Search:  
Or, try the beta: Search v2
ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT

              Submitted by: ShelbyTaylor   Last updated by: Anonymous   Last updated on : 3/26/2007              Edit Listing       Delete listing
ADVERTISEMENT
Advertisement
Other Listings Nearby [Browse Owatonna, Mn    Browse Mn    ]      Maps of area: [ Google Maps       Live Maps ]
Search for more Info: [ Google Search    Live Search    You Tube Search    Local Newspapers    States History ]
West Hills
540 West Hills Circle
Owatonna, Mn 55060
     HyperLink  Click to post on facebook!


County: Steele
WebSite: None

   

Remove Listing From Site
Printer Friendly Version

Location Description:         
 

Ghosts of orphaned children haunt what used to be an orphanage.


West Hills was also used as a state school and as an orphanage. There are many underground tunnels. A lot of these tunnels lead from the orphanage/state school to the employee`s residents. The majority of these tunnels are now caved in due to safety reasons. There have been several children that have died at West Hills... Infact West Hills has its own children`s Cemetery. There have been many claims that the 3rd floor of West Hills is haunted. Witness`s have reported the wooden floor warping in front of their eyes, the stench of a thick cigar smoke, and the laughter of children down in the tunnels that are still open. Phone calls have been made to the Owatonna Police Department from the West Hills building when no one was there. One of the Janitor`s that worked at this building have reported things like books moving around on their own. Also, on other personal encounters, people have run into dramatic temperature changes and have heard young children laughing when there weren`t any. The West Hills Building is now used by the City of Owatonna MN. It houses the mayors officers and other city workers offices.
______________________________________

West Hills also houses the Little Theater of Owatonna. In the theater part of this building, it has been claimed that Orbs, and streaks of faint light floating and then/or zooming to and fro have been seen.

This former Orphanage (1885 - 1970) - now a Museum, housed a Theatre - or Assembly Hall - where funerals for some of the Orphans who had died were held. Their Coffins were displayed on the front of the Stage of the Theatre and all the children were made to walk by the Casket[s] in a single-file procession to pay their last respects.




Do you personally know about this location and wish to update the article? Click here to request control!
Upload Image to this location

   Send to Cell #
Carrier: 
Example: 8183258912

If your carrier isn't listed, let us know and we will add it!

                               
Who has been here:
angel_in_hell jjr2009 Wolverine





   
User Comments: 
      Karma [Good] +1          Like      Dislike        Comment# 1307     10/21/2006 12:00:00 AM     Edit       Reply    
angel_in_hell


Online Now!  
West Hills is now used by the city of Owatonna. The address for West Hills is

540 West Hills Circle
Owatonna, MN 55060

West Hills was also used as a state school and as an orphanage. There are many underground tunnels. A lot of these tunnels lead from the orphanage/state school to the employee`s residents. The majority of these tunnels are now caved in due to safety reasons. There have been several children that have died at West Hills... Infact West Hills has its own children`s Cemetery. There have been many claims that the 3rd floor of West Hills is haunted. Witness`s have reported the wooden floor warping in front of their eyes, the stench of a thick cigar smoke, and the laughter of children down in the tunnels that are still open. Phone calls have been made to the Owatonna Police Department from the West Hills building when no one was there. One of the Janitor`s that worked at this building have reported things like books moving around on their own. Also, on my own personal encounters, I have run into dramatic temperature changes and I have heard young children when infact, there weren`t any.
 

      Karma [Neutral]          Like      Dislike        Comment# 74325 ReplyTo# 1307     10/19/2011 2:36:00 PM     Edit          
kcihchtaed


Last Seen: 10/19/2011 2:34:09 PM  
I used to hang out downstairs in the Art Center by myself all the time. There was always a feeling of being watched, or followed. But I never really experienced anything paranormal. Maybe I'll go down there and disturb some spirits. lulz
 

               Like      Dislike        Comment# 79775 ReplyTo# 1307     9/28/2012 7:09:00 PM     Edit          
AnonymousVisiter

MINNESOTA US
 
can u hunt there???

