White Eagle Tavern 

Goosebumps abound as you enter the once wild and dangerous White Eagle Tavern, now owned by McMenamin’s, a regional restaurant chain. This old brick building located near the Willamette River was built in 1905 and housed a busy tavern, brothel, and opium den where lives were ruined and many times brutally taken from the many women who worked there. The tavern was aptly nicknamed “Bucket of Blood” in its early years for the many fierce brawls that erupted there.

The main floor houses the bar where live music is enjoyed nightly.  Employees and patrons alike have experienced poltergeist activity, such as chairs moving across the floor or coins materializing onto the bar from nowhere.  Items such as mops and brooms have been seen hurling through the air, thrown by unseen hands.  A figure has been seen walking down the corridor to the men’s bathroom, but when investigated no one is there.

Prostitution prevailed in the basement and second floor of the tavern. The basement housed Asian and Black women who had been bought or forced into prostitution, some never seeing the light of day once they were dragged down into the dingy basement. Babies born to these women were whisked away, probably sold to the highest bidder.  An opium den is also said to have existed here. Psychics who have visited the basement feel a strong sense of violence and death.  The steps leading down to the basement have been a hot spot of activity.  Brooms and mops have been seen hovering unaided on this spot and one employee felt hands push her, sending her flying down the stairs.

The second floor housed the white prostitutes in the 13 rooms that gave visitors more privacy than the basement. Although this area had been locked to the public until recently, noises could be heard up there and the smell of perfume would drift down from above. A face was seen peering out of the upstairs window even though no one was there.  Now the upstairs is open to the public with eleven rooms available for overnight guests.  But beware; you may not be sleeping alone if you spend the night there.

The most famous ghost is that of a white prostitute named Rose who was murdered upstairs by the brothel manager in a jealous rage in 1926. She has been heard crying in desperation as she wanders the rooms and hallways. An apparition has been seen many times but vanishes into nowhere.  Sam, another tavern ghost is believed to be the face seen in the window. He lived in the rooms upstairs for many years and died there in 1955.  His spirit doesn’t seem in any rush to leave.

The White Eagle Tavern is located at 836 North Russell Street in Portland. 

Portland has a rich haunted past with many interesting sites to visit for a good scare.  Tour the tunnels, picnic near the Cathedral Bridge or lift a brew and listen to music at the White Eagle Tavern.  Perhaps you, too, will become a believer in ghosts.