Posts Tagged ‘haunted’

10 Haunted Places I Want to Visit Before I Become A Ghost, Part X

Posted: September 1, 2025 in Scary Stuff
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
2
This image will never not be spooky.

Wow, this is my tenth in this series of posts. You think I should do like the Friday the 13th franchise and go to space for this one? Yeah, you’re right. Not a lot of haunted locations outside of Earth’s atmosphere. However, there are plenty on Earth, and I have ten I want to visit. So, let’s start listing them. Perhaps you’ll visit them this Halloween season.

Or stay far away from them. That’s also a possibility.

Old Absinthe House, New Orleans, LA
This is the first of many locations on this list that are located in New Orleans, so I’ll have to plan a trip back one of these days. Anyway, the Old Absinthe House, also known as Jean Lafitte’s Old Absinthe House, was first built as a grocery store in 1806 before becoming a bar. And through the years, through wars and Prohibition and more. it has remained a bar specializing in absinthe.

It also is home to several ghosts. Some include then-General Andrew Jackson and pirate captain Jean Lafitte, who supposedly met there to plan a collaboration in the final days of the War of 1812. Other ghosts include Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau; a woman in a white dress; and a little girl who plays on the building’s third floor.

You know, I didn’t care for absinthe the first time I tried it, but I’d be willing to try it again. Especially if it came with a side of ghosts!

The Hollywood Sign, Hollywood, CA
Do I need to go into the history of the Hollywood sign? No, because it’s not relevant here, and it’s already so iconic. So let’s talk about the supposed haunting. in 1932, actress Peg Entwistle climbed to the top of the H in the sign and jumped from it to her death. It’s believed that she killed herself because most of her role in the one film she was in, Thirteen Women, was largely cut due to her playing a lesbian. As you can bet, this was rather controversial at the time.

Today, people visiting or working at the sign at night sometimes smell the scent of gardenias, which was Entwistle’s favorite perfume. And they sometimes also see a woman in clothing from the 1930s, who disappears upon being approached.

I’ve never been that far west before, but this makes me want to go there. And maybe make a night visit to the sign.

The Faulkner House Bookstore, New Orleans, LA
In an alleyway in New Orleans is a bookstore where the former home of writer William Faulkner used to be. It was in this home that Faulkner wrote his first novel, as well as first started his writing career. Today, his writing desk is still in the bookstore, which deals in fine literature and rare books, especially of Faulkner’s works.

Faulkner himself is also supposed to be in the bookstore, even though he died in 1962. If you go there sometimes, you can smell his tobacco pipe, and maybe even see him writing at his writing desk. Maybe if I head down during business hours, we could have a nice discussion about literature. You never know.

The Bullock Hotel, Deadwood, SD
This beautiful and historic building, made of stone and built in a Victorian Italianate style, was built by Seth Bullock, an early sheriff of Deadwood, in the 1890s. It was later turned into a hardware store, but was converted back into a hotel in the 1990s, with the new owners decorating the hotel to look as much like it might have in the Victorian era as possible while still having modern amenities.

Seth Bullock’s ghost is also regularly seen around the hotel, making sure guests are enjoying themselves, and that the staff is hard at work. Other apparitions and orbs are seen aplenty, and there are regular ghost tours and ghost hunts in the hotel. So if you need a reason to visit South Dakota besides Mount Rushmore (like me), here’s your excuse!

The Pharmacy Museum, New Orleans, LA
Dedicated to the history of pharmacology and apothecary in the United States, this historic building was first owned and operated by Dr. Louis Dulfilho, America’s first certified pharmacist. It later went to Dr. James Dupas, and then became a paper warehouse before becoming a museum. In the time since then, rumors of hauntings have accumulated at the museum. Most are linked to Dr. Dupas, who is alleged to have done inhuman experiments on enslaved people (though there is no historical evidence that this occurred).

Regardless, people have reported seeing the doctor around the museum, as well as ghostly women in the courtyard. Some have also reported being shoved and touched, only to see no one there. The museum’s website does claim that, like every building in the French quarter, it is likely haunted, though they don’t permit paranormal investigations. They prefer to educate. That being said, the next time I’m in New Orleans, I’m going to learn both about the history of pharmacology, and maybe spy some ghosts while I’m at it!

