Macabre Ghost History of Portland: Lone Fir Cemetery Walking Tour
Difficulty
easy
Duration
1.5 hours
Fitness Level
Able to walk 1.5 miles and stand for short storytelling segments; suitable for most fitness levels
Overview
Walk 1.5 miles through Portland’s inner eastside and Lone Fir Cemetery with a guide who connects verifiable records—fires, drownings, mass graves—to the city’s darker folklore. This 90-minute tour pairs historical detail with moody urban storytelling.
Macabre Ghost History of Portland: Lone Fir Cemetery Walking Tour
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The streetlights blur into halos as your group gathers outside Revolution Hall, the brick schoolhouse that has seen its share of brilliant—but often troubled—alumni. A guide’s voice drops and the city noise feels farther away; the sidewalk becomes a margin between lives lived and stories left behind. For 1.5 miles through Portland’s inner eastside, the tour moves like a slow tide: past narrow houses and lamp-lit alleys, into the quiet groves and crooked rows of Lone Fir Cemetery where names and dates stack like chapters pushed together.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Bring a headlamp for evening tours
Many cemetery paths have uneven footing and low light—use a headlamp or strong phone light to navigate safely.
Wear waterproof shoes
Portland’s weather turns damp quickly; waterproof footwear keeps you comfortable on paved and packed-earth surfaces.
Respect grave markers and boundaries
Stay on paths, don’t climb headstones, and follow the guide’s instructions—many plots are historical and fragile.
Arrive by transit when possible
Street parking is limited near Revolution Hall—use TriMet or a rideshare to avoid delays at the start point.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Great horned owl
- Raccoon
History
Lone Fir Cemetery dates to the mid-19th century and holds sections reflecting Portland’s racial and institutional histories, including unmarked graves of Chinese immigrants and asylum patients.
Conservation
Cemetery preservation is ongoing—stay on paths, don’t disturb markers, and consider supporting local Friends groups that fund restoration and interpretive efforts.
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Adventure Hotspots in Portland
Recommended Gear
Waterproof walking shoes
Keeps feet dry and stable on mixed pavement and cemetery paths.
Light layer or rain jacket
Portland’s dampness and wind make a lightweight, water-resistant jacket useful year-round, especially in fall.
fall specific
Headlamp or phone flashlight
Helps you read plaques and navigate low-light sections during evening tours.
winter specific
Compact umbrella or packable poncho
Spring showers are common; a small umbrella or poncho keeps you comfortable without bulk.
spring specific