Oxford Saloon – Haunted Saloon in Snohomish, Washington

The Oxford Saloon stands as one of Washington State’s most notoriously haunted watering holes. Located in the quaint town of Snohomish, this historic establishment has served spirits of both kinds since 1900.

Visitors and staff regularly report unexplained phenomena within its weathered walls. The building’s long history includes violence, tragedy, and mystery that continues to manifest today.

This authentic Old West saloon maintains its original Victorian-era charm and character. The cramped quarters and antique décor create an atmosphere ripe for supernatural encounters.

Multiple ghosts allegedly roam the Oxford’s narrow hallways and shadowy corners. Both patrons and employees have experienced encounters they cannot rationally explain.

Historical Background

The Oxford Saloon opened its doors in 1900 during Snohomish’s logging boom era. The building originally served as both a saloon and boarding house for local workers.

During Prohibition from 1920 to 1933, the Oxford operated as an illegal speakeasy. Secret tunnels beneath First Street allowed bootleggers to smuggle alcohol without detection.

The upstairs boarding rooms housed loggers, railroad workers, and drifters throughout the early 1900s. These cramped quarters witnessed countless fights, deaths, and mysterious disappearances over the decades.

Police records indicate several murders occurred on the premises during its rowdy heyday. One particularly brutal stabbing in 1920 left a logger named Henry dead in Room 3.

The saloon changed ownership multiple times but always retained its original name and character. Each generation of proprietors has reported strange occurrences within the historic building.

A devastating fire in 1911 nearly destroyed the entire block of First Street. The Oxford survived but sustained significant damage to its upper floors and back rooms.

Paranormal Activity Summary

Glasses and bottles frequently fly off shelves without any physical cause or explanation. Staff members have witnessed full beer bottles sliding across tables and crashing to the floor.

Disembodied footsteps echo through the upstairs hallway when no one is present above. The sound of heavy boots pacing back and forth continues for hours at a time.

Shadow figures dart between the pool tables and dart boards in peripheral vision. These dark masses appear solid and human-shaped before vanishing into thin air.

The jukebox turns on by itself and plays songs that aren’t in its catalog. Witnesses report hearing ragtime piano music from the early 1900s emanating from the machine.

Door handles rattle violently as if someone is trying to force entry from outside. When staff investigate, absolutely no one is ever found near the doors.

Cold spots manifest suddenly in specific locations throughout the bar area and upstairs rooms. These frigid zones remain stationary and feel significantly colder than surrounding air temperatures.

The overwhelming scent of cigar smoke fills certain areas despite the statewide smoking ban. This phantom tobacco smell appears strongest near the back corner booth and upstairs landing.

Ghost Stories & Reports

Henry the logger is believed to be the Oxford’s most active permanent resident. He was murdered in Room 3 during a card game dispute in 1920.

Witnesses describe seeing a tall man in suspenders and work clothes upstairs near Room 3. This apparition appears solid and real before fading away or walking through closed doors.

Henry allegedly moves objects and creates disturbances when he disapproves of renovation plans or changes. Former owner Jerry Johnson reported tools going missing during a 1980s remodeling project.

A woman named Amelia died under mysterious circumstances in Room 2 sometime during the 1930s. Local legend suggests she was a working girl who fell from the second-story window.

Amelia’s ghost appears as a sad figure in a long dress near the upstairs windows. Multiple witnesses have reported seeing her reflection in mirrors before turning to find no one there.

Staff members report feeling an overwhelming sense of sadness and despair in Room 2. Some employees refuse to enter that particular room alone after experiencing unexplained sensations.

An unidentified child spirit plays pranks on both staff and customers throughout the building. This playful entity hides personal belongings and moves them to unexpected locations.

Bartender Sarah Mitchell reported finding her car keys inside the cash register in 2015. She had left them in her jacket pocket hanging in the back office.

The child ghost allegedly giggles and runs through the bar area after closing time. Night managers have heard small footsteps racing across the wooden floors above their heads.

Former owner Tom Johnson claimed he saw the child’s apparition in 1998. He described a young boy around eight years old wearing knickers and a newsboy cap.

Some researchers believe the child died during the 1911 fire that damaged the building. No historical records confirm a child’s death, but oral history supports this tragic theory.

An aggressive male entity haunts the basement area where illegal gambling once flourished. This spirit reportedly pushes people and creates an atmosphere of intense hostility.

Several staff members have been physically touched or shoved while working in the basement. Bartender Mike Reynolds experienced an invisible force pushing him toward the stairs in 2012.

Most Haunted Spot

Room 3 on the second floor generates the most frequent and intense paranormal activity. This cramped space served as Henry’s final resting place after his violent murder.

Visitors report overwhelming feelings of anger and aggression when entering the small room. Many sensitive individuals refuse to remain inside for more than a few minutes.

The doorknob to Room 3 frequently locks itself from the inside despite having no functional lock. Staff members must use force to open the door when this phenomenon occurs.

