Facts below are drawn from the linked sources.
Real history
Seattle mayor and shipbuilder Robert Moran built the Rosario estate between 1906 and 1909 and gave much of his land to the state in 1921 for Moran State Park (Wikipedia).
Donald Rheem bought the property in 1938 as a vacation home, and he died in California in 1956. Ghost lore claims his wife Alice made it her permanent residence (Island Histories).
Ghost stories
These are reported legends, not verified events. The creepiness score (1–5) is Spook Atlas's own editorial rating, not a measurement.
Staff describe high heels clicking on empty teak floors, someone moving on the second floor during a 2008 closure, and an unseen hand pushing in a chair. Source: Islands' Sounder, 2014; see also Islands' Sounder, 2025.
Then and now

Public access
Access unverified A local site reports the mansion has been closed since February 2024 while the resort grounds stay open (orcas-island.com); not confirmed by an official source. Last checked: Oct 31, 2026.
Explore more
- More places in Orcas Island and Washington
- More haunted & abandoned mansions
- More haunted & abandoned hotels
- Nearby: Mount Baker Theatre (Bellingham, WA), Fort Ebey (Whidbey Island, WA), Northern State Hospital (Sedro-Woolley, WA), Fort Casey (Whidbey Island, WA)
⚠️ Please read: This information may be outdated and conditions change.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
Not yet accepting submissions. Reader stories are coming later; this form is switched off and sends nothing. All stories are moderated before they appear. Posts describing trespassing, break-ins or how to get into closed areas are removed.
