Pacific Paranormal Research Society

Lenora’s Ghost Tavern

Lenora’s Ghost Tavern
114 Main Street
Independence, OR
www.lenorasghost.com

Investigation Results: EMF Meters fluctuated constantly, but we were in a bar, so results must be questioned. Orbs received could be dust particles, especially upstairs where remodeling has begun. However, brighter orbs were received in the bar area, and seemed to be affected by our questions for photos, as they followed us around. Many cold spots throughout. No EVP detected although asked for.

Haunted: Lerona is there watching over her business, still believing that her man will be coming home to her. She refuses to understand that the dimension she has chosen to stay in is not the same one she left when she killed herself. There are also 3 other spirits that seem to follow Lerona and hang out in the bar area. I don't believe these ghosts died here, but have chosen the location for their own personal reasons. True, classic Ghosts haunt this location.

In 1916, Lerona (not a spelling error), owned this 3-story building which she ran as a hotel, brothel, and full bar. Her bar was known throughout the Willamette Valley as a secret place for prominent western politicians and businessmen to spend the weekend with the resident ladies of the evening without fear of repercussions from their behavior, and business was booming. During the U.S.’s involvement in WWI, Lerona’s beloved fiancé, a soldier who trained at Camp Rilea in Corvallis, was deployed to the front lines.
Lerona was heartbroken from his absence, and would stand in the window of her 2nd story room for hours, staring ruefully at the Willamette River; waiting somberly for the day that he would return to her.

Shortly before the war ended, Lerona received the news that her fiancé had been killed in battle. She received this news on a Wednesday, and was so distraught, that she decided to join him.

This establishment, like so many others during this era, had limited electricity. To allow sunlight into the building, glass skylights were built from the roof down, and were visible on each floor.

On the Thursday following the news of her fiancé’s death, Lerona climbed the steps onto the roof of her building, and plunged herself head first through the glass skylight; her body crashing through each floor, until she landed on the hardwood floor in front of the bar.
Her body was not discovered until the following Monday, where it lay hideously crumpled in a pool of her own blood. Because her body was not found for 5 days, the blood had soaked into the hardwood floor, and left a permanent reminder of Lerona’s fatal decision. This reminder is in the form of an amorphous dark stain, which remains to this day.

The present owners of this establishment have reported ghostly activity in the bar area, and in the unfinished portions of the upstairs. People have reported walking by and seeing a well dressed woman peering out of the 2nd story upstairs window, staring out at the river. Upon entering the bar for a drink, many patrons have asked, “Who is that beautiful dark-haired woman I saw looking out the window?”

Lerona still holds vigil upstairs, and throughout the building, as do other spirits who reside there. Her ghost is the one that patrons and employees choose to recognize, as being the most active ghostly resident; not only is she still seen waiting for her fiancé’s return, but she continues to involve herself in the daily affairs of the business that she once owned.

We received some amazing orb photos (One, right next to a certain stain on the floor). EMF meters readings were very high next to the bar, and we were constantly feeling cold breezes blowing by us. Lerona herself seems to fancy the bartender, and we got a great photograph of an orb behind him, watching over his shoulder as he served the customers.We were told by the current owner that activity had picked up recently, as he was beginning to renovate the upstairs rooms.

We hung out at this historical tavern, and drank its legacy; we enjoyed the friendly atmosphere and great service so much, that we spent half the day here.

Now called Lenora’s Ghost, only the downstairs section of this old hotel & brothel is open to the public. An extremely popular college and local favorite, the establishment is known locally for its live music, good food, and “spirits.”