Adventure brief
3 Hour Private Investigation - St. Ignatius
Spend three hours exploring all six floors of St. Ignatius, an abandoned hospital in Colfax, with professional paranormal gear and a private format. This investigation is equal parts history, hands-on inquiry, and atmospheric interior photography.
St. Ignatius sits on the edge of Colfax, Washington: an abandoned hospital at 1009 S Mill St, Colfax, WA 99111, USA. The 3 Hour Private Investigation - St.
Ignatius invites serious curiosity: six floors of hollowed wards, stairwells where plaster peels in ribbons, and long corridors that hold echoes of patient rooms and operating theaters. Led as a private investigation for up to the length of the booking, this experience hands you the tools of contemporary paranormal inquiry—EMF readers, digital recorders, and cameras—and lets you explore in deliberate solitude. Unlike quick ghost tours that skim the surface, this three-hour private investigation lets you move methodically through a vertical, time-worn structure.
The building’s mid-century brick and concrete frame, rusted elevator shafts, and tiled treatment rooms create a kind of industrial cathedral of decay that rewards careful observation: water stains that track past roofline failures, stamped floor tiles, medical alcoves, and a top-floor corridor where afternoon light slices through broken glass. The scene is less about manufactured jump scares and more about close attention to place and evidence. Practical details matter: come prepared for steep, sometimes narrow staircases and uneven flooring; the operators ask you to arrive at the back door 15 minutes before the start of the tour.
Cameras and recording gear are part of the experience, and the private format gives you time to test hypotheses and review footage between locations. For photographers and investigators, the contrast between sterile institutional architecture and organic decay makes for striking images and chilling audio captures. This investigation is a standout offering in Whitman County’s outdoor and cultural landscape because it turns a disused civic building into an active learning site about local healthcare history and adaptive-reuse hazards.
It’s unique in that the circuit covers all six floors—most urban-exploration experiences limit access—so you get a full vertical survey of how a hospital ages when maintenance stops. Safety is emphasized: no entry after the tour has begun, and participants should have steady footing, a headlamp, and a willingness to move through enclosed, dim spaces. The activity blends history, hands-on equipment, and controlled risk, making it ideal for thrill-seekers, amateur investigators, and photographers who prefer atmospheric interiors over scenic vistas.
If you’re visiting Colfax and want something that cuts against pastoral expectations of the Palouse, this private investigation offers a focused, slightly unsettling way to read a building’s past while practicing careful, respectful exploration. Guides give a brief historical primer on the site before you enter and enforce protocols to protect fragile surfaces and remaining fixtures. Expect pauses to clean lenses and review anomalous readings; those quiet moments often produce the clearest evidence and make the session feel like forensic fieldwork genuinely instead of theatrics.
Adventure tips
Plan your experience.
Curated tips for an optimal adventure.
- 01Arrive on timeessential
Meet at the back door 15 minutes before your start time; no entry after the tour begins.
- 02Bring reliable lightessential
Headlamp plus spare batteries or a backup flashlight makes safe, hands-free exploration possible.
- 03Wear sturdy footwearwarning
Expect steep stairs and uneven floors—boots with good tread are strongly recommended.
- 04Respect fragile surfacesinfo
Do not move fixtures or remove artifacts; the site is fragile and treated as a controlled investigation.
Recommended gear
What to bring.
Headlamp (hands-free)
Keeps your hands free for equipment and stabilizes your view in dim interiors.
EssentialSturdy boots
Protects ankles and provides traction on stairs and debris-strewn floors.
EssentialNitrile gloves
Helps protect fragile surfaces and preserves evidence when handling gear.
Compact camera or smartphone with extra memory
Captures low-light interiors and records anomalies during the investigation.
EssentialLocal insights
Context for the journey.
Nearby secrets
Walk Colfax’s historic Main Street murals and antique shops for small-town character, Scenic overlooks along the nearby Palouse Scenic Byway for sweeping wheatland views
Local fauna
Mule deer, Red-tailed hawk
Historic heritage
The hospital is a decommissioned facility with ties to Whitman County’s early healthcare infrastructure and local community history.
Mindful exploration
Operators emphasize protecting fragile interior surfaces and artifacts; follow rules, take only photos, and avoid disturbing fixtures.
Photography tips
Capture the moments
- Viewpoints
- Main lobby and entrance hall, Top-floor corridor and landing, Stairwell landings where light angles through windows
- Subjects
- Interior architectural details, Textured decay (peeling paint, stamped tile), Light shafts and equipment setups
- Best times
- Late afternoon (interior light through broken glass), Blue hour, During the investigation when guides pause to review gear
Frequently asked questions
Before you go.
How old is the building and is there historical context provided?
Guides provide a brief historical primer before entering to explain the building’s role in local healthcare and why certain areas are of interest.
Are cameras and recorders allowed?
Yes—this investigation is designed to use paranormal equipment and cameras; bring spare batteries and memory cards.
Is there an age minimum?
Contact the operator directly for age restrictions; participants should be able to climb stairs and follow safety instructions.
Where do I meet the group?
Meet at the back door of the property; the meeting address is 1009 S Mill St, Colfax, WA 99111, USA and staff ask you to arrive 15 minutes early.
Can I enter after the tour starts?
No—there is no entry after the tour has begun to maintain safety and preserve the investigation timeline.
What should I wear?
Wear layered clothing, sturdy boots, and bring a headlamp; dressing for cool, dusty indoor conditions is best.