Washington’s Ghost Towns and Haunting Legends of Days Past
Washington State offers many ghost towns with their unsettling tales and paranormal legends. Many such abandoned ghost towns, at one time alive and bustling places, stand like silent sentinels of old times, bearing the whispers carried on by gusty winds that howl past creaky remains.
Getty / Canva
Bodie – Okanogan County
Bodie: Whispers of Yesteryears
In the late 19th century, Bodie was a mining town in Okanogan County. The early 20th century saw the beginning of the decline of the town, and by 1934, it was all but abandoned. Today, the schoolhouse and several mining structures remain for visitors to view, giving them a glimpse into its storied past.

Getty / Canva
Govan -Lincoln County
Govan: A Town Shrouded in Mystery
Govan was a very thriving community in Lincoln County. The tragic series of murders that were never solved were only some of the incidents that befell the town. Today, the abandoned schoolhouse and the other structures in this town have become silent testimonials to its ghostly history.
Getty / Canva
Kitsap County’s Port Gamble
Port Gamble: A Living Ghost Town
Unlike most ghost towns, Kitsap County’s Port Gamble is a still-living community; it’s nonetheless steeped in paranormal lore, replete with reports of ghostly apparitions and inexplicable happenings. Its rich history and well-preserved buildings no doubt make it a favorite among supernatural enthusiasts.
Getty / Canva
Snohomish, the Oxford Saloon
The Oxford Saloon: Spirits of Snohomish
In Snohomish, the Oxford Saloon, built in 1900, has a reputation for paranormal activity. It’s said to be haunted by shadowy figures and strange happenings, including a police officer who was killed while moonlighting as a bouncer. He is said to have been seen and felt in the women’s restroom.
Getty / Canva
Liberty in Kittitas County
Liberty: Echoes of the Past
Liberty was indeed a mining town, found in Kittitas County, full of action and bustle. Now it’s a ghost town, but the remains are still standing. It’s its history and the tales of the people that once dwelled there that keep tourists visiting to this day.
The Appeal of Ghost Towns in Washington
Ghost towns of Washington State create a special look at times past, filled with stories of success, tragedy, and the paranormal. To those bold enough, these are ghost towns offering an experience hauntingly beautiful in the combination of history and mystery.
Ghost Town Cemetary of Franklin, Washington
Deep in the woods near Black Diamond, Washington, is the town of Franklin, Washington – long abandoned and now overgrown. Hidden in those woods, for those who seek them, are the graves of people long departed.
Gallery Credit: Jaime Skelton
8 Lost Ghost Towns in Washington
Looking to see a piece of history? Pack up for a road trip and check out these Washington ghost towns.
Gallery Credit: Rik Mikals