Over the Hill: The possible haunting of Farragut State Park

ATHOL — One thing I find fascinating about North Idaho is the region’s rich, often complicated history, especially when there’s rumors of the paranormal involved.

Farragut State Park, located east of Athol, is one such place that is rich in both beauty and history. Aside from the park’s gorgeous views and access to Lake Pend Oreille, what intrigues me most about Farragut are the long-circulating rumors that certain locations within the park are haunted.

Farragut was once home to a naval training center and military jail, which were built in response to the bombing of Pearl Harbor during World War II. Over 293,000 naval recruits completed basic training at this site.

Despite there once being a reported 776 buildings comprising the naval base at Farragut, today only a few still stand, including the infamous Brig. The Brig houses a museum dedicated to the site's history, in addition to — allegedly — at least one unsettled spirit.

The most popular, although unconfirmed, rumor of paranormal activity at the Brig involves a German soldier. The story goes that a German soldier was being held at the Brig for interrogation and ultimately died in custody. The body was supposedly left where he died for some time, and where his body laid is where most of the paranormal activity is reported today.

Though there are reports of both employees and park visitors seeing some sort of ghostly figure around the Brig, it remains up for debate whether the figure appears to be wearing a soldier’s uniform or prisoner’s attire. People have also described hearing unexplained noises, seeing flashing lights or heavy objects being relocated without explanation. 

Aside from the tale of the German soldier, there seems to be a consensus that at least one homicide and one suicide may have taken place on the hallowed grounds of the Brig, but only the land knows for sure.

I’ve only made one trip out to Farragut so far, in a failed attempt to find unobstructed views of the northern lights. While I saw more of the Milky Way than I ever had before and heard a pack of coyotes singing their song up in the mountains, I can’t say I saw the ghost of a German soldier or any other unexplained sights, which isn’t to say they’re not out there.

If you are in the mood for some spooky sightseeing this Halloween, be advised that the Museum at the Brig is closed for renovations.