Haunted Fort Stevens

Posted: 05.17.2021 | Updated: 05.23.2025

Fort Stevens sits near the mouth of the Columbia River, close to Astoria, Oregon. It is now a popular state park, known for its beaches, campgrounds, and military history. The fort’s past includes action during the Civil War and World War II. Many people visit for recreation, but some come for the ghost stories. 

If you want to explore more haunted places throughout Portland, check out Portland Ghost Tours for chilling adventures.

Is Fort Stevens Haunted?

The most famous ghost is a soldier in a World War II uniform near Battery Russell. Campers and visitors also report shadowy figures, footsteps, and distant voices in the bunkers and tunnels.

Some say the spirits of lost sailors near the Peter Iredale shipwreck still linger. While there’s no scientific proof, many believe Fort Stevens is haunted by soldiers, workers, and sailors who never left.

 History of Fort Stevens

Fort Stevens was built in 1863 near the end of the American Civil War. It was named for Civil War general and former Washington Territory governor, Isaac I. Stevens. 

The fort was constructed as an earthwork battery on the south shore of the mouth of the Columbia River. Its purpose was to defend the river and the Oregon coast from possible attacks.

In 1865, it became the main fort in a system of three that protected the Columbia River’s mouth. The other two forts, Fort Canby and Fort Columbia, were built on the Washington side of the river. 

Fort Stevens was upgraded several times. In the late 1800s, the Army Corps of Engineers used it as a base for improving the Columbia River Channel. New concrete batteries were built to strengthen the harbor defenses.

During World War II, Fort Stevens was the only military base in the continental United States to come under enemy fire. On June 21, 1942, a Japanese submarine fired seventeen shells at the fort, but caused little damage. 

Fort Stevens remained active until 1947, when it was decommissioned and transferred to the Army Corps of Engineers. It is now a component of Fort Stevens State Park and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Visitors can tour preserved earthworks, concrete batteries, a museum, and the fabled Peter Iredale shipwreck on the beach. The fort’s long military history and scandalous events have made it a thrilling destination for history buffs and ghost hunters alike.

The Haunting of Fort Stevens

With over 150 years of history, Fort Stevens experienced war, uncertainty, and moments of terror. The 1942 shelling, as well as years of military existence, marked the land. Guests and workers have witnessed unusual visions, ghostly noises, and inexplicable chills inside the old fort.

Others are convinced the ghosts of soldiers remain in the concrete bunkers and moss-covered earthworks. These stories have become a part of the fort’s history. Let’s look at some of the most well-known and terrifying ghost stories associated with Fort Stevens.

The Ghostly Soldier

One of the most talked-about ghosts at Fort Stevens is the ghostly soldier. Visitors walking near Battery Russell have reported seeing a man in an old military uniform. He appears suddenly, often at dusk or in the early morning fog. 

Some say he stands at attention, guarding the old gun positions. Others have seen him slowly patrolling the ramparts, as if still on duty. When approached, the figure vanishes into thin air. People feel a chill in the air or sense that they are being watched. 

Some campers at the nearby campground have heard the sound of boots crunching on gravel late at night. A few have even seen the ghostly figure pass by their tents. 

The identity of this soldier is unknown. Some believe he died during the fort’s active years, possibly during World War II. Others think he is a symbol of all the soldiers who served here. 

The ghostly soldier remains one of the most enduring and mysterious spirits at Fort Stevens.

Shadowy Figures and Unseen Presences

Fort Stevens is also known for its shadowy figures and unexplained presences. People exploring the old bunkers and tunnels often report seeing dark shapes move in the corners of their vision. 

These shadows seem to dart between rooms or linger in doorways. Some visitors have felt a sudden drop in temperature as they enter certain parts of the fort. 

Others describe hearing whispers, footsteps, or the faint sound of distant voices. The feeling of being watched is common, especially near the old gun batteries and underground rooms. 

Ghost investigators have used cameras and recorders to try to capture evidence. Some claim to have recorded strange voices or caught unexplained images on film. 

Staff members closing the museum at night sometimes hear doors slam or objects move on their own. While some believe these experiences are tricks of the mind, many leave Fort Stevens convinced that something unseen lingers in the shadows.

The Haunted Campground

The Fort Stevens campground is one of the most popular in Oregon. It is also the site of many ghost stories. Campers have reported hearing footsteps around their tents when no one is there. 

Some have seen a ghostly figure walking between the trees late at night. The sound of distant voices or laughter sometimes drifts through the campsites, even when the area is quiet. 

A few people have woken to find their belongings moved or their tents unzipped. Some believe the spirits of former soldiers or workers still roam the grounds. 

Others think the energy of the 1942 attack left a lasting impression. The haunted campground adds another layer to Fort Stevens’ mysterious reputation. 

Whether you are camping for fun or hoping for a ghostly encounter, the stories make every night at Fort Stevens a little more exciting.

Unexplained Activity

Beyond the main ghost stories, Fort Stevens is full of unexplained activity. Doors open and close by themselves in the old buildings. 

Lights flicker in the museum and bunkers, even when the power is steady. Some visitors hear the sound of a bugle or marching boots at dawn. 

Others see strange lights moving across the parade grounds or near the old batteries. The wreck of the Peter Iredale, just offshore, is also said to be haunted by sailors lost at sea. 

Even skeptics admit there is something unusual about the atmosphere at Fort Stevens. Whether these events are caused by spirits or by the power of suggestion, they add to the fort’s haunted reputation. 

The combination of history, tragedy, and mystery ensures that ghost stories will always be part of Fort Stevens.

Haunted Portland

Fort Stevens is more than just a historic site or a scenic state park. It is a place where Oregon’s military past and local legends come together, creating an atmosphere rich with stories—both real and supposed ghostly activity.

Whether you come to camp, explore the old batteries, or walk the windswept beaches, you’ll find echoes of the soldiers, workers, and sailors who shaped this land. For some visitors, those echoes feel a little too real. The tales of ghostly soldiers and unexplained happenings continue to draw both history buffs and ghost hunters year after year. 

If you want to discover more haunted history near Portland, join a Portland Ghost Tour. You will hear chilling stories and visit some of the area’s most haunted locations. Book your tour today and experience the haunted side of Oregon!

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Sources:

1. https://visitftstevens.com/history/
2. https://sos.oregon.gov/archives/exhibits/ghost/Pages/coast-fort-stevens.aspx
3. https://thatoregonlife.com/2024/10/the-eerie-tale-of-a-ghostly-soldier-at-fort-stevens-in-oregon/
4. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3K0GuvKnfOv8kSd3omX6Lnk3CYmDwfjP