The Loveland castle in Loveland, OH

Loveland Castle, Loveland, OH
Back in the 1920s, local medievalist, WWI veteran and Boy Scout troop leader Harry D. Andrews bought some land in Loveland, OH and started doing what I’ve always dreamed of: building a castle on his land. The castle was completed after his death, and is now stewarded by the Knights of the Golden Trail, a collective of armored knights born from Andrews’ old Boy Scout troop.

According to my friend and fellow Ohio author John Kachuba, the castle is beautiful to visit. And it’s haunted. Supposedly, the knights will tell you all about the spooky hauntings in the castle, mostly from Andrews’ spirit.

I really have to make a trip there one of these days.

Marie Laveau’s House, New Orleans, LA
If you haven’t heard of Marie Laveau, she was the greatest voodoo priestess in New Orleans history. Her home no longer stands, but there are buildings in the spot where that building used to be. Laveau used to open her home to people to help them through healing and ritual. It’s said the buildings where her home used to be sometimes experience supernatural activity, and it might not be impossible to do ghost hunts there.

I’ve been outside the home on a haunted ghost tour of the French Quarter, but to actually go inside! That could be amazing to experience.

The Morris-Jumel Mansion, Manhattan, NY
Located in Upper Manhattan, the Morris-Jumel Mansion is the oldest extant house in New York City, and is a three-story colonial that now operates as a museum dedicated to its history. The house is named after two of the families who originally owned it, including the family of Eliza Jumel, who was Aaron Burr’s second wife. Yes, that Aaron Burr. And speaking of which, Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote parts of Hamilton in the house, which was also at one point used by George Washington as headquarters for the Continental Army.

The Morris-Jumel Mansion.

Today, the museum offers tours and all sorts of programs, including ghost tours and paranormal investigations. Even ghost hunting shows have been in the mansion, which is said to be haunted by Eliza Jumel, Aaron Burr, and at least three other ghosts.

You think I should go there dressed as a colonial soldier, rap some Hamilton, and try to find some ghosts?

The Golden Lamb Inn, Lebanon, OH
Located in scenic Lebanon, this hotel has gone by many names over the years. However, no matter the name, it has never once been closed, and instead has been in continual operation since opening in 1803. The hotel sports a nice, all day restaurant, a bar, a beautiful Colonial building, and more. It’s no wonder this hotel is a historic landmark, and has seen some high-profile guests over the years, including famous political figures.

According to some, a few of these famous guests never left. A former Ohio politician who accidentally shot himself has been seen walking around the hotel, as had a former Supreme Court justice who got ill and died at the hotel. There’s also rumors of a little girl haunting the premises, possibly the daughter of a 19th-century Kentucky senator who got unexpectedly sick and died when the family stayed the night at the hotel.

No idea if it’ll displace the Lafayette as my favorite Ohio haunted hotel, but I’d like to find out.

Ohio Museum of Horror, Galion, OH
This is the newest entry on the list. Opening earlier this year, the Ohio Museum of Horror is owned by Nate Thompson, who also runs the Michigan Museum of Horror (entry for a few list?), and contains everything from horror movie memorabilia to haunted and cursed objects to items formerly owned by serial killers. There’s also a restaurant in the building called The Last Meal, where you can eat meals based on what death row inmates ate as their last meals. It’s generated all sorts of interest and controversy, as you can imagine.

And the good news is, I might be visiting this one sooner than we think. It’s only an hour from where I live, tickets can be used anytime after they’re bought, and I have an opportunity to go up coming soon. I’m quite looking forward to it. Maybe I’ll see something spooky while I’m there. And if not, maybe I can meet with someone there and convince them to put on an event with me and my fellow horror writers.

Have you visited any of these, my Followers of Fear? What was your experience like? And are there any you would like to add? Let’s discuss.

That’s all for now, my Followers of Fear. I’m off to enjoy my Labor Day weekend and maybe get some scary stories out. Until next time, good night, pleasant nightmares, and 60 days till Halloween. Let the Party of Frights begin!

10 Haunted Locations I Want to Visit Before I Become a Ghost, Part IX

Posted: January 16, 2025 in Scary Stuff
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
2
One of the locations in today’s posts. It’s got quite the history. As do all the locations.

