OREGON - LOCATION HISTORY, PARANORMAL BACKGROUND, LINKS

Damascus

Damascus Pioneer Cemetery
Damascus, OR

(image - 2007 Northwest Hauntings staff)

Brief Location History: Cemetery started prior to 1855. Land deeded 26 Apr 1876 for burial ground by James and Margaret Chitwood. [internment.net]

Paranormal Background: Strange sounds, shadows at any time. Many people who have taken pictures say their film has "extra visitors". [theshadowlands.net]

Links:

Burials in Damascus Cemetery

Oregon City

Forbes Barclay House
Oregon CIty, OR

(image from: http://www.mcloughlinhouse.org/barclay.html)

Brief Location History: Location is publicly accessible. Joint tours with the McLoughlin House, which is located next door, are available Wednesday through Sunday. Dr. Forbes Barclay (1812-1873) built the home in 1849 and lived there with his wife Maria Pambrun and their seven children. The home remained in the Barclay family until the 1930's when it was moved from its original waterfront site to its present location next door to the McLoughlin House. Dr. Barclay and his wife are buried in Mountain View Cemetery, Oregon City. In addition to being a physician, Dr. Barclay also served the community as a mayor of Oregon City, superintendent of schools and the first coroner of Oregon.

Paranormal Background: Ghosts reported as being seen here include Dr. Barclay, Dr. Barclay's brother "Uncle Sandy" and a woman. Some of his patients and perhaps his son, who died in infancy haunt the back rooms of the house. Some ghosts that haunt both the McLoughlin House and the Barclay house are a little red headed boy, a woman in a beautiful gown. Muddy dog paw prints have been seen. It is thought the red headed boy died at the Barclay house.

Links:

Most Paranormal -- UK
Barclay House
City of Oregon City Planning Department - McLoughlin Historic District Sites
National Park Service
HauntedHouses.com - detailed information on apparitions

 

Dr. John McLoughlin House
Oregon City, OR

(image from: http://www.mostparanormal.co.uk)

Brief Location History: Location is publicly accessible. Joint tours with the Barclay House, which is located next door, are available Wednesday through Sunday. Dr. John McLoughlin (1784-1857) established Fort Vancouver in 1825. He was chief factor of the Hudson's Bay Company at Fort Vancouver. Because of his role in Oregon's early history, Dr. McLoughlin is frequently referred to as the "Father of Oregon". He and his family moved to this Oregon City home in 1846 and he died here in 1857. The home was saved from demolition in 1909 and was moved from the waterfront to its present location next door to the Barclay house. It has served as a museum since 1910. Dr. and Mrs. McLoughlin were originally buried next to their home. When the home was moved to its current site, so were their graves.

Paranormal Background: The spirits of John and Marguerite McLoughlin started to appear at McLoughlin House when their graves were moved from their original location along with the house. They are now buried between the McLoughlin House and the Barclay House. In the parlour where Dr. McLoughlin died, people have reported a feeling of fear and foreboding. It is thought a murder was once committed here during a later time when the house served as a brothel or during the time vagrants lived there. Chinese spirits huddled in terror were seen by a psychic in one of the rooms now set up as an office. Displays have been changed, things disappear and then reappear and knocking sounds have been heard. Some ghosts that haunt both the McLoughlin House and the Barclay house are a little red headed boy, a woman in a beautiful gown. Muddy dog paw prints have been seen.

Links:

Most Paranormal -- UK
National Park Service
McLoughlin Memorial Association
HauntedHouses.com - detailed information on apparitions
City of Oregon City Planning Department - McLoughlin Historic District Sites

Portland

Shanghai Tunnels
Downtown Portland, Oregon

(photo by Laura Schulte, Oregon.com)

Brief Location History: The practice of shanghaiing (forcing someone to join a ship lacking a full crew by drugging or other underhanded means) took place in Portland, Oregon mostly during the period 1850-1941. Various bars and establishments in the downtown area had trap doors in the floors. "Selected" persons were drugged and dropped down the trap doors, to be held in various locations in the tunnels until transported to a ship, unseen by the public. This method was also used to kidnap women for the overseas sex trade, and the tunnels were extensively used during prohibition to transport liquor.

Paranormal Background: According to The Travel Channel, Portland's Shanghai Tunnels are one of America’s top ten most haunted places. Northwest Paranormal Investigations has proclaimed that the Shanghai Tunnels to be the most haunted place in Oregon and, perhaps, the most haunted place on the West Coast. Theshadowlands.net reports that the spirit of "NINA" has been known to haunt the halls of the tunnels. The spirit has been seen as that of a woman in white, which matched the description of a girl named Nina who died in those tunnels. In fact, the apparition has been known to stay pretty close to where her name "NINA" has been carved into the brick in one of the passages there. It is an original carving that was put there back in the day.

Links:

So many, we've devoted an entire page to them!

 

Nehalem

Nehalem Bay Winery
Nehalem, OR

(image - nehalembaywinery.com)

Brief Location History: The winery property is located in a green valley off Highway 101 in the Nehalem Bay area on the north Oregon coast. Now owned and operated by Ray Shackelford, the winery was established in 1974 by Patrick McCoy. McCoy was traveling on the Oregon coast when he discovered the old, abandoned Mohler Creamery. The creamery had been in production from 1909 to 1959. Converting the creamery property into a winery, McCoy's first production was of blackberry wine on April 1, 1974.

Paranormal Background: hearing voices, seeing shadowy figures, fleeting movement, feelings of uneasiness, apparitions, evp captured with voices saying 'kill me', being touched or pushed but nobody is there. Hot spots: a guest bedroom, open area on second floor, corridor behind winery stage.

Links:

Podcast: MYSTERIOUS UNIVERSE, episode 86, January 18, 2008 (also available through iTunes)
Oregon Coast Winery is Haunted, say Ghost Researchers - January 10, 2008- includes investigation report by C.A.S.P.E.R.

Troutdale

McMenamin's Edgefield Resort
Troutdale, OR

(image -epinions.com)

Brief Location History: Originally built in 1911 as the Multnomah County Poor Farm, where the poor, indigent and elderly could live and work. From 1962 until its closure in 1982 it operated as Edgefield Manor, a nursing home. The 38 acre site has since been converted into a destination resort with a Bed & Breakfast, numerous restaurants and pubs, golf course, brewery and more.

Paranormal Background: haunted rooms, moving objects, ghost cat, ghost dog, woman in white, nurse ghost, child in white, sounds of crying

Links:

Top 10 Haunted Hotels in the United States
Ghosts at Edgefield - Oregon Majiko - Silenced Majority Portal Blog
Edgefield Review at Epinions.com
McMenamins Edgefield
Ghosts at the Edgefield Manor 'Poorhouse' in Troutdale, Oregon
Edgefield EVPs - from Pacific Paranormal Research Society