The Hauntings of Pike Place Market

Posted: 11.21.2024 | Updated: 11.21.2024

When you visit Seattle, there are a few must-see attractions on your list: the Space Needle, the Chihuly Garden and Glass, and — perhaps the most iconic — the Pike Place Market. 

The Pike Place Market has been a hub for local merchants and business owners for the past century. While visitors may flock to the massive building to see the famous fish toss, they stay to buy fresh coffee, local produce, and handmade art pieces. While exploring the market, however, guests may feel a chill run down their necks. Looking out into the crowd, you may notice that one face looks a little pale — too pale. When you turn back for a second glance, the person is nowhere to be seen. However, if you listen closely enough, you may be able to hear a soft lullaby. 

Why is Pike Place Market Haunted?

Pike Place Market has a long history of vanishing bodies and obscured faces. Many of these apparitions are known to the locals, including some of the market’s original developers, residents who lived near the market, and even a thief who used to victimize the marketgoers. 

From unexplainable footsteps to the ghostly calls of a shop owner, visitors to Pike Place Market could encounter a number of experiences. If you want to see the famous Gum Wall and walk through Post Alley yourself, explore Seattle Terrors’ ghost tours. 

What Is Pike Place Market?

So how did a market become such a landmark anyway? Well, the Pike Place Market had humble beginnings. It started as a public farmer’s market opened by the city council amidst complaints that food was too expensive. The market, unveiled in 1907, offered a way for local farmers to sell directly to consumers at a lower rate. 

Yet, its popularity hasn’t remained consistent since its opening. In the 1960s, supermarkets became all the rage, and the nine-acre market was almost demolished. Those who could see the market’s charm and value rallied behind it. In the 1970s, the building was established as a historic district, and the market was turned into a not-for-profit organization.  

Since then, the market has re-established itself as a staple of Seattle commerce, history, and lore.  

Is Pike Place Market Haunted?

The legend of Pike Place Market’s ghosts has intrigued visitors for years, driving paranormal investigators from around the world to visit in hopes of catching evidence of unearthly phenomena. In all the observations made and experiences had by professionals and locals, there seem to be a few standout spirits who call Pike Place Market home. 

Frank Goodwin

One of the original developers of the market was Frank Goodwin. He was known as a friendly man who took pride in his work. Today, visitors to the Pike Place Market often encounter a man on the stairs who introduces himself as Frank and asks, “How can I help you?” Before they know it, the man disappears. 

Arthur Goodwin

Arthur was Frank’s nephew. Arthur was not only one of the first managers of the market, but he also helped design the interior to have a movie theater-like appearance. Today, Arthur is known as the resident ghost at the Ghost Alley Espresso coffee shop. 

Several people, including the owner, have spotted a man wearing a dark suit and tall hat in the shop. Things also tend to fall or even fly off the walls despite being secured in multiple ways. The espresso machine and register also act up out of the blue, almost like someone is messing with them.  

Arthur is often also spotted in the windows of the Goodwin Library, which used to serve as his office. 

Princess Angeline

One of the ghosts most famous during their lifetime was Princess Angeline, whose Duwamish name was Kikisoblu. Angeline was the oldest daughter of Chief Seattle. While the city was built on her people’s land, Angeline was ordered to leave in the mid-1800s to move to a reservation. She refused and was one of the only Indigenous people to live in Seattle proper at the time. 

Angeline sold hand-woven baskets and washed laundry for work, so she was often seen around town. She became a fixture of Seattle, particularly in her later years when her small, bent-over figure was instantly recognizable from a block away. 

After her death in 1896, the cottage she had lived in was sold to the developers of the market — who built the huge hall upon her land. Ever since, a slow-moving, hunched woman has been seen milling around the market: only to vanish into thin air when people try to get closer. 

Fat Lady Barber

One might wonder how a ghost got such an awful name as “Fat Lady Barber.” It turns out she was pretty awful herself. The story goes that a barber, whose shop was in the market, would sing men to sleep in her barber chair and steal the money from their wallets. 

This continued until, one day, the floor gave out beneath the woman. She fell through and plunged to her death. Today, workers claim to hear her songs as they clean. 

The Little Boy in the Toy Shop

In 1918, the Spanish Flu swept through Seattle, killing hundreds in its wake. One of these victims is believed to be a young boy, who some call Jacob. Now, Jacob resides in Merry Tales, a toy store in the Pike Place Market. While he used to throw things to try and play with the customers, he’s recently called down a bit. Why? The shop owner gave Jacob his own room with a bed. 

Will this keep Jacob content for long? Only time will tell. 

Madam Nora

Jacob isn’t the only one who sought out the shop most suited to his desires. Madam Nora’s spirit is said to be attached to a crystal ball. She first arrived at the market (in spirit form) at Pharaoh’s Treasure shop. While the owner had been warned of Madam Nora’s presence, he waved off the warning and bought the ball. Soon, odd things started happening, especially objects moving at night. 

It’s said that Nora worked as a psychic in Pike Place Market while she was alive, so it makes sense that she has now latched on to her old home. The crystal ball was eventually given to Sheila’s Magic Shop, where Madam Nora is now said to reside. 

Haunted Seattle 

While Pike Place Market may have some of the most recognizable ghosts in the Emerald City, there are plenty of other spectral hotspots throughout town. The Moore Theater entertains many spirits — and rumors. Some say that the theater was the actual site of Kurt Cobain’s overdose. 

Seattle Terrors will lead you on the tour of a lifetime through the city’s dark past. Book your ghost tour tonight, no matter the weather. After all, ghosts don’t mind the rain. 

The Pacific Northwest is home to tales of ghosts, cryptids, and other spooky encounters. To learn more about what hides in the midst of this region of the United States, follow our blog, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram. You never know what legend may catch your eye — or what ghost story will touch your soul. 

Sources:

https://ghostalleyespresso.com/our-ghost