Its not just Houses that get Haunted!
As pumpkins begin to line front porches, and leaves sparkle over front yards, Halloween is surely on its way in Seattle. I love Halloween. You may know that this holiday wasn’t always jack-o-lanterns and haunted houses though. It comes from Samhain, a Celtic festival of the dead – or at least that’s the lineage I come from. As a descendant of two witches and a practicing witch myself, I have always felt a strong connection to the mystical and the unknown. My experience as a former tour guide for the Seattle Underground has only deepened my fascination with the eerie side of our city. What we now call Halloween can also trace its roots to All Saints Eve, or Dia de los Muertos, both days which similarly honor this time when the veil between worlds is thin. My friends, we can all be a bit more like Tyler Henry, the medium popularized through various streaming channels.
But here in Seattle, there are many ways to discover the esoteric, the supernatural. As a pioneer town filled with sailors, lumberjacks and “seamstresses,” it’s got a dark and tawdry past. Perhaps the darker skies pull out our inner demons more than sunnier climates? Perhaps we hold the idea that dark and light are balanced? Either which way, I thought I’d share a few scary stories about Seattle and the nearby cities. It’s not just houses that get haunted.
Masonic Home of Washington – Des Moines
When I first saw this building, I had a hunch. Listed as an endangered building, it’s currently fenced off while residents and city leaders debate whether or not it should be torn down. I wonder if the ghost has anything to do with that? The Landmark Building in Des Moines, originally the Masonic Home of Washington, is not just an architectural treasure completed in 1926; it’s also home to the resident ghost, George. This tuxedo-clad spirit is said to roam the hallways, captivating those who dare to explore its stunning box beam ceilings and intricate stained glass.
According to ghost hunters and local legends, George’s presence has been felt by many visitors and staff, sparking intrigue and fascination within the community. In a recent TikTok video by @prettygrittytours, tales of strange noises and shadowy figures add to the building’s haunted reputation, making it a compelling destination for ghost enthusiasts. Personally, I think it would be a great venue for another McMenamins Hotel?
As the city deliberates its uncertain fate, the blend of rich history and spectral tales keeps the spirit of the Landmark Building alive, inviting all who enter to ponder the mysteries within its walls.
In 2021, I was also a tour guide for the Georgetown Haunted History Tour, and brought people through haunted bars, houses, the steam plant, and of course, Potter's Field!
Potter’s Field- Georgetown
Pretty much everywhere in this industrial neighborhood has had a ghost story. Like Pioneer Square, it was early known as a place for the sin and debauchery. But Georgetown's Potter’s Field holds the most chilling secret of all: the remains of 3,260 people whose final resting place has long been forgotten. Originally a cemetery for the indigent and unknown in the early 20th century, this site has been transformed into processing plants and warehouses, erasing the history of those who suffered from epidemics and isolation.
The story of these individuals, many of whom lived and died in a tuberculosis sanatorium nearby, is both heartbreaking and eerie. As researchers dig deeper, they uncover tales of notorious figures, like the infamous Thomas Hamilton Blanck, whose criminal legacy haunts the area. When the cemetery was closed in 1912, the remains were exhumed and cremated, but the fate of their ashes remains a mystery, leading many to wonder: what unseen forces linger where the dead once rested? This unmarked burial ground now serves as a haunting reminder of the lives once lived and the stories yet to be told, making it a truly unsettling chapter in Seattle’s history.
Three Tree Point Store - Burien
Burien's recently restored Three Tree Point Store, originally opened in 1903, may seem like a charming stop for local goods, but many believe it carries more than just the weight of history—ghostly activities have reportedly lingered here for years. After being lovingly refurbished by owner Todd Manola, the store retains much of its original character, including a vintage deli slicer and old cash register. Yet, the spirits of the past seem to inhabit its walls. Visitors and staff alike have shared spine-chilling tales of doors opening on their own, glasses flying off shelves, and shadowy figures appearing in windows. Even Todd himself experienced a mysterious push while working alone in the basement!
With a history that includes serving as a grocery store, butcher shop, and even a lending library, this iconic location has seen many lives, both living and spectral. As you explore this unique shop, keep your eyes peeled—you might just encounter a glimpse of "Gerald," the ghostly captain rumored to roam the halls, or feel the eerie presence that has left both patrons and staff with a case of the "heebie jeebies." Will you be brave enough to visit?
The Schooner Equator- Everett
For example, did you imagine that a boat could be Haunted? As the Titanic Exhibition is one place to look, but we have our own haunted ship moored here in Everett. The Schooner Equator, carries a haunting legacy that echoes through its dilapidated hull. Built in 1888 by famed shipwright Matthew Turner, this historic vessel has seen countless adventures, including a journey with author Robert Louis Stevenson. Over the years, however, the Equator fell into disrepair, ultimately being abandoned as a breakwater on Jetty Island.
Today, ghostly tales surround the Schooner, with reports of dancing lights above the hull at night, believed to be the spirits of Stevenson and Hawaiian King Kalakaua. Despite its advanced deterioration, the Port of Everett is committed to preserving its story, partnering with archaeologists to study its remains and honor its legacy through future exhibits. As the Schooner Equator faces dismantling, it leaves behind a spectral reminder of its rich maritime history, captivating all who dare to explore its haunting past.
The Northern State Hospital- Sedro Woolley
In Washington, it seems essential to include a haunted hike. This ghost town loop is a sure way to get your adrenaline running. Once a grand early-20th-century sanitarium, this notorious site was designed by the Olmstead Brothers and boasted its own self-sustaining town. However, the horrors of treatments like transorbital lobotomies darkened its illustrious beginnings. Today, while some buildings are still operational, many abandoned structures are nestled within the Northern State Recreation Area, inviting the brave to uncover hidden stories in its barns, milking sheds, and cannery.
A visit to the cemetery, the final resting place for about 1,500 patients, offers a poignant reminder of the lives once lived here and attracts photographers captivated by its haunting allure. For anyone interested in the intersection of history and real estate, Northern State Hospital stands as a chilling testament to the past—perfect for those who appreciate the mysterious side of Seattle’s neighborhoods.
Personal Homes
These places can be fun to visit, and then return home. But if you are curious to learn if your future dream house might be haunted - or if you’ve realized you’ve got a haunted house on your hands and it’s time to sell, I’d love to chat with you. Short of doing a seance, there are a few tricks that I can offer before you make that offer. Most of them boil down to good-old-fashioned real estate know-how, and a little bit of research. But I’ve got a few other secrets I can share too. Let me know if you’d like to learn more!
