Cue the lightning and bats flying across the sky. | Photo by Another Believer
So what makes a haunted house look haunted?
We went down to the architectural crypt to find out what design features make a house go bump in the night. Then, we went house hunting in Portland to bring you a grisly, local look — just try not to scream.
There are few obvious architectural styles on a whole that tingle your spine and widen your eyes, namely Victorian-era styles, Adirondack architecture, and Gothic Revival — but to keep this scary story short, we’ve created a checklist with some skeleton key characteristics to look for this spooky season.
Haunted house checklist:
Rustic vibes, like heavy timber, natural stone + large fireplaces — like the Overlook Hotel in “The Shining”
Prominent towers and turrets — as seen on the The Pink Palace from “Coraline”
Located on a hill and/or with a wraparound porch
Large and stained glass windows — like Whipstaff Manor in “Casper”
With this list in mind, let’s step through the creaky front doors of these three houses in Portland. Watch your head for cobwebs.
Pittock Mansion
Perched above Portland like a watchful gargoyle, this French Renaissance-style landmark is now a museum where visitors can explore the lives — and potential afterlives — of its namesake family. As you tour each room, it’s hard not to imagine rotary phones ringing in the night or poltergeists rattling the porcelain tea sets.
Johan Poulsen’s business partner built an identical Queen Anne on the same bluff, but it was demolished in the 1950s to make room for a parking lot.
Photo by Cambrie Juarez, PDXtoday
Johan Poulsen House
A staircase that leads to nowhere, a Prohibition-era wine cellar, and a chandelier that can float up toward the ceiling — this Queen Anne home captures the imaginations of many behind a veil of mystery.
Preservationists developed a plan to save the Fried-Durkheimer House (AKA the first Morris Marks residence) by cutting it in two and transporting it to a new location.
Don’t let its baby blue exterior fool you, this historic structure is home to... lawyers. Ahh! Several years ago, the 1880-built Italianate mansion crawled its way across town like a freshly unearthed zombie; powerful magic (and maybe a few power tools) later restored its youthful appearance.
SOFI TUKKER - The BREAD Tour | 8 p.m. | Moda Center | $32+ | Grab your best friend and get ready to jam with this electronic duo from New York.
Wednesday, Oct. 30
“Psychedelic Rock Posters and Fashion of the 1960s” | Wednesday, Oct. 30-Sunday, March 30 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Portland Art Museum | $22+ | Reminisce about your own 1960s experience or encounter the mind-blowing rock posters of San Francisco + beyond for the first time.
Costume Contest + Social Club Mixer | 6-9 p.m. | Great Notion Brewing - Alberta | Free | Enjoy a beer, some delicious tacos, meet new friends, and maybe make some prize money.
Thursday, Oct. 31
Craft Mixology Class - Spooky Potions | 5:30-8 p.m. | Straightaway Cocktails | $85 | Commune with the spirits + toil and trouble over these tasty drinks.
Halloween Paint Party | 7-8 p.m. | StormBreaker Brewing | $30 | Let your creativity flow in an eerie atmosphere open to all ages and skill levels.
80s Halloween Dance Party | 9 p.m. | Alberta Street Pub | $30 | Get ready to thrill more than any ghoul would ever dare try.
Friday, Nov. 1
Olio Nuovo Festival | Friday, Nov. 1-Saturday, Nov. 30 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Durant at Red Ridge Farms, Dayton | Free | Enjoy a tasting of freshly milled olive oil, take a tour, do some early holiday shopping, and enjoy locally made culinary goods.
Snowvana Portland | Friday, Nov. 1-Sunday, Nov. 3 | Times vary | Portland Expo Center | $15+ | Get stoked for the return of snow sports with gear vendors, fun activities in the Kids Zone, live music, film premieres, guest speakers, and more.
Now we’re cooking with oil. James Beard Public Market, a world-class space for culinary purveyors and homage to the Portland-born chef, is coming to downtown. Leaders have chewed on the project for decades; yesterday’s announcement points to a 38,000-sqft multi-purpose venue at Southwest Sixth Avenue + Alder Street. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)
Community
Outgoing Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler warns that significant budget challenges are looming on the horizon. In a message sent to city officials late last week, he outlined the need for departments to prepare for at least a 5% cut to their baseline for 2025. Public safety bureaus will be exempt. (OPB)
Civic
And on that note... The pay data of every Oregon Metro employee is available. The top three earners for FY 2023/2024 are Oregon Zoo Director Heidi Rahn ($292,312), Metro’s COO Marissa Madrigal ($288,351), and Metro attorney Caroline MacLaren ($265,963). See the full list. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)
Gallery
Costumed canines of all kinds were out and about over the weekend at the Howl O’ Ween event, hosted by Tigard Parks & Recreation. Prizes were handed out in various categories, including cutest, most original, and to the dog and owner whose outfits coordinated the best. (KOIN)
Featured
Portland newlyweds landed in the Gray Lady following their recent Hoyt Arboretum nuptials. Jolyn Chen and Louis Lin’s romantic film-worthy relationship includes camaraderie sparked on the middle school badminton team, a handful of cross-country moves, and becoming co-owners of Xiao Ye in the Hollywood District. A sincere congratulations to the couple. (The New York Times + KOIN)
Try This
Giddyup and go riding among the grapes with Equestrian Wine Tours, which offers horseback tours of Dundee Hills vineyards. The experience typically runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and features stops at three wineries and lunch. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)
Sports
The Blazers bounced back in a big way Sunday, earning their first win of the season in blowout fashion in front of the home crowd. Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Trail Blazers with Locked On’s daily podcasts. (OPB)
Health
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Plan Ahead
🛼 “The Super Bowl of roller derby”
It was all smiles when the Wheels of Justice secured their fourth world championship in 2019 — cheer them on for their fifth title. | Photo courtesy of Rose City Rollers
In 2019, the Rose City Rollers’ Wheels of Justice captured the world roller derby title in Montreal — then, the pandemic hit.
This weekend, after a nearly five-year wait, they finally get to defend their crown, and on familiar ground too.
The 2024 WFTDA Global Championships are coming to Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Friday, Nov. 1 through Sunday, Nov. 3. Whether you’re new to the sport or a diehard fan, watching 13 teams from the US, Canada, France, Sweden, and Australia go head to head is a high-octane occasion. Each squad has battled through regional qualifiers and now has their sights set on the coveted Hydra trophy.
A variety of ticket options are available for this 16-game, single-elimination tournament. There will also be vendors, food and drink, team merch, raffles, and halftime entertainment.
The Buy
The Buy
A 60% off deal on an LED floor lamp perfect for your entertaining space. The minimalist lamp can be set to dozens of color combinations + light effects for the exact ambience you desire.
Treats that terrify — that’s what’s haunting my mind this morning. From skull-shaped pastries to bloodcurling cocktails, these Portland bars and cafes are Hallowinning.
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