24.197.189.64
 

      Karma [Neutral]          Like      Dislike        Comment# 1674     11/24/2006 12:00:00 AM     Edit       Reply    
angel_in_hell


Online Now!  
http://orphanagemuseum.com/history.php

I found a link that describes more in detail about West Hills History... I hope the Link helps.
 

      Karma [Neutral]          Like      Dislike        Comment# 2044     12/12/2006 12:00:00 AM     Edit       Reply    
Wolverine


Last Seen: 1/12/2011 9:11:43 PM  
I heard a story that a friend of mine saw a figure of a little girl through the 3rd or 4th floor window.

I also remember seeing a shadowy figure of a male child walk passed in between two trees. The trees were in the front grassy area of the front parking lot. It was around 11:30 pm and the figure was quite detailedly shaped.
 

               Like      Dislike        Comment# 52430 ReplyTo# 2044     5/25/2010 5:33:00 PM     Edit          
AnonymousVisiter

** US
 
My daughter has also seen the little girl on the 3rd floor window. It freaked her out. There are also people saying the the 2nd or 3rd floor where Headstart is also active. They can hear little children running up and down the hall, there fax machine going off all by itself and also.
68.115.105.37
 

               Like      Dislike        Comment# 63659 ReplyTo# 2044     12/3/2010 9:23:00 PM     Edit          
AnonymousVisiter

** US
 

i was also there and saw a little boy in  the basement of (c)11 i almost had a heart attack i saw like a warp kind of thing that the tunnels where still there and i saw Annabela she had hair like the grudge i was there today with my school dec,3 2010

68.115.95.140
 

      Karma [Neutral]          Like      Dislike        Comment# 2049     12/12/2006 12:00:00 AM     Edit       Reply    
angel_in_hell


Online Now!  
I`ve seen something to that extent aswell.. accept What I saw wasn`t to clear... It was a blurry figure that appeared to be male.. I Also saw a girl on the 3rd floor... I didn`t really pay any attention to it, but when I looked back, the young girl was gone.... You may want to know that the Art Center at West Hills is Haunted aswell... I was just there on Sunday (Dec. 10 2006) and I felt rather uneasy as I walked through.. And the basement at the Art Center.. I really don`t like it down there... It was "creepy" feeling.
 

      Karma [Neutral]          Like      Dislike        Comment# 2050     12/12/2006 12:00:00 AM     Edit       Reply    
Wolverine


Last Seen: 1/12/2011 9:11:43 PM  
Now that you bring it up. I felt the same way when I was hanging one of my pictures on the wall there at the Art Center. I felt a bit sick and hard to breathe, but only for an instant. That was back when I was in High School.
 

      Karma [Neutral]          Like      Dislike        Comment# 3946     6/22/2007 11:47:00 PM     Edit       Reply    
angel_in_hell


Online Now!  
I`m planning to stop by sometime this summer. I`m planning to take pictures... I`m not sure when I`ll get a chance to stop at West Hills, but when I do, I`ll let you all know and I`ll be sure to post pictures.
 

      Karma [Neutral]          Like      Dislike        Comment# 41876 ReplyTo# 3946     10/18/2009 12:58:00 PM     Edit          
AngelStarSusan


Last Seen: 10/18/2009 12:29:27 PM  

It was not called an orphanage it was a state school from 1950 - 1970... Do you know how many buildings that they tore down???? My father grew up there......

 

               Like      Dislike        Comment# 77546 ReplyTo# 3946     4/16/2012 6:59:00 AM     Edit          
AnonymousVisiter

IOWA US
 
where do u think the most haunted place in west hills is because im going there this summer and i'd like to check it out
66.172.189.4
 

      Karma [Neutral]          Like      Dislike        Comment# 4455     7/29/2007 9:48:00 PM     Edit       Reply    
jjr2009


Last Seen: 1/16/2008 8:06:32 PM  
My friend has a picture of a ghost girl from a trip that she took their with her parents and their friend who works there. I will try to get it from here.
 

      Karma [Neutral]          Like      Dislike        Comment# 4456     7/29/2007 9:48:00 PM     Edit       Reply    
jjr2009


Last Seen: 1/16/2008 8:06:32 PM  
The haunted floor is the 3rd floor.
 

