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Once More Unto the Haunts...

Well, the time has come again for the 3rd annual Geek in the City Real Portland Haunts. I'll admit, it is becoming more difficult to find "real" locations within the Portland Metro Area. However, your friendly neighborhood Geek does his best to find the places that will raise the hairs on the back of your neck and have you looking at the dark corners of your mind...

As always, should you choose to investigate any of the following locations, make sure you get permission from any and all property owners. Old creepy places tend to have higher police patrols this time of year, mainly because of annoying ghost hunters like yours truly. Also, once you get permission, always go in with reliable partners. Not only to protect you from the things that o bump in the night, but from the very real dangers involved with investigating old locations at night.

Watch your step. Happy hunting!

A Poltergeist at 24 Frames a Second – Valley Theater – Beaverton, OR

A mischievous entity has haunted the Valley Theater for years. Employees report strange sounds and clanging metal, as well as lights flickering for no reason at all. Paranormal activity reached an apex during the 1994 renovation of the theater. The activity became so intense, construction workers left the work site and refused to return.

Dangers in the Outskirts – Surrounding Woods – Forest Grove, OR
I'm not sure how I feel about this one. However, many people have reported the ghost of a burley frontier man who attacks and beats anyone who ventures into the woods surrounding Forest Grove. Honestly, on this one, I think people just had one too many beers in the forest and the world of the paranormal makes a perfect scapegoat. Up to you if you want to investigate.

A Slice to Die For – Old Towne Pizza – Portland, OR
This is one of the few locations where the staff is more than happy to regale you with tales of their encounters. Although many staff report seeing strange orbs and hearing bizarre sounds in the basement, it is the female inhabitant that has earned Old Towne Pizza a spot on this list. Her name is Nina and she's lived within the dark brick walls of Old Towne Pizza since the first pie slid into the oven. Not many know the full history of Nina, but her presence is well established. Indeed, you can sit in the very location where Nina makes herself known. If you're nice, she might make an appearance for you as well...

The Show Goes On -Hollywood Theatre – Portland, OR
For such an old building with such a rich history, you would think the grand Hollywood Theatre on NE Sandy would be crawling with spirits. Alas (or, thank goodness depending on your outlook) that is not the case. However, that doesn't mean the grand old lady is not without her resident spirit. Many employees and volunteers have heard rattling in the old pipes that fill the Hollywood Theatre. While most attribute the sounds to the age of the theatre, others believe otherwise. Many think the sounds come from the pacing of the “Man in White” as he is known to long-time patrons. Dressed in fashionable 1930s clothing, the Man in White paces the upstairs lobby of the Hollywood Theatre. What he looks for, no one knows. Perhaps you can ask him the next time you take in a show...

For Such is the Kingdom of Heaven – Marylhurst University – Lake Oswego, OR.
I wonder why it took me so long to remember the ghost of my Alma Mater. As if the imposing brick buildings upon the Marylhurst campus weren't spooky enough, this small center for higher learning just outside Lake Oswego boasts many apparitions. Many people, your friendly neighborhood Geek included have heard the laughter and cries of very small children within the halls of Marylhurst University. Although the location moved to a newer building, Marylhurst University was the one time home of the Christy School, an orphanage for children. Many student and faculty members have heard and seen the lost children roam the wooden halls...

However, they are not alone...

Again, I can vouch for the presence of at least two ghostly entities that haunt the halls of the school. Constructed in the mid 1970s, the Shoen Library is said to be haunted by the very nun with which the library takes it's names. Having closed that library many a night, I can say there is definitely something strange moving among the books and files. Finally, within the main building of Marylhurst University "lives" another spirit of the cloth that refuses to move on. She has been seen and heard by many students and faculty. For reasons unknown, her presence is limited to the 3rd floor only. Perhaps she is seeking her final resting place, as many of the nun graves were moved in the 1950s to make room for more buildings.

I hope you enjoyed the 2007 foray into Portland's haunted world. If you know of a real haunted location and you'd like me to share it with the Geek in the City readers, please feel free to drop me a line.

Also, if you have a "fake" haunt you'd like me to promote, please contact me as well. I'll help you spread the word.

Take care.