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Top 10 Spookiest Places in Alaska
By Staff Writer
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10 Most Haunted Locations in Alaska
1. Red Onion Saloon, Skagway
The Red Onion Saloon in Skagway is one of Alaska’s most iconic historic haunts. Built during the Klondike Gold Rush in 1898, it served not just as a watering hole but also a brothel. Stories persist that some saloon girls never left and their spirits can still be heard whispering and moving objects.
Guests have reported experiencing unexplained cold spots, sudden feelings of uneasiness, and even apparitions of women in Victorian-era clothing. The identity of these spectral ladies remains a mystery, but staff and guests alike believe they could be the spirits of the brothel’s former employees.
While it has embraced its haunted reputation, the Red Onion Saloon continues to operate as a restaurant and museum today, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in its rich history. And for those brave enough, maybe have a ghostly encounter or two.
Consider the night Phil, a local resident stopped by for a late-night drink. He had always scoffed at the ghost stories until he felt a cool hand touch his shoulder. Turning around, he found himself alone in the room.
- Sudden cold spots have been experienced.
- Feelings of uneasiness were reported by guests.
- Apparitions oftentimes appear as women in Victorian clothing.
- The identities of these apparitions are speculated to be the former brothel employees.
- Physical contact from apparitions has been reported.
- All occurrences have happened after dark.
2. Begich Towers, Whittier
The Begich Towers seem like an ordinary place at first glance, but many locals and visitors claim they hear whispers during the night and see shadows darting past their peripheral vision in the long corridors. This complex in Whittier, Alaska, serves as a home for nearly the entire population of the small town.
Strangely enough, this place isn’t known for any gruesome murders or mysterious vanishings that typically mark a haunted location. Residents, however, often report feeling like they’re being watched and hearing strange noises at night. Some even claim to have seen apparitions, though there’s always just a bit too unclear to make out who it might be.
The common consensus among locals is that the ‘Whittier Ghost’, as it’s affectionately called, is more mischievous than malicious; after all, it’s certainly never posed any serious harm. The ghost merely increases the intrigue of living in such an unusual community.
Lucy, a long-term resident, says she’ll often hear her name being called from empty rooms in her apartment. Also, items she’s sure she left on the counter somehow end up tucked away in drawers.
- Whispers and shadows are regularly spotted here.
- Residents frequently feel like they are being watched.
- There are reports of strange noises during nighttime.
- Apparitions appear but often lack clear detail.
- The local ghost is viewed as being more playful than harmful.
- The ghost messes with residents by hiding their objects or calling their names.
3. Historic Anchorage Hotel, Anchorage
The rich history of the Historic Anchorage Hotel gives it a unique aura enveloped in mystery and preserved by time. Over the years, many stories have surfaced about the hotel’s spectral occupants—enough to confirm its status as one of the most haunted places in Alaska.
Invisible entities have been said to flicker lights, rattle doorknobs, and move items around rooms. These seemingly friendly ghosts reportedly even participate in a game of tags with guests and staff. But the real star of the spectral show is the ghost of the former police chief Jack who was mysteriously murdered and his case remains unsolved.
Despite all these spooky occurrences, the Historic Anchorage Hotel is a luxurious place to stay. It’s a perfect example of how one can enjoy modern comforts while being a part of something that transcends time.
One night, Susan, a well-respected historian, woke up in her hotel room to feel the bed sag as if someone had sat down beside her. There was no one there when she switched on the light.
- Invisible entities perform harmless activities: rattling doorknobs, flickering lights and moving items.
- The ghosts engage guests and staff in playful behavior like tag games.
- Police Chief Jack’s ghost is considered the main haunted attraction.
- His murder case remains an unsolved mystery.
- Despite the hauntings, the hotel provides top-notch service.
- The ghosts’ presence seems heavier during the night hours.
4. Birch Hill Cemetery, Fairbanks
Birch Hill Cemetery isn’t just another cemetery; it has a reputation for being haunted by quite a few spirits. The common belief is that they’re souls in unrest due to tragic or unexpected deaths. Most sightings occur late at night, adding an eerie feeling to an already quiet location.
Witnesses have reported full-bodied apparitions, orbs of light, and even voices whispering their names out of nowhere. Stories operate around the gravesites of those who died too soon – infants, and young men lost in the world wars. The place is claimed to be especially active during early mornings and late nights.
Nevertheless, Birch Hill Cemetery keeps its calm facade, serving as a testament to Alaska’s rich past. Daylight hours have a peaceful vibe, but if you dare to visit after sunset, you might come across more than just headstones.