      Karma [Neutral]          Like      Dislike        Comment# 7769     12/12/2007 11:05:00 AM     Edit       Reply    
Faye13


Last Seen: 1/16/2008 8:08:13 PM  
if you have any more information or know where to find anymore on this topic cplease let me know
faye
 

      Karma [Neutral]          Like      Dislike        Comment# 7784     12/12/2007 6:21:00 PM     Edit       Reply    
angel_in_hell


Online Now!  
West Hills has a museum and I believe you can access it for free. Go into the Art Museum and there should be a few ladies near the entrance and you can ask them any questions that you`d like. They are very nice people. :-) The Art and State School museum are seperated but next to each other. Also, you`ll walk by the mayor`s office when your in the state school museum. It`s very interesting! I`m sure the ladies at the art museum entrance can help you and answer any questions you may have. I would also imagine that these ladies would know where you can find more information on West Hills. Also, try going to the Library and asking the people at the front desk upstairs what they can recommend for research on West Hills. A few years ago, in the month of August, The Owatonna Peoples Press ran a story titled Ghost Stories from West Hills by Becky Gunderson. Again, if you go to the library and ask the people at the front desk, you can access old newspapers and read this article if you wish. They will ask you what month and year that you want. I`m not sure what year this article was printed, but I`m positive that it was printed after 2003. The article consists of stories, etc.
 

               Like      Dislike        Comment# 9420     2/10/2008 7:38:00 PM     Edit       Reply    
AnonymousVisiter

** US
 
When I attended a friend's birthday party at the Art Center portion of West Hills, some friends and I headed down to the basement levels to go to the bathroom. After we came out of the bathroom, we looked into what had been a walk-in freezer that was across the hall. As we closed the door, we heard a small child sneeze. We were really freaked, so we quickly ran back upstairs to the party.
24.177.105.238
 

      Karma [Neutral]          Like      Dislike        Comment# 10331     3/4/2008 6:26:00 PM     Edit       Reply    
angel_in_hell


Online Now!  
I stopped up at the Art museum.childrun's Museum today.. I took some pictures. I added the ones from the digital but I have several more that are sitting on a disposable camera. I'll add those once I get the camera developed. I have some very interesting pictures.
 

               Like      Dislike        Comment# 17735     8/28/2008 1:51:00 AM     Edit       Reply    
AnonymousVisiter

M US
 
when i was there we were right outside of the cemetary by the parkin lot and i had noticed that there was a little boy following us he said his name was joseph ronglein which would explain why he was on ronglein ave which is on the campus. i had also noticed a little girl walkin under a street light and when i had pointed it out to my friends the street light immediatley went out. that place is messed up the whole time you are there you hear childrens laughter and sometimes(if your lucky) something will come grab your hand
205.188.117.133
 

      Karma [Neutral]          Like      Dislike        Comment# 19940     10/2/2008 10:46:00 AM     Edit       Reply    
heatherr


Last Seen: 11/26/2008 5:18:07 PM  
My friends and I were driving around Owatonna last night and just happened to stumble upon West Hills, we slowly drove through and looked at all of the buildings. I have never actually been inside of West Hills, and I am not sure that I would wan't to go in, merely for the fact that, Ghost Children REALLY freak me out. But, all I can say is that, just looking at the place, I got pretty creeped out, and got a weird feeling.
 

               Like      Dislike        Comment# 21023     10/16/2008 11:50:00 AM     Edit       Reply    
AnonymousVisiter

A US
 
I was an intern with the Owatonna Park and recreation dept. back in 1986....I lived in a small room on the second level of the building which houses the gymnasium, pool,and the indoor tennis center on the back end....At the time I never really thought much about the possibility of the buildings being haunted even though I knew they were extremely old....now after reading some of this information I believe I may have witnessed a haunting when I lived there....On a fairly regular basis I would receive a phone call at exactly 3:00 a.m. and there was never anyone on the other end of the phone...at the time I really didn't think anything of it but now it seems quite possible that it may have been a haunting.....when I look back I can't believe I spent a year sleeping in that building alone each night...kind of creepy now when i think about it !!
198.174.110.147
 

