Make no bones about it
Deadsy’s Haunted House is worth a visit in Depoe Bay
By W.W. Clyde Reid
For the TODAY
Most people are ashamed to have skeletons in their closet.
Not Roger Silver.
This Depoe Bay mixologist/barista/bartender doesn’t have the least concern about those metaphorical symbols of the troubles in one’s past that worry most people.
“I’m very proud of my collection of skeletons,” he said. “I have 14 full-sized skeletons, several more mid-sized ones, lots of skulls and too many miny-skellies to count. I’ve got skulls and bones stored all over the place: in the closets, the attic, the garage, the shed, even out in the yard.”
Silver traces his fascination with creepy artifacts commonly associated with the autumnal holiday to his misspent childhood.
“I’m basically a 55-year-old kid, and I’ve been a Halloween-obsessive since I was an actual kid,” he said. “My dad indulged me, making me Batman cowls and R2D2 rigs. He helped me make werewolf outfits out of grandma’s old wigs. Thanks to him, I was hooked.”
Fast forward to 2010, when Silver and his family moved from California to Depoe Bay.
“We set up our first Halloween House in 2011 and we got quite a few trick-or-treaters,” he said. “So we set up the first ‘Deadsy's Dark Den’ in 2012, and things really took off.”
As the skeleton-intensive display grew in local popularity, the event grew from a yard display for the neighborhood to a haunted tour for the region.
“Based on word-of-mouth, the Deadsy's tour has been drawing people from all over,” Silver said. “I loved setting up the scary tours through the house with skeletons and spiders and other creepy stuff popping out all over. I love the look of wonder in the faces of the kids — and the ‘kids at heart’ — and if I hear a few screams, that’s a bonus.”
Silver has never charged admission for his Deadsy's haunted house tour, but happily scared folks have often offered donations.
“People wanted to say ‘thanks’ and make an offering, so I set up a jar,” Silver said. “In the first years, I gave the donations to Kids Zone in Depoe Bay, where my kids used to go after school.” After COVID hit, and all the previous arrangements went away, Silver’s haunted enterprise went on hiatus, too.
“Once we came out of COVID and got back to regular holiday celebrations, I collected all the ‘thank-you’ contributions and gave them to the local food bank,” he said.
Silver is enabled to expand his community contribution.
“I work for a generous organization — Salishan SCP,” he said. “They offer compensation for time served, and with that compensated time, I’m going to do beach clean-ups — at least one of them in a Halloween costume — to bring attention to pollution and beach clean-up needs. I’ll make a beach monster out of beach trash. I hope folks will learn from that.”
The Deadsy's Haunted House isn’t the only attraction in Silver’s neighborhood.
“I invite everyone to come and visit,” he said. “But there is lots more going on in my ‘hood. Our neighbors set out wonderful venues — hot cider, hot chocolate, snacks, treats, music — it’s a great block party that folks won’t want to miss.”
Silver is not ashamed of the skeletons in his closet.
“I’m proud of my collection,” he said. “And I’m only too happy to share them all with yoo-oooooou!”
Deadsy's Dark Den is open from 7 to 11 pm on Thursday, Oct. 31, and Friday, Nov. 1, at 410 Cardinal Street in Depoe Bay.
