Opens October 17th 2026 Enter if you dare!
Discover the thrilling adventure!
Opens October 17th 2026 Enter if you dare!
Discover the thrilling adventure!
The History
The Devil’s Doorway, now recognized as one of Ventura’s most immersive and community-driven haunted attractions, traces its origins to the grassroots efforts of the veterans of Veterans of Foreign Wars Wallace Chaffee Post 1679 in Ventura, California. What began as a modest seasonal fundraiser known as Haunted Alley evolved over time into a fully realized theatrical experience—one that blends community service, artistic craftsmanship, and immersive storytelling.
Origins:
The origins of Malkin Manor trace back to 1984, when what would become a Ventura County Halloween institution began as a simple backyard gathering. It was never intended to be a commercial attraction. Instead, it was born from a passion for storytelling, theatrical illusion, and the spirit of Halloween itself. Friends, family, and neighbors were invited into a private world of shadows and imagination, where handcrafted props, creative lighting, and live actors transformed an ordinary backyard into something extraordinary. Each year, the production grew in complexity and ambition, evolving from a party into a fully immersive haunt experience.
Through the late 1980s and into the 1990s, Malkin Manor expanded beyond its humble origins. The haunt became known locally for its originality and attention to detail, blending theatrical production techniques with practical effects, sound design, and live performance. What began as a personal tradition became a community event, drawing larger audiences and inspiring a new generation of haunt enthusiasts.
As its reputation spread, Malkin Manor transitioned into larger venues to accommodate its growing scale. For several years, the haunt operated at the Elks Lodge in Ventura, where it continued to refine its identity and develop increasingly sophisticated environments. These years were formative, allowing the creators to experiment with larger layouts, develop narrative-driven attractions, and integrate more elaborate scenic construction.
The haunt’s continued growth led to opportunities at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, where the scale of the attraction expanded dramatically. These events introduced thousands of guests to the immersive world of Malkin Manor, elevating it from a local haunt to a recognized regional attraction. It was during this era that the concept of the full-scale haunted maze emerged—a twisting labyrinth designed to disorient, surprise, and immerse visitors in a continuous theatrical experience. The maze format allowed for greater storytelling, deeper immersion, and a level of psychological engagement that became the hallmark of the attraction.
A pivotal moment in the haunt’s evolution came in 2017, when Roy’s Haunts joined forces with Malkin Manor. This collaboration marked a turning point. Roy’s Haunts brought additional technical expertise, creative design, and production capability, enabling the attraction to expand further in scope and complexity. With this partnership, the haunt reached new levels of professionalism, incorporating advanced scenic fabrication, improved lighting systems, coordinated actor choreography, and enhanced thematic continuity.
Together, Malkin Manor and Roy’s Haunts created the modern haunted maze experience that audiences recognize today. What had begun as a backyard gathering in 1984 had grown into a fully realized immersive attraction—built on decades of passion, creativity, and community involvement.
Today, the legacy of Malkin Manor stands as a testament to the enduring power of imagination. From backyard beginnings to major public venues, from handmade props to fully constructed labyrinths, its evolution reflects more than just the growth of a haunted attraction—it reflects the dedication of those who believed in creating something unforgettable. The maze was created, the doors were opened, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Partnership and Transformation:
As Haunted Alley gained popularity, it attracted the attention and collaboration of experienced haunt designers and theatrical artisans, most notably Roy’s Haunts and Malkin Manor. These partnerships marked a turning point in the attraction’s evolution.
Roy’s Haunts brought professional-grade prop design, atmospheric effects, and technical expertise, elevating the production quality dramatically. Their contributions included custom animatronics, detailed scenic construction, lighting design, and environmental storytelling elements that transformed simple hallways into immersive environments.
Malkin Manor added its own distinct artistic influence, introducing narrative cohesion, character development, and scene continuity that gave the attraction a deeper psychological dimension. Together, these creative forces helped shape Haunted Alley into a fully immersive haunted maze experience, where guests were no longer just observers, but participants in a living story.
The Birth of the Devil’s Doorway
As the attraction grew in scale, complexity, and reputation, its creators recognized the need for a new identity—one that reflected its darker themes, immersive storytelling, and expanded vision. Thus, Haunted Alley was reborn as The Devil’s Doorway.
The new name symbolized more than a rebranding. It represented a threshold between worlds—the known and the unknown, the ordinary and the extraordinary. Visitors entering the Devil’s Doorway would no longer simply walk through a haunted space; they would cross into a fully realized realm of fear, suspense, and imagination.
With this transformation came expanded sets, refined storylines, enhanced special effects, and a dedicated team of volunteers and professional collaborators. The attraction became a hallmark of the Halloween season in Ventura, drawing families, thrill-seekers, and supporters from across the region.
Community Impact and Continuing Legacy
Despite its evolution, the core mission of the Devil’s Doorway has remained unchanged. It is, first and foremost, a community service initiative created by veterans for the benefit of veterans and the broader community.
Funds raised through the attraction support:
- Veteran assistance programs
- Community outreach initiatives
- Maintenance and preservation of VFW Post 1679
- Youth and family engagement events
- Local partnerships with community organizations
Equally important is the sense of camaraderie and shared purpose it fosters. Veterans work alongside civilians, artists collaborate with engineers, and volunteers of all ages contribute their time and creativity. In this way, the Devil’s Doorway stands as a living testament to the enduring spirit of service.
A Living Tradition
Today, the Devil’s Doorway continues to grow, guided by the dedication of VFW Post 1679, the creative expertise of Roy’s Haunts and Malkin Manor, and the unwavering support of the Ventura community. Each year brings new scenes, new stories, and new volunteers—yet the heart of the attraction remains rooted in the same values that inspired Haunted Alley from the beginning.
It is more than a haunted maze. It is a symbol of transformation—of service evolving into storytelling, of community becoming family, and of veterans continuing their mission to serve, inspire, and lead.
If you would like, I can also convert this into:
- A formal historical plaque version
- A website “About” page
- A narrated script version for promotional video
- Or a brochure/flyer layout for this year’s Devil’s Doorway event
Our Sponsors
Better yet, see us in person!
You may enter at your own risk! Find the exit if you can.
VFW 1679, Roys Haunts and Malkin Manor Present
Hours beginning October 17th 2026
Mon | Closed | |
Tue | Closed | |
Wed | Closed | |
Thu | Closed | |
Fri | 07:00 pm – 11:00 pm | |
Sat | 07:00 pm – 11:00 pm | |
Sun | 12:00 pm – 03:00 pm |
Open
October 17th -18th
October 23rd - 25th
October 30th -31st
VFW 1679, Roys Haunts and Malkin Manor Present
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