In an area so pristine and picturesque, it’s hard to imagine that a place with a dark and sinister history would even exist. Well, it just so happens that Port Chatham on the Kenai Peninsula is the creepiest abandoned town in Alaska. In fact, according to Port Chatham, Alaska history, most people wouldn’t go near this place even if you paid them to do so. With abundant reports of Bigfoot-like sightings and a history of dead bodies washing up on shore, sometimes it’s better to just leave some stones unturned. Even the boldest of travelers would rather let this town lie than be added to the list of Port Chatham disappearances.

It is positively undeniable that the Kenai Peninsula is one of the most beautiful regions in the last frontier. With a seemingly unlimited amount of mountains, glaciers, wildlife, and charming small towns, there is simply so much to love and so little to hate.
Flickr - NOAA Photo Library
Here you can experience world-class fishing, exhilarating river rafting, and unique and unusual wildlife sightings, all with a natural backdrop that's so stunning it looks fake.
But the old cannery town of Port Chatham (otherwise known as Portlock) is one hauntingly chilling place that we will stay far, far away from. In fact, pretty much anyone who knows anything about this place will likely agree.
Flickr - NOAA Photo Library
The town was truly and thoroughly abandoned in the 1940s when a series of disappearances and dismembered bodies caused residents to flee in fear. It's one of the creepiest abandoned towns in Alaska.
This tiny remote area is located on the Kenai Peninsula, nearest to the well-known town of Homer far outside of Kachemak Bay State Park.
Google Maps
So what is it about this place that gives people the heebie jeebies? It has been said by early settlers that they were driven away by supernatural causes and an unexplained evil spirit.
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In fact, they believe that an evil spirit (whom some claim to be a Sasquatch-like creature) was haunting their every move. This 'evil spirit' was described as being a massive, hairy manlike creature that walked on two legs.
Pixabay - Bernell
Residents who fled in the 1940s also attributed the dismemberments and deaths to a Sasquatch-like creature known locally as Nantinaq.

This remote place in the middle of the ocean was first inhabited in 1787 as part of the British Royal Navy. After the first post office was established in the 1920s, it was said that the evil spirit or creature haunted the nearby mining camp of Chrome, which is abandoned today.
Because this evilness was said to walk on two feet, that diminished the odds of it being a more predictable predator such as a bear or a wolf. Many claim that it was Bigfoot, Yeti or Sasquatch. It is also said that there were many trees throughout the area that were completely ripped out of the ground and turned upside down, with the roots facing up into the air. This was thought to be more proof that whatever this evil creature was, it was too powerful for any human or village to stop.
Flickr - Zach
But it wasn't just natural occurrences that made people leave town. It was when human remains started showing up that the townspeople officially gave up on the beautiful stretch of land and fled for safer living quarters.
At the height of World War II, bodies in and around Portlock began turning up in nearby rivers, lagoons, and trails near the town. These bodies were said to be completely mutilated and essentially torn to shreds. People also began disappearing out of nowhere and never returning home, for years on end.
Flickr - Bill Bumgarner
By the 1950s, locals were sick and tired of living in fear so they completely fled the town and left it abandoned. Years later when hunters returned, it is said that they reported seeing 18-inch-long human-like footprints with patterns similar to a deer or wolf. Pretty creepy, huh? We aren't brave enough (or crazy enough) to ever visit this chilling place. How about you? Would you visit and test our theories for yourself? There's a reason why people think this is one of the spookiest abandoned places in Alaska.
Flickr - Praveen
We've been told not to repeat history and this Port Chatham Alaska history is certainly bone-chilling enough to stop us from trying. You may want to avoid Port Chatham, one of the scariest abandoned places in Alaska. I know I will!

Take a look at this video by @Pinnso:

 

Interestingly, Port Chatham Alaska isn’t the only town in the state where residents have sighted a Sasquatch or Bigfoot-like figure. He’s been spotted at more than 10 locations around Alaska, so he’s possibly quite the traveler. And the phenomenon goes far beyond the beautiful but eerie state. In Oklahoma of all places, you can even visit a Bigfoot-themed candy store.

If you want to visit more of the scariest places in Alaska, check out this haunted road trip that will lead you to some of the state’s most spooky spots (and don’t forget to pack the road trip snacks before heading out). You might also enjoy the eerie story behind this haunted historic hotel in Anchorage.

 

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Creepiest Abandoned Town in Alaska

Elisa Regulski | September 20, 2019

What other abandoned places are there in Alaska?

The following are some other abandoned places in Alaska:

  • The Buckner Building, located in Whittier, is a spooky place to visit. This structure once served as a U.S. military building but was abandoned in 1966. According to rumors, the asbestos is so bad that the state can’t tear it down. You will definitely only want to look at this building from the outside.
  • You’ll find another spooky abandoned house at Lowell Beach in Seward, Alaska. The origin of this creepy place is still a mystery, but the sight is eerily beautiful. Expansive mountains stand behind it, but the floorboards stand in disarray.

 

To learn more about Alaska's abandoned places, embark on this road trip.

Are there any hiking trails to abandoned places in Alaska?

Yes, there are hiking trails to abandoned places in Alaska. Another fascinating abandoned place sits inside Independence Mine State Park in Hatcher Pass. In the 1930s and ‘40s, this area was a flourishing gold mining community. Of course, its days of glory were short-lived. Today, all that remains are dilapidated buildings and ruins. Guests can explore the areas and walk among the educational trails.

What ghost towns can you find in Alaska?

You can find the following ghost towns in Alaska:

  • Portage, located in Whittier, is one of the best ghost towns in Alaska. This town was once a flourishing community, but on Good Friday in 1964, everything changed. That’s when the world’s second-largest earthquake struck. The disaster left the town in disarray. All that remains are decrepit buildings and spooky homes.
  • If you loved visiting Portage, venture to Fort Egbert in Eagle, Alaska. This spot is not easy to get to, but it’s worth the effort. This fort was only in operation for 12 years, and today only 100 people live in the small town. Fort Edgbert’s citizens are dedicated to preserving the town’s unique history, and they have tons of stories to tell.

 

Where are there other ghost towns in Alaska?

Great for mystery lovers but unfortunate for residents of the state, Alaska is bursting with mystery, ghost towns, and abandoned ruins. These are just a few of the spots where you’ll find bone-chilling history and try your luck at scouting Sasquatch in the scenic mountains.

  • Fort Egbert in Eagle
  • Kennicott Ghost Town in Chitina
  • The Slide Cemetery in Skagway
  • Treadwell Ruins in Juneau
  • Ukivok in Nome
  • The Buckner Building in Whittier
  • Sulzer on Prince of Whales Island

 

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