The Norblad Hotel: A Historic Haunt in Astoria
Tucked into downtown Astoria, Oregon, the Norblad Hotel stands as the city’s oldest continuously operated lodging since it opened in 1923. Designed by architect John E. Wicks and named for George F. Norblad, the building originally housed a bank on the ground floor and a hotel above. In 2007 it was lovingly restored to preserve period details—pressed‑tin awnings, crystal doorknobs, apron sinks—while introducing minimalist modern amenities and communal spaces to foster a sense of community Tripadvisor+14NORBLAD HOTEL+14Prime Video+14.
Despite its stylish transformation, the Norblad harbors a darker side. Guests and visitors have reported eerie sensations—cold spots, inexplicable noises—especially around the basement. Ghost Adventures featured the spot in Season 20 Episode 7 (“Norblad Hostel”), describing it as hosting “a very dangerous and very unholy presence in the basement” of the historic hotel Metacritic+3IMDb+3hbomax.com+3.
Zak Bagans’s team was guided into the dim lower levels by a local demon‑seer who warned of malevolent forces tied to the basement and shared a chilling encounter: “She took us into the basement of the Norblad Hotel and told us there was a demon there that has affected this other couple we met” tvinsider.com. The atmosphere reportedly felt oppressive and otherworldly—a memory that left the crew particularly shaken.
We definitely would stay here again and would even recommend it to anyone passing through Astoria. Not only are the staff extremely friendly, they take the time to talk to you and will even give you a ghost story or two!
Astoria: A Haunted Port Town
Astoria, perched at the Columbia River mouth, is the oldest U.S. settlement west of the Rockies. Its maritime and immigration history is etched into every part of town—from the Flavel House Museum to the Liberty Theatre. But among these historical landmarks lurk ghost stories.
The Flavel House, built by merchant George Flavel, is among the top haunted places in Oregon—with poltergeist-style activity reported within its walls clementines-bb.com+1Medium+1. More broadly, the city’s legacy as a shipping hub gave rise to the Shanghai tunnels—secret underground passageways used in the late 19th and early 20th century. These tunnels have spawned countless tales of spirits and missing laborers.
The Astoria Underground (Tunnel) Tour: History Meets Haunting
To explore Astoria’s subterranean mysteries, the Astoria Underground Tour guides guests through a rehabilitated section of these tunnels—an experience equal parts historical and theatrical oldastoria.com+1Travel Oregon+1.
Hosted by local guides such as Chad Gallup and Jeff Daly, the tour winds through restored rooms, lined corridors, and shadowy relics. Artifacts from the early 1900s are on display, with ambient lighting, light mist, and storytelling giving the experience dramatic flair clementines-bb.com+3Travel Oregon+3oldastoria.com+3.
Visitors frequently comment on the guide-led storytelling: legends of forced labor in the tunnels, ghosts of workers who vanished, and local horror lore instilling a spine-chill. Many tours include ghost-hunting tools like EMF meters and offer optional overnight “investigation” experiences tied to Astoria Ghost Tour Underground, which even advertises its connection to Ghost Adventures filming at nearby Gulley’s Butcher Shop astoriaghosttour.com.
The same Ghost Adventures team featured Astoria’s Underground tour in Season 20 Episode 6 (“Astoria Underground”), where they explored the so-called Graveyard of the Pacific and the city’s infamous Shanghai tunnels. Their investigation revealed a series of misfortunes and Lovecraftian overtones deeply tied to Astoria’s pastIMDb+4IMDb+4Metacritic+4.
Why the Tour and the Guides Shine
There’s a reason the Underground tour draws rave reviews:
- Historical depth: Each guide blends local history with chilling narrative—detailing tunnel origins used to elevate the city and reporting disappearances and tragedies beneath the streets.
- Immersive atmosphere: Colorful lights, evocative props, and evocative smoke effects transport guests into the historic underworld.
- Authentic local storytelling: Guides like Chad Gallup and Jeff Daly present firsthand anecdotes and personal experiences, making the stories feel vivid and alive.
From the Yelp and TripAdvisor buzz, visitors describe the guides as knowledgeable, engaging, and emotionally gripping—often leaving audiences genuinely spooked and deeply curious.
Ghostly Echoes: Connecting Past and Present
Astoria’s haunted mythology forms a tapestry:
- The Flavel House poltergeist rumors.
- The subterranean tunnels that once seethed with labor abuse and secrecy.
- A hotel basement so unnerving that Zak Bagans labeled it a strong demonic hotspot.
- Locals sharing stories of hidden tragedies, warnings from eccentric town folk about dark forces, and a city shaped by commerce and mystery.
Whether you’re a paranormal enthusiast or history buff, exploring Astoria means crossing paths with reality and legend.
A Haunting at Ocean View Cemetery, Astoria
Established in 1897, Ocean View Cemetery spans over 100 acres of sloping hills, ancient trees, and views of the Columbia River. It replaced Astoria’s earlier hillside burial ground, absorbing many pioneer graves—some of which were moved hastily or left undocumented. Locals whisper of spirits still unsettled by the relocation.
Among the most persistent legends is that of the “Dust Bride”—a perfectly preserved woman found in a windowed coffin who turned to dust upon exposure. Others tell of mysterious voices near the hilltop monuments and shadowy figures glimpsed near the old Civil War mound. Nearby lies the long-forgotten paupers’ section, where unmarked Chinese and Native graves may still rest unacknowledged beneath the grass.
Whether you’re walking among the mossy stones or standing atop the strange conical hill that crowns the cemetery, there’s a powerful sense that Ocean View holds more than memory—it holds presence.
Final Thoughts
The Norblad Hotel offers a refined yet subtly eerie lodging nestled in a city rich in maritime history and haunted lore. Guests staying there might feel more than just history’s breath—a whisper from another world may linger in the basement.
Couple that with the Astoria Underground Tour, and you have an unforgettable blend of historic storytelling and paranormal intrigue. It’s no wonder Ghost Adventures spent two episodes exploring this “Graveyard of the Pacific,” with the guides and the tour experience deeply praised.
If you seek unforgettable ghost stories, atmospheric tours, and a city where past and present coalesce in mysterious ways—Astoria and the Norblad are waiting.
