Fear Factory in Salt Lake City, Utah, is one of those places that clings to your energy long after you’ve left. It’s not just a haunted house attraction — it’s built on layers of tragedy, industrial accidents, urban decay, and spiritual unrest. I had the chance to ghost hunt there in February 2024, and what we experienced confirmed what many paranormal investigators have felt: there’s something very dark lurking behind those factory walls.
The History
Before it became a haunted attraction, the site was home to the Portland Cement Works, established in the late 1800s and operational through the early 20th century. One of only two commercial cement factories west of the Mississippi, the Utah facility adopted similar methods to those used in Pennsylvania, including a grueling 80-step process and a rotary kiln that heated raw materials to 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
In 1898, a devastating fire nearly burned the plant to the ground, leaving only damaged machinery, a shell of brick walls, and the large smokestacks. By 1910, the facility had been rebuilt and was producing more than 1,000 barrels of cement daily.
This industrial complex was home to massive, dangerous machinery, and — like many factories of the era — worker safety was minimal. Over the decades, dozens of workers were killed or maimed in grisly accidents: crushed by gears, caught in belts, burned in explosions, or scalded by high-temperature systems.
One of the earliest known deaths was that of George Howe, who was operating the coal crusher on November 22, 1900. While oiling the machine during a graveyard shift, his shirt sleeve became caught in the massive gears. He was pulled in and crushed to death.
In 1903, another tragic accident occurred. Frank Holmes was oiling a revolving shaft when his arm was grabbed by the fast-spinning fly wheel. He was partially crushed before a coworker managed to shut off the machine. Holmes suffered a broken leg and crushed jaw, lost an arm, and died just a few hours later.
Then, in August of 1918, 30-year-old Charles Whitner slipped while working in the potash department and fell into a massive vat of scalding water. It’s unclear how long he was submerged before his absence was noticed, but by then it was too late. Some say his spirit still wanders the grounds — a lingering echo of a life cut short far too soon.
Eventually, the plant was sold to Lone Star Industries, continuing operations through 1987. After its closure, the site sat abandoned for years, covered in layers of toxic chemical dust. A cleanup was performed in the 1990s, and the area continues to be monitored for contamination.
During its abandonment, the factory became a shelter for the unhoused and a hotspot for drug use, with several overdose deaths rumored to have occurred inside. Its location near the train tracks — where multiple fatalities, including suicides, have been reported — only adds to its history of death and sorrow.
In 2010, the long-abandoned site was purchased by new owners and transformed into Fear Factory. The original address has been listed as 601, 611, or 643 West 800 South, but today, fittingly, it operates under the address 666 West 800 South. It’s now considered one of the most intense and successful haunted attractions in the country.
The Haunts
Ghost Adventures at Fear Factory
Fear Factory caught the attention of Ghost Adventures, and in Season 9, Episode 7, Zak Bagans and the team uncovered some chilling activity. They captured EVPs, witnessed unexplained shadow figures, and experienced inexplicable equipment malfunctions. Zak was particularly affected while exploring the underground tunnels — he reported feeling an oppressive energy and overwhelming dread, especially near areas where workers had died.
They also interviewed staff members who had quit mid-season after disturbing encounters, including disembodied voices, moving objects, and apparitions peeking around corners. One standout moment occurred when a REM pod received consistent hits in a room with no electricity — a known hotspot for poltergeist-like activity.
Common Paranormal Activity at Fear Factory
Fear Factory is a well-known destination for paranormal investigators. The owners have even partnered with Grimm Ghost Tours to host regular ghost hunts in the off-season. Investigators and staff consistently report the following phenomena:
- Shadow figures, especially near stairwells and catwalks
- Disembodied voices — whispers, cries, and full sentences
- Sudden cold spots and temperature drops
- Feelings of being watched or followed
- Doors slamming, chains swinging, and other object movement
- Apparitions of former workers near machinery and tunnels
- Poltergeist activity, especially during the off-season
- Dragging sounds, often without a visible source
- Nausea and disorientation (commonly reported by women) in the “hell silo”
- Physical sensations of being brushed or touched — often attributed to the spirit of George Howe
Some paranormal teams have even reported spiritual attachments, with nightmares and disturbances following them home. The spiritual energy at Fear Factory appears to be a mix of residual, intelligent, and sometimes malevolent presences.
The Power of Fear
It’s long been believed in paranormal theory that intense human emotions — especially fear — can act as a kind of battery for spiritual activity. In a place like Fear Factory, where the walls are steeped in tragedy and where thousands of people come each year specifically to be terrified, it’s easy to imagine a kind of energetic feedback loop taking hold.
That emotional intensity doesn’t just linger among the living — it can awaken, feed, or even amplify spirits, particularly those tied to trauma or unrest. In cases of darker or more malevolent hauntings, fear doesn’t repel — it energizes, giving entities more strength, presence, and sometimes even control. It’s possible that transforming the site into a haunted attraction has deepened the supernatural imprint already carved into its foundations.
Our Experience: February 2024
When Derrick and I investigated Fear Factory, we weren’t just stepping into a haunted house — we were stepping into a place soaked in grief, violence, and unresolved emotion.
From the moment we entered, the energy was heavy and oppressive, especially in the tunnels and silo. But one moment stands out: we came across a large, blood-covered doll tucked into an alcove. While clearly part of the haunt’s decor, it felt like something more. Both Derrick and I sensed a presence — something inside the doll.
To validate our impression, fellow investigators used an SLS (Structured Light Sensor) app to scan the area. To our shock, the screen lit up with two stick figures inside the doll. One may have registered the human-like form of the prop, but the other? It felt like something — or someone — had taken residence there. The energy was so unsettling that none of us wanted to linger nearby.
If you’re ever in Salt Lake and looking for more than just a scare — something truly paranormal — Fear Factory delivers. Just be sure to protect yourself energetically before you go in, and trust your gut.
Not all the spirits there want to be seen…
but some definitely do.
References:
Ghost Adventures, Season 9 Episode 5 “Fear Factory”
