Witch’s Castle: Portland’s Moss-Covered Ruins and Dark History

Why It Stands Out

Long before the stone walls were erected, the surrounding woods were the setting for Oregon’s first legal execution. In the mid-19th century, landowner Danford Balch hired Mortimer Stump to help clear the wilderness.

When Stump and Balch’s daughter, Anna, eloped against her father's wishes in late 1858, the conflict turned deadly. Following a period of heavy drinking and despair, Balch tracked the couple to a ferry on the Willamette River and killed his new son-in-law.

This act led to Balch's hanging in 1859. The structure visible today actually dates back to the 1930s, when it was constructed to serve as a park ranger outpost and public restrooms.

It remained functional until a powerful storm in 1962 caused significant structural damage, leading the city to abandon the site to the elements. Over the following decades, nature reclaimed the building, covering it in thick moss and ferns.

By the 1980s, the ruins became a favorite haunt for local teenagers who dubbed it the "Witch’s Castle," a name that stuck despite the lack of actual occult history. Today, the graffiti-covered walls continue to host Friday night gatherings, maintaining its status as a cornerstone of Portland’s urban legends.

Before You Go

The ruins are accessible via a few different routes. A shorter trek of about half a mile begins at the Upper Macleay Parking area, situated near the Portland Audubon Society.

Alternatively, hikers can start from the Lower Macleay trailhead at Northwest 30th and Upshur for a slightly longer walk of three-quarters of a mile. The Aspen trail provides a scenic connection, and many visitors find that approaching from Thurman Street offers the most straightforward access to the trailhead.