Ghosts of the Red Onion Saloon: Spirits in Skagway’s Storied Brothel



In the wild, gold-laced heart of Alaska’s Klondike Gold Rush country sits a saloon that time and some say, its ghosts refused to forget. The Red Onion Saloon, located in Skagway, Alaska, is one of the state’s most iconic and enduring historic buildings. Once a lively brothel and bar catering to weary prospectors, this 1898 bordello-turned-tourist hotspot is now just as famous for its phantom patrons as it is for its colorful past.

A Flashback to the Gold Rush

During the Klondike Gold Rush, Skagway was a booming frontier town filled with fortune-seekers, gamblers, outlaws, and ladies of the night. The Red Onion Saloon was built in 1898 at the height of this frenzy. Downstairs, thirsty men gathered at the bar; upstairs, a brothel operated behind a façade of painted doors and the clink of coin.

While the gold dried up, the Red Onion never lost its allure. Today, it serves as a museum, restaurant, and bar but many believe some of its original "residents" never left.

The Spirits That Never Clocked Out

Staff, guests, and paranormal investigators alike have reported uncanny activity within the creaking walls of the Red Onion. The stories range from mischievous to mysterious, but one thing is consistent: something lingers.

"Lydia" – The Resident Spirit

The most famous ghost of the Red Onion is Lydia, believed to have been one of the brothel’s working girls. Described as gentle and melancholy, Lydia reportedly makes her presence known with the scent of perfume, cold spots, and phantom footsteps on the upper floor, where the brothel rooms still stand.

Visitors on brothel tours have claimed to see a shadowy female figure standing at the end of the hall, peeking through doorways, or brushing past them on the stairs. Staff have also found imprints on freshly made beds, as if someone unseen had just been lying there.

Flickering Lights & Moving Items

Classic signs of paranormal activity are commonplace at the Red Onion. Lights flicker for no apparent reason. Glasses and utensils are said to slide off shelves. Employees report feeling watched, especially when closing up for the night.

Some have heard disembodied laughter, the rustle of skirts, or whispers in empty rooms. A few guests have even claimed that they felt a playful tug on their clothes or hair, reminiscent of flirtation from beyond the veil.

Paranormal Investigations

The Red Onion Saloon has been featured on several paranormal shows and regularly draws ghost hunters from around the world. Many investigations have captured EVPs (electronic voice phenomena), strange EMF readings, and chilling personal experiences. In true Old West fashion, the spirits of the Red Onion aren’t menacing but they are very present.

Where History and Hauntings Meet

Today, the Red Onion Saloon is a popular stop for tourists exploring Skagway’s Gold Rush past. You can grab a drink at the bar, enjoy a hearty meal, and take a tour of the upstairs rooms preserved as they were in 1898. Mannequins and artifacts help tell the story of the women who lived and worked there, while the air of mystery adds another layer to the experience.

Is it nostalgia, residual energy, or true spiritual presence? At the Red Onion Saloon, history doesn't just live it lingers.