Note: I had planned an episode on the infamous killers Jeanace Freeman/Gertrude Jackson. I wrote the episode, recorded it, and realized it was just not what I wanted to amplify. I think deeply about the things I share, and the horror of that one got to me. In replacement, a seasonal ghostly episode for you instead.

In Portland’s Oaks Amusement Park, the laughter never really stops—even after closing time.

Since 1905, this riverside park has survived fires, floods, and a century of Oregon weather. It’s seen thousands of skaters glide across its century-old rink, and more than a few claim they weren’t alone. Visitors tell of various ghosts, the sound of unseen children playing on the midway, and rides that start on their own.

In this week’s episode of Same Crime, Different Time, we dig into the park’s history, its survival through the 1948 flood, and the legends that refuse to fade. We’ll also explore another couple of Oregon’s amusement parks, and why parks make perfect haunted landscapes. They’re where joy and terror share the same track.

Listen to Haunted Midways now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you haunt your favorite shows. Download your own Haunted Midways: Write Your Ghost-y Amusement Park Story here, as a free bonus!

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