It’s no secret that I love visiting haunted locations, and have visited quite a few of the ones on the previous lists. I’ve even experienced some freaky and frightening stuff in those locations! And as time goes on, I’ve learned of many more locations, which means I not only want to visit them, but I want to list them here. Either to inspire my fellow horror fans and writers, just to spread the knowledge of my fellow ghost hunters, or to scare those who are freaked out by the very idea of a place with real ghosts in it (you know who you are).

So, without further ado, here are ten haunted locations I want to visit before I become a ghost.

Chateau d’Amboise, Loire Valley, France
Ah France! So beautiful. So cultured. So historical. And so full of blood and death, it’s no surprise there are ghosts all over the place. The Chateau d’Amboise, a massive estate in the Loire Valley, is no exception. It’s a beautiful and immense castle that was a favorite of the royal family for years. However, it also has its fair share of darkness. In addition to a failed rebellion that occurred there, a man named Jacques de Breze murdered his wife, Charlotte, and her lover, Breze’s stepbrother (awkward!). Charlotte’s said to wander and wail through the halls in a green dress, giving her the nickname “the green lady.”

Other ghosts include King Charles VIII, who died while hitting his head on a lintel in 1498, and Leonardo da Vinci, who is supposed to be buried there. Hmm…maybe I should start brushing up on my French.

Manhattan Well, Soho, New York City
In 1799, the body of Guilelma “Elma” Sands was found dead in the Manhattan Well in what is today Soho in Manhattan. An architect who had been courting her, Levi Weeks, was accused of the murder, but thanks in part to representation by Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, he was acquitted (this even gets a mention in the song “Non-Stop” from Hamilton). Meanwhile, the well was built itself over and resided under homes and shops.

Today, the well can be found in the basement of a Soho clothing store, where it has since become something of a minor tourist attraction. However, after dark, it’s said that the spirit of Elma Sands still haunts the well, crying over her murder by Weeks and attempting to get out of the well. And I now have another reason to visit New York City.

Thurber House, Columbus, OH
I was at this local Columbus writing center and arts organization back around Halloween, and before doing a reading and selling some books, I did a tour of the old house, which was the home of local writer and humorist James Thurber. Apparently, this house is said to still be inhabited by the spirits of Thurber and his family.

And it’s available for rent for the night! So, hopefully, someday soon, I can join some friends to ghost hunt in the place one of these days. I mean, a writer who ghost hunts hunting in the house of a local writer who’s now a ghost? What’s not to love?

Also, the house is where I took this spooky photo.

Even for Halloween decor, this was inspired. Hats off to the folks running Thurber House!

Boleskine House, Loch Ness, Scotland
Have you ever heard of Aleister Crowley? If you haven’t, he was a early 20th-century magician who dabbled in a lot of occult practices. He owned Boleskine House for fourteen years. While he was there, he supposedly engaged in a ritual he never finished, and which, according to some, caused demons to remain on the property.

In the years since, there’s been a number of tragedies in the house, including a suicide and two fires. Plus, former residents, including a man who worked for rocker Jimmy Page while the latter owned the house, have experienced numerous strange and terrifying phenomena. It’s set to open up again this year after lots of restoration due to the second fire. I wonder if they’ll let people rent the place for ghost hunts? If they do, I want to sign up.

Abbey of Thelema, Cefalu, Sicily
Boleskine House wasn’t Aleister Crowley’s only notorious home. In 1920, he bought a small cottage in Italy, where he planned to start a magic school and preach his Thelema religion. He stayed there for three years, leaving once Mussolini’s government forced them out. The house has since fallen into ruins, but it’s said that if you step inside, spirits from the strange rituals Crowley and his followers performed there might say hi.

You know, I hear Italy is beautiful this time of year. Anyone want to come with me?

Hampton Court Palace, London, England
Ah, England! Such history! Such culture! Such haunted locations! Hampton Court Palace used to be one of the favorite residences of the Royal Family. Today’s it’s a museum that’s open to the public, but that doesn’t mean the royals moved out. In fact, some are said to hang around. Two of Henry VIII’s wives are said to haunt the palace: Jane Seymour, who died of complications of childbirth, and Catherine Seymour, who was executed for having multiple affairs.

In addition to the queens, a woman named Sybil Penn may be haunting the palace. Known as the Grey Lady, she nursed Elizabeth I through smallpox, caught it after the future queen recovered, and died. I wonder if I could run into all three ghosts and play songs from the musical SIX to the queens. That would be fun.

