Ghosts and Hauntings: Red Onion Saloon - Skagway, AK

Red Onion Saloon

Skagway, AK

N 59° 27.231 W 135° 19.104

Short Description: 

The Red Onion Saloon is reported to be haunted by the ghost of Lydia, a former worker in the upstairs brothel. The Red Onion Saloon is located at 205 Broadway, Skagway, AK.

Long Description:

The Red Onion Saloon is an historic building listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing building to the Skagway Historic District and White Pass. It was build in 1898 and served as the most exclusive brothel in Skagway during the gold rush. The brothel was upstairs from the bar. That's where Lydia worked.

Video about Lydia and the Red Onion Saloon: link

According to the Haunted Rooms website: link

"One of the most recognizable spirits in the Red Onion Saloon is that of Lydia. Lydia was one of the prostitutes of the former brothel. The years may have passed but her spirit apparently did not. There have been various reports of footsteps heard on the second floor where the brothel used to be. The strong smell of perfume would linger in the air and there would also be extreme cold spots where the smell of perfume had originated."

"Once there was a great disturbance in the upper floors so the police were called to check. As they approached the stairs, they saw a figure (believed to be the ghost of Lydia) running down the hall and into a room, a room which was once the former madame’s. Upon inspection the room was empty and there was nowhere for any intruder to go. Lydia is also said to water the plants. There have been many occasions when the hostess of the house would find the soil damp, as if someone had watered it recently."

"Lydia has been seen many times in full apparition and she has also been observed walking around the madame’s room. It is said that sometimes she can be hostile towards men. However, it has not been established if she died in the house."