When we say that Port Gamble is “creepy,” we’re certainly not referring to the way it looks. This charming New England-style town is picturesque and delightful. But Port Gamble is also arguably the most haunted town in Washington, a place where history seems to come alive – literally. If you’ve never had a paranormal experience, this may be the place to go to change that.

Port Gamble sits on a corner of the Kitsap Peninsula, and its quiet atmosphere gives it a ghostly feeling.
brewbooks / Flickr
The town was settled in 1852 by Pope and Talbot for workers in what turned out to be America’s longest running lumber mill. The mill was in operation until 1995, and Port Gamble is now kept alive as a tourist town.
The setting here is perfect for ghostly tales.
Charles Jackson / Flickr
On one side of town are the misty waters of Port Gamble Bay and the Hood Canal, and on the other side sit dark, looming forests.
The most notoriously haunted building here—and perhaps the most haunted one in the state—is the Walker-Ames House.
brewbooks / Flickr
This house was built in 1888 after the original home of the manager of the Port Gamble mill, Edwin Ames, burned down. Edwin was single and didn’t need such a big house, so Master Mechanic William Walker and his wife, Emma, lived there. Eventually, Edwin married William’s daughter, Maude, and the two couples shared a home until 1900.

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There are too many ghost stories originating from this house to count, some of them dating back to the 1950s.
brewbooks / Flickr
The most common theory is that the spirit of a mentally ill little boy is there. The little boy was locked in a closet as a child because his family didn’t know how to deal with him. As a result, the spirit doesn’t like women and sometimes pulls their hair. Other people swear they’ve seen a woman’s face peering out of an upstairs window with a child as they’ve walked by, even though the house was allegedly empty. There have been quite a few paranormal investigations done inside this home.
But the Walker-Ames house isn’t the only active building in Port Gamble. In fact, nearly every old structure seems to be haunted.
David Siebold / Flickr
There’s even an official Ghost Walk ghost tour in town, which meets several times a week at 7PM at the Port Gamble Historic Museum. The walks are very successful, with the majority of people experiencing something spooky.
This haunted town in Washington hosts an annual Ghost Conference every October.
Joe Wolf / Flickr
The three day conference includes guest speakers, classes, and paranormal investigations all over town.

Paranormal or not, Port Gamble is a beautiful place with a curiously eerie vibe. Do you agree that it’s the most haunted town in Washington? If so, be sure to share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments below — we’d love to hear from you! If you’re looking for more haunted places in Washington, check out this list.

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haunted town in Washington

Beth C. | September 26, 2021

What are the most haunted places in Washington?

Washington is perhaps best known for its breathtaking natural wonders: tumbling waterfalls, craggy mountain peaks, and breathtaking farmlands. And yet, there's another side to the Evergreen State and it's positively chilling. If you're someone with a fascination for the paranormal, Washington will not disappoint. Some of the most haunted places you can go in Washington include Black Diamond Cemetery, Tacoma Old City Hall, Oxford Saloon, Campbell House, Hotel de Haro, Mount Baker Theater, Lewis County Historical Museum, University Heights, Butterworth Building, Rucker Mansion, Meeker Mansion, Tokeland Hotel, and the Northern State Mental Hospital. Would you dare visit any of these haunted destinations in Washington?

Does Washington have any haunted hotels?

You bet! Washington is home to some of the most unique accommodations in the world, some of which just so happen to be terribly haunted. For an overnight stay that will surely chill you to the bone, you might consider checking in to any of the following spooky accommodations: Sorrento Hotel in Seattle, Davenport Hotel in Spokane, Rosario's Resort on Orcas Island, Panama Hotel in Seattle, the Palace Hotel in Port Townsend, and the Stanwood Hotel. Let's just say that these haunted hotels in Washington aren't for the faint of heart!

Are there any ghost towns in Washington?

Traveling through the state of Washington, you'll likely come across some of the most charming towns in the country. You'll also possibly encounter a ghost town -- a place that time has seemingly forgotten. In the place of charming storefronts, you'll find boarded-up buildings and decaying structures, and the effect is undeniably creepy. Some of the most famous ghost towns in Washington include Claquato, Melmont, Govan, Molson, Bodie, Liberty, Sherman, and Lester. Learn more about these fascinating ghost towns in Washington.

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