The Spirits of the Moore Theatre

Posted: 02.24.2025 | Updated: 02.24.2025

The Moore Theatre is an institution in Seattle hosting some of the biggest performers who entertain the Pacific Northwest. Yet, it’s more than just a good spot to catch Seattle concerts; it is also home to some of the loudest ghosts in all of downtown. 

You never know what you’re going to see or hear in the Moore Theatre — and that rings true for many of the haunted buildings in Seattle. To learn about the spooky stories that have happened within these landmarks, book a ghost tour with Seattle Terrors.

How Old Is the Moore Theatre In Seattle?

At 118 years old, the Moore Theatre is one of the oldest auditoriums in all of Seattle. The century of showcasing actors and musical acts has led to an impressive roster of past performers and legendary concerts in Seattle. 

However, perhaps the more impressive list has to do with the ghostly guests of the theater who refuse to leave. 

The Moore Theatre: One of the Grandest Stages in Seattle

In 1909, the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition was coming to Seattle. The World’s Fair was poised to highlight the developing area of the Pacific Northwest, and the city wanted a striking building to house the visitors and showcase some of the state-of-the-art exhibits.

To answer this call, the Moore Theatre was commissioned by real estate developer James Moore. The relatively simple exterior design of white tile contrasts the lavish decoration on the inside of the theater. Special care was given to design the theater in a unique way, where concrete and a steel girder span the length of the theater, meaning the balcony didn’t need any support columns. 

This design gave the theater an open feel, and it also allowed 2,400 seats to line the auditorium. Today, after some renovations, the theater has a seating capacity of 1,800. 

The Decline of the Moore Theatre

At the peak of its popularity, the Moore Theatre hosted all kinds of acts, from vaudeville to roaring bands. Yet, in the 1950s, many people began moving to the suburbs, and few wanted to come back to downtown Seattle to catch a show. 

By the 1970s, the theater was in danger of being converted into another business or even being torn down. But a new pair of owners, Dan Ireland and Darryl MacDonald, worked to get it placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 to preserve the site. 

Brainstorming ways to get people in the door, Ireland and MacDonald decided to show more movies at the theater rather than only live performances. This move proved invaluable, as two years later, the Moore Theatre served as the founding theater for the Seattle International Film Festival. 

This was the start of the theater’s return to the top, as it became top of mind for people’s social calendars once again. 

Is the Moore Theatre in Seattle Haunted?

There are many stories of strange occurrences happening down the aisles and in the dressing rooms of the Moore Theatre. Patrons and staff have reported feeling like someone is watching them as they walk through empty corridors and the eerie basement. 

Others have experienced the sensation of someone breathing on the back of their neck when they’re alone in a room. Shadowy figures racing across the room have been spotted by many. Before they know what they’re looking at, the apparition is gone. 

There are many theories about who (or what) exactly haunts the halls of the theater. 

The Portal to Another World 

Stories of hauntings seemed to spike around the 1970s — and people believe there’s a specific reason for this. 

One night in the ‘70s, the owner of the theater found that a few of the employees were performing a séance within the theater to try and connect with the ghosts they had heard lived in the building. The owner was furious that the workers were continuing to add to the story of the theater being haunted and fired them on the spot. 

As the boss ushered the employees outside, the small group didn’t get a chance to conclude their séance. Many believe that this left a portal open to the other side: which has allowed apparitions to transition over ever since. 

The Graveyard

Long before the Moore Theatre was erected, it’s said that something else existed on the land: a graveyard. 

As was often done in the past, early developers decided they wanted to build on the cemetery’s land. To do this, the headstones and bodies were moved to another graveyard; yet, many believe that not all of the bodies were found and properly moved. These bodies have remained trapped beneath the theater, and it seems their spirits are relegated to haunt the theater for the rest of their days. 

Disembodied Voices & Strange Sounds

One of the most common otherworldly experiences to have in the Moore Theatre is to hear voices. This can range from loud singing from an invisible person to an eruption of applause from an empty balcony. 

Others have reported hearing loud breathing behind them, only to spin around and find no one there. Several people have also heard the sound of something being dragged across the stage, followed by footsteps. In all of these instances, the ghostly culprit is never seen. 

The Haunted Moore Hotel 

Remember how Seattle wanted to build a grand place to not only entertain their visitors in 1909 but also house them? This is where the Moore Hotel comes into play. 

The Moore Hotel was built at the same time as the theater and occupies the building next to it — and the floors above it. From many reports, it seems the spectral energy has continued past the boundaries of the cinema. 

Several guests at the Moore Hotel have described seeing a shadowy man in a top hat in their room. They’ll see him standing over them in bed, sometimes giving their bed a kick to jolt them awake. 

Haunted Seattle

Downtown Seattle is home to some of the most spectral-heavy activity in the entire Pacific Northwest. There are the resident ghosts of Post Alley, who will greet passersby with a smile as they walk past. The visitors only detect that something is off when they look back — and see an empty alley. 

A cult is also said to haunt Seattle’s beloved Pike Place Market. The Heavens Gate Cult members committed one of the largest mass suicides in U.S. history as they hoped to board a spaceship passing by on a comet in 1997. The cult purchased a tile in the Market shortly before meeting their end, and some believe their souls are still attached to one of the last remaining pieces of their cult’s history. 

If you want to see the spookier side of Seattle for yourself, book a Seattle ghost tour with Seattle Terrors tonight. 

Want to learn about other haunted theaters around the U.S.? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to hear about beautiful yet terrifying cinemas. To read more about spirits around the Pacific Northwest, check out our blog. 

Sources:

• https://www.mooretheatre.net/information/

• https://seattleterrors.com/

• https://ghostlyactivities.com/the-haunted-moore-theatre-in-seattle-2/

• https://getthewreport.com/architecture/seattles-most-haunted-places/