Oregon’s Hot Lake Hotel
By Tyler Wilford

The Hot Lake Hotel in Union City is about 10 miles from La Grande, Oregon, and may be one of the most mysterious and fascinating places I’ve ever been to. The area was first “discovered” in 1812 by Robert Stuart, of the Wilson Price Hunt party. Native American tribes used the nearby hot springs as a place to nurse their injured or sick on neutral ground. Then in the 1840s Hot Lake became a resting place for families who were traveling along the Oregon Trail. The first hotel was constructed in 1864 and was complete with bathhouses, a post office, dance hall, barbershop, and even a blacksmith. Until 1884, this isolated hotel was relatively unknown. This was this year the Union Pacific railroad put Hot Lake on the map, linking Oregon with the transcontinental system and attracted visitors worldwide. The property continued to grow and in 1908 the 105-room brick building was completed. The second floor was made up entirely for guests, where for $2.50 you could stay for the night, and enjoy a meal for just 25 cents.

In 1917  Doctor Phi purchased the property. Under the new owner’s direction, the hotel took on a dual purpose, housing a hospital on the third floor, complete with a surgery and rooms for patients. He renamed the resort to Hot Lake Sanatorium and began experimenting with the geothermal waters to treat various ailments. Between 1924 and 1934 the resort/hospital caught worldwide attention as the hotel averaged 124 new guests daily. 

Unfortunately, on May 7th of 1934 a fire broke out and destroyed much of the resort, reducing it to roughly half the size it once was and leaving only the brick building standing. Due to the devastating fire and the depression, business was never the same at Hot Lake.

During World War II, the location was used as a pilot’s school and nurse training center. Until 1975 it operated as a nursing home and asylum. When the nursing home closed it became a restaurant and country western nightclub but that closed due to lack of business. It wasn’t until 1983, Dr. Lyle Griffith took over, and started the Hot Lake Company, which was a bath and massage business. That failed as well and the hotel fell into ruin. 

In September of 2000, my sister and I drove to Oregon just to see this place. We toured the long abandoned facility all by ourselves. Talk about an eerie feeling and this is where my story begins. By this time the Hot Lake Hotel had earned a reputation for being extremely haunted. Over the years many witnesses claim to have heard strange things, and see things which they could not explain in and around the resort. Visitors often recount seeing spectral figures walking around the grounds. Strange voices, screams, whispering, and footsteps in the various parts of the hotel are just some things reported by guests. 

One of the more common stories is about a former gardener who committed suicide on the property. People report an apparition of a man wearing work clothes walking around the old swimming pool.  When the resort first opened a piano formerly owned by Robert E. Lee’s wife was acquired and placed on the hotel’s third floor. To this day people hear this ghosty piano playing by itself.
As we walked around the hotel we entered what must have been a grand suite. It was a large room, had an oversized tub in the bathroom, and a picture window that you could see what remains of Hot Lake. In fact a breathtaking view. As we entered the room both of us looked at each other. I was the first to speak, “Can you feel that?”

My sister looked at me and confirmed. It was like the room was electric. Chills went through my body and as I looked at my sister I could see her hair begin to stand-up on its own like some crazy Tesla machine. Then the door to the room slammed shut. I ran to the door, threw it open, and looked down the hallway. Nothing, not a single person in sight and no reasonable explanation as to why it closed.

I heard my sister scream. Running back into the room I found her on the floor completely shaken. She grabbed my arm, pulled herself up and said, “Get me the hell out of here!”

We left the hotel, jumped in the car and didn’t stop for anything or anyone until we were back at our motel in Union Oregon. Later that evening my sister had recovered enough to tell me what had happened. She said when I left an apparition came in from the bathroom area, floated straight at her and passed through her. The chill she felt was pure evil and she nearly passed out. She fell to the floor screaming.

Fast forward to 2003, and the Hot Lake Hotel was purchased by David and Lee Manual. They spent millions of dollars over the next seven years restoring the property. In 2008, the west wing of the building collapsed. As of 2010, the building now functions as a bed and breakfast, with dozens of restored rooms, a spa, restaurant, and a museum. 

This Week’s Podcast:

On the program this week we take on the theme of the ghost hunter. We have stories from them and other surprises including an OTR episode from Suspense called Ghost Hunt. You can listen to this podcast on Thursday at Ron’s Amazing Stories, download it from Apple Podcasts, stream it on Stitcher Radio or on the mobile version of Spotify. Do you prefer the radio? We are heard every Thursday at 10:00 pm and Sunday Night at 11:00 PM (EST) on AMFM247.COM. Check your local listing or find the station closest to you at this link

Social Links:
Main Podcast Site by LibSyn
The Blog Site by WordPress
Facebook Link
Twitter Link

Contact Links:
Email
Story Submissions
Contact Ron

What does church, Metallica and a retired person have in common? At first glance you might say, “Ron, those things have nothing in common that I can see?” You would be wrong. These three things were all part of a Sunday morning that I experienced. 

