Portland Oregon

Crystal Ballroom

Spirits still enjoy themselves here and watch the living.

A Spirit is still on the job.

DESCRIPTION

The 1914 Crystal Ballroom building, which is listed on the US National Register of Historic Places, is a three-story structure that is home to a pub on the first floor, “Lola’s Room,” for dance era music parties on the second, and on the third, one finds the vintage, blast from the past, restored Crystal Ballroom that features a wide variety of live music. There is “something for everyone: everything from rock ‘n’ roll and country, to hip-hop and big band swing.”

crystal-paranormal The Crystal Ballroom, a much loved dance hall, was designed to be a place of special moments between people, and the perfect place to dance the night away! Many couples who came here for a date night through the years wound up getting married.

The wonderful atmosphere is created by the high, “awesome ceiling,” large, intricate historical murals, the floor to ceiling style windows, the lovely, elaborate wood carvings, the balconies, the staircases, the “flamboyant wall sconces” and the huge chandeliers that hang from the ceiling. Old posters and inspiring art work, depicting past events at The Crystal Ballroom, keep its historical past front and center.

One of its unique features is the mechanical floating dance floor, described as “Like dancing on clouds,” which probably explains why there is no seating in the ballroom itself. There is a balcony overlooking the ballroom though, where there is a bar and seating to watch the live concert and the people dancing.

A good thing to be aware of is that The Crystal Ballroom separates out the under 21 crowd from the over 21 crowd using black lights, special stamps, and sometimes dividers. This splits The Crystal Ballroom floor into two different groups. Past guests who have gone to a concert report that the younger crowd is located closest to the stage. This is not a high stage, making it hard for short people to see the performance if they are in the second, over 21 group. So if you wish to actually see the performance, come early and sit in the balcony area.

The security detail does a great job keeping drugs, and movie cameras out of The Crystal Ballroom, and it is a safe, enjoyable venue to visit.

HISTORY

The first owner of The Crystal Ballroom was a fellow by the name of Montrose Ringler, who opened it in 1914 as a dance club, under the watchful eye of the authorities who threatened to arrest anyone dancing such scandalous banned dances as the Tango, then popular with some of the youth.

During the Depression years, a new owner, Mr. Watson, held events to keep everyone’s spirits up, offering old-time dance revivals! It was known as a family gathering place, and for other social events. Several black school proms were held here because of the old segregation laws.

During the 1950s, it was a popular place to square dance, and participate in other line dances. Beatnick poetry readings, and other entertainment quirks of the ’50s could also be enjoyed here.

From 1960-1969, The Crystal Ballroom was called the ultimate rock place, offering first rate rock, rhythm and blues entertainment, showcasing such artists as the Grateful Dead, Buffalo Springfield, James Brown, Marvin Gaye and Ike & Tina Turner. Some say that James Brown fired Jimmy Hendrix in the middle of a concert here.

The Crystal Ballroom came into private hands by the end of the ’60s, becoming instead an art studio for more freethinkers as the Hippie movement had come to town and settled in Portland. It was the home of some very interesting artworks, created by talented people, inspired by the aura of the ballroom.

By the mid-nineties, the building was creaking with old age, and badly in need of a boatload of money for restoration, or face the wrecking ball. Along came the McMenamins brothers, in the late ’90s who were up for the task. They restored the building, and added some additional sources of income to make the place even more profitable. They put the McMenamins Brewery on the second floor, providing beer for all the bars in the buildings, as well as for their other locations.

Hopefully they are saving their funds to do something about the sound system at The Crystal Ballroom, or perhaps hire a more skilled sound engineer who realizes that the sound needs to be reset after the room fills with people. (This is a common complaint of discerning guests who voice their opinions on Yelp).

Today, The Crystal Ballroom specializes in VJ-run, modern-era dance parties in Lola’s Room, jumping entertainment, private celebrations and events, and a variety of national, regional, and local live music bands, including loud rock shows in The Crystal Ballroom. Dance lessons, however, are still offered there, as the need to learn to dance has been constant desire through the ages.

HISTORY OF MANIFESTATIONS

Buildings and places that have absorbed a lot of energy and give it off as well from events in both their past and present, can draw spirits who are in need of it. Sites of wars, places of confinement, and recreation/entertainment venues typically have a lot of contained energy that flows into them.