               Like      Dislike        Comment# 24951     12/22/2008 8:52:00 PM     Edit       Reply    
AnonymousVisiter

V -
 
When I was in high school I was a lifeguard at the pool in the lower level of the fitness center. The pool is very small and is located centrally in the building. The left wall of the pool has glass windows that one can use to look into it from a hallway that runs to the Tennis courts. There is also a small storage room in the back of the pool where things like fun noodles and kickboards are kept. Often I would work till close at the pool, around 9 pm. The building was usually near empty by that time. On occasion I would hear the door to the hallway next to the pool open and close and I would hear little kids running up and down the hallway laughing. On more than one occasion I would hear loud banging sounds coming from the supply closet in the pool. My friend was opening the tennis center for the early morning shift one day and saw a little boy watching her from the top of the stairs near the office. Another time a pipe broke under the pool and it had to be drained for a week. Another guard and I stopped by to see it one evening and we saw a line of little wet footprints from the empty pool to the locker room.
75.72.54.252
 

      Karma [Neutral]          Like      Dislike        Comment# 28516     3/10/2009 9:55:00 AM     Edit       Reply    
FrankieBlu


Last Seen: 3/10/2009 9:46:59 AM  

I was in the Arts Center this past Friday evening... We were there for something that turned out to be held in another building.  But we searched dang near every floor and walked those never ending basement halls.  There didnt seem to be anybody there and most of it was dark.  I had my camera along though and snapped quite a few photos of the hallways.  I'll have to check them carefully, maybe I captured something!  I'll check tonight and keep ya'll posted.

 

               Like      Dislike        Comment# 28831     3/15/2009 12:57:00 PM     Edit       Reply    
AnonymousVisiter

** US
 
I love the West Hills but everytime i go in it or drive around it, it just gives me a bad feeling and a bad vibe. It was a building with a white porch connected to it that i didn't feel comfortable around. My friends heard voices by a basement door and i have tons of pictures with ghosts and other people in it, and a lot of rather creepy and large orbs.
68.190.157.233
 

      Karma [Neutral]          Like      Dislike        Comment# 38423     8/24/2009 3:07:00 AM     Edit       Reply    
Haystak


Last Seen: 9/9/2009 1:33:18 AM  
I agree I get a really bad vibe when im around thier..
 

      Karma [Neutral]          Like      Dislike        Comment# 39376     9/9/2009 9:26:00 PM     Edit       Reply    
ShaZakLar


Last Seen: 9/9/2009 10:36:39 PM  
OMG I was there the other day but I wasn't thinking a whole lot about the hauntings but I knew it was.. anyway, I did take some pictures just to take them not to hunt down anything, but I took a few down the vent to the tunnels.. and 2 of them have this really small red almost glowing spec on them!! not sure what it is tho but I really have no explanation for it! one is a pic of the whole vent and u can see the spec through the grates, and the other one is facing down into it and the dot is seen in the actual tunnel! I really thinking about going back now and with my video camera! lol
 

      Karma [Neutral]          Like      Dislike        Comment# 39381 ReplyTo# 39376     9/9/2009 10:39:00 PM     Edit          
ShaZakLar


Last Seen: 9/9/2009 10:36:39 PM  
NEVERMIND! camera issues.. :(
 

               Like      Dislike        Comment# 41304     10/12/2009 3:18:00 AM     Edit       Reply    
AnonymousVisiter

** US
 
Ya'll watch way to many scary movies. I live a block away from west hills and I have walked all around, inside and out, a thousand times and I have never seen or heard anything out of the ordinary.
24.197.183.70
 

               Like      Dislike        Comment# 41871     10/18/2009 12:27:00 PM     Edit       Reply    
AnonymousVisiter

** US
 
It is haunted, I know. I was there on a tour with my father who actually grew up there... I was taking footage with my camera and a face leaned towards me from the shower. I screamed and everyone was like what's going on, they did not see what  I saw. My father was there from 1947 - 1959 and he had told us all the things that had happened to him & others, boys and girls....
24.111.166.18
 

      Karma [Neutral]          Like      Dislike        Comment# 44188     11/9/2009 7:14:00 AM     Edit       Reply    
alibergevin


Last Seen: 11/9/2009 12:17:24 PM  
i used to go there all the time since i used to live in owatonna and i was in the basement for some art contest thing while i was there alone since everyone was on a different level and if you turn all the lights off and listen really closly you can hear children playing and doors closing ect...it was really scary so i dont go down there anymore. even the dummy dolls on the main level scare me.
 