My church, at the time, had breakfast every first Sunday of the month. I love breakfast! So, it should come as no surprise to anyone that knows me that I am down for such activity. I was sitting at a table enjoying my homemade plate of goodness when some friends came and sat down. I overhear their conversation and I learn that they have a problem. Their car has broken down and Grandma has to be home by noon. Well, I had already gone to church so I stepped up to the plate and offered to drive Granny home. They accepted my offer with much gratitude and praise. I was a hero and there were no two ways about it. That is until….well we will get to that. I took granny by the arm and we walked out to my car. 

Let’s take a step back in time. I love music almost as much as I love breakfast. On the way to church that day I was listening to my phone, through bluetooth, and was playing Apple Music’s – Pink Floyd Radio. It was a bit late when I got there. I grabbed my phone, tossed it into the glove box and locked it. – Now back to granny.

We arrive at my car, I open the door for her, and even help her inside. I came around the car and slid into the driver’s seat. I start the engine, turn to her to ask where she lives, and Metallica’s tune Sandman begins to play over the car’s speakers. At a reasonable level? Oh no! It blares out the speakers like an Atom bomb. She did not react well. I would call it screaming, but I was trying to decide if it was her screams or James Hetfield’s singing. Turns out her screams were louder, but James got really close. 

Well, I panicked and grabbed the keys out of the ignition. At the time I was driving a 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix.  Everyone knows that when you turn the car off the radio stays on until you open the door.  That’s right, all I had to do to stop this madness was to either turn the radio off or open the car door. I did neither. I opted to try and unlock the glovebox to get my phone. In doing so I dropped my keys and I challenge you to guess where they went? Right between grannies legs.  

I will let that sink in for just a moment.

I was stunned, but I grabbed the keys and managed to hit the panic button on the remote. Let me summarize. Radio blaring, granny screaming, James singing, and car alarm is blaring, “honk, honk, honk”. 

People noticed.

I won’t bore you with the rest. It was a lot of explaining, a lot of apologizing, and a very quiet trip home. I did get Granny safely to her house and on time, but I am guessing that I would not be on her list of people to call when she needs a ride.

This Week’s Podcast:

On the program this week we debut a brand new segment called Paranormal Expeditions. On the pilot episode we head to Tampa, Florida and visit The Brooksville Heritage Museum. We also feature the story Seller Of The Sky.  A remarkable tale you just don’t want to miss. You can listen to this podcast on Thursday at Ron’s Amazing Stories, download it from Apple Podcasts, stream it on Stitcher Radio or on the mobile version of Spotify. Do you prefer the radio? We are heard every Thursday at 10:00 pm and Sunday Night at 11:00 PM (EST) on AMFM247.COM. Check your local listing or find the station closest to you at this link

Social Links:
Main Podcast Site by LibSyn
The Blog Site by WordPress
Facebook Link
Twitter Link

Contact Links:
Email
Story Submissions
Contact Ron

Your story this week is not your typical military fare. We hear stories of bravery, strife and death. But haunted guard towers? I have to say this was a first for me. This tale first appeared in episode #344 – It’s Our Military. I hope you enjoy it!

Hello Ron, I hope I made it in time with my submission. It took some deciding which story to share from my time in the military. I never had a good time working the security force for my first deployment whether I was stuck at the gate or in a tower. However, the story I will tell comes from then. On my first night on our outpost, before I even had a good sense of direction, was a tell-tale sign that I was in for some trouble. 

I was posted alone in Tower 2 (the towers were numbered 1 through 4). This tower faced a mountain to the north, and a Pakistan village to the east. I didn’t know about the village yet, because they were going through a power outage. The timing couldn’t have been more dramatic. No sooner than I put on my night vision, their power was restored. All I know is I saw flickering lights appearing in a sequence, and in a long line. I pictured your typical Hollywood scenario: a bunch of guys on horses holding torches ready to raid. I felt pretty stupid when I called this in, because HQ didn’t need to see anything to know what had me in a panic. This was the beginning of a beautiful relationship. 

I was finally as comfortable as you can get in a war zone, when I had to cover a night shift in Tower 3. It was a quiet night, and during a local holiday that even the combatants relaxed for a month-long religious practice. I was bored and admiring the stars when I heard it. 

Something started rustling right outside the wall and under my tower. I shouted down and readied for who knows what.  I felt adrenaline kicking in and my perception of time slowing down. I searched around and even underneath the tower and there was nothing and no one around. Just as I convinced myself I had been awake too long, and as if right on cue, I heard a soft “meh” outside of the wall. I experienced a strange mix of horror and confusion. 

