Facts below are drawn from the linked sources.
Real history
A 1995 history republished by the Forest Park Conservancy says the city Bureau of Parks commissioned architect Ernest F. Tucker in 1929 to design a shelter with restrooms. It is unclear whether it was built that year. Its water supply was damaged in the 1962 Columbus Day Storm. Nearby Balch Creek is named for Danford Balch, whose 1859 hanging was the first legal hanging in Portland (Wikipedia).
Ghost stories
We found no well-sourced ghost legends for this place. It is listed for its abandoned history.
Then and now
Public access
Open to the public In a public park. Last checked: Oct 31, 2026.
Explore more
- More places in Portland and Oregon
- More haunted & abandoned civic buildings
- Nearby: Pittock Mansion (Portland, OR), Heathman Hotel (Portland, OR), Old Town Pizza (Merchant Hotel) (Portland, OR), White Eagle Saloon (Portland, OR)
⚠️ Please read: This information may be outdated and conditions change. Verify access with the owner or operator before you go. Spook Atlas does not encourage trespassing. Entering private, closed or condemned property can be illegal and dangerous. Report a correction.
Reader experiences
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