               Like      Dislike        Comment# 44652     11/17/2009 5:36:00 PM     Edit       Reply    
AnonymousVisiter

** US
 
does anyone know if these biuldings are made of limestone at all??
71.36.222.160
 

      Karma [Neutral]          Like      Dislike        Comment# 53827 ReplyTo# 44652     7/2/2010 9:50:00 PM     Edit          
gymnast4eva


Last Seen: 7/2/2010 9:30:00 PM  
i went to west hills for a feild trip and there would be artifacts the would move in the museum and in the storage unit outside i had seen a little girl walk across there and its a vary depressing place and there is no limestone anywhere i even asked and also outside where the would play games i would see figures sometimes more than 1 in the grass
 

               Like      Dislike        Comment# 45443     12/7/2009 2:27:00 PM     Edit       Reply    
AnonymousVisiter


 
I've heard painters, who were painting the bathroom, quit their job on the spot because the sound of children crying freaked them out.  I have also heard a cleaning person quite because she saw a little girl in the stairwell, she asked what she was doing there and the little girl disappeared.
98.240.138.254
 

               Like      Dislike        Comment# 46963     1/22/2010 12:59:00 AM     Edit       Reply    
AnonymousVisiter

COLORADO US
 
this is a cool place just by reading the stories... would they let u investigate the place. and how many places do a person have access to. is it posiible to go there during night time... im thinking of starting a paranormal; society in rochester mn... if any one is interested my e-mail is juan_mayra_jnm@yahoo.com thanks... i really am going to investigate this one... this place has been recomended by the waseca historical society. to be one of the active places...
71.214.139.102
 

               Like      Dislike        Comment# 81323 ReplyTo# 46963     2/2/2013 10:24:00 PM     Edit          
AnonymousVisiter

MARYLAND US
 
Have you investigated it yet? They haven't allowed anyone to investigate it because they are scared for the saftey of the people. A group of investigators did a session for fun on Halloween but since then no one else has been allowed to.
70.35.105.57
 

               Like      Dislike        Comment# 49882     3/24/2010 5:15:00 PM     Edit       Reply    
AnonymousVisiter

** US
 
i live in owatonna and i am planning on trying an experment nothing dangerous to find out weather it is or is not haunted i personaly want to find out!!!!!!!
68.115.115.44
 

               Like      Dislike        Comment# 52217     5/19/2010 5:24:00 PM     Edit       Reply    
AnonymousVisiter

** US
 
I was just at the orphanage today on a tour. We are pretty good friends with the couple who runs the museum. I've been there numerous times but today was the first time I got spooked. I was in the newly renovated cottage, on the first floor, in the matron's quarters. In the living room for her, there is a sign discussing what she was like, etc., with a dummy next to it dressed like a matron. I don't know if it was me spooking myself out (I was alone in the room with only 2 people on the floor on the otherside of the building. The rest of our group had gone upstairs), but I began to feel extremely eerie and eventually ended up turning around and speeding out of the room. Now, I'm a 20 year old female who is into paranormal and doesn't spook all that easily, but I just felt an overwhelming urge to get out of that room.
166.137.143.72
 

               Like      Dislike        Comment# 55755 ReplyTo# 52217     7/30/2010 9:20:00 PM     Edit          
AnonymousVisiter


 
I lived in the west hills halfway house in the old hospital. I saw and heard many things in my 2 months there. Staff admits it too but not in public. I heard children running around and once in a while would see one. They wouldn't let us on the 3rd floor at all where the sounds of children running and laughing came from. Anyone who doubts the supernatural should go there.
173.27.245.61
 

               Like      Dislike        Comment# 52218     5/19/2010 5:32:00 PM     Edit       Reply    
AnonymousVisiter

