Restaurant Window Ghost



The Haunting of the Duke Mansion Bed and Breakfast

Duke Mansion – Mecklenburg County, Charlotte, North Carolina
Photograph ©Bed and Breakfast Inns Online


Address:
400 Hermitage Road
Charlotte, North Carolina 28207
(888) 202-1009


Built in 1915, this beautiful Colonial mansion was first home to James Buchanan Duke, a very successful tobacco tycoon. James Duke is also remembered for the origination of Duke University, Duke Energy and the Duke Endowment.

In 1929, the home was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Martin L. Cannon, who renamed the mansion “White Oaks.” One interesting fact about this couple is that they produced a daughter who later went on to date John F. Kennedy many years prior to Kennedy’s marriage to Jackie. The Cannon family lived on in the mansion until 1957 when it was purchased by Henry and Clayton Lineberger. The Linebergers restored the mansion, however, in 1966 there was a fire that gutted out the third floor and they had to spend money on restoration costs again.

In 1976, with the death of Mr. Lineberger, the mansion was left to the Duke Endowment. One year later it was placed on the local, state and national registries of historic places. The mansion was then used briefly as a small meeting center but then was sold again.

In 1978 the home was turned into condominiums. In 1989, owners of a sports media company, Rick and Dee Ray, bought the home and restored it to its former, single home, beauty. The Rays and the Duke Power Company united with the Lynwood Foundation, a non profit organization, to preserve the Duke Mansion and today the mansion is used as a bed and breakfast.

The hauntings at the Duke Mansion are said to be blamed on a man named Jon Avery. Mr. Avery was apparently a former owner of Duke Mansion, although I was not able to pinpoint the year of his residence in the home.

The story of Mr. Avery is a sad one. Jon’s wife was apparently committed to a mental hospital for reasons that are unknown. Jon stayed on at the Duke Mansion with his mother and sisters.

One day a female writer stopped by to do a historical piece on the mansion and Jon quickly befriended the woman. This friendship turned into the beginning of a new romance, however, when the woman found out that Jon was unwilling to divorce his sick wife, she ended the relationship.

Jon was devastated by this breakup and in an attempt to keep the woman in his life, he asked her to meet him one year later, dead or alive, at midnight in the circular garden located near the fountains.

One year later the woman arrived, as promised, to meet Jon. And again, he asked her to meet him, dead or alive, the following year at midnight. During the year that followed, the woman became engaged to another man. When the meeting time finally arrived, she took a friend with her because she felt it would’ve been improper to meet him alone after promising her hand to another man.

At midnight on the night of their meeting, the woman and her friend stood in the garden awaiting Jon. The woman and her friend heard the soft footsteps of Jon’s approach and when he came into view, he nearly walked right past her. She reached out to grab him by the arm but her hand went right through him. Jon turned to her and mouthed the words “Dead or Alive” before he vanished before her eyes. The shocked woman and her friend later learned that Jon had died just a few days prior to the meeting date due to a bought with polio.

It seems that this final meeting was what Jon needed to rest in peace; no other reports of Jon’s apparition have been made since.






The Haunting of the Hammock House

Hammock House – Carteret County, Beaufort, North Carolina
Photograph ©Rebbs


Address:
Private Residence
Beaufort, North Carolina 28516

Built in the early seventeenth century, this home is said to be the oldest home in Beaufort. The Hammock House is thought to have been an inn during its early days; giving sailors a safe haven on land to rest their weary seafaring bodies. One such guest who was known to frequent the inn was Captain Black Beard; a pirate known for his treacherous and brutal ways.

Black Beard, a man who was actually named Edward Teach, spent quite a bit of time at the Hammock House, resting from his sea “journeys” and finding refuge with women, alcohol and illegal activities. During one of Black Beards stays at the house, he was accompanied by one of his numerous wives, an eighteen year old girl who was apparently married and kept against her will. Before Black Beards departure back to the sea, a heated argument must have taken place between him and his young wife, for he hung the woman from an oak tree behind Hammock House and then buried her body under the tree itself!

In 1747, Richard Russell, Jr., owned the house. Another murder took place here when Richard returned home from a voyage. Richard took one of his slaves to the attic to punish him for some wrong doing. The slave panicked and shoved Mr. Russell, causing him to tumble down the attic stairs and break his neck.

The owner that followed Mr. Russell was a Captain for the British Navy. The Captain returned home one day to hear that his new bride had been sleeping with another man. The Captain hunted down his new wife and her accused lover and viciously killed the man. Unfortunately, the man turned out to be the brother of the young woman and was innocent.

By the mid eighteenth century, even more people had died in the house; most of their deaths resulted from sword duels. Then in 1862, the house became infamous when three Union officers were sent to scout the location and disappeared without a trace. These men were found in 1915, some fifties years later, when workmen discovered their remains near the back porch area.

The Union army used the Hammock House as an outpost for some time and many of the soldiers reported feeling uneasy there. After the war, the house was abandoned and left to dilapidate. During its use and its abandonment, the house’s reputation grew. People whispered about strange happenings and rumor spread that the place was haunted.

Many people who have visited the house in the past have claimed to hear the screams of a woman in the backyard but when investigated, no one was there. Inside the house many have reported hearing thumping sounds on the attic steps, a man screaming on the second floor and the sounds of heavy boots stomping on the first floor. Many have also claimed that there is a permanent blood stain on the second floor that cannot be scrubbed away or even painted over; it just continues to resurface.

Today, the Hammock House is privately owned and the current owners don’t seem to be put off by their ghostly live-ins. The house itself has been restored to its former beauty and can be seen via the Historic Homes Tour of Beaufort or the Ghost Walk Tours.



The Haunting of the Chelsea Hotel

Chelsea Hotel – New York County, New York, New York

Photograph ©Sam Rohn ~Location Scout, NewYorkLocations.Com

Address:
222 West 23rd Street
New York, New York 10011
(212) 243-3700
Website

Built in 1884, the Chelsea Hotel was originally an apartment complex. The owners of the complex filed bankruptcy in 1905 and then the building was sold and soon afterward it became the Hotel that it is today.

