Davis Graveyard
The display in 2021
StatusActive
GenreHalloween
FrequencyAnnually
Location(s)Milwaukie, Oregon
Coordinates45°27′35″N 122°37′08″W / 45.4597°N 122.6188°W / 45.4597; -122.6188
CountryUnited States
Inaugurated1998 (1998)
Founders
  • Jeff Davis
  • Chris Davis
AttendanceThousands
Websitedavisgraveyard.com

Davis Graveyard is an annual Halloween yard display at a private residence in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Description

Davis Graveyard is displayed at a private residence each year for Halloween.[1] The display includes "eerie lights, spooky sounds, and horrifying headstones", often commemorating celebrities who died recently. Thousands visit the attraction annually.[2] In 2018, Sam Pape and Chris Davis of Portland Monthly called the graveyard a "creepy-wonderful, nationally known destination".[3] The display is viewed from behind a fence; there is no admission fee.[4]

History

Gravestones in 2021

Jeff and Chris Davis have created the graveyard since 1998.[5] The duo have received grants from Clackamas County Arts and the Milwaukie Tourism Board to fund the project. In addition to the yard display, they have hosted summer workshops on creating faux crypts.[1] In 2018, the display had 75 tombstones, an animatronic gravedigger, a projection screen crypt, and a 29-foot (8.8 m) gothic cathedral made from polystyrene foam. The cathedral covered a garage used as a workshop for making gravestones and figures out of drywall mud, foam, and latex paint.[6]

The graveyard was not displayed in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, some of its features were displayed at the Clackamas County Scare Fair, a drive-through attraction.[7]

Reception

In 2018, The Oregonian's Samantha Swindler described the attraction as "probably the largest and most well-known home haunt in the Portland area".[6] According to KPTV, the display "has been voted one of the best home Halloween displays in the world".[8] Gabbi Shaw selected the display to represent Oregon in Business Insider's list of "the best way to celebrate Halloween in every state".[9][10]

References

  1. 1 2 "Davis Graveyard". Willamette Week. August 20, 2019. Archived from the original on September 25, 2020. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Photos: Halloween at Milwaukie's Davis Graveyard". KATU. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  3. ↑ Pape, Sam; Davis, Chris (September 11, 2018). "How One Oregon Couple Creates the Ultimate Halloween Display". Portland Monthly. Archived from the original on January 18, 2021. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  4. ↑ Stein, Rosemarie (2021-09-24). "Halloween 2021 in Oregon: More thrills, chills and in-person events". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2021-10-05. Retrieved 2021-10-07.
  5. ↑ Nakamura, Motoya (2008-10-31). ""Davis Graveyard" scares up Halloween spirits". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2021-10-07. Retrieved 2021-10-07.
  6. 1 2 Swindler, Samantha (October 19, 2018). "Halloween home displays you don't want to miss". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on October 5, 2021. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  7. ↑ "There's still time to get your scare on for Halloween". Portland Tribune. Pamplin Media Group. October 26, 2020. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  8. ↑ "On the Go with Joe at Davis Graveyard". KPTV. October 31, 2016. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  9. ↑ Shaw, Gabbi (October 5, 2021). "The best way to celebrate Halloween in every state". Business Insider. Archived from the original on October 7, 2021. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  10. ↑ "8 things to do in the Portland area this weekend: Oct. 23-25". KGW. October 21, 2020. Archived from the original on 2020-12-02. Retrieved 2021-10-07.
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