While there’s no need to leave the mortal world to sneak a peek at Aggie Cromwell’s house or the infamous out-sized jack-o’-lantern, Halloweentown fans must trek to small-town Oregon to visit the movie’s most iconic filming locations. Unlike Disney’s other ever-popular Halloween-themed film, 1993’s Hocus Pocus, Halloweentown isn’t set in the holiday’s traditional New England haunts. In fact, the 1998 movie doesn’t specify its mortal-world setting – and there’s no doubt that Marnie’s (Kimberly J. Brown) realm-traversing adventure to the titular town overshadows the movie’s initial Pacific Northwest vibes.
In the original Halloweentown movie, Marnie’s grandmother, Aggie (Debbie Reynolds), visits on All Hallow’s Eve – the one day when travel between Halloweentown and the mortal world is possible. While eavesdropping, Marnie learns that she’s a witch and that her mother, Gwen (Judith Hoag), has kept that truth from her. Accompanied by her younger siblings, Marnie follows Aggie to Halloweentown via inter-realm bus. While visiting the real-life Halloweentown filming locations doesn’t require any magical transit lines, it is charming enough to convince tourists that the franchise is one of the few Disney properties that needs a streaming revival.
Most Of Halloweentown Was Shot In St. Helens, Oregon
Located 45 minutes from Portland, St. Helens, Oregon is home to Halloweentown‘s most memorable locales. Overlooking the Columbia River, St. Helens offers views of Oregon’s Mt. Hood, though most fans will be too enthralled by the city’s Halloweentown Plaza, which is almost as immersive as watching the Halloweentown movies. Every year, St. Helens transforms into the Spirit of Halloweentown. Most notably, at 275 Strand Street – a.k.a. Halloweentown Plaza – fans can visit the film’s iconic giant jack-o’-lantern, which stands in front of City Hall. A sign demarcates the inter-realm bus stop, and the town even sets up a replica of Benny’s cab.
Aggie Cromwell’s House Is Actually Nob Hill Riverview Bed & Breakfast
In order to bring Aggie’s residence to life, filmmakers cleverly edited together two different locations, which is just one of the wild details behind the making of Halloweentown. When Benny, the kids’ skeleton chauffeur, parks outside of Aggie’s home and the camera is pointed at the cab, the scenic overlook behind them features parts of the river and downtown St. Helens. Filmed in the driveway of the Nob Hill Riverview Bed & Breakfast, the scene tricks viewers into thinking Aggie’s farmhouse is perched above Halloweentown. While the inn isn’t too far from Halloweentown Plaza or the old movie theater at 212 South 1st Street, the farmhouse that’s used for Aggie’s house is elsewhere.
A Southwest Portland Neighborhood Also Brought Aggie Cromwell’s House To Life
In southwest Portland’s Eastmoreland neighborhood stands a New England-style farmhouse that Halloweentown fans are sure to recognize. Built in 1892, the Victorian-era haunt serves as Aggie Cromwell’s home in the film. When Benny drops the kids off at the house, you can see the property at 3814 SE Martins Street just beyond the wrought-iron “Cromwell” gate. Just inside the house is where Marnie, Sophie, and Dylan brewed the potion that activated Merlin’s talisman and, in turn, vanquished the evil Kalabar (Robin Thomas). Back in 2018, the Cromwell home hit the market for a whopping $1.37 million (via The Oregonian).
The Pipers’ Neighborhood Is Actually Scappoose, Oregon
Just south of St. Helen’s is another Columbia River-adjacent town that plays an important role in Halloweentown. Scappoose, Oregon may have ties to the farming and logging industries, but it certainly has a more suburban feel than St. Helens. That made it the perfect site for the Pipers’ family home. At the beginning of the film, trick-or-treaters mill about the neighborhood, and Aggie arrives at the inter-realm bus stop in true witchy fashion. While Scappoose may not be as magical as St. Helens, it’s still a must-see spot on any tour of Halloweentown‘s filming locations.
Sources: Spirit of Halloweentown, The Oregonian
