Northern California’s famous Gold Rush era is responsible for the formation of many communities that still exist to this day. Of course, a lot of these towns boast a plethora of wild tales from those bygone mining days, including a ton of ghost stories that will send chills down your spine. If you’re the type of person who gets a thrill out of seeking out the most haunted small towns in Northern California, be sure to plan a stop at the historic town of Susanville CA. This allegedly haunted small town is home to all sorts of paranormal legends, and you may just experience something out of the ordinary when you visit for yourself.
Formerly known as Rooptown, Susanville is a historic little community in Lassen County. Settled in the 1850s, this town is home to all sorts of historic structures…many of which are allegedly haunted.
Ken Lund/Flickr
Paranormal experiences have been reported at several locations throughout town, but there’s one place in particular that’s believed to be haunted: the Mount Lassen Hotel.
Ken Lund/Flickr
Although no longer an operating hotel, the structure was known as one of the most historic in the community. Dating back to 1926, it was believed to be the scene of a gruesome murder including the hotel’s manager. Many say his spirit still lingers in the building.
University of California, Davis
Another historic haunt includes the St. Francis Bar and Grill. Staff who worked at the bar have reported strange occurrences taking place there, such as the sound of unexplained laughter and clinking glasses.
David Prasad/Flickr
The Susanville Elk’s Lodge is a stately historic building that sits on a hill overlooking the town. Some say that on especially dark and stormy nights, they’ve seen a figure dressed in all white staring out the window. Pretty spooky!
Ken Lund/Flickr
Lastly, the town’s Pioneer Saloon initially opened in 1862—making it one of the longest continuously operating saloons in California. With so much history residing within these walls, there definitely has to be a few ghost stories to uncover here.
David Prasad/Flickr
There are probably a lot more paranormal legends waiting to be uncovered in this old mining community, so make a day of it and spend some time in Northern California’s most haunted small town. You might come across something simply unexplainable.
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Do you believe Susanville CA is Northern California’s most haunted small town? Have you ever wondered, “is the Lassen National Forest haunted?” Tell us about any paranormal experiences you’ve had around this area in the comments below! Be sure to check out The 10 Most Terrifying Places In Northern California for more creepy destinations like this one.
Ken Lund/Flickr
University of California, Davis
David Prasad/Flickr
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Address: Susanville, CA, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Haunted and Abandoned Places in Northern California September 15, 2022 Katie Lawrence What are the most haunted places in NorCal? If you’ve ever gotten the urge to visit haunted places in NorCal, make your way over to the Battery Point Lighthouse in Crescent City. Said to be haunted by the ghost of a former lightkeeper, this eerie destination is sure to send chills down your spine. Visitors have reported such paranormal activity as hearing footsteps on the spiral staircase, as well as being touched by an unseen hand. The ghost of the lightkeeper also has a tendency to move objects around and rock back and forth in the rocking chair late at night. Are you brave enough to make his acquaintance? Are there any haunted hotels in NorCal? One of the most haunted hotels in NorCal, Hotel Dunsmuir, was built way back in the 1800s, and it has become the subject of quite a few local legends over the centuries. One such ghost story surrounding the hotel involves the spirit of a boy named Charlie - or “The Kid,” as locals refer to him. The boy allegedly met a tragic demise after falling from the stairwell. Another ghost said to roam the halls of the hotel is that of a man named James, who apparently hung himself in the very same stairwell that Charlie fell from. Have you ever seen anything you couldn’t explain at the Hotel Dunsmuir? Can I visit any abandoned places in NorCal? Abandoned places in NorCal are both haunting and intriguing, and the Chemung Mine is no exception. Located near Bridgeport, this chilling locale was founded in 1909, and it quickly became one of the region’s most successful gold mines. The mine stayed open until 1938, and after it was officially shuttered, the population of the area slowly dwindled to nothing as workers left in search of other opportunities. Many of the original mining structures are still intact, begging urban explorers to see what lurks within them. Oh, and did we mentioned the mine is allegedly haunted?
The OIYS Visitor Center
Haunted and Abandoned Places in Northern California
September 15, 2022
Katie Lawrence
What are the most haunted places in NorCal? If you’ve ever gotten the urge to visit haunted places in NorCal, make your way over to the Battery Point Lighthouse in Crescent City. Said to be haunted by the ghost of a former lightkeeper, this eerie destination is sure to send chills down your spine. Visitors have reported such paranormal activity as hearing footsteps on the spiral staircase, as well as being touched by an unseen hand. The ghost of the lightkeeper also has a tendency to move objects around and rock back and forth in the rocking chair late at night. Are you brave enough to make his acquaintance? Are there any haunted hotels in NorCal? One of the most haunted hotels in NorCal, Hotel Dunsmuir, was built way back in the 1800s, and it has become the subject of quite a few local legends over the centuries. One such ghost story surrounding the hotel involves the spirit of a boy named Charlie - or “The Kid,” as locals refer to him. The boy allegedly met a tragic demise after falling from the stairwell. Another ghost said to roam the halls of the hotel is that of a man named James, who apparently hung himself in the very same stairwell that Charlie fell from. Have you ever seen anything you couldn’t explain at the Hotel Dunsmuir? Can I visit any abandoned places in NorCal? Abandoned places in NorCal are both haunting and intriguing, and the Chemung Mine is no exception. Located near Bridgeport, this chilling locale was founded in 1909, and it quickly became one of the region’s most successful gold mines. The mine stayed open until 1938, and after it was officially shuttered, the population of the area slowly dwindled to nothing as workers left in search of other opportunities. Many of the original mining structures are still intact, begging urban explorers to see what lurks within them. Oh, and did we mentioned the mine is allegedly haunted?
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
If you’ve ever gotten the urge to visit haunted places in NorCal, make your way over to the Battery Point Lighthouse in Crescent City. Said to be haunted by the ghost of a former lightkeeper, this eerie destination is sure to send chills down your spine. Visitors have reported such paranormal activity as hearing footsteps on the spiral staircase, as well as being touched by an unseen hand. The ghost of the lightkeeper also has a tendency to move objects around and rock back and forth in the rocking chair late at night. Are you brave enough to make his acquaintance?
Are there any haunted hotels in NorCal?
One of the most haunted hotels in NorCal, Hotel Dunsmuir, was built way back in the 1800s, and it has become the subject of quite a few local legends over the centuries. One such ghost story surrounding the hotel involves the spirit of a boy named Charlie - or “The Kid,” as locals refer to him. The boy allegedly met a tragic demise after falling from the stairwell. Another ghost said to roam the halls of the hotel is that of a man named James, who apparently hung himself in the very same stairwell that Charlie fell from. Have you ever seen anything you couldn’t explain at the Hotel Dunsmuir?
Can I visit any abandoned places in NorCal?
Abandoned places in NorCal are both haunting and intriguing, and the Chemung Mine is no exception. Located near Bridgeport, this chilling locale was founded in 1909, and it quickly became one of the region’s most successful gold mines. The mine stayed open until 1938, and after it was officially shuttered, the population of the area slowly dwindled to nothing as workers left in search of other opportunities. Many of the original mining structures are still intact, begging urban explorers to see what lurks within them. Oh, and did we mentioned the mine is allegedly haunted?