Electronic equipment malfunctions consistently within Room 3’s boundaries and immediate vicinity. Cameras drain rapidly and recording devices capture unexplained voices and electronic voice phenomena.

Can You Visit?

The Oxford Saloon operates as a fully functioning bar and restaurant open to the public. Guests can enjoy drinks and meals while experiencing the building’s haunted atmosphere firsthand.

There is no entry fee to visit the Oxford as a regular patron. Purchasing food or beverages is expected but not required to explore the main floor.

Ghost tours of Snohomish frequently include the Oxford Saloon as a featured stop. Several local paranormal investigation groups offer special after-hours tours by appointment throughout the year.

Photography is allowed and encouraged throughout the public areas of the establishment. Many visitors have captured unexplained anomalies, orbs, and shadow figures in their photographs.

Regular business hours run from 11:00 AM until 2:00 AM seven days per week. The kitchen serves food until midnight while the bar remains open until closing time.

Best Time to Visit

Paranormal activity reportedly increases dramatically during late evening and overnight hours after midnight. The hours between 2:00 AM and 3:00 AM generate the most consistent supernatural encounters.

Staff members report heightened activity during the anniversary week of Henry’s murder in late October. This timing coincides with Halloween and creates an especially active paranormal environment.

Winter months from November through February seem to produce more frequent ghost sightings and experiences. Some researchers attribute this to decreased tourist activity and quieter atmospheric conditions.

First-Hand Accounts & Eyewitness Reports

Long-time bartender Jennifer Martinez documented her experiences in a 2018 local newspaper interview. She described glasses flying off shelves and crashing against walls with tremendous force.

Jennifer specifically recalled an incident where she watched a full whiskey bottle levitate six inches. The bottle remained suspended in mid-air for several seconds before dropping straight down.

Former manager David Chen kept a detailed journal of paranormal events from 2010 to 2015. His records include over 200 separate incidents witnessed by staff and customers.

David’s journal describes a 2013 encounter where he saw Henry’s full-bodied apparition near the pool table. The ghost appeared solid and three-dimensional before vanishing when David approached.

Tourist Barbara Simmons from California submitted photographs to paranormal researchers in 2016. Her images clearly show a misty female figure standing in the upstairs window.

Local paranormal investigator Robert Hayes conducted multiple overnight investigations between 2014 and 2019. His team recorded numerous electronic voice phenomena and unexplained electromagnetic field fluctuations.

Robert’s most compelling evidence includes a clear EVP recording of a male voice saying “Get out.” This recording was captured in Room 3 when no living males were present on the second floor.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

The Pacific Northwest Paranormal Investigation team conducted an extensive study in 2017. Their equipment detected temperature drops of up to 20 degrees in specific locations throughout the building.

Lead investigator Michelle Torres reported capturing shadow figure movements on infrared cameras. These anomalies appeared intelligent and seemed to respond to investigator questions and provocations.

A 2019 investigation by Seattle Ghost Hunters yielded remarkable audio evidence of children’s laughter. The recording was captured in the basement area where no children were present or allowed.

The team also documented significant electromagnetic field spikes near the upstairs landing. These readings suggested an intelligent presence attempting to manipulate the surrounding environment.

Ghost Adventures filming crew visited the Oxford Saloon in 2020 for a potential episode. Production was ultimately delayed due to the pandemic but captured preliminary footage showing unexplained phenomena.

Local television station KING 5 News featured the Oxford in a 2016 Halloween special report. Their segment included interviews with staff members and customers describing their personal supernatural experiences.

Local Legends & Myths

One persistent legend claims the Oxford’s underground tunnels connect to other downtown Snohomish buildings. These passages allegedly allowed bootleggers to move product throughout the prohibition era without police detection.

Some locals believe the tunnels still contain hidden caches of illegal liquor from the 1920s. Treasure hunters and urban explorers have searched unsuccessfully for these rumored forgotten stashes.

Another legend suggests a corrupt police officer was murdered in the basement during a gambling raid. His ghost supposedly haunts the lower level and creates feelings of aggression and paranoia.

Older residents claim the building sits atop an ancient Native American burial ground. This theory attempts to explain the property’s intense paranormal activity and restless spirits.

Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions

The second floor remains off-limits to general public access due to safety and privacy concerns. Only authorized personnel and scheduled paranormal investigation groups may access these haunted upper rooms.

The basement area contains uneven flooring and low ceiling beams that pose physical hazards. Visitors exploring this space during special tours must exercise extreme caution and follow guide instructions.

The building’s age means narrow staircases and tight corridors create accessibility challenges for some visitors. Individuals with mobility concerns should inquire about accommodations before planning paranormal investigation visits.

Trespassing outside regular business hours is strictly prohibited and enforced by local law enforcement. Unauthorized nighttime investigations or explorations may result in criminal charges and prosecution.