What I was hearing was the  disembodied voice……of a goat?  Well, at least I had company.

My friends made fun of the disembodied goat experience, but everyone has had their share of unexplained noises while working that haunted guard tower.  Tower #3.

Anthony Carr – Oklahoma

This Week’s Podcast:

On the program this week our featured story comes from space exploration of the 1950’s. Okay the story didn’t happen then but it was written in 1957. It is titled The Nothing, and it should creep you out just a bit. Also on the show, is a listener submission about a haunted restaurant called The Country Tavern. You can listen to this podcast on Thursday at Ron’s Amazing Stories, download it from Apple Podcasts, stream it on Stitcher Radio or on the mobile version of Spotify. Do you prefer the radio? We are heard every Thursday at 10:00 pm and Sunday Night at 11:00 PM (EST) on AMFM247.COM. Check your local listing or find the station closest to you at this link

Ron’s Amazing Stories is produced and hosted by Ronald Hood:
Email: ronsamazingstories@gmail.com
Blog Page: https://ronsamazingstories.blog/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ronsamazingstories/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RASpodcast

Helpful Links:
Podcast Survey – Help the podcast by taking this survey.
Story Submissions – Use this link to submit your stories to the show.
Podcast Archives – Looking for the first 100 episodes of the podcast?

On the podcast this week we revisit the topic of Flying Saucers. In a different kind of way. UFO’s broke on to the scene in the mid 1940’s. There were stories coming in from across the nation and the world was crazy about them. On the show we will view the subject from the point of view of the newsman. In point, one  Edward R. Murrow. But before that I have pulled this story from the RAS archives titled UFO Coincidence. It was sent in by Marcella Cunningham. 

Ron, thank you for your podcast. I look forward to it each week. I used to listen on the radio on Sunday night until you mentioned that you could be found on Tune-in Radio. I now listen to you there. I want to share an experience that I had with an old friend. 

I had a best friend named Becky in middle school who I lost contact with when she transferred in the eighth grade. Two years later, I had a dream that I visited her new school and we sat at the back of her math class. In the dream her teacher was a tall, brunette with curly hair, and wearing glasses. 

The next day I get a message on Facebook from her, which is completely out of blue because we hadn’t spoken in months. She writes to me how she is doing, but that she is still having trouble with math. I have always been good at it so I helped her with math and she helped me with english. I thought how odd!

I wrote her back and told her about my dream. With-in seconds I get a reply. She freaks out and tells me that she sits at the back of her math class, and her teacher fits the description I gave her from my dream perfectly.

The next night I was out walking the dog around the neighborhood with a friend. We would occasionally look up to the sky in awe of the stars. I saw a fast moving light like a meteor, but slower, although much faster than an airplane. Then, it made an impossible ninety degree turn. First to the right, then to the left, and then it disappeared. My friend and I both stopped, looked at each other and said at the same time “Did you see that?”

A woman’s voice from behind us spoke out, “I sure did, never seen anything like that before?”

We both turned. Standing there was a young woman who was tall, brunette with curly hair, and wearing glasses. She introduced herself as Mary. We talked for quite awhile about what we had seen. Through our discussion she mentioned that she was a teacher. I stopped here  in mid-sentence and mentioned my old friend’s name. She was in fact my Becky’s math teacher.

Was all of this coincidence? Why the UFO and why strange connections? I renewed my friendship with Becky and we are better friends than ever. I am now a junior in highschool, and yes I still help her with Math and she still proofreads my english assignments.

Marcella Cunningham

Crazy story that is both synchronous and about UFOs. On the program this week we will have more of the same. You can listen to the podcast on Thursday at Ron’s Amazing Stories, download it from Apple Podcasts, stream it on Stitcher Radio or on the mobile version of Spotify. Do you prefer the radio? We are heard every Thursday at 10:00 pm and Sunday Night at 11:00 PM (EST) on AMFM247.COM. Check your local listing or find the station closest to you at this link

Ron’s Amazing Stories is produced and hosted by Ronald Hood:
Email: ronsamazingstories@gmail.com
Blog Page: https://ronsamazingstories.blog/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ronsamazingstories/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RASpodcast

Helpful Links:
Podcast Survey – Help the podcast by taking this survey.
Story Submissions – Use this link to submit your stories to the show.
Podcast Archives – Looking for the first 100 episodes of the podcast?

Sometimes I receive emails from folks who want to tell their story, but they think it has to be paranormal for me to read it. That is not the case. If you have a tale that is cool, happy, sad, or even crazy. We want to hear it. We had such a story in Episode #371 that got a lot of attention back in day.

-Ron

Ron, I was a steel worker for 35 years and have some amazing stories to tell. My son turned me on to your podcast a few weeks ago. I have not stopped listening. I am not good with words, but I can tell a story. My phone number is 555-5555 (not his real number). Call me anytime and let me tell you one. – Herman

Well on a Saturday afternoon I set up my recording equipment and dialed. It rang ten times and didn’t even go to voicemail. Dejected, I went to the next call on the list and got a story from Aulani in Hawaii. Fast forward to another day and I dialed up Herman again, this time I got the good old-fashioned busy signal. I moved on to another caller and chatted a bit with them, but didn’t get a story I could use. I decided to try Herman again and this time we connected. Herman is 88 years old, born in New York in 1932 and he does have a story or two. He told me to pick one. I decided on the one you are about to hear. I wrote this story just as Herman told it to me.

I was 19 at the time living in New York. I was there because in 1951 I was kicked out of my dad’s home, with no prospects. He told me I could come back when I had a job. So, I went to the big city and took a construction job at an office building in downtown Manhattan. It was surprisingly easy to get the job. They just asked me if I had a fear of heights and when I said, “no.” They said, “You start at 8am tomorrow morning”.

When I got there, I thought that I would be a “go fer guy” running stuff around until I learned the job. The forman pointed me at a rickety steel box and told a guy named Mickey to take me up top to James. We walked over to this crazy looking thing and got inside. We went up. 

At first I thought it was neat and even exciting as all of New York began to unfold around me. I could see for miles and even the shakiness of the elevator was lost to me. That is until I heard that “Grrrrrrr” and the metal snap. We fell about 2 feet and landed with a “Crack” and a “Snap!” I looked over and Mickey just smiled, “Don’t worry kid, it does that sometimes.” The rest of the trip to the top was not as enjoyable.

We eventually got to where we were going and Mickey stopped that crazy ride.  “All out,” he said, “James is that big fella over there. Careful where you step we ain’t got around to building the floor yet.”

That was understatement. I was looking out at a sea of steel. A brisk wind blew that day along the cross streets of Midtown Manhattan and I was forced to step out onto a six-inch-wide steel beam 24 stories above Seventh Avenue. I started to walk across it, wind at my back with nothing to keep me from falling. Oh and I could not just walk straight to James I had to find my way across solving a maze like puzzle as I went. I almost turned back right then and there, but Mickey had already started up the elevator and was heading back down. I was committed and probably should have asked more about this job yesterday.

I did make it to a place of relative safety. Plywood had been set in one corner so that James could have a work table and office – after a sort. I had to stand there a good ten minutes as he shouted out orders to his crew as to their work assignments for the day. Finally, he got to me. “So who are ya and where’s your hard hat?” He had a thick Irish accent. I told him that I was just told to come up here and talk to him.

“Well, did they now. They call it trial by fire, if ye can make it up here they think ye can work.” He reached behind his table and handed me a greasy hardhat and pair of gloves. “Can you use a Wheelbarrow now?”

Of course I knew what one was, but I had no idea of how that worked all the way up here. As it turns out, not very well. My job was to take loads of cement, riviots and other supplies to the men working the high girders and I had to do it with a wheelbarrow. I was slow, laughed at, and even cussed at all though the rest of the day, but in the end I started to figure it out. The trick was to not look down and never get off balance. Oh, and I did have a close call a time or two.

I worked on that building for the next thirteen months and I am here to tell that it still stands today. We lost more men than I can count over that time, but I thank god I was not one of them. I stayed working construction for the next ten years and even got to love my job. Hazard pay was the name of the game and working the skies made a certain breed of man to be born. They called us, “Cowboy’s Of the Skies”.

Herman Weaver – New Castle, Delaware

This Week’s Podcast: On the show this week the theme is The Empire State Building. We have ghost stories, a Johnny Is It True, and a special tale from Paul Hart and his encounter with the bicentennial in New York. You won’t believe his viewpoint. You can listen to this podcast on Thursday at Ron’s Amazing Stories, download it from Apple Podcasts, stream it on Stitcher Radio or on the mobile version of Spotify. Do you prefer the radio? We are heard every Thursday at 10:00 pm and Sunday Night at 11:00 PM (EST) on AMFM247.COM. Check your local listing or find the station closest to you at this link

Ron’s Amazing Stories is produced and hosted by Ronald Hood:
Email: ronsamazingstories@gmail.com
Blog Page: https://ronsamazingstories.blog/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ronsamazingstories/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RASpodcast

Helpful Links:
Podcast Survey – Help the podcast by taking this survey.
Story Submissions – Use this link to submit your stories to the show.
Podcast Archives – Looking for the first 100 episodes of the podcast?