When something makes you feel extremely uneasy you normally strive to avoid it like the plague unless you are knowingly attempting to understand why it causes you so much personal mental discomfort. However when that unexplained something holds the power of intrigue and blind power that draws you in by unknown forces, you just might feel inclined to investigate it further. For over two-hundred years people have felt a strange sensation and a deep gut feeling that screams of all things that are not right in the world when visiting this place. Gold Hill has got to be one the most far fetched legends in the state of Oregon, but even the Indians concluded that it spelled trouble and they quickly dubbed it “Forbidden Ground”.
Gold Hill, Oregon is located in Jackson County at the southwest corner of the state, and has been a topic of discussion for several hundred years. The legend began with the Indians and then escalated after the first white settlers in the early 1800’s felt inclined to investigate the reasons behind the sudden feelings of uneasiness that gave the distinct impression that something was definitely wrong with their newly found area. A show of unexplained lights and gravitational forces soon became known as the Oregon Vortex, infamous for defying the laws of physics. Gold miners quickly became receptive to the paranormal experiences surrounding it, but purged onward in an effort to get rich quick.
The Gold Hill Mining District immediately brought profits to founders Bartholomew Signorritti and Joe Cox. The miners they hired worked long days for a paycheck despite the fact that they were scared by the paranormal activities that surrounded the mine day in and day out. Despite this fact the profits were astronomical, and did not go unnoticed by Josiah Beeman, who purchased the mine in 1892. An assayer’s office was erected in 1890, by the Old Grey Eagle Mining Company to accommodate the many functions of the mine, including weighing the gold. These efforts all panned out, and he banked a sizeable nest egg from the mine that allowed him to build a stately two story home in Gold Hill that stands today and is now a museum that comes complete with ghosts.
Folklore surrounding Gold Hill, Oregon passed through the grapevine and caught the attention of a geologist by the name of John Lister who decided that he would be better suited to settle in the area to perform deep exploration of the strange vortex. In 1920, upon researching the property he developed many theories as to why unsettling occurrences and unexplained oddities took place at the site of the vortex. His more than 14,000 experiments drew in crowds of people who needed to examine his findings a bit closer as to debunk his theories, instead most of them found that objects rolled uphill, equipment malfunctioned, humans became shorter or taller, and dizziness was just a part of the deal.
After John Lister passed away in 1959 his ghost has been spotted by visitors of the vortex, and the remaining town’s people on any given occasion. Today the Gold Hill Historical Society strives to maintain the preservation and history of the mining district through the works of their museum and the dedicated people that run it. The museum is the original home of Josiah Beeman, whose family owned it up until 1993. His descendants gave it to the historical society so that the mining legacy could be passed onto future generations in an effort to keep history alive.
Visitors and staff admit that the museum is highly active with ghosts, spirits and orbs that make their appearance known through sight and sound almost daily. A slamming door, objects moving, pictures being thrown and heavy footsteps are just a normal part of the day at the museum and the guests love the paranormal activities that they flock to it every year by the thousands. The ghost has been lovingly named Willie by the staff, and he is usually found in the stairwell where visitors can also find guides, hand outs, history pamphlets and maps of the old Gold Hill Mining District.
Point of Interest: The assay office was built in 1904, but slid off of its foundation, landing at a far fetched angle that draws in curiosity seekers still today. It is now known as The House of Mystery, and it is reportedly haunted by the ghost of John Lister who has been seen by eye witnesses since his passing in 1959.
The Gold Hill Museum: 504 1st Avenue, Gold Hill, Oregon. The museum is filled with history, photographs, artifacts, ghosts, and a staff that is sure to entertain you with legends of the old mining town. The cost of admission is free, but donations are gladly accepted.
Location: The Oregon Vortex, 4303 Sardine Creek Left Fork Road, Gold Hill, Oregon is located 17 miles east of Grants Pass, Oregon and 13 miles west of Medford, Oregon off of Interstate 5.
Phone: 541-855-1182 or 541- 855-1543
Web Site: [email protected]
Sources:
http://oregonvortex.com/
http://www.city-data.com/articles/The-Oregon-Vortex-The-House-Of-Mystery.html
http://www.oregongold.net/mining-relics-at-gold-hill-oregon/
http://www.oregon.com/southern_oregon_cities/gold_hill
http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090104/NEWS/901040324