NEW JERSEY US
 
Also, the comment about the Joseph Ronglien is false. The avenue was named after Harvey Ronglien, the gentleman who opened the museum and renovated it and the cottage. He was a resident there for 11 years, from 1932-1943. And the orphanage closed in 1945 I believe and shortly after became a school for the "educatably retarded" until about 1970 I think.
166.137.143.72
 

               Like      Dislike        Comment# 54304     7/14/2010 9:08:00 AM     Edit       Reply    
AnonymousVisiter

MINNESOTA US
 

me and my friend are going too travle around the world and we are going to investigate this place as one of our paronamal stops hope its haunted got permission by the law inforcments got ask my the owners too investigate and get the ghosts and spirits out and hopefully young kids will not be scared to go somewhere fun!!!!!!!!! never been there so excited going too be fun!!!!

24.158.25.194
 

               Like      Dislike        Comment# 60902     10/23/2010 3:02:00 PM     Edit       Reply    
AnonymousVisiter

** US
 
the gym part is haunted because because claim it turns "red" at night but i dont beleve that but i heard screaming once in the gym
24.177.102.130
 

               Like      Dislike        Comment# 65107     1/6/2011 6:49:00 PM     Edit       Reply    
AnonymousVisiter

** US
 
I work at Wee Pals(in the theater building) and I have not encountered any suspicious activity. Although some of my co-workers and a parent have seen white blobs quickly go into some of our empty class rooms. They have gone into the class rooms to make sure that the child gets back to where they need to be safely but when they get in there, no child was to be found. I walked into our large motor room today and the swing that we have was just swinging away. The hair on my arms stood up! It was crazy.
24.197.187.112
 

               Like      Dislike        Comment# 70363     5/8/2011 9:26:00 PM     Edit       Reply    
AnonymousVisiter


 
the dolls are creepy
174.25.217.135
 

      Karma [Neutral]          Like      Dislike        Comment# 70652     5/16/2011 8:49:00 PM     Edit       Reply    
angel_in_hell


Online Now!  
I have a friend that works at Wee Pals and she has told me several stories. It would not surprise me if the entire West Hills campus has some sort of spook attached to it!
 

               Like      Dislike        Comment# 73271     8/31/2011 8:09:00 AM     Edit       Reply    
AnonymousVisiter


 
I work in the building with the theatre and I have never seen or heard ANYTHING unusual...I have worked in the building when most of the offices and wee pals was closed and never heard or seen anything.......I will not believe in any of these ghost stories until I have witnessed something and if it is here then I should at least witness something unusual...Sometimes it seems that people hear and see things because they want to so badly and it is just their imagination...I am going to try and find the tunnels...I was in a home school instutition myself so I am open to anything....and not afraid  to witness it IF it is there...I will let you know...Jane
97.114.48.114
 

      Karma [Neutral]          Like      Dislike        Comment# 81997     4/27/2013 11:27:00 PM     Edit       Reply    
Ghost_Man


Last Seen: 4/27/2013 5:10:38 PM  

There was this time where I helped replace the old rotten wooden crosses (in the graveyard) with new crosses, and right after that my dad's psychic friend said she can feel some of the children's presents. It's cool because the kids liked us because of what we did . I'm going to west hills soon and I hope when I step inside, the children will recognize me.

 

  

  
Post a comment:
ContentID: 5681  Content Type: Articles
Post Comment:

Your IP: 23.20.196.179
Captcha:
Enter these letters into the box:                 
Login or  Register   to comment without having to enter the captcha code, and to use your own username. 

   

 





Jump to a specific state:
AK AL AR AZ CA CO CT DC DE FL GA HI IA ID IL IN KS KY LA MA MD ME MI MN MO MS MT NC ND NE NH NJ NM NV NY OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VA VT WA WI WV WY
Other projects by the maker of this site: Buy & Sell printable 3D designs 3D print and scanning services Mad Master Minds Wabusi Data!

By using this site, you agree to our terms and guidelines.    Copyright 1901 to 2112 all rights, some lefts and 1 up reserved. Occasionally a down too.  If you can read this, your vision is fine.
Hit Counter: