With many of us in anticipation of Halloween, it was time to research a few areas that surround us in Snohomish County rumored to be haunted. It’s important to remember that some of these haunts lie on private property; so if you choose to do any ghost exploration, permission may be required prior to such visits.

Old Arlington High School-Arlington, WA

One place almost every teen in Arlington believes to be haunted is the old Arlington High School, the current home of Kids Kloset. Built in 1936, this building served as the A building, a part of Arlington High School, until the 2003-2004 school year, after which it become the new home of Highland Christian School. It’s rumored that years ago a maintenance worker was fixing the auditorium roof when he fell through the roof and to his death, breaking his neck on the back of a chair. Now, numerous reports have been made stating that a dark figure can be seen walking around on the top floor of the school late at night.

Marysville Pilchuck Road-Tulalip, WA

The long stretch of suburban road that winds from Marysville to Stanwood is undeniably a creepy one. With very few street lights, it’s a very dim drive, especially at night, and leads drivers to an eerie dead end. Hundreds of years ago, the Tulalip tribe was forced off of their land, leaving an unwelcome and angry sensation towards visitors on these grounds years later. These native spirits are now said to be haunting this road that partly stands on the Tulalip reservation. According to witness reports, when driving on this road, you’re never actually alone. Some say that when driving they’ve seen people running alongside their cars and looking into the windows or figures appearing in their backseat, but when they turn around the figure is nowhere to be seen. Others report that Native American apparitions stand on the side of the road and stare into the souls of passerby late at night.

White Church-Silvana, WA

In the small town of Silvana, up on a hill stands a 100 year old white church that rests in the midst of an equally ancient cemetery. It’s a popular location for teens looking for a scare, whether it be in the midsummer or the chilly nights of October leading up to Halloween. There have been recorded EVPs (Electronic Voice Phenomenon)  from paranormal investigative groups of what are believed to be spirits, one of which was a small child calling for her mother. Drew Carlson (’16) paid a visit to this hot spot a few summers ago in anticipation of finding some ghosts, but left almost immediately. “I felt like as soon as we got there we were surrounded by spirits,” said Carlson. “I would go back but I wouldn’t go by myself and I probably wouldn’t get out of the car.”

Stanwood Hotel and Saloon-Stanwood, WA

One of the most infamous “haunted” spots in the north west is the Stanwood Hotel and Saloon. Built in the late 1890s, it’s been visited by numerous paranormal groups including the Ghost-busters at Paranormal Historic Investigators of America, and the Bellingham Observers of the Odd and Obscure. It’s said that anywhere from 9pm-2am is when the most activity takes place. Footsteps are often heard upstairs, possibly those of a male presence that paces from room to room. Odd smells and and apparitions are of the most common forms of transcendental activity witnessed by guests and staff. Hotel management takes pride in the rich history of this establishment and encourage guests to jot their spooky experiences in the lobby journal after their stay.

Maltby Cemetery-Maltby, WA

Possibly the most spine-tingling haunt in Washington is the Maltby Cemetery. Local teens used to frequent this spot on Friday nights in search of the supernatural, some believing to have found it. But what sets Maltby Cemetery apart from the average cemetery are its “13 Steps to Hell,” a crypt at the end of 13 stairs starting at ground level that even the most daring ghost busters refuse to visit. Legend goes, if you walk down all 13 steps and and turn around to walk back up, you won’t see the stairs but instead spirits yelling and screaming in pain. Upon reaching the bottom of the steps, you have essentially walked through the gates of Hell, so when trying to ascend back up to reality all you see around you is a nightmare. Supposedly, you go insane after that and are never the same, and after that experience, who could blame you? Teen reports mention that when the victim returns to the top of the stairs they’re induced in an almost comatose like state, never uttering a single word for the rest of their lives. Sadly for us, due to trespassing, the 13 steps have been filled with cement in an effort to reduce the shenanigans going on in the cemetery at night. Or could it be for another reason?

Trying to determine fact from fiction when it comes to local rumors is nearly inconceivable. Of course, none of these terrifying tales can be confirmed to be true for certain, that’s up to you to figure out for yourself…

If you dare.