Jake, a high school teenager once shot a video of what he says was an orb moving erratically above a grave. He swears you can hear whispering sound if you’re quiet enough.
- The hauntings usually occur late at night.
- Full-bodied apparitions and light orbs are frequently seen.
- Whispering voices calling out names have been reported.
- The gravesites of infants and soldiers seem to be especially active.
- The location is active during early mornings and late nights.
- This location is not recommended for the faint-hearted right after sunset.
5. Jesse Lee Home for Children, Seward
The Jesse Lee Home for Children in Seward is an eerie reminder of the past. The dilapidated buildings stand seemingly deserted but they continue to evoke memories from long ago when they served as the home for countless orphaned children. The home eventually moved locations, leaving behind its original buildings where ghostly inhabitants seem to linger on.
Strange occurrences such as lights turning on and off and chilling screams piercing through the silence of the night have become commonplace here. Shadowy figures often appear momentarily before vanishing into thin air. Some claim to hear laughter and music echoing from the abandoned hallways.
While the Jesse Lee Home for Children stands as a piece of Alaska’s history, many of the local residents avoid it due to its haunted reputation. However, adventurous souls may find the spine-chilling stories surrounding this location intriguing enough to pay it a visit.
Kathy, who lived nearby while growing up, recounts when she saw the figure of a child looking out from one of the broken, upper-story windows. It disappeared without a trace when she tried to get a closer look.
- Uncanny events such as lights flickering on/off and sudden screams occur frequently.
- Shadowy figures are often spotted momentarily before disappearing.
- Laughter and music can occasionally be heard echoing in the empty halls.
- The place holds a reputation among locals, who often avoid it.
- A childlike figure was once seen gazing from the upper-story windows.
- This location is ideal for adventurous paranormal enthusiasts.
6. Kennicott Ghost Town, Valdez-Cordova
Once a flourishing mine town, today Kennicott stands deserted with only the ghosts of its past to keep it company. This Alaskan ghost town saw its fair share of hardship & despair during its operational years which many believe has caused the hauntings happening here today.
Witnesses claim of hearing ominous footsteps down the town’s empty streets and even the distant echoes of men hard at work. Paranormal activity seems to surge at night when hushed whispers float on the wind and specter-like figures drift through the abandoned buildings.
Though considered a haunted town, Kennicott is a snapshot of what life was like during Alaska’s mining boom era. It sits majestically surrounded by mountains providing a unique blend of history and natural beauty despite its chilling reports.
Hiker Mark came to explore Kennicott with an eye for photography. He swears that on one of his pictures, you can see a blurred outline of a man standing in a window of an abandoned building.
- Ominous footsteps are often heard roving down the vacant streetsr.
- Echoes of miners’ voices can apparently be heard in the distance.
- The occurrence of paranormal activities amplifies during the night-time.
- Whispers have been heard floating on the wind.
- Specter-like figures are seen wandering through the abandoned infrastructure.
- Kennicott offers an enticing blend of history, natural beauty and thrilling paranormal activities..
7. Baranof Hotel, Juneau
Juneau’s historic Baranof Hotel is another location with its fair share of ghostly tales. Since its construction in 1939, this premium hotel has welcomed countless guests, some of whom are rumored to have never left.
Rooms 206 and 308 are considered hotspots for spectral activity where apparitions are regularly seen late into the night. Other common phenomena include toiletries mysteriously rearranging themselves, inexplicable cold spots and whispers invoked out of thin air.
Though dauntless guests continue to book these rooms hoping to experience the otherworldly, others prefer enjoying the art-deco architecture, vintage charm & top-tier services that the Baranof Hotel provides without any additional specters.
Dave stayed one summer night in room 308. He mentioned a strange event when the water faucet turned on by itself, and later he saw a faint figure on his bedroom mirror.
- Rooms 206 and 308 are known hotbeds for paranormal activities.
- Apparitions often appear during the late-night hours.
- Mysterious rearrangement of toiletries is a frequent event.
- Inexplicable cold spots and hushed whispers can be experienced within the building.
- Certain guests hope to have encounter with the otherworldly entities.
- Peculiar events like water faucets turning on by themselves have been reported.
8. Igloo City Hotel, Cantwell
Despite never being fully operational, the Igloo City Hotel in Cantwell, Alaska, holds an infamous reputation due to its unexpected occupants. The massive igloo-shaped hotel grabs attention due to its unusual architecture and haunted stories.
The spectral inhabitant of Igloo City Hotel is said to be a woman who frequently appears at the window, veiled in the cover of night. Accompanying her apparition are strange noises like footsteps echoing in the empty building.