In the early nineteenth century, the Chelsea had a tendency to attract low income clientele, as well as, those who conducted illegal businesses within its sound proof walls.

By the 1950’s, the Chelsea started attracting artistic types and over the years since, it has given creativity to such names as Jack Kerouac, Bob Dylan, Frank Zappa, Andy Warhol, Jimi Hendrix and Dylan Thomas. Dylan Thomas actually died in room 206 in 1953 after going on a bender that led to alcohol poisoning. Dylan’s last words are said to have been, “I’ve had eighteen straight whiskeys, and I think that’s a record!”

Another death to take place in the building was in 1978. Former musician for the Sex Pistols, Sid Vicious, and his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, were living at the hotel after Sid’s career took a plunge. One morning Sid called the police, requesting that they come to his apartment right away. When officers arrived, they found Nancy lying in a pool of her own blood with a knife protruding from her side. Sid was arrested for murder but died of a heroin overdose before he ever served jail time.

Over the last century, the Chelsea has seen its share of drugs, alcohol, immoral behavior, death and despair. All of these events have seemed to leave their mark on the hotels very walls, causing many to claim that the hotel is haunted.

Many who have stayed in the hotel have claimed to see the apparition of Sid Vicious near the elevator. The apparitions of Dylan Thomas, Eugene O’Neil and Thomas Wolfe have also been seen in their transparent forms in various parts of the building.

Some of the other reports here consist of cold spots or gust of cold air that come out of nowhere. Many have claimed that they were followed by phantom footsteps, touched, tapped or pushed while in their rooms or walking in the hallways. Others have stated that their personal items were thrown across the rooms or moved during the night. Lights and televisions are said to turn on and off at will. Water from the showers and sinks come on for no plausible reason. And, many have also claimed to hear whispers or muted conversations right in the room with them when no one present could have been responsible.

Today, the Chelsea Hotel continues to thrive and still seems to magically attract famous writers, actors, poets and musicians. Patrons still report paranormal activity. Apparitions still walk the hallow hallways. And many unsuspecting guests are still known to experience the hair on the back of their necks standing on end. The Chelsea is and may always be a safe haven for, not only the living, but also the dead.




The Christmas Ghost

The woman taking the photo had intended to take a picture of her niece on Christmas day of 2004. When she reviewed her photos she found this.

The man behind the chair is apparently her grandfather who had passed away two months prior to the photo. This woman also explained that the grandfather had been creamated and the ashes were kept in the house.

If you also take a closer look at the enlarged photo at the bottom, you will notice quite a few orbs that were also caught; these could be dust but isn't it funny how they always seem to show up in haunted areas!?



The Haunting of the La Posada Resort

La Posada Resort – Santa Fe County, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Photograph ©Jim


In 1882, Abraham Staab and his wife, Julie, built their home here; this original house is now part of the La Posada Resort. Julie gave birth to seven children during her lifetime, however, the last of these children died at birth. This tragedy devastated Julie and sent her into a downward spiral of depression and isolation. Julie took to her bed and stayed there until her death in 1896. Today, it is believed that the house is still occupied by Julie Staab’s apparition.

In room 256, Julie’s former bedroom, is where most of the activity occurs. Many guests who have stayed in this room have reported that sometime during the night, someone filled the bathtub with water. Julie’s apparition was also spotted by a chimney cleaner while he was outside; he claimed that he looked over at the window and saw a woman in period clothing looking at him through the curtains. This worker recognized the woman from a painting that hangs in the drawing room.

Julie’s apparition has also been seen gliding down the grand staircase, as well as, sitting quietly in the restaurant area. Many who have not seen this gentle spirit have claimed that they felt her presence or experienced fleeting, unexplainable cold spots.

Address:
330 East Palace Avenue
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501
(505) 986-0000
(866) 331-ROCK


The Haunting of The Lodge Resort, Spa and Saloon

The Lodge – Otero County, Cloudcroft, New Mexico

Photograph ©Heather Shade


Address:
1 Corona Place
Cloudcroft, New Mexico 88317
(505) 682-2566
Website

Originally, the Lodge Resort was built in 1899 for use of the timber cutters who worked on the Railroad. In 1906, the Lodge was opened to the public and in 1911 it was fully restored after an extremely destructive fire took place. Since those early days, the Lodge has served many guests, including Judy Garland, Clark Gable and every one of New Mexico’s Governors.

Today the Lodge is claimed to be haunted by the spirit of a woman named Rebecca. This young woman worked for the Lodge in the early nineteenth century and did a little work as a prostitute on the side. Rebecca, like the other employees of that time, lived in one of the rooms in the basement of the Lodge. It was in this room where Rebecca was murdered by her lover who caught her in bed with another man (or possibly a client). It was right after Rebecca’s death that the hauntings at the Lodge began and the paranormal activity has occurred there ever since.

Rebecca’s apparition has been reportedly seen by many guests, as well as employees and she is usually described as having long red hair, blue eyes and period clothing. One guest said he heard an odd scratching sound coming from the hallway outside of his room. When the man cracked open his door to investigate, he saw Rebecca rearranging some flowers that were placed in the hallway. Another unsuspecting guest walked into his guest bathroom to shower and found the semi-transparent Rebecca reclining lazily in his bathtub before she quickly disappeared!

In the Saloon, located in the basement of the Lodge, Rebecca has been seen in the mirror at the bar. When the bartender turns around to serve the pretty young woman, she is gone. Also in the bar area, Rebecca is claimed to take beverages that were served to living guests, leave antique poker chips lying on the floor and play loud music that causes complaints from guests who were sleeping upstairs.

The mischievous spirit of Rebecca is also thought to have fun with guests and employees by flushing toilets, shattering glasses, flickering lights, calling the front desk from empty rooms, turning on guests lights in the middle of the night, lying down in the beds beside of guests, moving guests items from their rooms, opening and closing doors, locking doors and playing with electronic gadgets.

