Old Tacoma City Hall served as a municipal hub for over six decades. Over time, the building gained a haunted reputation, with tales of shadowy figures, mysterious footsteps, and, most famously, the ghostly janitor. Get the haunted scoop after the jump.

Tacoma City Hall’s (Normal) History

Constructed in 1893, Old Tacoma City Hall is an iconic example of Italian Renaissance Revival architecture. Designed by E.A. Hatherton, the building was intended to project Tacoma’s ambitions as a thriving port city. With its prominent clock tower and ornate exterior, the building quickly became a symbol of civic pride and stood as a focal point in downtown Tacoma, reflecting the city’s growth during the late 19th century.

The building served as the heart of Tacoma’s municipal government for decades. It housed various city departments, including the mayor’s office, council chambers, and police department. In addition, the basement included jail cells, which were used for holding prisoners temporarily. This multipurpose structure made City Hall the hub for government functions and community interactions, playing a vital role in Tacoma’s political and social development.

In the early 20th century, Tacoma faced economic shifts, but the city hall remained a functional and prominent structure throughout the ups and downs. During this period, the building underwent modifications to accommodate the city’s changing needs, but its overall architecture and design remained largely preserved. City Hall continued to serve as the administrative center even as Tacoma evolved into a bustling industrial and cultural center in the Pacific Northwest.

However, by the 1950s, the building began to show signs of aging and deterioration. Modern infrastructure requirements outpaced the original design, and maintenance issues became more frequent. Additionally, Tacoma’s government departments had grown beyond what the building could comfortably house. As a result, city officials began discussing the need for a more modern facility to meet the demands of the growing city.

In 1959, after more than six decades of service, Old Tacoma City Hall was officially closed as the city government relocated to a new facility. The building remained a historic symbol, although it no longer served its original purpose. Over the years, efforts have been made to preserve and restore the structure, which continues to stand as a testament to Tacoma’s early ambitions and architectural heritage.

The Legends Within City Hall’s Haunted Hallways

Behind the red-brick exterior, urban legends abound. From phantom prisoners, a ghostly janitor, and spectral suicides, Tacoma’s old city hall has its fair share of local lore. Here are the stories that make the building seem to have an (un)life of its own.

The Prison Cell Suicides

The basement of Old Tacoma City Hall housed jail cells where prisoners were held temporarily. These cells were known to be bleak and uncomfortable, with harsh conditions, minimal light, and poor ventilation. Rumor has it that a few prisoners, overwhelmed by despair, took their own lives while awaiting their fate.

Notable Incident: One of the most frequently recounted stories is that of a young man who was arrested on a cold winter night in the early 1900s. Allegedly, he took his life within the cell, leaving behind scratches on the cell walls, as if he had been trying to escape. The area where this particular cell was located is now a hotspot for paranormal activity, with visitors reporting hearing scratching sounds and seeing shadowy figures.

The Mysterious Death of a Construction Worker

During the initial construction of the building in the late 1800s, one of the workers reportedly fell from a high scaffold. Given the building’s height and lack of safety equipment typical of that era, such accidents were unfortunately common. The worker’s fall was fatal, and while his death was officially ruled accidental, some say his spirit never left.

Strange Sightings: This worker’s ghost is rumored to haunt the stairwell and upper floors. Security guards have seen what they describe as a man in period clothing standing near the staircases, especially in the twilight hours. He has been spotted looking over the railings, perhaps searching for the safety that eluded him in life. Cold spots and sudden chills are often felt in these areas, even in warm weather.

A Sad Tale of a Despondent City Clerk

According to local legend, a city clerk took his own life in his office after a period of financial and personal difficulties. The clerk was allegedly struggling with overwhelming debt and the strain of his duties, which eventually led him to a tragic end. He was found by a co-worker one morning, and his death left a lasting impression on those who worked with him.

Residual Hauntings: The clerk’s office is said to have a somber atmosphere, with cold drafts that move through the room even when windows are closed. Employees who worked in the building after the incident reported hearing sighs and the rustling of papers late at night, as if the clerk’s spirit still lingers, haunted by his unfinished work.

The Clock Tower Fall

Another story involves a watchman or city worker who was maintaining the clock tower. During a stormy night, he supposedly slipped and fell from the tower. The details surrounding this death are hazy, but it’s said that he landed in a way that left his body entangled in the scaffolding, only discovered the next day by horrified coworkers.

