Spouting Horn Restaurant
1 10 NE Highway 101
Depoe Bay, OR
Investigation Results:
EMF Meters were active, as well as cold spots detected with the thermal scanner.
EVP has been recorded by the Phantom Seekers.
Haunted: Yes,
by "Ralph" & Residual Imprints
**We investigated
this location on many different occasions with heartfelt thanks to the following
people: The Taunton Family, Jefferson Davis, Janet Reiner, and Jake and Jennifer
from the Phantom Seekers.
Built in 1930, this icon facing the ocean
shore was originally a hotel and boarding house, as well as a temporary headquarters
for the US Coast Guard during the 2nd world war. As expected, fishing and lumber
were mainstream employment at the coast during the 1930’s. Many seaman and
lumberjacks found the Spouting Horn’s accommodations restful, and the hot
meals welcome.
Vaughn and Betty Taunton bought the restaurant in the
early 1950’s. A family business, Betty and her family have continued to
manage the restaurant (Vaughn passed on in 1995).
During remodeling,
Betty and her family reportedly had a barrage of paranormal activity. Disembodied
footsteps, as well as the apparition of a man in the kitchen caught many of the
employees off guard. The kitchen seems to be an area of extreme interest to their
ghost, whom they affectionately call “Ralph.” He enjoys appearing
to the employees there, as well as clattering and dropping pans and dishes (sometimes,
with food on them!) “Ralph” has also been seen wandering the hallway
upstairs that runs between the dining area and the lounge. We found the upstairs
area rich in paranormal activity!!
In 2001, I investigated the Spouting
Horn with Jefferson Davis, Janet Reiner, and the Phantom Seekers for the purpose
of filming a documentary on coastal ghosts.
It was apparent that “Ralph”
did not appreciate being sought out, and is highly protective of this establishment.
At one point he ran into the men’s room; Janet Reiner and myself opted to
follow him. How rude this must have been to him, as he barred the door so that
we could not enter- even as we both pushed on it with both of our weights, he
made it clear that we were not to enter (When Jeff came over, he barely touched
the door, and it opened with ease). The Phantom Seekers also received amazing
EVP in this hallway when no one was present; mocking my sense of humor as “Ralph”
stood sternly in my path in the hallway, I remarked to the group laughingly that,
“I’m not going down there!” When the tape recorder was left
in this area, it recorded a booming male voice yell out, “I ain’t
going down there!”
We made another trip to the Spouting Horn in 2002.
We did not receive EVP this time, however, I definitely felt the presence of more
than just “Ralph.” Betty Taunton and her family were very gracious
and kind to us; we enjoyed the excellent buffet and Betty’s wonderful pies
before we were allowed a special undisturbed few moments with the spirits upstairs.
It is not particularly known why the Spouting Horn is presently frequented
by so many spirits. Although the Taunton family is comfortable with their resident
spirit, “Ralph,” it is obvious to us that there is too much paranormal
activity present to give all the spectral credit to just one, over-possessive
ghost.
Amazingly enough, the most interesting apparition that we received
on our 2002 visit to the Spouting Horn was not Ralph at all, but a woman in a
black dress and hat. She seemed to be in her late 40’s or mid 50’s.
She peers out from the upstairs window as we were taking pictures of the restaurant
from across the street. (The restaurant was closed at this time- there was no
one upstairs). She seems to be holding something in her arms; could it be a baby?
Another person who looked at this photo thought that there was another, younger
woman standing next to her. Also apparent in this photo, is the speeding vortex
that seems to be coming directly behind us from the ocean. We speculated that
the woman (or women?) seemed to be waiting for someone- and is he, or they, arriving?
We wondered at the time this photo was taken, if spirits use bodies of water to
help them travel, and is this the reason why there is so much more activity reported
near coastal shores?
We are not sure of the answers to these questions,
but we hope that you will enjoy the amount of orb activity that we received, as
well as the apparition in the window (creepy)! In this same picture, please note
that the sea spray from behind us is visible in this photo, so those are drops
of water, and not orbs. However, we have yet to see a drop of water travel toward
a doorway…so it is difficult for us to ascertain how many spirit-orbs there
could be in this photo. I’m sure there are some sprinkled in there.
A comfortable atmosphere and local favorite, the Spouting Horn is frequented by
local patrons, as well as an array of unseen customers. If you make it to the
Spouting Horn, enjoy the Taunton family’s hospitality, rich history, great
food, spirited ambience and comfortable atmosphere. Betty Taunton’s Berry
Pies are to DIE for!
We received orbs and an apparition as well as
a vortex. There has been EVP recorded. Our meters went crazy in the upstairs dining
room, the upstairs hallway, both the restrooms in this hallway, and in the lounge
area. (Both visits).We experienced cold spots and definite aggressive behavior
by “Ralph.”