The paranormal reports at the Lodge pour in almost every day. Some guests even return to the hotel just to experience the activity there and Rebecca seldom disappoints them. This spirited lady, no pun intended, seems to have made the Lodge her home and doesn’t give any indication of checking out anytime soon.



The Haunting of the Burlington Prison

Burlington Prison Museum – Burlington County, Mount Holly, New Jersey

Photograph ©Dan Beards



Built in 1811 and designed by Robert Mills, this prison was used until 1983 when a new prison was constructed elsewhere to hold more inmates. In 1999, renovations began on the old prison to create a museum for the public.

During the renovations, workmen reported feeling uneasy if they were left alone in the building. These workers even began leaving earlier in the day to avoid being alone. The workmen claimed that while they were alone, they had heard the sounds of voices, screaming and other unexplainable noises. They also reported that their tools would just “vanish” and then turn up in areas where they had not been working at the time.

Officials called in the South Jersey Ghost Research Team; this team included Dave Juliano from The Shadowlands. The paranormal investigators reported seeing an apparition in the shower area and even found a footprint in the dust.

Another apparition, believed to be that of Joel Clough who was convicted of murdering his lover, was momentarily seen sitting in the maximum security cell. After the death of Mr. Clough, prison guards during that period made reports of objects moving on their own and hearing moaning sounds and chains rattling from within the empty cell. While investigating the prison, Dave Juliano observed a stretcher that was sitting near this cell, move on its own.

The South Jersey Team also photographed many orbs within the building, as well as, recorded several interesting EVPs.

Address:
128 High Street
Mount Holly, New Jersey 08060
(609) 265-5476
(609) 518-7667
Website


Gas Station Ghost



[Report Dead Video]

The Haunting of Ringwood Manor Museum

Ringwood Manor – Passaic County, Ringwood, New Jersey

Photograph © DeBee1015



Originally a smaller home was built where the fifty-one room manor now stands. The original house was much smaller and was constructed by the Ogden family in 1740. This home was later sold to Robert Erskine, a map maker for George Washington. In 1807 the original house was torn down and a new home was built in its place by Martin Ryerson. Over the years, this main house changed hands several times and was significantly added on to until 1924, when it was left to the state of New Jersey.

The phantom footsteps of a former African/Indian servant have been heard echoing throughout the corridors of the mansion late at night. This apparition is believed to be Jackson White who lived in the manor during the nineteen-hundreds.

Doors throughout the enormous mansion have been known to be hanging wide open in the mornings. These same doors were locked and secure the previous evening at closing time. Many believe that this phenomenon is carried out by the restless spirit of Mrs. Erskine. Hans Holzer, a psychic who visited the mansion, believed that Mrs. Erskine was not pleased with all of the visitors who now walk thorough her former home.

The spirit of Eleanor Hewitt, the woman who is primarily responsible for building most of the accompaniments onto the house, is said to restlessly roam the manor as well. She is believed to be the one to blame for following visitors around the place, moving or stealing objects, unexplainable cold spots and the profound scent of women’s floral perfume.

In the Ringwood Cemetery, the apparition of Robert Erskine has been seen sitting on top of his own tombstone. This same specter has also been said to walk the night carrying a lantern or chasing visitors out of the graveyard. Robert Erskine’s apparition has been witnessed by many over the years.

Also in the graveyard, many have claimed to hear the voices of men speaking in French. Consequently, there are numerous unmarked graves belonging to French soldiers from the Revolutionary War.

Address:
Sloatsburg Road
Ringwood, New Jersey 07456
(973) 962-2240



The Haunting of the Sise Inn

Sise Inn – Rockingham County, Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Photograph ©Ross Warner


Address:
40 Court Street
Portsmouth, New Hampshire 03801
(603) 433-1200
(877) 747-3466
Website

Built in 1881 by successful business man, John Sise, this Queen Anne style mansion is now an inn that offers its guests thirty-four lovely rooms decorated with period antiques, a tranquil and relaxing atmosphere, round the clock staff, an elevator for guests convenience and…..ghosts? Oh yes, this one’s packed full of the paranormal!

The spooks and specters of this inn seem to have quite a unique sense of humor, though the living aren’t always amused by it. One or more of these spirits seem to spend most of their time in or around room 204. One woman who was working the front desk during the night shift claims that on that particular night the entire third floor was empty of guests. While sitting at her station she heard the ice machine being used and went up to investigate. Upon stepping out of the elevator the woman found a trail of ice cubes leading from the ice machine to room 204. The door to the room, which was previously closed and locked, was hanging wide open with a pile of ice cubes in the doorway!

On another occasion, when room 204 was occupied, the guests of that room found themselves locked out of the room at 2:00 in the morning because their key suddenly wouldn’t work in the door! These confused visitors sought help from the desk clerk who also couldn’t get the door to open with the emergency key. Finally, after trying for two hours to get the door open, the manager was called. The manager gave it a try as well but without luck. The inn was packed to its maximum that night with no rooms to spare so, they called in a locksmith. The locksmith arrived and was given the original guest key so that he could see for himself that, for some reason, it no longer worked. The locksmith put the key in the lock, turned it and the door open up! In addition to this incident, the key to room 204 is constantly coming up missing! It sounds to me like that ghost wants the room to his or herself!

The cleaning staff is even less amused by the constant pranks played by these phantoms! One maid reported some unseen person grabbing her hips as she was bent over cleaning! Another maid said that while she was cleaning, an unseen presence grabbed her gently and attempted to pull her into one of the closets!

One of the guests staying at the inn claimed that while she was in bed, an unseen presence actually laid down in the bed next to her. This specter was probably trying to get fresh with her, just as he had with the maids; I imagine he was pretty disappointed when the woman jumped up and hightailed it out of there before he had the chance!

