Ghost Hunting on Oregon’s Coast

By André Hagestedt

As the days shorten, the winds gain a sharper bite, carrying their mournful song across the land. The sea, a restless entity, increasingly cloaks the coastline in ethereal veils of fog. And then, as if on cue, Halloween arrives, a timely reminder of the spectral realms that lie just beyond our perception. It’s no wonder that Oregon’s northern coast, a region steeped in maritime history and shrouded in natural beauty, has cultivated a rich tapestry of ghostly tales. Indeed, the very atmosphere seems conducive to the uncanny, so much so that the remake of "The Fog" chose a fictional North Oregon Coast town as its setting. From mischievous poltergeists flinging kitchenware in Seaside to the spectral residents of a historic hotel in Nehalem Bay, and the pervasive hauntings of the ancient city of Astoria, the Oregon coast offers a compelling destination for the intrepid ghost-hunting tourist. This exploration of Ghost Hunting on Oregon’s Coast will delve into some of the most intriguing paranormal hotspots along this scenic stretch of land.

Sleepless in Seaside

The town of Seaside, Oregon, a popular destination known for its sandy beaches and family-friendly atmosphere, also harbors a collection of eerie tales, though they seem somewhat obscured, almost as if intentionally swept under the rug. Yet, for those seeking a ghostly thrill, Seaside holds its share of mysteries.

For nearly a century, the grand Hotel Seaside, later rebranded as The Seasider, stood as a prominent landmark near the Turnaround, the iconic end-point of Broadway Street where visitors traditionally turn their vehicles around. This magnificent structure, a beacon of hospitality, inevitably accumulated stories of apparitions and otherworldly guests over the years. Numerous spirits were said to frequent its halls, imbuing the hotel with an aura of the uncanny.

Today, the Shilo Inn occupies the same prime location, but the demolition of the old hotel did not mark the end of the paranormal activity. According to Bob Girtle, owner of Girtle’s Restaurant, a popular eatery just down the street on Broadway, the displaced spooks relocated to his establishment. Girtle has recounted numerous instances of otherworldly happenings within the restaurant, some witnessed firsthand, others shared by his employees. One recurring phenomenon involves mysterious shadows of feet walking behind the door of a closed-off section of the kitchen, visible through the small gap between the floor and the door. This occurs even when it’s impossible for anyone to be inside. So convinced are Girtle and his staff of the phenomenon’s authenticity that they no longer bother to investigate the room when the shadows appear.

Another notorious incident involves a flying coffee pot in the galley area between the kitchen and the main dining room. Bob and his staff have witnessed this phenomenon multiple times. Sometimes the pot merely shifts slightly, while other times it is flung across the hallway with considerable force.

Adding a layer of historical context, Bob mentioned that he inherited some employees from the old Seasider back in the 1980s, and at least one of them claimed to recognize some of the same ghosts that had haunted the hotel. This suggests a continuity of paranormal activity, with the spirits seemingly tied to the location rather than the specific building.

John Sowa, owner of Lil’ Bayou, a New Orleans-style restaurant in Seaside, has also reported unexplained occurrences. He has recounted tales of objects moving on their own in the kitchen and a distinct feeling of being watched while alone in his office. Kitchen utensils are often found in different places than where employees left them, and objects occasionally fall from hooks or shelves seemingly without explanation.

Lil’ Bayou is situated in the historic Gilbert District of Seaside, an area characterized by its charming, atmospheric buildings, many of which feature unused upstairs spaces. This district has experienced a revitalization in recent years, and whispers of ghostly activity often accompany the renovation of these old structures. The intersection of history and renovation seems to create a fertile ground for paranormal phenomena.

Even the Seaside Aquarium, a beloved local attraction, may have its own resident spirits. About eighty years ago, the building housed apartments on the top floor when it was still a natatorium, an indoor swimming facility. This area is rarely used today, but manager Keith Chandler has heard stories over the years suggesting that the top floor is haunted. Over time, various accounts of unexplained noises emanating from that area have been passed down, contributing to the aquarium’s mysterious allure. As you embark on Ghost Hunting on Oregon’s Coast, keep an open mind.

Eerie and Not-So-Eerie on the Bay

Manzanita, a picturesque town situated at the northern end of Nehalem Bay, is shrouded in mists and mystery. Dominating the landscape is Neahkahnie Mountain, a legendary peak that looms overhead, its slopes concealing tales of a shipwreck and buried treasure. Some versions of this legend include disturbing details of atrocities, such as the purported burial of African slaves alive with the treasure to deter Native Americans from claiming it. Whether these tales are rooted in fact or folklore, they contribute to the area’s mystique.

