Calling all ghost hunters and history lovers! Nestled in the quiet town of Nampa, Idaho stands an unassuming brick building that holds over a century of secrets. Known today as Crescent Brewery (Old Hospital), this location has lived many lives—from a thriving bottling company to a mysterious, shadowy hospital. Its curious past creeps through the walls and echoes in the eerie silence between the clinks of pint glasses. If you’re intrigued by places where history and hauntings intersect, this is one destination you won’t want to miss. What better way to spend an afternoon than grabbing a cold craft beer while exploring one of Idaho’s most enigmatic haunted locations?
The History
From Brewery to Bottlers: The Early Beginnings
The story of Crescent Brewery begins in the late 19th century, when Nampa was in its infancy and railroads were shaping the American West. Built in 1906, the original structure served as a bustling part of the town’s brewing industry. The name “Crescent Brewery” pays homage to the original company that operated here—Crescent Bottling Works, which bottled beer and soda before Idaho went dry during the Prohibition era.
Unlike many early 20th-century breweries that folded under the weight of Prohibition, the operations at Crescent shifted gears. Instead of alcohol, the facility pivoted to bottling soft drinks and other non-alcoholic beverages. However, the transition wasn’t quite enough to keep the business afloat in the long run, and eventually, the location lost its commercial appeal. What remained was a large, empty building with thick walls and deep shadows—an ideal candidate for reinvention.
The Hospital Years — A Mystery Shrouded in Time
At some point in the mid-20th century—dates and records vary—the building took on a new identity: a medical facility. Though exact records are scarce, locals remember the site functioning in some capacity as a hospital or clinic. Long, narrow hallways were added, rooms were subdivided, and the layout began to more closely resemble a care facility. According to oral histories and personal accounts, some even suggest that it housed psychiatric patients, although that claim remains unverified.
Despite the lack of official documentation, the memory of this phase lives on in the stories of Nampa’s older residents. Some recall receiving vaccinations here, while others mention loved ones receiving medical treatment within its walls. The building’s cold, clinical aura still lingers—especially in the back rooms and upstairs areas where windows seem to stare outward like eyes watching from the past.
Modern Revival: From Darkness to Drafts
In more recent years, the structure was given new life in the form of Crescent Brewery, a taproom that embraces its eerie past while pouring some of the best craft beer in the Treasure Valley. Located just off 2nd Street South in downtown Nampa, the brewery opened with the intention of preserving the building’s heritage. Thankfully, the new owners saw the charm in its rugged, brick-and-mortar design and original architecture, deciding to incorporate its storied history—and paranormal rumors—into the branding.
Murals and historic photos now line the walls, blending perfectly with antique medical equipment and rustic bar stools. Patrons are welcome to tour parts of the building (with permission) and often leave with more than just a buzz—some leave with chilling stories of unexplained whispers, cold drafts that aren’t coming from the beer taps, and sensations of being watched.
The Haunt
Spirits Among the Spirits
If there’s one thing Crescent Brewery (Old Hospital) is known for in the paranormal community, it’s the sheer number of reports from visitors and staff alike. Paranormal investigators have long speculated that a building with this much history—especially one tied to medical trauma—would naturally house lingering spiritual energy. And Crescent does not disappoint.
One of the most frequently experienced phenomena is the sound of disembodied footsteps echoing through the halls above the main taproom. Staff often hear these late at night while locking up, only to find the upper floors completely empty—locked from the inside, some say. These phantom footfalls are often accompanied by the sound of rolling carts, like the old-timey kind used to deliver medications or meals in hospitals.
The Girl in White
Among Crescent Brewery’s most chilling stories is that of the “Girl in White.” Several patrons and employees have reported seeing a young woman in a white hospital gown drifting silently around corners or standing quietly in doorways. Her appearance is usually accompanied by a sudden drop in temperature and feelings of intense emotional sadness or loss. Ghost hunters using thermal cameras have picked up anomalies around the back hallways—an area that once may have been used as patient rooms.
Unseen Hands and Eerie Whispers
Many guests have reported feeling as if they’ve been touched by invisible hands—light brushes along the arm or taps on the shoulder, most often when they’re alone. One visitor described the sensation as “a hand guiding me toward a particular room,” only to find the temperature in there noticeably colder than the rest of the building.
EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena) sessions conducted by amateur and professional paranormal groups have recorded whispers believed to say “stay” or “wait,” as well as faint crying and even the sound of labored breathing. These chilling audio samples have become a key draw for investigators looking to communicate with the site’s spectral residents.
The Basement Level: An Epicenter of Activity
If you’re brave enough to descend into the basement, don’t go alone. This area—which likely functioned as storage or even a morgue, depending on who you ask—is widely considered the most haunted part of Crescent Brewery. Visitors report intense feelings of dread, nausea, and the distinct impression of being watched. Some have even claimed to see shadow figures darting from corner to corner out of the corner of their eyes.
Paranormal equipment frequently malfunctions in the basement, and even cell phones have been known to suddenly die despite having full batteries. Dowsing rods, EMF meters, and spirit boxes all light up in erratic patterns when used in these lower chambers, leading many to believe that the spirits here are not only present—but actively trying to communicate.
Plan Your Visit — If You Dare
Whether you’re here for the beer or the bumps in the night, Crescent Brewery (Old Hospital) in Nampa offers a unique and unforgettable experience. The building is open to the public during regular taproom hours, and they often host live music and small community events. Private tours may be arranged with advanced notice, especially for paranormal researchers looking to conduct investigations.
Don’t forget to bring your camera, voice recorder, and plenty of courage. While some spirits here seem to be harmless relics from a forgotten time, others remain a chilling mystery. Keep your senses sharp—you never know when a ghost might say hello between sips of your IPA.
Crescent Brewery (Old Hospital) is not just a place to grab a drink. It’s a destination where history bleeds into the present, and the past refuses to be forgotten. For those who search the shadows for stories untold, there’s perhaps no better place in Idaho to begin the hunt.