Some of the other interesting reports here include: unexplainable cold spots, doors locking or unlocking (or refusing to unlock), items in guest rooms suddenly flying across the room for no reason, the elevator going up and down when no one is aboard, the elevator doors opening and closing for no reason, the rocking chair next to the front desk rocking when no one is sitting in it, items being moved by unseen hands, and more!


:Update 2014: The Sise Inn is now known as The Hotel Portsmouth

Gold Hill Hotel Apparition

Little ghost girl staring out an upper floor window of the Gold Hill Hotel in Virginia City, Nevada




RELATED LINKS:
The Haunting of the Gold Hill Hotel

The Haunting of the “Ocean Born Mary" Mansion

Ocean Born Mary/Pedro Mansion – Merrimack County, Henniker, New Hampshire

Photograph ©Glass House


Address:
Private Residence
Henniker, New Hampshire 03242

The Legend of Ocean Born Mary:

In 1720, a small ship called the Wolf, set sail from Londonderry, Ireland, on its way to the New World. During the Wolf’s passage they were boarded by Spanish pirates who then stripped the passengers of their valuable belongings and then lined them up on deck to execute them. The captain of the pirate crew, Don Pedro, gave the order for the pistols to be raised. Before the execution could be carried out, Don Pedro heard the sound of a baby crying rising above the screams of the terrified passengers. Pedro then ordered that Captain Wilson bring the child to him. Elizabeth Wilson approached the brutal pirate with her new born child cradled in her arms. Don Pedro was a superstitious man and he believed that killing the infant would bring him bad luck for the remainder of his days.

The pirate captain then sent one of his men back to his ship and when the crew member returned, he handed a package to Pedro. Don Pedro then unwrapped the package to reveal a beautiful bolt of sea green silk fabric. Pedro held the cloth out to Elizabeth and told her that if she would name her child Mary, after his mother, and make her a fine wedding dress from the bolt of fabric, he would spare the lives of everyone aboard the ship. After she agreed, Pedro and his crew departed as promised. A few days later, Captain Wilson and his passengers arrived safely in Portsmouth Harbor.

Mary Wilson grew up to be a beautiful woman with fiery red hair and green eyes; there was no mistaking her Irish heritage. In 1742, Mary was wed to a man named Thomas Wallace and her wedding dress, as promised, was made from the sea green fabric. Mary and Thomas spent the next eighteen years together in a happy marriage that produced four children. Unfortunately, in 1760, Mary’s husband passed away and she was left to care for those children alone.

Around this same time, Don Pedro retired from his life of piracy. It was then that he set out on a quest to find Mary. Pedro learned that Mary was living in New Hampshire and using the fortune he made from thievery, he purchased 6,000 acres of land in Henniker and built himself a ten-room mansion that was said to be one of the largest homes in the state at that time. After construction was finished and the house was livable, Pedro invited Mary and her sons to come and live with him, promising the house to her after his death if she would care for him in his old age.

Mary accepted the invitation and Pedro made sure that her and her sons were well taken care of. For the ten years that followed, Pedro showered Mary and her children with lavish gifts and when he died the house was Mary’s, as agreed.

Now, all of these things I’ve mentioned above have been documented. What follows is mainly rumor, speculation and legend and has not been proved one way or the other.

About a year before Pedro’s death, Mary heard the sound of voices coming from the field behind the house. When she looked out of the window, she saw Pedro and an unfamiliar man burying a large chest beneath the trees. A year after this odd scene, Mary returned home from town to find Pedro in the backyard, face down in the dirt with a sword drove through his back. Mary, as Pedro had earlier instructed her, had the slaves bury Pedro beneath the hearthstone in the kitchen. After that, Mary stayed on at the Pedro mansion until her death in 1814.

The mansion stayed in the Wallace family for the next one hundred years and was occasionally rented out; however, renters never stayed long and usually didn’t explain their sudden flight from the house. Rumors began to circulate around the town of Henniker that the mansion was haunted.

By the year of 1910 the house stood empty; decaying and rundown, it very much resembled a haunted house. It was then that Mrs. Flora Roy and her son moved to Henniker from Lacrosse, Wisconsin, and purchased the old Pedro mansion. The house was then renovated and returned to its former glory.

The Paranormal Reports Made at the Pedro Mansion:

Flora Roy claimed that while cleaning some of the old junk out of the house during renovations that she handed her son a paper bag and told him to throw it in the fire. He was then stopped by unseen hands from carrying out this task. Upon a closer inspection of the bag, Flora found that there was gunpowder inside.

On another occasion, Flora’s son, Gus, claimed that he saw a woman on the staircase who was there one second and gone the next. Gus described this woman as having long red hair and dressed in white. Over the years that followed, Gus and Flora both reported seeing this same apparition many times, as well as, hearing strange noises coming from the cellar and being averted from danger several times.

Others who lived or visited the house over the years have also made claims of a haunting. Many have reported seeing the red haired apparition of a woman dressed in white; sometimes standing at windows inside of the mansion, sometimes roaming the grounds outside, and sometimes throwing something down the well. In addition to home owners, guests and thrill seekers, some members of the police force have claimed to see Mary’s apparition as well.




The Haunting of the Gold Hill Hotel

Gold Hill Hotel – Storey County, Virginia City, Nevada

Photograph ©Jake Slagle


Known as the oldest hotel in Virginia City, the Gold Hill Hotel and Saloon was built in 1859 and was originally known as the Riese House. The place changed hands many times and renovations and building additions were made by many of the owners.

In a building that has been standing for nearly one hundred and fifty years and with renovations and additions being made many times, it is hardly any wonder that there are claims of a haunting.

As with most hauntings, many of the common reports are made there; lights turning on and off on their own, objects going missing only to magically reappear in places that were already searched and the ever common phantom footsteps. Also reported here are the sounds of children running, giggling and playing in the hallways late at night and the strong, sudden scents of tobacco, roses and chocolate chip cookies!

