Portland Ghosts

3. Bagdad Theater

Portland, OR

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The million-dollar 1927 Middle Eastern-styled Bagdad theater, originally built by Universal Studios, has played host to many types of performances, from Golden Age cinema to modern book signings. Before the theater was built, there was a church that stood on the site. With such a varied and emotional history, there is no wonder that some spirits have stuck around at the Bagdad. Cold breezes seem to come from nowhere and lights dim inexplicably. This kind of combination cannot be merely electrical problems, because the wiring has been inspected multiple times. Some might say it is only the owners playing tricks, but this doesn’t explain why the workers have even noticed these and other strange paranormal activities. A spirit haunts the women’s restroom. Ladies have hurried themselves out of the theater after feeling as though they were bumped into by something or someone. It feels as if someone is watching from outside the stall—not a very pleasant feeling in a restroom! No one knows who this woman is or why she is still in the theater, especially the restroom of all places. A theater projectionist or stage hand (stories vary) hanged himself behind the stage many years ago. People figure that it is this man that does many of the hauntings, trying to bring attention to himself in death. The lights flicker on and off and things move around behind the stage. Perhaps this man has simply returned to help the current owners keep the movie house up to snuff.