Hot Lake Springs – Haunted Hotel in La Grande, Oregon

Nestled in the Grande Ronde Valley of Eastern Oregon sits a mysterious and imposing structure. Hot Lake Springs has witnessed over a century of healing, suffering, and death within its walls.

The grand hotel and sanitarium draws visitors seeking both relaxation and paranormal encounters. Dark corridors and abandoned rooms still echo with whispers from the past.

This sprawling complex has served many purposes throughout its troubled history. Each era has left behind restless spirits who refuse to leave their earthly home.

The property sits atop natural hot springs that Native Americans considered sacred for centuries. These thermal waters were believed to possess powerful healing properties by indigenous tribes.

Today, the renovated portions operate as a working hotel and restaurant. However, guests frequently report inexplicable occurrences that defy rational explanation throughout the property.

Historical Background

The original bathhouse at Hot Lake Springs opened its doors in 1864. Entrepreneurs recognized the commercial potential of the natural geothermal springs bubbling from the earth.

Dr. William Phy purchased the property in 1917 and transformed it into a medical facility. The complex expanded to include a massive hospital and sanatorium spanning over 200 rooms.

During its medical heyday, Hot Lake Springs treated thousands of patients suffering from various ailments. Tuberculosis patients, injured workers, and those requiring surgery all sought treatment within these walls.

The facility featured state-of-the-art medical equipment and innovative treatments for the era. Dr. Phy performed countless surgeries in the operating theater located on the second floor.

The Great Depression devastated the facility’s finances and operations began declining in the 1930s. The property changed hands multiple times before closing completely in 1991 as an abandoned ruin.

A devastating fire in 1934 destroyed much of the original wooden structure. The tragedy claimed several lives and left burn marks still visible today.

The facility also operated as a nursing home during its final decades. Elderly residents spent their last days wandering the increasingly deteriorating hallways until closure.

David Manuel purchased the abandoned property in 2003 and began extensive restoration work. His efforts saved the crumbling building from complete collapse and demolition threats.

Paranormal Activity Summary

Visitors and staff report overwhelming feelings of being watched throughout the building. Invisible presences seem to follow guests as they explore the various rooms and corridors.

Disembodied voices echo through empty hallways at all hours of day and night. Witnesses describe hearing conversations between multiple entities speaking in hushed, urgent tones.

Shadow figures dart across doorways and disappear when approached or investigated. These dark forms appear solid and human-shaped but vanish into walls or thin air.

Objects move independently without any logical explanation or visible cause. Doors slam shut with tremendous force despite the absence of wind or drafts.

The smell of antiseptic and medication permeates certain areas without any identifiable source. This hospital odor becomes particularly strong near the former operating rooms and patient wards.

Cold spots appear randomly throughout the building even during warm summer months. These temperature anomalies measure significantly colder than surrounding areas and cause visible breath condensation.

Electronic devices malfunction or drain completely when brought into specific rooms. Cameras, phones, and recording equipment fail repeatedly in the most active paranormal locations.

Phantom footsteps pace above ceilings when upper floors stand completely empty. The rhythmic walking sounds suggest someone endlessly patrolling the abandoned corridors overhead.

Ghost Stories & Reports

Dr. William Phy himself allegedly haunts the property he once operated with pride. Witnesses describe seeing a distinguished gentleman in early twentieth-century medical attire near the old surgical areas.

The doctor’s apparition appears concerned and distressed as if still attending to patients. He vanishes when approached or when witnesses attempt to speak with him directly.

A nurse in a white uniform from the 1920s era walks the second-floor corridors. She carries a medical tray and appears to be making her nightly rounds checking on patients.

This spectral nurse has been photographed multiple times with varying degrees of transparency. Her image shows clearly in some photos while appearing as a misty outline in others.

Children’s laughter rings out from empty rooms where pediatric patients once stayed. The sounds of young voices playing and calling to each other echo through areas now devoid of life.

A young boy named Roy is among the most frequently reported child spirits. Staff members claim he enjoys playing pranks by hiding personal items and moving furniture slightly.

Roy allegedly died at Hot Lake Springs during the 1940s from complications of polio. His presence feels playful rather than threatening according to those who have encountered him.

An elderly woman in a nightgown wanders the third floor searching for something she cannot find. She appears confused and disoriented as if suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

This female spirit dates to the nursing home era based on her clothing style. Witnesses report feeling overwhelming sadness when encountering her lost and wandering presence.

A man in coveralls haunts the boiler room and basement mechanical areas. Workers believe he was a maintenance employee who died in an accident involving the heating system.

His apparition appears suddenly and stares at witnesses before fading away like dissipating steam. The sound of tools clanging and pipes being worked on emanates from empty basement rooms.

Patients who died during surgery reportedly manifest in the old operating theater. Multiple shadow figures surround the antique surgical table as if surgery is still in progress.

The spirits of tuberculosis victims congregate in the rooms where they spent their final days. Witnesses report hearing labored breathing and painful coughing coming from unoccupied patient chambers.

Most Haunted Spot

The second-floor operating room stands as the most intensely haunted location in the entire complex. Former surgical patients seem trapped in a perpetual loop reliving their medical procedures eternally.

Visitors to this room report feeling sudden sharp pains despite having no injuries. The sensation of being cut or operated upon overwhelms some guests to the point of nausea.