Address:
1540 Main Street
Virginia City, Nevada 89440
(775) 847-0111
Website

RELATED LINKS:
Ghost Picture at the Gold Hill Hotel

The Haunting of Mackay Mansion

Mackay Mansion –Storey County, Virginia City, Nevada

Photograph ©ericy102


Address:
129 South D. Street
Virginia City, Nevada 89440
(775) 847-0336
Website

Built in 1859 by George Hearst, a mining superintendent, the Mackay Mansion was originally the “Gould and Curry Office” At that time, this building served as a mining agency and lodgings for Mr. Hearst.

George Hearst stayed in the house for a short time and then moved on. It was then that John Mackay moved in. Originating from Ireland, John Mackay immigrated to the state of New York in 1831, where he began working as a ship building apprentice at the age of sixteen. Fours years later, John Mackay left his job in New York, boarded a steamer and traveled on to San Francisco in hopes of making his fortune in the California gold mines. Unfortunately he found that mining was grueling work for little money so he moved on to Virginia City, hoping to make some money from the silver strike.

In the silver mines, John gained recognition for his woodworking skills and this in turn, brought him stock in the mines that he was helping to develop.

John then began buying up claims and from 1866-1869 he was in control of the Kentuck Mine, as well as, the Hale and Norcross, Belcher Mines, and the Gould and Curry Office.

In the early 1870’s, John moved into the Mackay Mansion and teamed up with a man named James Fair. These two men later became known for discovering the largest silver deposit in North America.

John, who was extremely wealthy by this point, spent most of his time helping the needy. In 1902, John died at the age of seventy, on his way to London on business.

Today, the Mackay Mansion still stands proudly, giving tours and teaching the history of John and the mining world that once ruled Virginia City. Inside this beautiful home is the silver set made for John’s wife, the first “working” bathroom in Virginia City, and ghosts….yes, I said ghosts!

One of the spirits to haunt the Mansion is that of a small child dressed in white. Here’s an interesting story about this apparitions: The Mackay Mansion doesn’t usually allow overnight guests, however, an exception was made for Johnny Depp while he was shooting the movie “Dead Man”. Johnny reported seeing this ghostly child during his stay, as well as, hearing it playing in the room across the hall!

Also reported in this house is the apparition of a former Colonel who makes an appearance in the kitchen, often seen sitting at the table. This specter may also be responsible for the sounds of footsteps going up and down the stairs and unexplainable noises that come from the third floor.




The Haunting of the Wesleyan University of Nebraska

Wesleyan University – Lancaster County, Lincoln, Nebraska

Photograph ©StateUniversity.Com

Address:
5000 Saint Paul Avenue
Lincoln, Nebraska 68504
(402) 466-2371
Website

The activity that occurred at the Wesleyan University seemed to be confined to the C.C. White building. This building has been torn down since that time and normally I wouldn’t write about something as such, however this story is very odd and I found it quite intriguing.

The story begins with a woman named, Urania Clara Mills. Miss Mills came to work for the university in 1912 as a music teacher and spent her entire teaching career there. In April of 1940, Miss Mills was found dead in her classroom; she was about sixty years old at the time.

A little more than two decades passed before any activity began in the C.C. White building, the reason for this are unknown. However, the story of how the strange events began is rather strange in itself.

In October of 1963, a school employee, Mrs. Coleen Buterbaugh, went in search of the school’s Scottish guest speaker. The guest speaker, Professor Thomas McCourt, had been using the old music room since his arrival at the university; the same room where the late Miss Mills had passed away in 1940.

Mrs. Buterbaugh walked through the hallway and to the door, surrounded by noisy students on their way to class. Mrs. Buterbaugh said she took two steps into the old music room and the entire world around her changed! Suddenly everything was dead still; the sounds of the students in the hallway were suddenly gone! At the same time, she was hit with an odd odor that she later described as the smell of a gas jet being opened with the smell of gas leaking out. Mrs. Buterbaugh said that she then felt a presence in the room with her; she turned and saw an older woman with her hair pulled back into a bun. The woman was standing with her back to Mrs. Buterbaugh and she was reaching into an older-style filing cabinet.

Mrs. Buterbaugh then looked out of the classroom window and saw that everything outside had changed! She later recalled that outside there were no streets and that the Willard Sorority Hall had just disappeared!

Extremely frightened and disoriented, Mrs. Buterbaugh ran from the room, straight to the Dean’s office where she told her story. The Dean, Sam Dahl, took her story very seriously; apparently Mrs. Buterbaugh was in complete control of all of her faculties and she wasn’t the type to make up stories.

It’s reported that Mrs. Buterbaugh was never the same after the incident and soon afterward she quit her job with the university and moved to the state of Colorado.

Over the ten years that followed, disembodied footsteps, lights turning on and off and a phantom piano playing were reported frequently. Then, in 1973, the C.C. White building was torn down. No reports have been made here since then.

The experience that Mrs. Buterbaugh had in 1963 interested me because this is not the only time that I’ve heard of this sort of thing. In Juneau Alaska this same type of experience happed to a woman who worked for the Alaskan Hotel, you can find that story on my site, “True Hauntings of America”.




From Behind

A demonic figure standing behind a woman and her child as the photograph is taken.



The Haunting of the Nebraska State Capitol Building

Nebraska State Capitol Building – Lancaster County, Lincoln, Nebraska

Photograph ©Mawhamba

Several tragedies have taken place in this building. One of these tragedies involved a man visiting the building that climbed the stairwell to the dome and leaned over the railing to look down to the bottom. The man became dizzy and fell over the railing to his death.

Many who have visited here have claimed they saw a black mass on the stairs. Other have reported hearing a scream or crying. Some of the other activity reported here includes: loud footsteps in the stairwell (which is now blocked off), disembodied voices, loud and unexplainable banging noises and the feeling of not being alone.