Plenty of ghosts hiding here. I want to visit and find them!

The White House, Washington DC
I don’t need to go into the history of this place. You know it, who lives there and what they do there. But did you know it’s haunted? Abraham Lincoln, as well as one of his sons, Thomas Jefferson, Dolly Madison and Abigail Adams, and several other famous former presidents are said to haunt the White House.

Obviously, it would be extremely difficult to even get into the White House just for a tour. It would be even harder to get permission to ghost hunt there, if not impossible. And I would not want to do it with the incoming administration. But it would still be cool if I could. If I could see what’s haunting the White House.

St. Michan’s Church, Dublin, Ireland
Not a traditionally haunted location, but it is spooky nonetheless. This Church of Ireland church dates back to the 17th century (though a church has been on the site since the 11th century), and has something unique about it: in its basement, there are numerous mummified remains which have survived centuries, desecration and even a fire.

I wonder if there’s anything freaky associated with those mummies?

The Dauphine Orleans Hotel, New Orleans, Louisiana
The Dauphine Orleans Hotel has a storied history. At one point, it was one of the most notorious brothels in New Orleans, especially its onsite bar, May Baily’s Place. It was also a place where numerous Civil War soldiers would hang out, which explains why numerous spirits of Confederate soldiers and prostitutes continue to haunt the property.

Maybe I should stay there the next time I’m down there.

The Haunted Hotel, New Orleans, Louisiana
Or I can stay here. Located on Ursulines’ Ave, this hotel is considered one of the oldest hotels in the French Quarter, and prides itself on being the most haunted. In fact, the website says the hotel has been haunted since 1918, when the serial killer the Axeman went on a murder spree through the city.

I’m interested to see if the hotel is all hype. Or if it’s really is the most haunted hotel in New Orleans.

Have you been to any of these locations? Have you experienced anything? Do you have any suggestions for where I should investigate someday? Let me know in the comments below.

That’s all for now, my Followers of Fear. I’m off to dream of spooky things and write them into stories. Until next time, good night and pleasant nightmares.

Ghost Hunting Across Marietta, OH

Posted: September 29, 2024 in Living and Life, Scary Stuff, Tales across the US
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
2
The Anchorage Mansion looks so creepy in the dead of night, doesn’t it?

So, as many of you know, I was in Marietta, OH this weekend for the Hidden Marietta Paranormal Expo. And you probably also know that I not only freaking love Marietta, but that it’s filled with haunted buildings. And while I was in Marietta, I made sure to do some ghost hunting at two of my favorite places: the Lafayette Hotel, where I was staying, and the Anchorage Mansion, where Hidden Marietta does their main business.

And hoo boy, did I get some results!

Now, for those unaware, I tend to use dowsing rods quite a bit when I ghost hunt. These are copper, L-shaped rods that have copper cylinders around the handles. The idea is that the ghosts can manipulate the rods to answer yes-or-no questions or to point. And the cylinders around the handles keep the questioner from manipulating the rods.

My first session was in my hotel room, where I contacted the spirit of a former employee. And, given the answers I got, I felt kind of sad for her.

After that, I decided to try getting some responses in the hallway. Where, by the by, I got some amazing results with some friends about two years ago (see that post here). And this time around, I got results again!

Pretty awesome, huh? The most amazing thing is, when I played the video back, you could clearly hear that thumping noise! My audio clearly picked that up! Now, as to what caused it, or for my camera to go out of focus for a couple of minutes, I don’t know. Still, it was pretty cool! (Also, I met the husband of the couple at breakfast the next morning and got to fill him in on my results. I wonder if he’s a believer now?)

With my exploration of the third floor completed, I headed down to the basement. According to the guy at reception, there are nine spirits of children haunting the hotel, as well as several dogs and a cat. (He also thought he’d heard of a woman who used to work at the hotel dying in the last twenty years and a guest having a heart attack in the 1980s, though he wasn’t sure of the details and couldn’t remember where the employee who died used to work.) The most active and famous of these children is Thomas, whom I was told during my first stay at the Lafayette can be contacted from the basement.

So, to the basement I went! And Thomas reacted to my calls.

