Historic Oregon Town Hosts Halloween Ghost Walk

The event is run by volunteers and attracts about 1,000 people a year.

Independence, Oregon is home of the Ghost Walk Photo by Bonnie King, Salem-News.com

(INDEPENDENCE, Ore.) - Independence, Oregon has a long history of spooky stories. It is an annual tradition for many to return to Independence during the Halloween season to take part in the Ghost Walk.

OPHIR, a paranormal research group based in Salem, Oregon is working with the town of Independence and the local Historical Society to bring the spooky attraction to the area.

“The Ghost Walk is totally manned by volunteers, as many as 1000 people show up for the event annually, and the city doesn’t charge a fee. It’s completely donation based," said Bernard Powell, one of OPHIR’s Core members.

"We wanted to do something to ensure that funding for next year’s Ghost Walk is secure."

OPHIR will be conducting paranormal investigations that will be open to both the public, and other paranormal research groups.

To do this, OPHIR has worked out a deal with Independence. OPHIR will be granted access to the locally famous Lenora’s Ghost for 4 nights in October and they will make tickets available for purchase to allow both novice and seasoned investigators the chance to conduct their own investigations in Lenora’s Ghost and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to The Ghost Walk.

Many are familiar with the locations legend, it is said to be haunted by the ghost of a young woman who jumped to her death through the buildings skylight upon hearing the news of her lover’s death overseas during World War l ...a bloodstain is said to still be visible in the dining area of the floor.

OPHIR was founded in 2007 and has been active in the area ever since. They teach a course (introduction to paranormal research) at Chemeketa Community College and are an Oregon registered not for profit, public benefit group.

"We hope everyone is able to come out in support of the town, and have a frighteningly good time in the process," added Powell.

Tickets can be purchased through their site by clicking the button at the bottom right side of the main page or by visiting (lenorasghost12.brownpapertickets.com). Contact OPHIR by using the contact us tab on their site: http://teamophir.com; see them on Facebook at TeamOPHIR.

So far, dates for Lenora's Ghost in Independence are October 19th and 20th, and the 26th and 27th. Each day consists of 2 tours, the first starting at 7pm until 10pm, then the second starts at 11pm and goes until 2am.

Only 20 guests will be allowed per tour. Guests will be allowed to conduct their own paranormal investigations on the premises. Paranormal enthusiasts can bring their own equipment, or they can use some of the equipment we will be furnishing such as IR and Full Spectrum video cameras, digital audio recorders, EMF meters, laser grids etc. Tickets are $25.

We are also working with Spirit Expeditions in Salem. We will be sharing office space at Mission Mill and will be heading a public investigation of the Mill on Sunday October 21 from 6 to 11 pm as a fundraiser for the Mill Museum. Only 40 spots are available to that event in total.

Bernard Powell

You can visit their site at TeamOPHIR.com or you can contact him directly at: bpowell@teamophir.com