Portland History & Hauntings

Written By Meadowlark Collective PDX

👻 Haunted Portland: Ghost Stories from the City’s Most Historic Buildings

portland oregon ghost hunting pearl district portfolio

Every city has its fair share of restless spirits, but Portland’s ghosts have stories to tell. From underground tunnels to towering mansions, the Rose City’s haunted past lingers in the flicker of candlelight and the creak of century-old floorboards.

This Halloween season, we’ve rounded up some of Portland’s most notorious haunts—where history, mystery, and a few lingering souls come together. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker or a history buff, these ghostly sites promise chills, charm, and plenty of Portland lore.

Let's get started!

old town pizza ghosts portland oregon pearl district

Few Portland locations are as famously haunted as Old Town Pizza & Brewing—home to the ghostly spirit of Nina, said to wander its dim corners for more than a century.

The building began its long history in 1880 as the Merchant Hotel with a bar, brothel, and was host to other notorious activities until the mid-1960s. It was remodeled in 1968 and housed offices, a furniture store, and other functions until 1974 when Old Town Pizzeria, now Old Town Brewing (OTB), moved in and remains. The building was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1975 and designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1977.

All that history gives the ghosts and ghouls plenty of time to take hold! As legend has it, Nina was employed by the Merchant Hotel and fell down an elevator shaft, one of the first hydraulic elevators in the modernizing city. Her spirit tenaciously clings to the location, and the reports of the "woman in black" persist to this day.

Adding to the intrigue, OTB sits above the infamous Shanghai Tunnels—a network of underground passages once used to move goods from ships to merchants, and, allegedly, to shanghai unsuspecting souls into forced labor.

So, if you're looking for a combo of ghost hunting, good pizza and beer, and a trip into the nefarious history and dark places below OTB, make reservations here.

Pittock Mansion haunted ghosts pearl district portfolio portland oregon 
Image A2001-045.996 : Pittock Mansion 1964

Perched high above the city, Pittock Mansion is as magnificent as it is mysterious. Built in 1914 for publisher Henry Pittock and his wife Georgiana, the estate was filled with cutting-edge luxuries—electric lighting, intercoms, and even a central vacuum system—decades before such amenities became common.

Unfortunately, Henry and Georgiana wouldn't get to enjoy their fabulous home for long; they died shortly after construction was finished. Many believe they never truly left. Visitors and staff have reported moving portraits, phantom footsteps, and disembodied voices echoing through the halls. Tour guides even claim to see Henry and Georgiana walking together at dawn, perhaps reliving the joy of their short-lived dream home.

👻 Experience it yourself — book a tour of Pittock Mansion here.

The elegant Benson Hotel opened in 1913, is one of downtown Portland’s most iconic (and haunted) landmarks. Its namesake, Simon Benson, was a pioneer in Oregon’s timber industry and a devoted philanthropist. His ghostly image has been seen walking down the main stairs dressed in a suit and tie, primarily on the 7th, 9th, and 12th floors.

Benson was a trailblazer in the booming turn-of-the-century logging industry. He's even credited with inventing the donkey steam engine, a type of logging raft that bears his name. Benson's larger-than-life presence has reportedly remained in the spirit world. His ghostly image has been seen walking down the main stairs dressed in a suit and tie, primarily on the 7th, 9th, and 12th floors. It’s been reported that his visage has also donned lumberjack garb, wandering the halls of his hotel in plaid and denim.

Be careful if you order a drink, Benson was a staunch prohibitionist, and his spirit is known to knock over alcoholic beverages and tap people on the shoulder in the lounge.

But he’s not the only presence here. Guests have also reported a mischievous little boy, a woman in turquoise, and the faint laughter of unseen visitors echoing through the corridors.

For a hauntingly historic stay, reserve a night at The Benson Hotel.

Image: Hollywood Theatre

Opened in 1926, The Hollywood Theatre is one of the oldest and most beloved movie houses in the country—and, some say, one of the most haunted.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this art deco gem has hosted countless filmgoers... and a few spirits.

Moviegoers have reported seeing the apparition of a man gliding silently across the audience, while employees tell of a mysterious woman who vanishes from her seat when approached.

For more paranormal tales, explore Portland Ghosts and their investigations of the theater’s eerie history and visit the Hollywood Theatre to see for youself!

Known as “the most haunted bar in Portland,” the White Eagle Saloon & Hotel has been a hub of music, mischief, and mystery since 1905.

Opened by Polish immigrants, the White Eagle served as a gathering place for working-class men and travelers, and possibly a few restless spirits.

There are many reported supernatural occurrences at the White Eagle. Two apparitions have become so familiar that they have names, Sam and Rose. Sources disagree as to who Rose may have been - someone held captive in the basement? A worker murdered and discovered by her lover? The answer to Rose's identity is unclear, but her presence can be seen wandering the hotel's hall, a mysterious weeping shadow. 

The most familiar ghost is Sam, a harmless trickster who, according to the McMenamins’ website, was an orphan adopted by the owners and made his residence at the hotel. Regardless of your interest in local ghosts, the White Eagle is worth a visit for the great music, history, and ambiance.

For more McMenamins (all locations) spooktacular events, tours, and great fun, visit the event page! 

Lone Fir Cemetery: One of Portland’s most famous haunted places

We would be remiss not to include the Lone Fir on our Halloween list!

Unsurprisingly, one of the city's largest graveyards and certainly one of the oldest, the Lone Fir Cemetery is well known for having myriad spooks creeping between the tombstones.

Home to more than 25,000 souls dating back to 1846, Lone Fir’s headstones mark the graves of Shanghai captains, asylum patients, and “fancy ladies” from Portland’s wilder past.

During October, the Friends of Lone Fir Cemetery offers "haunted" tours provide an insight into the cemetery's residents who lived on the seedier side of Portland's history: Shanghai captains, asylum patients, and "fancy ladies" all eternally sleep in the Lone Fir.

Image: Slabtown Tours

Our favorite haunted tour guides, cloaked in shadows, glide through the winding streets, whispering tales of the restless spirits that haunt our newly risen neighborhoods. They lead the way through the eerie fog of history, where the past never truly sleeps... and neither do the ghosts.

 Reserve your tour here—if you dare! Reserve: Slabtown Ghost Tours

Connect with Us

Visit #AroundthePearl and the News to learn what’s happening in the Pearl District, and follow us on @aroundthepearl.pdx.
Sign up for the newsletter and follow us on social media.
Portland’s Original Creative District
We are committed to ensuring this mixed-use district continues to function as a vibrant center of art and culture, urban housing, and creativity. Through the adaptive reuse of our eight distinct buildings, we continue to honor the Pearl District’s history while providing a range of spaces unique and unequaled in Portland.

Meadowlark Collective PDX

WE TURN GREAT IDEAS INTO REAL RESULTS

At Meadowlark Collective, we specialize in delivering exceptional marketing and communication strategies tailored to small businesses and organizations that may not have the resources for a full-time marketing team or agency. Whether it’s refreshing your branding, enhancing your digital presence, or refining your communications strategy, we’re here to make it happen.

Every project we take on is as unique as the client behind it.

We pride ourselves on crafting powerful, innovative strategies that break through the constraints of budget and company size.

By working closely with all stakeholders, we gain a deep understanding of your goals and vision, allowing us to create a clear, actionable plan that drives results.

Our cutting-edge solutions are designed to elevate your organization and move you closer to achieving your business aspirations.

Think of us as your strategic partner and creative ally—always ready to collaborate, innovate, and deliver when you need us most.

https://www.meadowlarkcollectivepdx.com/
Previous

Warming up for the Holidays in the Pearl
Next

Get ready to celebrate!