, touch the door to the tomb, and come back. But when the unlucky people turned around after completing the dare, they would apparently get a terrifying glimpse into hell. Some people were so traumatized they were left unable to speak. What in the hell? Pun intended.
2. Then there's the serial killer who once put a hex on his captors... and it worked.
Serial killer Jake Bird was sentenced to death in 1947 for the heinous murders of Bertha Kludt and her daughter, Beverly June Kludt (he is thought to have killed up to 46 people). At his sentencing, Bird announced that he was placing a hex on anyone who had anything to do with his punishment, stating "Mark my words, you will die before I do." And then six people who were involved with his trial actually died of different causes before his 1949 execution. Yikes.
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3. As if Prosser's Gravity Hill wasn't creepy enough, now we have child ghosts to worry about.
Gravity Hill is located just north of Prosser, in the middle of nowhere and just down the street from an old, supposedly haunted grain elevator. The starting point is clearly marked, and if you put your car in neutral, it will begin to roll up the hill. And according to legend, if you dust the back of your car first, you'll be able to see the tiny handprints of the ghost children that pushed your car. Great. Definitely not terrifying!
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4. If you're walking around the city of Auburn after dark, watch out for an angry man without a face.
Many years ago, a wealthy landowner sold the property that came to form the city of Auburn. Apparently the man isn't happy about the way that his land is being used, because according to local legend, he roams around A Street at night and has angrily walked through walls just to freak people out. Oh, and he doesn't have a face.
On June 24, 1947, a pilot named Kenneth Arnold spotted nine flying saucers over Mt. Rainier. This was the first major sighting of the era, and it initiated a massive UFO craze.
6. Let's not forget our creepy history, like the fact that Starvation Heights used to exist.
In the early 1900s, this woman, Linda Burfield Hazzard, created a "health sanitarium" called Wilderness Heights in Olalla. But her method for achieving "health" was actually starvation, and many of her patients died. Today, the foundation of the building and the incinerator are all that remain, unless you count the spirits of her victims that are said to roam the property.
7. In 1899, a large ship sank in Commencement Bay near Tacoma, and no one knows why.
The ship was called the Andelana, and it was arriving from China. The ship capsized at the mouth of the Puyallup River, killing the captain and the 18 person crew. The two divers who were later sent to recover the ship also died, and no one knows why.
Mariner High School in Everett has its own mascot... and it has glowing eyes. The high school keeps their lights on all night, but they often start to flicker around midnight, sometimes shutting off. Some people swear they have seen glowing eyes inside.
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9. One of the most haunted spots in the state is a cemetery.
The Black Diamond Cemetery is the final resting place of many coal miners, and legend has it that you'll hear them singing and whistling... and you might even see their flickering lanterns... at night.
Which of these creepy facts had the hair on the back of your neck standing on end? Let us know in the comments! Washington might be spooky, but that just makes it even more interesting. If you’re hoping to see a ghost here, we recommend gassing up the car for our haunted Washington road trip. You’ll hit up nine of the most haunted spots in Washington on one route, it’s the perfect adventure for thrill seekers.
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More to Explore
Haunted Washington
Sara Dager|December 15, 2022
What are the most haunted places in Washington?
There are a shocking number of haunted places in Washington that you can visit, just take a look at all of these creepy spots:
Staying at a haunted hotel is such a unique and creepy experience, they are perhaps not the best places for a great night's sleep but they offer a lot of intrigue! Take a look at some of the best haunted hotels in Washington below:
Are there any abandoned places I can visit in Washington?
Visiting abandoned places is such a fun way to learn about the history of an area. Some of the coolest abandoned places in Washington are:
The former Western State Hospital Building
The Ghost town of Melmont
The Ghost town of Bodie
We do recommend looking into each of these spots before you visit, some may not be safe or legal to go inside, but you can still admire from a distance!
