My Weird Life.: Hidden Bricks: A Closer Look Hidden Houses of 13th Street

Today Dave and I went and had a delightful lunch at the recently reopened Hidden House, which is now open as a boutique grocery, deli and catering business. The food was delicious, and I'm happy to report much of the Hidden House interior from when it was in business as a Touch of Athens Greek Restaurant remains.

The Hidden House was also the first meeting place of our Alma Mater, Clark College.

Original details still here.

An old photo of the Hidden House on the original fireplace

Carefully curated local products around a small, welcoming deli counter are inside.

Original stained glass windows also remain.

Just inside the front door. Upstairs is currently catering only, but they plan on opening that to the public eventually as well.

Stairs upstairs from the dining room

The big, beautiful front window

View of the Hidden house from Main Street, looking West

This house has been known for having a friendly haunting for decades. It is a stop on the yearly Vancouver Ghost Walk tours done by several local groups in the area. The running theory is that Julie Hidden, Daughter of Lowell, who liked to go door to door singing, is the source of the mysterious female singing voice that has been heard by dozens of people inside this building.

Here's a Columbian Article about the haunting HERE.

I pulled some Oracle cards to get the vibe of the building, as it had a warm, welcoming feel. I got the feeling the resident spirits are happy that the building is once again bursting with life, and the Oracle seemed to confirm this. I wish them the best of luck and success. After talking with the proprietors, they obviously are involved in this for the love of good food and the building itself. They very much want to share this special building with the public.

I had a delicious Ginger Carrot Apple Coconut Milk soup and fruit salad. They informed me the salad is called "Fruit crack" and the lime and ginger among other secrets they have used proved the dish name worthy.

Dave had a beautiful turkey salad. The chef told me the turkey is roasted in house for over three hours.

The W. F Hidden house to the left in the background, view from corner of Main Street and 13th.

The overall vibe in the L.M. Hidden house continues to feel warm and inviting inside. I encourage locals to seek out this local gem.

View of the Hidden House, looking East

Between the Two Hidden Houses, we have a small dwelling called The Carriage House. There is small garden in front of this house. When I researched the Hidden Family at the Clark County Historical Museum I learned that the Garden of Remembrance between the two Hidden Houses is in honor of Mary Hidden (1847), Edith Hidden (1878) and Margaret A. Hidden (1910).

The small Carriage House is between the two Hidden Houses.

Hidden bricks on the back side of Carriage House

After lunch, we walked next door to get a closer look at the W. F. Hidden House. I learned a lot about W. F. Hidden and the rest of the Hidden Family at the Historical Museum from a donated Volume of Hidden Family History.

He was known for being extremely frugal, and he and his family grew all of their own food, had their own chicken coop and supplied their own eggs. Their fortune was tied up in property around the area, with Robert Hidden (son of W. Foster) calling them "land poor". Daughter Helen remarked: "We never felt rich, in fact, we were amongst the poorest kids in our class. Our money was invested....I did not have any store-bought things to wear until I was fifteen."

There were a few high quality photos inside the volume of L.M. and other members as well. Robert himself donated this family history.