Address:
1445 K Street
Lincoln, Nebraska 68508
(402) 471-0448
Website


Face in Doorway

 


The Haunting of Carroll College

Carroll College – Lewis & Clark County, Helena, Montana

Photograph ©Janet-n-John

Built in the early nineteen hundreds, this college has had reports of reoccurring blood stains in one of the bathrooms. Apparently a student fell and hit his head here. The apparition of this student has also been witnessed in this room and the school, after many reports, apparently sealed the room off.

Another reoccurring event reported here is the residual reenactment of a former student who jumped to his death in one of the stairwells.

The third apparition reported here is that of a nun. The nun is said to have died of an illness at the college and her apparition has been seen roaming about that area.

Address:
1601 North Benton Avenue
Helena, Montana 59625
(406) 447-4300
(800) 992-3648
Website


The Haunting of the Gehm House

Gehm House – Saint Louis County, Saint Louis, Missouri

Photograph ©True Hauntings of America


Built in 1890 by Bart Adams, this two-story brick home was later purchased by Henry Gehm; the most well known owner. This house is known as the Gehm House, as well as, the Plant Avenue House.

Henry Gehm was apparently a bit of a recluse; he didn’t socialize much with his neighbors or other community members. In 1944, Mr. Gehm died of cancer.

After the death of Henry Gehm, the Furry family bought the home and moved in. Shortly after the move, Mrs. Furry began to notice odd happenings in the house; the feeling of being shaken awake by unseen hands and strange sounds like someone hammering the headboard, something hitting the windows and phantom footsteps on the stairs.

Mr. Furry reported waking in the middle of the night and seeing a white, misty apparition floating down the hall. When he got out of bed and went to the hall, he saw the floating figure disappear into his youngest daughter’s bedroom. He then raced into the room but the figure had vanished.

After a few weeks of living in the home, the entire Furry family had seen the apparition of the lady in black. This apparition was described as being dressed in a black Victorian dress. She was reported to visit the children’s rooms in the middle of the night and actually hit one of the children (lightly) with a broom.

The next family to move into the house was the Walsh family. This family also became very familiar with the lady in black, as well as, the apparition of a small girl and Henry Gehm himself.

Today these three spirits are still reported to haunt the home but seem to be harmless. The home was purchased by the Wheeler family who has raised three children there. They have experienced the same apparitions and many of the same events as prior owners, along with some new ones.

One of the Wheeler children was awakened in the middle of the night to his entire bed shaking. Other members of the family have heard unexplainable noises coming from the empty attic, awoke to some unseen force pulling their bed covers off of the bed and have seen indentions of an unseen person lying on the beds!

In spite of the odd events in the home, the Wheelers continue to stay on; accustomed to the paranormal happenings there and their frequent ghostly visitors.

Address:
325 Plant Avenue
Saint Louis, Missouri 63119


Stone Bridge Ghost

Ghost on top of stone bridge



The Haunting of the Landers Theatre

Landers Theatre – Greene County, Springfield, Missouri

Photograph ©Richard Grosenbaugh

The Landers Theatre was built in 1909 by John and D.J. Landers and R.W. Steward. Today the theatre is known as the Springfield Little Theatre and it has a reputation for being haunted.

A male apparition has been spotted by numerous performers, watching them from the balcony above. Another apparition, an unknown man, has been seen looking out of the costume room window on the fourth floor. This man is said to be wearing Elizabethan clothing.

A third male apparition was spotted in the theatre by one of the directors. Apparently the director mistook him for an actual living person and spoke to him. The man then went behind a pillar in the auditorium and vanished into thin air. The director described the man as middle aged, about six feet tall, long hair and beard.

Also spotted here is a green, free-floating orb, believed to be the spirit of a man who was knifed to death in the 1920’s. This “orb” is described as being approximately five feet tall and it usually appears in the first and second balcony areas.

Address:
311 East Walnut Avenue
Springfield, Missouri 65806
(417) 869-3869
Website


The Haunting of King’s Tavern

King’s Tavern – Adams County, Natchez, Mississippi

Photograph ©Deep Fried Kudzu

Address:
619 Jefferson Street
Natchez, Mississippi 39120
(601) 446-8845


The King’s Tavern was built in the year of 1769 and is the oldest building standing in the town of Natchez. This tavern carries the look of most seventeenth century buildings; built with sun-dried bricks, beams that came from scrapped sailing ships originating from New Orleans and barge boards that came from flat river boats once they made their way down the Mississippi and were dismantled.

In 1789 a man named Richard King, bought the old house and moved his family into it. He named the building, The King’s Tavern, and turned it into an inn and tavern.

Mr. King’s business took off; catering to weary travelers, boatmen and sometimes outlaws. One of the outlaws to stay at the inn was “Big Harpe”, one of the infamous Harpe Brothers. Big Harpe while in a drunken rage, walked into another guests room and angrily took a crying infant from its mother. He then swung the baby by its ankles and slammed it into a wall, killing it instantly.

Another brutal murder to take place during this era was the murder of a young maid named Madeline. Apparently Madeline was hired by the King family as a server. Mr. King took a special liking to the young woman and carried on an affair with her. When Mrs. King found out about their secret, she, or someone she hired, killed Madeline and hid her body behind the bricks in the chimney wall, located in the main room of the tavern. The grisly discovery of Madeline’s remains was made in the 1930’s when a family purchased the home and began renovating. Also discovered in another chimney of the house was the remains of two men; the identities of these two men are a mystery. It was also during the times of these renovations that the paranormal activity began in the house.

Many people have claimed to see shadowy apparitions pass through staircases. The sounds of a baby crying have been heard coming from the attic area. Doors here have been witnessed to open and close on their own. Water faucets and lights turn on and off without any help from living hands. Jars have fallen off of shelves for no apparent reason. Water has actually been seen pouring from the ceiling area to the floor below, leaving no sign of a leak in the roof or the floor above. The chairs that are hanging on the wall are said to rock and move of their own accord. And perhaps the most odd report of all; the fire places are said to emit quite a bit of heat when no fire is burning in them!

