Feeling spooky? Take a trip to one of these ‘haunted’ spots in Whatcom County
It’s that time of year again! The ghosts and ghouls are in the spotlight in the Halloween season. So while it’s fresh on the mind, why not visit a local spot with a history of paranormal activity?
Whatcom County Community College paranormal phenomena instructor Matthew Thuney says Bellingham and Whatcom County are no strangers to haunted sightings and encounters.
Here are some of his top local recommendations for taking a trip — to the other side.
Sycamore Square Building
“If you want to go someplace, go to Fairhaven. It has a long history of spooky phenomena,” Thuney said.
The Sycamore Square Building, which was once known as the Mason Building, is first on Thuney’s list.
The 1890s building sits on the corner of Harris Avenue and 12th Street.
“People encounter cold spots. Which is pretty typical of hauntings,” Thuney said.
People also claim to have seen a woman dressed in green make appearances there, according to Thuney. Though, he said, it’s unclear who she may be.
“She’s described as having an early 1900s style with a long green velvet dress who will just wander by every now and then,” Thuney said.
Black Cat Cafe
The Black Cat Cafe is inside the Sycamore Square Building. People have reportedly seen a phantom bartender inside, according to Thuney.
“He’s also dressed in 1900s clothing and has appeared to the staff from time to time. He sort of comes and goes,” Thuney said.
Upper floor apartments
The Sycamore Square Building is now home to a number of residential apartments on the upper floors. Residents are said to have had encounters with the paranormal there as well, according to Thuney.
“They’ve reported chairs moving and changing position overnight,” Thuney said. “People’s dogs will often bark and look at nothing.”
Quinby Building
The Quinby Building, on the 1000 block of Harris Avenue, is also on Thuney’s list of haunted places.
Backing up to the Fairhaven Village Green, it’s now home to Jalapeno’s Mexican Food, Sweet Bellingham and office spaces.
“More chairs moving, keyboards tapping when nobody is around, printers printing when nobody is using them. People have also heard babies crying,” Thuney said. “Once — and this was not during an earthquake — a clock flew off one of the walls and hit an employee in the head.”
Village Books
Lastly, Thuney said he has heard of several paranormal experiences happening at Village Books in Fairhaven.
“The night janitor at Village books in the ‘80s would be cleaning up and hear books falling off shelves. But nothing had actually moved,” Thuney said.
More local hauntings and paranormal phenomena
Haunted Fairhaven is a book by Taimi Dunn Gorman that explores more of the local documented claims of paranormal activity. It’s sold at Village Books.
You can also register for ”Ghosts of the Pacific Northwest,” a class instructed by Thuney and ghost investigator Brian Lee.
The class will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 22, at Whatcom Community College in room 201C in the Foundation Building.
