Every state has its fair share of eerie legends, paranormal sightings, and spooky haunts that locals know to avoid after dark. But for many ghost hunting enthusiasts, the Gem State isn’t top of mind when it comes to the supernatural. Make no mistake, though  – Lewiston, Idaho has an assortment of haunted places and ghostly entities! From haunted hotels to abandoned asylums, and a few spooky cemeteries for good measure, Idaho has enough haunted spots hidden in its recesses to chill even the most stoic of skeptics.

But while every small town has a creepy old building or two, some cities have an extra dose of the supernatural. Downtown Lewiston, Idaho is definitely one of them. These days, Lewiston isn’t exactly a small town, but back in the Gold Rush of the 1800s, Idaho’s quiet capital had a major population boom as prospectors flocked to the area. What’s more, according to the legends that still haunt many of the city’s original buildings today, a number of those residents never actually left. Here’s the spook-lore:

Located right on the Washington-Idaho border and at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers, Lewiston is a bustling seaport hub with a population of around 30,000 people.
Sunny view of Lewiston, Idaho from the top of Lewiston Hill. with green hills in foreground
Jennifer_Sharp/Getty
Lewiston's long, fascinating history includes much more than being a notable stop on the Lewis and Clark expedition. It also includes a stint as Idaho's original state capital and as the site of a number of political and gold uprisings during the 1800s. As a result, Lewiston is no stranger to the types of untimely happenings that result in spirits hanging around.
Exterior architecture of Lewiston, Idaho City Hall building
City of Lewiston/Facebook
But for many, Lewiston's impressive supernatural activity begins with Morgan's Alley, where the presence of the infamous "Blue Lady" has been felt, witnessed, and documented by countless local residents.
Google Maps
While nobody is entirely sure of her identity, the Blue Lady is thought to be a local religious woman, possibly by the name of Mary Spalding, who was displeased with the goings-on at the former saloon and brothel.
Zack McCormick/Flickr
Since she passed away before the gentleman's club was shut down, it is said that she now stays behind to ensure it stays that way. The Blue Lady is most often seen gracefully gliding up and down the stairs, dressed head to toe in a blue gown with her blonde hair neatly curled in the style of the time.
The Episcopal Methodist Church downtown is also a major hotspot for the paranormal.
Google Maps
Formerly home to the Civic Theater and the Anne Bollinger Performing Arts Center, this impressive historic building has always been an iconic sight in downtown Lewiston. But behind the scenes and before being condemned, there were hundreds of recorded sightings of mysterious aura, ghostly visitors backstage, unexplained lights, and even physical disturbances during stage productions.

Many attribute these happenings to a series of murder-disappearances that took place here, a possible body buried on-site, and the trapped souls of those who got caught up in the whirlwind of the unfortunate crimes. With the future of the structure still to be determined, the fate of the supernatural residents is in limbo as well.
Historic and elegant, the Lewis Clark Hotel is a magnificent and vibrant wedding and event venue by day. At night, however, mysterious figures have been seen and heard roaming the halls.
Grass landscaping in front of the Lewis Clark Hotel in Lewiston, Idaho
Lewis Clark Hotel/Facebook
The fantastic structure was built in the 1920s and has been through its fair share of turmoil over the decades. Rumors of the west ballroom being particularly active continue to circulate. Maintenance crews have noted movements just out of sight, and tell of eerie feelings that have no logical source.

Related Stories

The Haunted Museum In Idaho Both History Buffs And Ghost Hunters Will Love

The Haunted Museum In Idaho Both History Buffs And Ghost Hunters Will Love

 10 Unique Historical Places You Absolutely Must Visit In Idaho

10 Unique Historical Places You Absolutely Must Visit In Idaho

 Most People Don't Know About This Unique Spot In Idaho Covered In Ancient Petroglyphs