Adding to the enigma of Manzanita are the mysterious piles of rocks that have appeared on its beaches over the years, seemingly overnight. These formations sometimes take the form of single piles or stacks, carefully balanced and aesthetically pleasing. The identity of the artist or artists responsible for these enigmatic creations remains unknown, leading to speculation of an otherworldly origin.

In the nearby town of Wheeler, which faces Nehalem Bay, Winston Laszlo, owner of the Old Wheeler Hotel, has encountered several unexplained phenomena in the historic building. He has reported seeing fleeting glimpses of someone in the corner of his eye, only to find that no one is there.

On one occasion, Winston was looking in a mirror in the hotel’s public area and saw the reflection of a man sitting in a chair behind him. When he turned around to confront the man, whom he didn’t recognize as a guest, the chair was empty.

A pair of ghost hunters even visited the hotel and captured photos of what they believed to be "spirit orbs" just outside the basement area. Winston still keeps copies of these photographs, adding to the growing collection of evidence of paranormal activity at the Old Wheeler Hotel.

Winston and his wife, Maranne Doyle-Laszlo, recounted that the entire building seemed to resist their efforts to remodel the dilapidated structure into a first-rate hotel. They experienced a persistent feeling that a presence was orchestrating a series of disasters and setbacks, such as a window blowing out during a storm. However, one day, they felt that the building had finally accepted them, and the reconstruction proceeded smoothly thereafter.

In an email sent just before her visit, ghost hunter Martina DeLude offered an explanation for this phenomenon. She suggested that "Ghosts that haunt residential and business locations become very threatened when someone starts changing things they are accustomed to. Some spirits become incensed when furniture is moved around. Just like the living, most spirits do not like change. Possibly, as soon as they realized that it was again going to become a hotel – perhaps something they may remember – they decided to help you along instead of stifling your efforts."

Adding another layer to the area’s folklore, Garry Gitzen, owner of Wheeler Antiques, recounted a story about a Wheeler woman, a descendant of local tribes, who burned down her house in recent years because disturbing spirits haunted it. She chose this drastic measure rather than tearing the house down, and the property remains undeveloped to this day. Rumors circulate that Native American children had died in a fire on that very spot in ancient times, potentially explaining the lingering paranormal activity.

However, not all is unsettling in Wheeler. According to Winston and Garry, a group of benevolent spirits known as the "Good Spirits of Wheeler" inhabit the town, and Peg Miller, owner of Ekahni Books, describes the area as a "spiritual vortex lite." They all refer to a phenomenon they call a "Wheeler Moment," where serendipity seems to manifest. Locals recount numerous instances of pleasant, happy coincidences that have assisted people in various ways. These incidents often involve someone expressing a desire to do something, and then someone or some opportunity arises to help them achieve their goal.

Astoria – Or Ghostoria?

Located at the very tip of Oregon, Astoria, the oldest settlement west of the Mississippi, boasts a wealth of significant ghost stories. Considering its rich history and maritime heritage, it’s not surprising that Astoria has earned a reputation as a haunted city. The rich maritime history and old buildings create the perfect setting for tales of Ghost Hunting on Oregon’s Coast.

The Liberty Theater is widely regarded as one of Astoria’s most haunted locations. This historic theater, which once hosted legendary performers such as Duke Ellington, Jack Benny, and Guy Lombardo, and supposedly even the notorious gangster Al Capone, is also said to be occupied by a spectral resident named Paul. According to the Clatsop County Historical Society, one employee described Paul as "quite handsome," referring to him as Handsome Paul. He is said to wear a "white tuxedo and a Panama hat," adding to his debonair image.

Cast and crew members over the years have reported sightings of Paul. While he is primarily observed as an apparition, he has also been known to slam doors and create other disruptive noises. Other accounts from the theater include objects moving through the air and knobs unscrewing themselves from appliances and utilities, suggesting the presence of multiple spectral inhabitants.

Another location with a reputation for being haunted is the firehouse. In addition, the town has a dark history of men being "shanghaied" in the early part of the century, further contributing to its ghostly allure. The term "shanghaied" refers to the practice of kidnapping men and forcing them to work as sailors, a brutal and exploitative practice that left a lasting scar on Astoria’s history.

For those interested in further exploring the Oregon Coast, numerous resources are available, including websites offering extensive virtual tours of the region. When you decide to go Ghost Hunting on Oregon’s Coast, you’ll have a great time.

©2005 André Hagestedt, updated February 2024.

About the Author: André Hagestedt is the editor of Beach Connection, a tourism publication covering the upper half of Oregon’s coast – some 180 miles.