Hot Lake Springs Resort in La Grande, Oregon, has a history dating back to the 1860s, when it was first a simple trading post that attracted visitors to the hot springs. It was developed into a health spa in 1906, becoming a premier destination known as the “Mayo Clinic of the West,” before a 1934 fire destroyed most of its wooden structures. After years of decline into a ghost town, it was purchased in 2003 and has since undergone extensive renovation, reopening as a resort with restored suites and soaking pools.
Early history
1864: The first wooden structure was built, which included a post office, dance hall, and bathhouse.
Pre-settlement: Native Americans used the springs for their medicinal properties.
Oregon Trail: The area was a popular stop for travelers on the Oregon Trail.
1884: Construction of the Union Pacific Railroad line nearby spurred further development.
The “Mayo Clinic of the West” era
1906: The resort was transformed into a grand health spa under Dr. Fi, featuring 100 guest rooms, a dance hall, and a bank, earning the nickname “the city under one roof”.
Early 1900s: It gained a reputation as the “Mayo Clinic of the West” for the healing properties of its mineral water, attracting many visitors including the Mayo brothers.
1934: A massive fire destroyed most of the wooden buildings, leaving the large brick building standing.
Decline and restoration
Mid-1900s: Despite attempts at revival, the resort’s popularity waned, and it eventually became a ghost town, with its decaying state leading to rumors of paranormal activity.
2003: David and Lee Manuel purchased the property and began the multi-million dollar restoration process.
2020: Michael and Tamarah Rysavy purchased the lodge and continued the restoration, focusing on the historic structure and the geothermal waters.
Today: The resort has reopened, featuring restored suites, soaking pools, and a bar, with plans for further development.
Reports of paranormal activity are common at the historic Hot Lake Springs in La Grande, Oregon, and the resort also recently expanded its soaking facilities. The site’s long and varied history, including its time as a sanatorium, has given rise to numerous ghost stories.
Reported paranormal activity
Phantom music: Staff and visitors have reported hearing piano music coming from the halls of the building, despite there being no piano on the premises. The original piano, said to have once belonged to the wife of Robert E. Lee, was rumored to be haunted even before it arrived at the hotel.
Apparitions and hauntings:
Gardener: A phantom of a gardener who reportedly took his own life on the grounds is said to linger near the gazebo and behind the building.
Nurse and asylum patients: The spirits of a nurse who was allegedly scalded to death in the lake and former patients from when the building was a mental asylum have also been reported.
General apparitions: Other reports include ghosts lingering near the gazebo and on the lake, as well as a woman in a white Victorian dress.
Sensory and psychological phenomena: Guests have reported unexplained phenomena, such as feeling lightheaded, experiencing shortness of breath, and feeling a heavy sense of sadness. Other reports include:
Empty rocking chairs moving on their own.
Disembodied footsteps, whistling, and mysterious clock chimes.
Objects moving on their own.
Strange fog: An ominous, heavy fog is said to appear out of nowhere over the lake.
The Lodge at Hot Lake Springs in La Grande, Oregon is widely considered haunted, with reports of paranormal activity stemming from its history as a resort, medical facility, and asylum. Visitors and paranormal investigators have reported experiences like disembodied footsteps, unexplained noises, objects moving, and sightings of apparitions, including a woman in white. The hotel’s history includes a wide range of incidents, and it was even featured on the TV show The Scariest Places on Earth.