Most People Don't Know About This Unique Spot In Idaho Covered In Ancient Petroglyphs
But much of Lewiston's chilling past and haunted present stems from some of its most heartbreaking moments in history.
FunGI_(Trading)/Flickr
In the late 1930s, Lewiston was a major hotspot for polio, and a dedicated tuberculosis ward at the Somerville Home was opened to care for even more ill patients over the next few decades. While the hospital is now residential, the property itself continues to pulse with the presence of those who lost their lives there.
Vintage Somerville Home in Lewiston Idaho
Historic Lewiston, Idaho/Facebook
Reports of orbs and lights in the adjacent fields, as well as inexplicable energy and temperature changes in the vicinity continue to haunt the rural landscape where the original ward once stood. Only time will tell if the current residents have any new tales to add to the lore.
Of course, these locations are just a few of the many spooky spots that Lewiston is hiding. The Normal Hill Cemetery, old Carnegie Library, and many others have their own haunted legends to share.
Cross grave marker in a spooky cemetery with headstones in the background
4175959/Pixabay
Disembodied voices and unusual shadows are just the start of the activity that has been reported at these places.
Not to mention Lewiston's incredible (but eerie) network of underground tunnels crisscrossing beneath the city. These dark, little-known caverns are chilling in and of themselves, but the hair-raising stories that fill the walls - and indeed the ghostly stories that haunt the shops they run beneath - are unlike anywhere else in the state.
Idaho History Tours/Facebook
Since many of Lewiston's most haunted places are private property and can't be explored without permission, the best way to get a full dose of Idaho's most haunted town is to take a truly unnerving ghost tour.
Docent leading an underground ghost tour of downtown Lewiston Idaho
scatteredlife/TripAdvisor
Hosted by a local expert, Garry Bush, attendees will get to go underground, beneath the city itself, into the secret tunnels that wind beneath Main Street. You'll also delve deep into Lewiston's very real history and its tangible, haunting remnants. Every tour is different, and each excursion offers new opportunities to encounter someone (or something) otherworldly firsthand.
Whether you're a believer in the paranormal or not, Lewiston has some pretty incredible history to see and experience! But a stroll downtown or an official ghost tour under the cover of darkness might just make a believer out of you.
Foggy, spooky figure walking along a guardrail in Lewiston Idaho
Cavan Images/Getty

A number of paranormal teams have visited Lewiston’s haunted hotspots to validate or debunk the many legendary claims. All signs and EMP signals point to some serious activity here, but you’ll have to visit for yourself to see. Fortunately, ghosts don’t just come out during spooky season – so go ahead and add a visit here to your next road trip! Or, check out Southern Idaho’s most haunted town.

More info on ghost tours Lewiston Idaho can be found on the Idaho History Tours Facebook page.

Searching for more haunted Idaho goodness? Check out some of our favorite haunted spots.

Please note that some of the photos presented are for representational purposes only. You can share your own photos (spooky or otherwise!) with us on our nomination page.

 

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Haunted Places in Idaho

Katie Lawrence | September 22, 2022

What are some haunted Idaho towns to visit?

If you aren't too scared to explore haunted Idaho towns, Albion is one not to miss. Tucked away in the far southern reaches of the state, this tiny town is home to fewer than 300 people...during the day, that is. At night, the spirits housed within the Albion State Normal School, a late-1800s teaching college on the National Register of Historic Places, come out to play - and they don't play nice. This spooky spot is so haunted, it's been featured on the Travel Channel's hit TV series Ghost Adventures. Visitors have experienced everything from hearing disembodied voices to even being shoved against walls! The school also turns into a haunted house around Halloween for a double dose of creepiness.

Are there any haunted hotels in Idaho? 

There are haunted hotels in Idaho, and then there's the oldest haunted hotel in Idaho: the Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Established in 1863, the Idaho Hotel was the Gem State's very first hotel - with a history that long, it only makes sense that the building would have more than a few ghost stories to share. From the spirits of cowboys who died on the hotel's front steps during a shootout to the tragic suicide of a former owner, the Idaho Hotel is crawling with ghosts. Even if you don't see one, the sheer experience of staying in such an iconic place is worth having!

What haunted hiking trails can I take in Idaho?

Are you brave enough to embark on haunted hikes in Idaho? If so, definitely check out the White Pine National Recreation Trail in the St. Joe National Forest. Nestled way up in the panhandle, this 3.5-mile loop is undeniably beautiful - but also creepy. The trail leads straight through an abandoned campground that hasn't been used in ages, and right next to it is the gravesite of a young miner who died on-site nearly a century ago. Hikers have encountered his spirit (and many others) while navigating the thick brush, and whether or not you experience anything unexplained, you will surely leave with an eerie feeling that's impossible to shake.

Related Articles

Explore Idaho

Featured Addresses
Lewiston, ID 83501, USA