Lingering Energy: Visitors claim to see strange lights or shadows flickering in the clock tower windows, especially when it rains. The apparition of a figure is occasionally seen by passersby, looking out from the tower as if keeping watch over the city below. Some believe it is this unfortunate worker, eternally bound to the tower where he met his tragic end.

Unrecorded Deaths and Speculations

Due to the building’s long history, it’s likely that other deaths or tragic events went undocumented. In the early 20th century, it wasn’t uncommon for accidents or deaths to go unreported, especially if the individuals involved were deemed unimportant by officials.

General Paranormal Activity: These potential unrecorded deaths may contribute to the sense of unease and frequent reports of paranormal activity in the building. People have reported feeling as though they are being watched, hearing murmurs and whispers, and seeing brief flashes of movement out of the corner of their eyes, especially in less-frequented areas.

The Ghostly Janitor

The tale of the ghostly janitor at Old Tacoma City Hall is one of the most enduring—and chilling—stories tied to the building. His presence is often described as quiet but unnerving, as he’s seen or sensed moving through the corridors, seemingly still committed to his duties long after his passing.

Here’s what’s known about this spectral custodian:

The Origins of the Legend

The janitor was said to have worked at Old Tacoma City Hall during the early 1900s. He was known to be a solitary figure, dedicated to his work but not particularly friendly with others. Some say he was a man of few words, quietly cleaning the building each night, long after the city’s officials and workers had gone home. Over the years, he developed a reputation as someone who was often overlooked, even mistreated by those in positions of power. Stories suggest he was sometimes forced to work long hours and was poorly compensated.

Unsettling Encounters and Cold Spots

Workers and visitors to the building have reported feeling unexpected cold spots in areas where the janitor was known to work. In the dead of night, people have described the sensation of cold drafts moving through otherwise warm rooms, a chill that leaves them with a sense of dread. These areas often align with sightings of a shadowy figure, sometimes accompanied by faint sounds of sweeping and shuffling footsteps.

Apparitions and Jangling Keys

Witnesses claim to have seen the ghostly janitor in his work uniform, appearing as a translucent figure moving purposefully down the hallways. He’s often spotted in the basement, near where the old jail cells were located, or on the upper floors. One recurring detail in these stories is the sound of jangling keys—a distinct metallic clinking that echoes down the hallways, sometimes accompanied by the faint rustling of his janitorial tools. Some say that when they try to follow the sounds, they find nothing but empty corridors.

His Commitment to Cleaning

The ghostly janitor seems to continue his nightly rounds, still tending to the building as if it were his duty. People have heard the unmistakable swish of a broom or the sound of someone polishing floors, especially late at night. There are even accounts of freshly cleaned areas appearing mysteriously, though no one has seen anyone physically cleaning them. It’s as if he refuses to leave until his work is done, which, given the haunted state of the building, may never happen.

Ghostly Encounters Reported by Staff and Investigators

Security guards and maintenance workers, especially those who have worked night shifts, are the most common witnesses of the janitor’s presence. Some have seen his silhouette by the stairwell, only for him to vanish the moment they blink. Paranormal investigators have captured audio recordings of unexplained footsteps and the faint rustling of keys, particularly near the old boiler room and basement areas where the janitor is rumored to linger.

One chilling story from a security guard tells of encountering the janitor in a reflection on the clock tower’s glass. The guard reportedly saw a figure in an old-fashioned uniform standing just behind him, only to turn around and find no one there.

An Unfinished Task or Lingering Grudge?

There’s speculation that the janitor’s ghost lingers due to his mistreatment in life. Some believe that he might have died while still employed at the City Hall, perhaps succumbing to an accident or illness, without ever receiving proper recognition for his years of hard work. Others think he might have had a deep resentment toward the city officials, which has trapped him there in a form of spectral protest.

Another theory is that he feels protective over the building, as if he’s its eternal guardian, committed to ensuring it remains clean and in order, even if that means staying on as a ghostly custodian.

Old Tacoma City Hall Today

In 2023, Tacoma began a project to redevelop the building and bring it up to modern seismic standards. Surge Co., which is leading the work, has a two-phase plan for city hall. The first phase is scheduled to end in 2024. This work will make the building resistant to earthquakes by reinforcing the walls with rebar and concrete supports.

In the next phase, the renovations will create apartments, office space, an event area, retail space and restaurants. All of this work should finish at the end of 2025.

As for the historic bell in the clock tower, it has been removed and donated to Metro Parks Tacoma. The next time you hear chiming from the clock tower, new sound technology will play a recording instead of the clapper in the bell.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to visit the old city hall in its new incarnation.

Last Updated on November 13, 2024 by Jacob Rice