While the hotel never became active, it did become a particularly peculiar piece of architecture with its own eerie lore attached. Despite being inaccessible to visitors currently, it’s indeed an intriguing piece of Alaska’s haunted locations, observed safely from a distance.
Rick, a local driver swears that once while driving past late at night, he saw a female figure in one of the hotel windows despite the place being completely abandoned.
- A recurring specter of a woman is often spotted by the hotel window at nighttime.
- Unusual steps echo through the vacant hotel.
- The spectral activity is generally confined to the night hours.
- Igloo City Hotel remains a captivating yet uncanny sight despite its lasting desolation.
- The location garners frequent interest due to its uncommon sound effects at night.
- This hotel is best observed from a safe distance, especially after sunset.
9. Kodiak’s Pillar Mountain, Kodiak Island
Pillar Mountain in Kodiak, Alaska, isn’t just known for its breathtaking landscape; it’s infamous for the mysterious sightings of an otherworldly lady who roams the hiking trails during foggy nights. This ghostly lady is linked to a local Aleut legend surrounding this location.
The spectral lady is often described wearing old Alaskan native garb and silently wandering in solitude. Hikers and locals claim to have seen her figure vanishing into the dense woods or rising mists upon being noticed.
Despite this eerie lore, Pillar Mountain creates an irresistible pull to nature lovers and adventurers. Its history steeped in folklore adds another layer of intrigue for those exploring its secrets.
Rachel, a regular hiker, encountered the spectral lady of the mountain once while trekking through a dense fog. Though startled, she says the apparition simply faded away without causing harm.
- The ghostly lady is observed wandering during foggy nights.
- She is often described as clad in old Alaskan native attire.
- Her specter vanishes into woods or fog whenever spotted.
- Pillar Mountain continues to draw hikers and adventurers with its rich history and natural beauty.
- Despite the sightings, no harmful events have been reported relating to the eerie pedestrians.
- This location accommodates both thrill-seekers and nature explorers despite its haunted reputation.
10. Golden North Hotel, Skagway
The Golden North Hotel operates under a charming facade, but it’s also home to ‘Mary,’ one of Alaska’s most famous ghost stories, making it an attraction point for paranormal enthusiasts. This storied establishment is an essential part of Alaska’s Gold Rush past where it first opened its doors in 1898.
‘Mary’ is said to roam room 23 where she was reportedly found dead. The story goes that she was waiting for her fiancé, a prospector who failed to return. Guests claim to see this ill-fated bride still wearing her long-flowing wedding gown and veil – forever waiting for her lost love.
Today the structure of the Golden North Hotel stands as a historical monument and houses various businesses. While you may not check-in for the night, the tale of Mary is sure to leave a chill lingering behind even after you’ve left.
Robert, a businessman, claimed on one chilly evening, he saw the apparition of a woman on the upper floor’s window pane, gazing out perhaps waiting for someone long gone.
- The haunting revolves around room 23 and its deceased inhabitant ‘Mary’.
- Mary’s apparition is seen wearing her wedding gown and veil.
- Guests have often reported sightings of this tragic bride in the hotel.
- ‘Mary’ is believed to perpetually wait for her missing fiancé in the spectral realm.
- The haunting mostly happens late at night.
- The sight might be chilling but it is not known to be harmful.
Summary Table
Location/Structure | Frequent Type of Haunting | Time of Occurrence |
---|---|---|
Red Onion Saloon, Skagway | Cold spots, Appearances of women ghosts | Night |
Begich Towers, Whittier | ‘Whittier Ghost’ antics – moving objects, calling out names | Night |
Historic Anchorage Hotel, Anchorage | Rattling doorknobs, Flickering lights by unseen forces | Night |
Birch Hill Cemetery, Fairbanks | Orbs of light, Whisperings | Late Night & Early Morning |
Jesse Lee Home for Children, Seward | Sudden screams, Laughter & music sounds from empty halls | Night |
Kennicott Ghost Town, Valdez-Cordova | Echoes of miners’ voices, Spectral figures | Night |
Baranof Hotel, Juneau | Light specters in Rooms 206 & 308, Cold spots | Night |
Igloo City Hotel, Cantwell | Apparitions at windows, Strange sounds | Night |
Kodiak’s Pillar Mountain, Kodiak Island | Spectral lady appearing and disappearing during foggy nights | Night (Especially Foggy Nights) |
Golden North Hotel, Skagway | Apparitions of a ghost bride | Night |
So, there you have it, ten of Alaska’s most haunted locations. It’s always thrilling to explore these places steeped in history and mystery. Be respectful of both the living and the dead if you decide to visit!
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