Abandoned Urban Places

Urban

These are samples of the types of photographs included in the Abandoned Washington State book. Many of these photographs have a fascinating story behind them, which you can read in the book.

St. Ignatius Hospital

St. Ignatius Hospital was built in 1892 by the Sisters of Providence in the town of Colfax in eastern Washington State. Construction was supervised by Mother Joseph Pariseau, who surprisingly, was an accomplished architect. It was the largest building in eastern Washington when it was completed and operated as Whitman County’s only hospital until 1964. From that time on it operated as an assisted living facility until it shut down in 2000. The hospital is reportedly haunted and has been the subject of the reality TV shows Ghost Adventures, Ghost Hunters, and Paranormal Lockdown.

inside the abandoned St Ignatius Hospital

Northern State Hospital

Competing with St. Ignatius Hospital to be the creepiest place in Washington State is probably the abandoned insane asylum by the name of Northern State Hospital located near Sedro Woolley, also said to be the site of unexplained paranormal events. What makes this place so infamous is that when it was in operation from 1911 to 1976, at least 1,487 patients died, many from botched lobotomies. The actual number of deaths is unknown but is probably much higher.

inside the abandoned Northern State Hospital

Photo credit: PNW Aerials

Photo credit: LittleGreyRanger

Photo credit: Cindy Shebley

Photo credit: Cameron Miller

Devil's Tower

There is an abandoned concrete processing plant located near the aptly named town of Concrete, Washington. Once operated by the Washington Portland Cement Company, the locals now refer to it as Devil's Tower.

Photo credit: Stephanie Ferguson

Photo credit: Sephanie Ferguson

Photo credit: Stephanie Ferguson

​Urban

St. Ignatius Hospital

Northern State Hospital

Devil's Tower

Urban