Spokane, Washington
Downtown Spokane, known for its early 1900s brickwork and narrow alleyways, drew new attention this month after a team of investigators documented unexplained activity in three of the city’s oldest buildings. Their findings—lights, voices, and sudden temperature drops—have reignited debate about whether Spokane’s history still whispers through its walls.
The Investigation
Members of the Paranormal Research Society of the Inland Northwest joined local historians for an overnight exploration of three sites: the Montvale Hotel, the Steam Plant Building, and the Downtown Masonic Temple. Each location dates back more than a century, surviving fires, Prohibition, and waves of urban renewal. Teams equipped with EVP recorders, EMF meters, thermal cameras, and motion sensors rotated through the buildings in the dark hours of October 19th.
According to investigators, the most compelling evidence came from the Montvale’s basement, where faint voices and the echo of a woman humming were captured on audio while no one was present. In the Steam Plant’s tunnels, temperature sensors plunged nearly ten degrees without environmental cause, followed by an anomalous light flash caught on camera.
Mediums working alongside the tech teams described impressions of “residual energy”—moments from Spokane’s early days when the city bustled with rail workers, miners, and hotel guests seeking fortunes or escape. One investigator remarked, “It felt like the walls themselves wanted to talk. Every creak had memory.”
History That Won’t Sleep
Spokane’s downtown core dates to the post-Great Fire reconstruction of 1889. Many of the same foundations still support restaurants, offices, and performance halls today. That continuity makes it fertile ground for hauntings—or, as skeptics suggest, for drafts, electromagnetic interference, and imagination. Still, locals love the lore: ghost walks sell out, and tourists ask for the “haunted rooms” at century-old hotels.
Whether the recordings prove paranormal or not, the investigation reminds residents that Spokane’s history isn’t buried—it’s humming quietly beneath their feet.
Visitor Information
Location: Downtown Spokane Historic District, Spokane, WA
Tours: Seasonal haunted walking tours are offered through local history groups and private operators. Availability varies by season.
Note: Most sites featured remain active businesses. Please request permission before filming or investigating. Respect all posted hours and property lines.