Haunted Story of Oregon State Hospital — Salem

Then you’ll love Oregon, a state with a rich history of ghostly sightings and haunted locations.

Nusrat
ILLUMINATION
4 min readFeb 27, 2023

--

Abandoned morgue in a psychiatric hospital — Image by jcomp on Freepik

Are you a fan of the paranormal?

Do you love exploring places with dark and mysterious pasts? Then you’ll love Oregon, a state with a rich history of ghostly sightings and haunted locations. From abandoned hospitals to eerie lighthouses, there are plenty of places in Oregon where you can experience the thrill of the unknown.

One such place is the Oregon State Hospital in Salem, which has a long and eerie history that includes tales of haunting and paranormal activity.

The Oregon State Hospital opened its doors in 1883 as the Oregon State Insane Asylum. It was the only mental hospital in the state at the time and served as a refuge for those suffering from mental illness. Over the years, the hospital grew and expanded, and its reputation as a place of healing and recovery was well-known throughout the region.

If you want to join Medium so you get access to all these paywall-protected stories you can use my referral link. There’s no extra cost to you and I will get a part of your fee — it’s a win-win

However, as time passed, reports of abuse and mistreatment of patients began to surface. It wasn’t until the 1970s that reforms were implemented to address these issues. Despite these efforts, the hospital’s history is still plagued by reports of mistreatment, neglect, and tragedy.

Photo by Andy Li on Unsplash

Many believe that the traumatic events within the hospital’s walls have left an imprint on the building, resulting in numerous reports of paranormal activity. Visitors and employees alike have reported hearing strange noises, seeing apparitions, and feeling an unexplainable sense of dread while inside the hospital.

One of the most well-known stories of paranormal activity at the hospital centres around the infamous “J” Building. This building was used to house the criminally insane, and it is said that the patients who died there never truly left. Visitors to the building have reported hearing screams and cries coming from within its walls, even though the building has been vacant for years.

Photo by Andy Li on Unsplash

Another popular story is that of a nurse who is said to haunt the hospital’s tunnels. According to the legend, the nurse committed suicide by jumping down one of the elevator shafts, and her spirit now wanders the tunnels, looking for the elevator she fell.

While the stories of paranormal activity at the Oregon State Hospital may be unsettling, they also remind us of the hospital’s troubled past. Today, the hospital has undergone significant renovations and improvements, and its mission is to provide compassionate and effective care for those in need.

Despite its dark history, the Oregon State Hospital has become an essential part of the community, and its legacy continues to be felt throughout the state. Whether you believe in the paranormal or not, the hospital’s haunting stories will give you chills.

Photo by Riccardo Retez on Unsplash

If you’re interested in visiting the Oregon State Hospital, there are a few things to keep in mind. First and foremost, the hospital is still an active medical facility, so visitors must respect the patients and their privacy. Additionally, the hospital is not open to the public for tours, so any visits must be approved in advance.

However, many ways exist to experience the hospital’s history and haunted legacy. The hospital’s museum, located on the hospital grounds, offers a fascinating glimpse into the hospital’s past, including exhibits on the history of mental health care in Oregon and the reforms implemented to address the mistreatment of patients.

Several ghost tours of the hospital are available for those looking for a more immersive experience. These tours take visitors through the hospital’s most haunted areas and share stories of the paranormal activity reported over the years.

Photo by Andy Li on Unsplash

Of course, the Oregon State Hospital is just one of many haunted places in Oregon. From historic homes and hotels to abandoned ghost towns, the state is full of spooky spots that will shiver down your spine.

One such place is the Shanghai Tunnels in Portland, used in the 19th century to transport kidnapped men to ships bound for Asia. Legend has it that the tunnels are haunted by the spirits of those kidnapped and never heard from again.

Another haunted spot in Oregon is the Wolf Creek Inn, built in the late 1800s and has been host to many famous guests, including Clark Gable and Jack London. Today, visitors to the inn have reported seeing apparitions and strange noises at night.

Whether you believe in the paranormal or not, there’s no denying the allure of Oregon’s haunted places. These stories and legends offer a fascinating glimpse into the state’s history and have become an important part of its cultural legacy.

--

--

Nusrat
ILLUMINATION

I'm a writer who believes in community. If what I write matters to you, it is because I wrote it thinking of you.