St. Ignatius Hospital

Where history lingers and spirits don’t rest

Towering five stories above the quiet town of Colfax, St. Ignatius Hospital is more than a relic — it’s a crucible of suffering, healing, and spectral unrest. Built in 1893 by the Sisters of Charity, this once-bustling medical facility served Whitman County for over a century, witnessing thousands of births, deaths, and recoveries. Its motto, “Charitas Christi Urget Nos” — The love of Christ impels us — still greets visitors at the entrance, though today it feels more like a warning than a welcome.

Inside, the halls echo with the past: the first recorded death, F.E. Martin, crushed between railroad cars; the 1918 influenza epidemic that wiped out entire families; and the whispered phrase “left is dead,” referencing the wing where patients rarely returned. The hospital’s vast layout included a basement morgue, infectious disease wards, and nun quarters that remain off-limits — and unnervingly active.

After closing in 2003, the building became a magnet for paranormal investigators. Reports of scratches, screams, and violent spirit encounters led the Colfax Chamber of Commerce to temporarily suspend tours for safety. Today, under new ownership, St. Ignatius is being restored — but the spirits haven’t left. Visitors still report aggressive hauntings, unexplained illnesses, and a palpable sense of dread, especially on the fifth floor.

Whether you're drawn by its architectural legacy or its reputation as one of Washington’s most haunted locations, St. Ignatius Hospital offers a chilling blend of history and mystery — and a reminder that some places never forget.