True Ghost Stories: The Charitable Spirits Stalking The Pittock Mansion
Oregon EncyclopediaHenry and Georgiana Pittock (center) on their wedding day in 1860.
London-born newspaper publisher Henry Pittock and his wife Georgiana met and married in Portland, Oregon in 1860. He went on to become one of the wealthiest men in Oregon. He was also an avid rock and mountain climber and so helped to found the Mazamas climbing club. He joined the first expedition climb of Mount Hood.
His wife was just as active in society, involving herself in the Women’s Union and Ladies Relief Society. She also helped found the Martha Washington Home, a residence for working women. According to The Oregon Encyclopedia, the Pittocks soon decided to build a home in which to retire in 1909.
With the help of architect Edward T. Foulke, they designed a mansion on 46 acres atop a hill overlooking the town. The interior had a huge central staircase, marble floors, and even an elevator and dumbwaiter. It was completed in 1914 when Mr. Pittock was nearly 80 and his wife 68.
Wikimedia CommonsHenry Pittock, the brains behind the haunted Pittock Mansion.
Unfortunately, neither got to enjoy the mansion very long. Mrs. Pittock died in 1918 with her husband following a year later. Their grandson, Peter Gantenbein, tried to sell the house in 1958 but was unable to due to the damage a storm had caused. In 1962, Portland residents donated $75,000 to help the city purchase and restore it.
In 1965, the mansion reopened to the public as a museum — a hub of paranormal activity. Guests have reported the presence of ghosts, presumably those of its former tenants. Reportedly true ghost stories on the premises include all the classics: the sound of footsteps, items moving around on their own, and the independent shutting of windows.
Pittock Mansion, the brainchild of newspaper magnate Henry Pittock, who didn’t live long enough to retire in his inimitable abode.
Even the tour guides claimed to have seen figures shuffling about. Others have described smelling the scent of roses, which was Georgiana Pittock’s favorite flower. Visitors have reported seeing the Pittocks and their former groundskeeper.
Ultimately, no malicious intent has ever been reported on behalf of these alleged ghosts. By all accounts, they’ve behaved kindly to visitors, grateful, perhaps, that they can continue their charitable lifestyles beyond the grave. That is, if any of these supposedly real ghost stories are actually true.
