Washington state has ghost stories galore. See 5 mansions that might be haunted
What are Washington state’s most haunted spots?
When it comes to haunted buildings, you may think of lavish mansions such as the Whaley House in San Diego, the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose and the Sprague Mansion in Rhode Island.
Built by wealthy setters, these stately historic homes have tragic pasts, eerie architecture and ghost stories galore.
However, the Evergreen State has its own share of spooky estates, as evidenced by investigations completed by regional paranormal investigators and websites dedicated to Washington’s haunted history.
Many are even open to visitors.
Here are five historic homes in Washington state that are reportedly haunted:
Where are Washington state’s haunted mansions? Try Pierce County
Some of the more well-known spots for ghost sightings in Washington state include the Walker-Ames House in Port Gamble and the Ann Starrett Mansion and Manresa Castle in Port Townsend.
You can find mansions known for paranormal activity even closer to home.
Pierce County is home to at least two sites with supernatural reputations.
The home of Puyallup’s founder and first mayor, Ezra Manning Meeker, and his family was built in 1890 using the profits from Meeker’s successful agriculture business, according to the mansion’s website. He was one of the first hops growers in the region.
After the majority of Meeker’s crops were ruined by pests, he turned to other ventures, including trips to the Klondike region of Yukon, Canada, during the Gold Rush, the site said.
After traversing the Oregon Trail successfully, Meeker traveled the route several times in an effort to encourage further expansion into western states, the Meeker Mansion website said.
However, his mother and a brother both died while in treks on the Oregon Trail, according to the mansion website.
The specters of Ezra Meeker and his wife Eliza reportedly remain at Meeker Mansion, which now operates as a museum. You can take a self-guided tour or schedule a group tour with a docent.
Stop by the mansion at 312 Spring St. from 4 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31, or Saturday, Nov. 1, for a haunted house experience, courtesy of the Puyallup Historical Society.
Thornewood Castle, 8601 North Thorne Lane in Lakewood, was built in 1911 for Chester Thorne, one of the founders of the Port of Tacoma, and his wife Anna.
Situated on five acres at American Lake, the Tudor Gothic estate is the only genuine private castle on the West Coast, according to its website.
The Thornes lived in the home until their deaths. The wealthy socialites’ many grandchildren lived in the mansion as well, and some consider the kids the culprits behind haunted activity such as mischievous supernatural pranks.
Thornewood Castle was the setting of Stephen King’s ABC miniseries “Rose Red,” which was filmed partially on site, The News Tribune previously reported.
The spacious estate now serves as an event venue and vacation rental offering overnight stays and more.
Are there haunted houses in Olympia?
The oldest residence in Olympia is the Bigelow House, according to the Olympia Historical Society, which owns and operates the building as a museum on Washington’s early history.
Lawyer and legislator Daniel Bigelow and his wife Ann Elizabeth White built the home at 918 Northeast Glass Ave. in the 1850s, according to the museum website.
The couple was pivotal in the history of the Washington Territory, particularly in terms of public education and women’s rights.
The Bigelows raised their eight children in the home, with some descendants remaining in the residence for their entire lives. In fact, members of the Bigelow family lived in the house as late as 2005, even after it became a museum.
Some visitors have reported seeing a ghostly apparition in the home, described as an “elegant gentleman.”
Bigelow House is now open to the public for tours.
Can I see ghosts at Eastern Washington estates?
Eastern Washington has a few historical properties with rumors of unearthly happenings.
The Moore Mansion in Pasco was built in 1908 by James Moore, a significant developer in the Northwest. He developed numerous landmarks in Washington state, including Capitol Hill in Seattle and the Washington Hotel.
Moore built the three-story mansion overlooking the Columbia River for his sick wife after a doctor recommended a more dry climate — but she died before she could move in, the Tri-City Herald previously reported.
The property, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, is now an event center.
Former employees and others say they’ve observed a dark figure in the mansion.
Benton County doesn’t have any reportedly haunted properties that are open to the public.
However, residents can take a short trip to Walla Walla to visit the Kirkman House Museum.
Built in 1880 for William and Isabelle Kirkman and their children, the house is the second-oldest brick building in Walla Walla, according to the museum website. Kirkman was a significant entrepreneur and the family was prominent in local civics.
The mansion was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 and has been a nonprofit museum for several decades.
If you stop by for a tour, ask your guide about reported hauntings. Some say the ghosts of Kirkman family members can still be seen around the house.
This story was originally published October 23, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Washington state has ghost stories galore. See 5 mansions that might be haunted."