The full-bodied, solid apparition of a young woman, believed to be that of Madeline, has appeared right in front of patrons and employees. Madeline is believed to be responsible for leaving footprints over freshly mopped floors in the inn. One employee had the shock of his life; while he was still mopping one of the rooms, a woman’s footprints began to appear on the wet floor and began heading straight for him!

The apparition of a man dressed in period clothing has also been seen wandering about the building. This man has also showed up in photographs taken by visitors standing near the fire place where the bodies of the two men were found, therefore, it is believed that he may be the restless spirit of one of these unfortunate men.

Some of the other, more aggressive happenings at the inn include: a sudden tightness or pressure in the neck, shoulders or chests and dishes being thrown at guests and staff members.

Today, the King’s Tavern still has many claims of the paranormal, as well as, sightings of apparitions.



Ghost in Old Car

I'm not sure about this one...could just be some old man but it does look creepy. Also, where is his body? 



The Haunting of the Chapel of the Cross

Chapel of the Cross – Madison County, Madison, Mississippi

Photograph ©CosmicRay’s

Built in 1855 by Margaret Johnston, this Gothic-style church and its cemetery is said to be haunted.

The apparition of a young woman has been spotted sitting by one of the tombstones crying. This seems to happen frequently and is believed to be a residual haunting.

Two apparitions of children have also been seen passing right through an iron gate, climbing up a tree and sitting there together before they vanish. This may also be residual.

Some of the other paranormal activity here includes: the pipe organ playing after the church has been locked up tight for the evening and frenzied laughing from some unseen entity.

One of the most disturbing occurrences here are the blood stains that continually reappear on the chapel floor after they are repeatedly cleaned up. Apparently, one of the former caretakers cut the head off of his wife and then he hung himself from the rafters inside the chapel. These reoccurring stains are thought to be a product of this murder.

Hauntings and paranormal aside, this church still has an active, living congregation who welcomes anyone who wishes to serve Christ. For more information, see their website is provided below.

Address:
674 Mannsdale Road
Madison, Mississippi 39110
(601) 856-2593
Website


The Haunting of Griggs Mansion

Griggs Mansion – Ramsey County, Saint Paul, Minnesota

Photograph ©Joe Hoover

Address:
476 Summit Avenue
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55102

A wealthy business man named Chauncey Griggs built this beautiful home in 1883. Mr. Griggs made his fortune in the wholesale grocery business and only stayed in Griggs mansion for a short time before moving his business to the west coast. For the most part, the home has been purchased by private home owners over the last century except for a twenty-five year period where it was used as an art school.

This house is said to have at least six entities that roam its floors; making it the most haunted home in all of Saint Paul. A few of the apparitions have been identified; however, a couple still remain a mystery.

On the fourth floor, a maid who worked in the house hung herself off of the landing in 1915. The apparition of this poor woman has appeared in full-bodied form to several of the houses employees and occupants over the years. Many who have ventured up the stairway to this floor have reported a sense of emending doom or a sense of foreboding. Some have heard the sound of heavy footsteps on the stairs themselves when no person could be seen coming up or down them; this sound is usually accompanied by the feeling of a strong presence and an overwhelming sense of fear.

A second apparition reported to haunt various parts of the house is an older gentleman whose identity is unknown. This specter is reported to appear in solid form and has been described as tall, thin and wearing a black suit and top hat. This unidentified spirit has been claimed to touch people with his icy cold hands, appear at the foot of occupied beds during the night and disappear into walls.

The apparition of a small child has appeared to a few people back in the late 1950’s. They claimed that they awoke in the middle of the night to find the see-through image of this child’s head floating above their beds and then it quickly dissipated.

The presence of two other spirits has been felt by a medium who visited the house. The spiritualist described these entities as a young woman named Amy and an older Civil War officer.

Some of the other paranormal activities to plague this house are the usual; windows and doors opening and closing on their own, light bulbs shattering for no apparent reason, items being knocked off of shelves or thrown across rooms by unseen hands and the sounds of voices or coughs coming from empty rooms.

* Warning: This home is privately owned and trespassing will not be tolerated.




Priest's Apparition


The Haunting of the Wabasha Street Caves

Wabasha Street Caves – Ramsey County, Saint Paul, Minnesota
Photograph ©mestes76


From the outside, the Wabasha Street Caves looks like a normal building. The structure itself was built into the side of a cliff back in the late eighteen-hundreds and used for mining silica.

Over the years, this structure has been popular as a gangster hideout, a place for mushroom farmers to grow their products, nightclubs and more. Today the Wabasha Street Caves offer fine dining, entertainment and tours.

The paranormal reports here continue to this day. The apparition of a gentleman wearing a Panama hat has been seen in various areas of the caves. Another male apparition is said to spend his time with a female apparition at the bar and the two are often seen together around three in the morning. Also, a second female apparition has been spotted roaming throughout the passageways.

In the early 1930’s, three gangsters were reportedly gunned down within the caves. One of the gangster’s apparitions has been seen in full-bodied, solid form and has appeared right in front of unsuspecting patrons in the cave corridors! All three of the gangster’s apparitions have been seen by a few children and have even been reported to play with them before disappearing into thin air!

Address:
215 Wabasha Street South
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55107
(651) 292-1220
Website






Ghost Car Driver


The Haunting of the Landmark Center

Landmark Center – Ramsey County, Saint Paul, Minnesota

Photograph ©MNkiteman


No, this isn’t Cinderella’s castle and no, it’s not one of the castles of Scotland…believe-it-or-not, this is the “Landmark Center” located in the U.S.’s own Minnesota!

This building was constructed in the late eighteen-early nineteen hundreds, costing a whopping 2.5 million; that was a pretty heavy price tag for that time! Originally the Landmark Center was used for Saint Paul’s post office and the court system. Today the Landmark Center houses the American Association of Woodturners Gallery, the Ramsey County Historical Society Gallery, the Schubert Club Musical Instrument Museum, the Landmark Center Archive Gallery, the Frederick King Weyerhaeuser Auditorium and several courtrooms.

