On December 1st, Ghostly Activities visited Fort Steilacoom in Lakewood, Washington, learned a thing or two about Puget Sound’s history … and got a ghost story!

Get the scoop after the jump.

Fort Steilacoom Ghost Story

Ok, who are we to deny you the right to hear a ghost story?!

As for the removed bodies, a few of the soldiers are still buried across the street at Western State Mental Hospital’s cemetery. Their graves are marked with flags and stars.

One last thing before we get into the fort’s background. Fort Steilacoom is pronounced STILL-ah-cum.

Fort Steilacoom Historical Background

The base actually started as an outpost for the British, but it began as a settler’s farm, the Heath Farm. When the Americans arrived, they rented it from the British for $50 a year. After the British left what would become Washington, the US military quickly moved to make it a fort.

Fort Steilacoom, in Lakewood, Washington, started as a U.S. Army outpost in 1849. The military set it up to protect settlers and keep peace with Native tribes during a time of growing tension. It played a big role during the Puget Sound War and served as a home base for infantry soldiers. But as more settlers moved in and conflicts settled down, the fort’s role wasn’t as crucial. By 1868, the Army shut it down as an active post.

One of the fort’s most famous prisoners was Chief Leshchi. If you know the Pacific Northwest, then you know that name oh so well.

After the Army left, the fort found a new purpose. In 1871, Washington turned the old military grounds into an asylum, which eventually became Western State Hospital. It grew into one of the largest mental hospitals in the Pacific Northwest. The site has a complex history, with both medical advancements and some difficult, troubling moments typical of that era’s mental health care. Today, parts of the original fort are still preserved. They remind us of its journey from a military outpost to a major mental health facility, deeply tied to the region’s story.

Fort Steilacoom Image Gallery

We had 2 guides tell us about life at the fort. Lawrence focused on its military history, while Walter gave us the scoop on daily life. And, I have to say, Army life back in the 1850s was very similar to Army life nowadays. It was heavily regimented with many of the same customs and traditions we use today.

Another thing, I found it interesting that most of the soldiers weren’t US citizens. They were Irish and German immigrants that enlisted to get their citizenship. Most of the Germans didn’t even know English, so they learned it during their off-hours. And, let’s just say, the Irish faced a lot of discrimination at the time.

Thanks for reading Ghostly Activities. Much appreciated. Take care!

Last Updated on December 2, 2024 by Jacob Rice