The smell of ether and blood becomes overpowering near the antique surgical table. Witnesses describe feeling dizzy and lightheaded as if being anesthetized against their will.

Apparitions of surgeons and nurses appear in full operating attire surrounding the table. These figures move through the motions of surgery without acknowledging living observers present in the room.

The basement boiler room runs a close second for paranormal activity intensity. The oppressive atmosphere makes even skeptical visitors uncomfortable and anxious to leave quickly.

Can You Visit?

Hot Lake Springs currently operates as a bed and breakfast open to the public. The property also features a restaurant serving meals to both overnight guests and day visitors.

Room rates vary depending on season and specific accommodations but start around one hundred dollars. The most haunted rooms command premium pricing from paranormal enthusiasts seeking supernatural encounters.

The historic museum and bronze foundry on the property welcome tours during regular business hours. Guided paranormal investigations can be arranged through advance reservation and special booking.

Photography is permitted throughout most of the accessible areas of the building. Flash photography is encouraged as it sometimes captures anomalies invisible to the naked eye.

The property allows respectful exploration with prior permission from management and staff. Private paranormal investigations require special arrangements and typically occur during overnight hours.

Standard visiting hours for the restaurant and museum run from morning through early evening. Overnight guests enjoy twenty-four-hour access to common areas and their reserved accommodations.

Best Time to Visit

Paranormal activity intensifies dramatically during the late-night hours between midnight and four in the morning. These witching hours produce the most dramatic and documented supernatural encounters reported by guests.

The autumn months from September through November see increased spiritual manifestations according to records. Cooler temperatures and shorter daylight hours seem to energize the restless entities residing within.

The anniversary of the 1934 fire in late January brings heightened activity near burned sections. Witnesses report seeing flames and smelling smoke despite no actual fire being present anywhere.

Full moon periods consistently produce more frequent sightings and stronger paranormal phenomena. The lunar influence appears to strengthen the spirits’ ability to manifest physically and audibly.

First-Hand Accounts & Eyewitness Reports

Manuel himself has documented numerous encounters during his restoration work beginning in 2003. He reports regular interactions with spirits he considers permanent residents of the property.

One restoration worker fled the building permanently after encountering a violent entity in the basement. The man refused to return despite offers of increased pay and reassurances about safety.

A couple staying in Room 214 reported their blankets being pulled completely off the bed. They watched in terror as invisible hands yanked the covers onto the floor repeatedly.

Multiple guests have checked out in the middle of the night citing terrifying experiences. One woman claimed someone sat on the edge of her bed and stroked her hair.

Restaurant staff report place settings being rearranged when they turn their backs momentarily. Silverware appears in patterns and arrangements that seem deliberately crafted rather than randomly moved.

A paranormal investigation team captured electronic voice phenomena in the operating room in 2009. The recordings contain clear responses to questions asked by investigators during their overnight session.

One EVP recording features a male voice saying “Help me” in obvious distress. Another captures what sounds like surgical instructions being given by an authoritative voice.

Kitchen workers have witnessed dishes flying off shelves and shattering against walls. These incidents occur during both busy service hours and quiet preparation times alike.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

Multiple paranormal investigation teams have studied Hot Lake Springs extensively since its renovation. These groups document consistent patterns of activity that validate witness testimonies and historical records.

Ghost Adventures featured the location during their 2019 season exploring Pacific Northwest hauntings. The crew captured compelling evidence including shadow figures and unexplained electromagnetic field fluctuations.

Thermal imaging cameras regularly detect human-shaped heat signatures in empty rooms. These anomalies move independently and display temperatures consistent with living human body heat.

EMF detectors spike dramatically near the operating room and former patient wards. These electromagnetic field changes occur without any identifiable electrical source or equipment nearby.

Spirit boxes produce intelligent responses to specific questions asked by investigators. The responses demonstrate knowledge of historical facts only known through extensive research.

Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions

Visitors must stay within designated public areas and respect private sections of the property. Trespassing in restricted zones risks both legal consequences and potential physical danger from structural issues.

Some portions of the building remain under ongoing restoration and contain unstable flooring. Unmarked hazards exist in areas not yet fully renovated or opened to guests safely.

The intense paranormal energy affects some visitors physically causing nausea and anxiety. Individuals with heart conditions or severe anxiety disorders should exercise caution during extended visits.

Children should be supervised closely as the antique furnishings and historical artifacts are fragile. The museum pieces represent irreplaceable historical items that require gentle and respectful handling.

Cursed or Haunted Objects

The original surgical table from the operating room reportedly carries attached spirits. Museum staff refuse to move the table due to violent paranormal responses following past attempts.

An antique wheelchair in the third-floor hallway moves independently across the floor. Security cameras have captured footage of the chair rolling with no visible external force.

A particular mirror in Room 307 shows reflections of people not physically present. Guests photographing themselves notice additional faces appearing behind them in the mirror’s reflection.

Medical instruments displayed in glass cases sometimes rearrange themselves into disturbing patterns. These antique scalpels and forceps form shapes suggesting ongoing surgical procedures or violent acts.

The bronze foundry contains sculptures that workers claim change positions slightly between shifts. The subtle movements cannot be attributed to vibration or settling of the display platforms.