Natatorium, TX (“Let the good times roll” is the focus of the spirits who still stay!).

Rave Eagles Club, WI (The Eagles Ballroom was the venue for many highly enjoyable events such as grand balls, musical events and grand social affairs. The positive energy that soaked into the walls gives the room a happy feeling, and feeds the many spirits who relive their good times. Apparitions have been felt and seen in the ballroom mostly when just the musicians are present rehearsing, or when the crowds have gone home, or when the ballroom doesn’t have a show and it is empty for the evening).

The Flanders Hotel, NJ (A female spirit loves to crash events held in the ballroom as she enjoys them).

The Crystal Ballroom, OR (Years of positive energy that was absorbed in the building flows out to pump up the paranormal activity).

Renovation and restoration of a historically beloved public building can act like a huge environmental trigger to those who are either delighted or displeased with the results.

The Geiser Grand Hotel, OR (The spirits were overjoyed when their favorite place was being restored to the grand old lady it once was).

Bullock Hotel, SD (The spirit of Seth Bullock objected vehemently when slot machines were set up in the lobby area).

Miami Biltmore Hotel, FL (The spirits who reside here were elated when their beloved hotel was restored to its original beauty).

The Crystal Ballroom, OR (When the creaky ballroom building was rescued and restored and renovated, the sprites were very pleased).

People who enjoyed dancing and music in public ballrooms, and dance halls sometimes like to visit these places again when they have passed on, to perhaps remember fond memories, recreate the fun, or just watch the living doing so.

National Pastime Theater, IL (The spirits who enjoyed partying here during Prohibition enjoy watching the living having fun, and do their own partying after hours).

Biltmore Hotel, FL (Spirit couples have been seen doing ballroom dancing in the hotel’s ballroom. On the thirteenth floor, speakeasy revelers still enjoy themselves).

Wabasha Street Caves, MN (Spirits love to watch the living having a good time at both parties and receptions held here).

The Crystal Ballroom, OR (Watching people is a favorite pastime. When the ballroom is closed for the night, the spirits love to chat about their own good times, and may dance as well).

Spirits like to push buttons and play with items that are run by electricity, especially elevators, that can spare the energy needed to float up or down the stairs.

The Sise Inn, NH (The Elevator is known to go up and down at will, with the door opening and closing by itself).

Warner Pacific Theater, CA (Men on a cleaning detail were terrified to see the spirit of Sam Warner walk across the lobby, push the elevator button, go on the elevator and go up to the second floor!).

Old Tacoma City Hall, WA (The elevator goes up and down by itself, as reported by tenants, visitors and security guards).

MANIFESTATIONS

It’s Our Turn Now

The spirits who visit and hang out around The Crystal Ballroom come out and be themselves when the building is closed to the public, and quiet.

When there isn’t a living soul in the building, the managers have heard groups of people talking and laughing.

When they have checked it out, the sounds stopped abruptly and of course nobody was there.

Spirits Going About Their Business

Managers and staff have heard the distinctive sounds of foot steps on the wooden floors when the building was again empty.

Elevator Hijinks!

The elevator goes up and down by itself, suggesting it is being used or played with by an unseen presence.

Personal Appearances

Apparitions have been seen by the staff and managers.

One manager saw and heard what he thought was a person walking by his office, but when he quickly looked out the door, this person had disappeared completely, melting into the air.

PARANORMAL FINDINGS

There have been many personal experiences reported by staff and managers. They have talked to at least one author, and other online sources about their ghostly encounters.

Sensitives have felt a great deal of energy coming from the walls of the building itself, that in turn keeps the spirits happy as they get the energy they need to manifest. The building has soaked in plenty of happy energy throughout its years of its existence.

While the reports of sensitives and the many personal experiences are compelling, any EVP’s or other evidence captured has not been made public.

STILL HAUNTED?

Most Probably so.

Even if the owners discourage paranormal investigations, spirits can make themselves known in ways that can’t be forgotten. The volume of paranormal activity that has occurred over the years points to the existence of spirits still having a good time at their favorite dance hall. Though they wait patiently until the hours when the public isn’t attending to do so, they still enjoy watching the living dance the night away .