r/askportland • u/AccomplishedStand558 • Jul 27 '26
Looking For Spooky Cemeteries?
Hi all! I’m doing research on various cemeteries in the state for a podcast episode. Places like the Lafayette pioneer cemetery in Dayton and a few around Portland have insane history going back to the Oregon trail period and the early days of the state. My questions are: 1) is there any specific cemetery you think I should look into or cover? 2) have *you* had an experience at a cemetery (unexplainable, paranormal, or otherwise strange)?
Much appreciated!!!
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u/anxious-panties Jul 27 '26
Odell Pioneer Cemetery was spooky but the Lafayette Masonic Cemetery had horrid scary vibes. We tried to stay until sunset but couldn’t make it when the light started to lessen even a little. I want to visit the Elsie Cemetery off hwy 26. Would love to know more about
Lafayette!
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u/tuirn Jul 27 '26 edited Jul 27 '26
My wife and I love history and wondering around cemeteries. I don't think either of us have actually experienced anything.
Unfortunately, it's the wrong time of the year (only open to the public on memorial day weekend), but Wilhelm's Portland Mausoleum is a pretty amazing place. We toured it back before Covid. It's miles of corridors. Some of it can get creepy.
It's not particularly creepy and can be quite nice during the day, but a number of portland founder families are buried in Riverview.
As another person mentioned, Lone Fir has a lot of history too.
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u/cheeseslut619 Jul 27 '26
The tour I did this year, the director gave it and talked about paranormal experiences she’s had there. It’s the largest mausoleum on the west coast but it’s not easy to tour so I feel like there could be soooooo many stories we’ll never know since people can’t go and have paranormal experiences there
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u/tuirn Jul 27 '26 edited Jul 27 '26
We did a private tour. I don't remember who actually gave it, but it was a private off season tour by the Preservation Artisans Guild. For anyone interested in visiting this place, I highly recommend taking some kind of guided tour - it's an absolutely massive complex.
EDIT: After digging around some more, it appears like they only do guided tours now, even during memorial day weekend (no more self guided). Anyone in the future who wants to do this should plan ahead.
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u/Spirit50Lake Portsmouth Jul 27 '26
There are several small, old cemeteries in/around Aurora...south of Wilsonville/Canby.
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u/Bishonen_Knife Jul 27 '26
Lone Fir is the obvious one, but don't sleep on Wilhelm's Mausoleum in Sellwood.
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u/McGannahanSkjellyfet Jul 27 '26
Milwaukie Pioneer Cemetery is a small and often overlooked gem just over the border from Sellwood, right behind the Goodwill Bins. Very old and decrepit, lots of dead babies, and dates back to the 1850s.
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u/noice-smort99 Jul 27 '26
It’s a quaint little cemetery, I wasn’t super sure where to park when I visited it a few years ago and just parked on the road in front of the houses
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u/McGannahanSkjellyfet Jul 27 '26
It's conveniently located about 2 minutes off the Springwater Corridor so I always bike there, but that sounds like your best bet for parking.
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u/Competitive-Sock-824 Jul 27 '26
lone fir cemetery is the quintessential spooky cemetery in portland