A former prostitute by the name Lydia is said to haunt her brothel, The Red Onion Saloon in Skagway, Alaska. The bar, still catering to its heyday as a pleasure house, intends to keep her memory alive.
Walking past the corner of 2nd and Broadway in Skagway, Alaska, the Red Onion Saloon stands as a relic of the Klondike Gold Rush after they found gold in Yukon. Over the bar is an oil painting of madams over the bar, a nod to the “doll system” that used to be in place to show off the goodtime girl that used to work there when it was a brothel.
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Still today the waitresses serve pizza, nachos and drinks under an extensive display of bedpans to the many cruise tourists coming to town. The waitresses of course do it in their corset and petticoats, not forgetting the start and the history behind the boozy establishment said to be haunted.
Brothels in the Gold Rush
Established in 1898, this saloon was once a bustling brothel catering to weary miners. Over 100 000 people tried to find gold, few ever did. It was said to have been one of the finest Bordellos in town! What set it apart was its unique system involving dolls: ten dolls representing the working women, also known as ‘Soiled Doves’, were displayed on the bar. When a client selected a lady, her corresponding doll was laid flat, signaling her unavailability. Once her client left, the doll was returned to an upright position, indicating she was ready for the next.
The price was $5 for 15 minutes. Girls made $1.25, the bouncer made $1.25, and the madam made $2.50.
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Fast-forward to today, the Red Onion Saloon has transitioned into a vibrant bar and restaurant, yet it maintains its historical essence as a woman owned business.
The upper floor, preserved as a museum, offers visitors a glimpse into the brothel’s past, complete with original furnishings and artifacts and where you can learn about the characters like Soapy Smith, Skookum Jim, and Klondike Kate. However, it’s not just the artifacts that linger—ghostly tales abound, most notably those of Lydia, a former madam of the establishment.
The Haunting of the Red Onion Saloon
Lydia’s spectral presence is a common theme among guests and staff alike and has even been made into a ghost tour. Reports of cold spots, unexplained footsteps, and the distinct aroma of floral perfume wafting through the halls add to the saloon’s eerie ambiance. As restoration has preserved much of the furniture, dresses, fans and decorations, there is definitely a vibe of history lingering as well as a ghostly one. When they removed the floorboards they found many of the women’s prized possessions tucked away, forgotten for so many years. Could this be something that keeps them here?
But who was she? Although much talked about, not much is really known about her, not even if Lydia is really her name as it is a name passed down from the employees. Who was she? A madam who worked her way up in the establishment? Who just stayed for a while or who died while working at the brothel?
It is said she first made an appearance to an employee with a marked face, much like what untreated syphilis can give you, although this is more speculation. There are also stories about her taking her own life when she found out about her untreatable disease.
Some have even claimed to see her apparition, elegantly dressed, gliding through the corridors. She is said to be haunting the upstairs and wearing a black dress, smelling of perfume, sometimes helping with watering the plants.
It is said that the police have been called on her, thinking it was someone breaking in when they heard something going on upstairs. The police went to check and saw something running down the hall and into a room said to have been hers. When they further investigated, they found nothing.
Did this happen? It is worth noting that there hasn’t been an actual police rapport about this call out and the details are vague.
Other Ghosts of the Saloon
Over the years, Lydia is not the only ghost visitor and staff talks about. Some say that next to the caring energy Lydia gives off is the dark and malevolent ghost known as John. He is believed to be a former bouncer who was stabbed to death by one of the prostitutes he was harassing.
Nothing like this has ever been proven though, but the stories of the Saloon seem to be growing. Ghost tours of the saloon often leave visitors with chilling stories, from flickering lights to objects moving on their own.
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References:
Red Onion Saloon & Brothel Tour in Skagway – Saint Greg’s Travels
Red Onion Saloon – Atlas Obscura
The Haunted Red Onion Saloon, Skagway, Alaska
Lydia’s Ghost at Red Onion Saloon | Into Horror History | J.A. Hernandez
Skagway staff befriend, placate ghosts: Three local businesses that coexist with their specters
