Lafayette Pioneer Cemetery

Posted: 06.24.2025 | Updated: 10.10.2025

Lafayette Pioneer Cemetery, located in Dayton, Oregon, is known to be haunted and has a long history of ghostly experiences. The stories of haunted spirits and unusual activity have made it a great stop for ghost seekers looking for stops near Portland.

Established in the 19th century, this historic cemetery serves as the final resting place for early Oregon pioneers. Its weathered headstones and quiet grounds are steeped in mystery, drawing visitors seeking both history and a brush with ghosts.

If you’re fascinated by haunted sites in the Portland area, consider exploring with Portland Ghosts. Their expert guides will lead you to the region’s most mysterious locations, sharing stories that bring local legends to life.

Is Lafayette Pioneer Cemetery Haunted? 

Numerous local residents and visitors see Lafayette Pioneer Cemetery as a haunted site of some kind, as it has quite the history behind it. 

People report experiences with ghostly images and light, as well as interpret the unsettling feelings they have as ominous, and not a little scary, while walking the cemetery.

The most notorious of legends mentions a woman accused of witchcraft and other restless souls. The cemetery’s notorious haunted reputation generates much conversation regardless of whether you are a skeptic or a believer.

History of Lafayette Pioneer Cemetery

Lafayette Pioneer Cemetery, nestled in the rural landscape southwest of Portland, was established in the mid-1800s as a resting place for the region’s earliest settlers. 

The first recorded burial was that of a young girl named Henrietta Hodges, whose family traveled to Oregon from Wisconsin by wagon train. 

Over time, the cemetery became the final resting place for many pioneers, including those who helped shape the local community and the broader history of Oregon.

The land for the cemetery was purchased in 1874 by a group of local leaders, with four and a half acres acquired for $100 to ensure a proper burial ground for the growing town.

Among the notable graves are those of the Bickerstaff family, who arrived in Lafayette from Pennsylvania and became beloved members of the community. 

The cemetery’s weathered headstones and simple markers reflect the hardships and triumphs of frontier life, as well as the personal stories of families who endured long journeys to settle in Oregon.

Today, the cemetery is a mere reminder of the past, with only a simple sign identifying its entrance and a rusty iron fence enclosing the land. 

The Lafayette Pioneer Cemetery may not seem all that impressive, but it has been made a historic site, dedicating and honoring those who have served the town and region.

The cemetery is a mix of individual sorrow, community strength, and the ongoing memory of those who lie within it.

Hauntings at Lafayette Pioneer Cemetery

Lafayette Pioneer Cemetery is regarded as one of the most haunted places in the Portland area, with visitors and those who investigate ghosts encountering numerous spooky experiences.

Common stories include sightings of shadowy figures, unexplained cold spots, and the sound of whispers among the graves. Some visitors have felt an overwhelming sense of being watched.

Ghost hunters and locals alike have captured strange lights and orbs in photographs. The cemetery’s haunted reputation continues to grow with each new account.

The Witch of Lafayette: Guardian of the Grounds

One of the most enduring legends is that of a woman accused of witchcraft. Local lore says she was hanged after being falsely accused and now haunts the cemetery.

Visitors have reported seeing a female figure in old-fashioned clothing wandering among the graves. Some claim to feel her presence, especially near the oldest headstones.

It is said that she does not like those who disturb the peace of the graveyard. Many say she keeps an eye on the grounds and protects them from disrespectful visitors.

Her story serves as a reminder of the superstitions and injustices of the past. The legend of the witch is certainly a chilling element to the atmosphere of the cemetery.

The Lingering Ladies: Companions in the Night

The haunting legends of Lafayette Pioneer Cemetery are deeply intertwined with the stories of two women whose spirits are said to remain among the graves. 

The first is the notorious “witch” of Lafayette, a woman whose real name has been forgotten, but whose end is preserved in local oral history. 

Accused of witchcraft, she was reportedly beaten and hanged before being buried somewhere on the cemetery grounds. 

Visitors have reported feeling an overwhelming sense of dread or being watched, especially near the oldest headstones. Some have even heard a female voice whispering or screaming, “Run home!”

The second woman associated with the cemetery’s hauntings is Lena Elsie Imus, who died by suicide in 1908 and is buried at Lafayette Pioneer Cemetery. 

While her home, now the site of Argyle Winery, is also said to be haunted by her spirit, Lena’s presence is frequently reported among the graves. Witnesses describe seeing a woman in period clothing walking among the headstones or hearing laughter and footsteps when no one else is present. 

Some visitors have even caught glimpses of a woman standing silently among the graves, only for her to vanish when approached.

The narratives of both women serve to illustrate the challenges that the early settlers, particularly women, faced, and for whom, often, tragedy or misunderstanding defined their lives.

The parting of their souls leaves a lingering mystery and sorrow in the cemetery, creating a stage where history and ghost stories intertwine.

The Silent Sentinel

Many visitors report feeling watched while exploring the cemetery. Some have seen fleeting shadows or heard footsteps following them.

These spirits are thought to be former pioneers who loved the land. Their presence is strongest during twilight hours or on quiet mornings.

Some describe sudden feelings of warmth or comfort, as if being looked after. Others sense an invisible guide leading them safely through the grounds.

Ghost hunters have picked up strange readings and unexplained voices in the cemetery. The unseen watcher is a reminder of the cemetery’s living history.

The Whimsy Among the Graves

Not all ghost activity at Lafayette Pioneer Cemetery is somber or unsettling. Many visitors and investigators have reported playful encounters with spirits who seem to enjoy harmless pranks and lighthearted interactions. 

These playful ghosts have been known to move small objects, such as stones or flowers, or to rearrange items left on graves by visitors. 

Some guests have heard laughter or the sound of children playing, even when the cemetery is completely empty.

Other reports include the sensation of being gently touched or nudged, as if a spirit is trying to get someone’s attention. 

Lights have been seen flickering among the graves at night, and some visitors have experienced doors or gates opening and closing on their own, despite the absence of wind or other natural explanations. 

These playful antics are generally seen as non-threatening and are often interpreted as the spirits’ way of interacting with the living.

Haunted Portland

Lafayette Pioneer Cemetery’s haunted history is just one of many ghostly stories around Portland. The city’s rich past is filled with tales of restless spirits and unexplained encounters.

To experience more haunted sites and hear chilling stories, book a tour with Portland Ghosts. Their expert guides will lead you through the region’s most mysterious locations, bringing local legends to life.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, and keep reading our blog for more real Portland hauntings.

Sources:

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgJIgu3Po8Y
2. https://frightfind.com/lafayette-pioneer-cemetery/
3. https://www.daytonoregon.gov/page/city_dayton_history
4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgPq3dbp1SI
5. https://puzzleboxhorror.com/urban-legends-the-gypsy-curse-of-lafayette-or/