Built in 1863, Fort Stevens has a rich history, dating back to the Civil War. It was fired upon by a Japanese submarine in June, 1942 – the first military installation in the contiguous U.S. to come under fire from the enemy in World War II. In 1947, the fort and its battery were shuttered, and today the vacant buildings are part of a 4,300 state park, welcoming visitors from all over the world.

Visitors aren’t the only ones who walk these grounds…tales abound of a lonely soldier who’s long dead, but is often seen in the area.

The abandoned Fort Stevens was once a thriving military installation, but today it sits vacant.
Kevin N/Tripadvisor
Visitors to the fort can wander through parts of the abandoned buildings, and we have to say: they're pretty creepy.
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It's easy to imagine the terror that soldiers must have felt on the night of June 21st-22nd, when a Japanese submarine emerged from the depth and began firing on the fort.
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Luckily, no soldiers were injured in the attack. After the war, the fort was closed for good, and the abandoned buildings began to slowly crumble.
Kirill Ignatyev/flickr

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But were the buildings actually abandoned? Some people say that at least one soldier stayed behind.
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A man in a 1940s uniform has been seen by numerous guests over the years, in many different spots around Fort Stevens State Park. Some have seen him in the battery...
Hollywata/flickr
...others claim to have seen him near some of the park's historic guns.
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He's even been sighted in the park's campgrounds, and walking along the beach.
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The stories vary wildly. Some people claim to have spoken to the man, who seems upset. Others say that he's very quiet, and just walks along...until he vanishes right before their eyes.
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If you’re planning a visit to Fort Stevens, make sure to visit its website. Have you ever seen the ghost soldier at this state park? Tell us your stories in the comments!

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Fort Stevens, Warrenton, OR 97121, USA