In addition to all of its businesses, this building is also said to house a few apparitions. The spirit of a Mr. Jack Peifer, former gangster, is said to cause most of the paranormal activity. Apparently Jack committed suicide after receiving a thirty year prison sentence to be carried out in the Leavenworth Prison.

Jack’s apparition has been seen on the elevators, as well as, in one of the second floor ladies rooms. This awnry entity is said to make elevators go up and down, open and close doors and toilets, and scare people by touching them or laughing right behind them when his presence cannot be seen.

Jack is also accused of tipping bottles of alcohol over, shattering shot glasses and showing up in photos during celebrations that are held in the Landmark Center.

Address:
75 West Fifth Street
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55102
(651) 292-3233
Website


Behind Tombstone






The Haunting of the Osceola Inn

Osceola Inn – Osceola County, Reed City, Michigan

Photograph ©Reed City Website

History of the Hotel:

The original hotel was built in 1881 by Daniel Oaks and purchased by the King brothers. Just a few years later in 1884, the wood-built hotel burned to the ground. The King brothers rebuilt a much sturdier hotel, made of bricks and three-stories high, calling it The King Hotel and Saloon.

In the early nineteen-hundreds the hotel was sold and renamed The Osceola Hotel. In the early forties, the hotel changed hands again, this time being purchased by Ray Rogalla who renamed it The Osceola Inn.

Paranormal Activities Reported:

Upon checking into the hotel you may notice a sign at the front desk asking that all ghostly activity be reported to the front desk! Apparently the place is chalked full of paranormal activity!

Some of the “ghostly activities” reported there? Well, it’s about the norm for a haunted place; phantom footsteps, bumps, thumps and unexplainable noises. Some have seen full-bodied apparitions. Some have seen shadowy figures the moved out of the corner of their eye but, as usual, these figures disappears once they turned their head. More reports tell of cold spots and cold gusts of air, disembodied voices, lights that go on and off, doors that open and close on their own and electrical gadgets and doodads going haywire for no reason.

This building has been investigated by various ghost hunting teams, as well as, psychics who claim that it truly is haunted. Personally, I’d like to see it investigated by the TAPS team!

Address:
110 East Upton Avenue
Reed City, Michigan 49677
(231) 832-5537


The Haunting of the National House Inn

The National House Inn – Calhoun County, Marshall, Michigan

Photograph ©National House Inn

Built in 1835 by Andrew Mann, this two-story, brick colonial was originally a stage stop for weary coach travelers. By 1844 the house was mostly used as a railroad hotel. By 1878 the house was no longer a hotel, but a new use was found for it when it was turned into a factory that manufactured wind mills and farm wagons. In 1902, a man named Dean purchased the house and turned it into luxury apartments. For the next seventy-four years the house began to slowly fall into misuse and found itself in much need of repairs. In 1976 the house was purchased by Norm and Kathryn Kinney and Hal and Jacque Minick. The Kinney’s and the Minick’s restored the house and it reopened its doors as bed and breakfast that same year. It was after the restorations made by the Kinney’s and the Minick’s that the paranormal activity began.

The inn only seems to have one restless spirit roaming about its halls. No one knows for certain who this woman is or was but it has become apparent that she has no intentions of leaving.

“The Lady in Red” has appeared to employees and guests alike as a full-bodied, solid apparition as she roams the house. This lady has also been spotted looking out of windows on the second floor of the inn and she is said to be responsible for re-opening one of the guest room doors after it has been tightly closed.

Sightings of the Lady in Red are still made today. This bed and breakfast was also investigated by the paranormal investigators from Spirit Society and they have classified the entity between an “intelligent spirit” and “phantom”.

Address:
102 South Parkview
Marshall, Michigan
(269) 781-7374
Website


Creepy Window Face


The Haunting of Bowers Harbor Inn

Bowers Harbor Inn – Grand Traverse County, Traverse City, Michigan

Photograph ©Bowers Harbor Inn


Address:
13512 Peninsula Drive
Traverse City, Michigan
(231) 223-4222
Website

This mansion was built in the mid eighteen hundreds by a successful Chicago millionaire and business man named J.W. Stickney and his wife Genevieve. In life, Genevieve was a jealous woman who became quite over weight and very unhappy with her appearance. She or her husband purchased a gilt-edged mirror that made her appear slimmer. J.W. also had an elevator put in so that Genevieve could make it up to their bedroom on the second floor and he also hired a nurse to take care of her.

When J.W. Stickney died, his wife Genevieve received the shock of her life; J.W. had left most of his money to the young nurse that cared for Mrs. Stickney and apparently he had carried on a long time affair with the woman. Genevieve was devastated and went into a deep depression; this depression ended when she hung herself from the rafters above the elevator.

All was quiet in the house up until 1959 when new owners, Jim and Fern Bryant, renovated the place and turned it into a restaurant. In 1964, the Bryants sold the place to Toni Scharling and Sally & Bruce Towner; warning them that strange things were happing in the house. The new owners moved into the second floor and soon found out that there were in fact strange happenings in the house.

Reports of the Paranormal:

Many here have claimed that objects were thrown through the air at them by unseen hands, doors have been reported to open and close on their own and lights turn themselves on and off.

Some have claimed to see the solid, full-bodied apparition of a woman standing behind them as they looked into the gilt-edged mirror but when they turned the woman was gone!

Those who have ridden in the elevator have been joined by the solid apparition of Mr. J.W. Stickney himself. The elevator has since then been closed but it is still said to go up and down without any help from the living.

Knocking sounds have been reported to come from inside of closets, on walls and on doors. When these sounds are investigated, no living person has been found to be responsible.

Personal items and other objects seem to disappear of their own accord and turn up in odd, unsuspecting places throughout the house. Other objects such as mirrors and wall hangings have been found on the floor but no living person had knocked them down!

Today the inn is still in business and the claims of paranormal still occur.




Watched