How spooky is that? At 5:48 and 8:42, you can clearly hear a snapping sound that likely isn’t the front door! And at 8:08, I could have sworn I heard a whisper coming from down the basement hallway!

Well, after that, I headed to the Anchorage Mansion, where I met my friend Jeff Ignatowski, and we were led on a tour of the Anchorage, hearing about its history and ghost stories. And let me tell you, there’s been some new stories. For instance, there’s apparently a nasty new spirit in the attic and tower that’s pretty territorial. It’s even forced Henrietta and Clarabelle, the two little girls who play up in the attic, out of the attic and to the second floor! The staff have been moving their toys down so they’re not constantly being harassed by this new, mean entity.

Now, after the tour, Jeff and I went to the servants quarters, which is on a sub-floor leading off the second floor. Here, another malevolent entity that has a problem with women is supposed to lurk. Here, we tried to contact said entity and get some answers.

Creepy, right? We didn’t get any answers, but it was interesting how some of those entities reminded me of the Donner Party. And I nearly hit my head on a barrier hanging from the ceiling. Was something leading me there, hoping I’d hurt myself?

Well, after that, we spent a bit of time in the room where Clarabelle and Henrietta’s room, or the room where their dolls, pictured below, are now. The dolls in the rocking chair are theirs, and were designed based on their feedback. Supposedly, you mess with the dolls, they’ll mess with you right back. One college student touched them, and then got slapped on the back. There was a child-sized handprint on his back, according to the stories.

After that, Jeff and I tried messing with some of the equipment to rent in the dining room, but it didn’t really work for us. And that ended the evening. Still, it was pretty cool. And I always enjoy coming to the Anchorage Mansion. Hell, I always love coming to Marietta! And I’m so glad it gave me some amazing experiences again.

Though my experiences with scary stuff didn’t end once I left Marietta. You see, after I left the convention, I stopped by a computer store in Columbus to pick up something. And while I was there, I found something that filled me with fright! You can see the video below!

3D printers! After writing an entire novel about an evil one, so many of them in one place filled me with fright! And I’m sure if the novel ever gets published, a gathering of them will scare plenty of people!

That’s all for now, my Followers of Fear. Remember, we’re 32 days away from Halloween, so if you’re still looking for something spooky to read this October, I’ve got plenty of stories to offer. Plant/human hybrids and strange gods, Mafia-hunting serial killers, and carnivorous horses! Just check out the button below and you’ll find all my published works, including some free stuff available for download.

And if you end up reading any of my work, please leave a review! Positive or negative, I love reader feedback, and it helps other readers find my work.

Also be sure to check out my YouTube channel. If you like it, you can subscribe and be the first to watch my videos when it uploads.

Until next time, my Followers of Fear, good night and pleasant nightmares.

Book Links and Excerpts

Ten More Haunted Locations I Want to Visit Part VIII

Posted: June 8, 2024 in Living and Life, Scary Stuff
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
6
Photo by Pedro Figueras on Pexels.com

So, I realized something while going over previous articles about haunted locations I want to visit before I become a ghost myself: I have, in the past, repeated entries. Accidentally, of course. And can you blame me? There are so many cool haunted locations out there, so it’s natural that I might get one or two mixed up or end up repeating them!

That being said, I think all the ones in this article are making their first appearances on this blog. So hopefully I don’t accidentally repeat any in future articles. And if I do, maybe it just means I really want to go there.

So, without further ado, let’s list ten more haunted locations I want to visit before I become a ghost myself.

Chateau de Brissac, France

A historic chateau built in the 11th century, this beautiful palace has seven stories and was once the tallest chateau in all of France. Today, it is still the tallest chateau in the Loire Valley, has been used as a film set for television shows, is also the site of a festival, and is available for day tours and overnight stays.

It’s also haunted by the Green Lady, who is supposedly the illegitimate daughter of King Charles VII. According to legend, her husband came home from hunting one evening and went to bed, but was then informed by his servant that his wife was having a meeting with a lover. Enraged, he murdered the couple, but soon after left the chateau because he kept hearing his wife and her lover moaning throughout the place (not sure what kind of moaning). Today, her lover’s spirit isn’t so much heard, but she is, and when she’s seen, she’s supposed to have holes for eyes and a nose, possibly a memento from when her husband murdered her.

Whatever the case, I’d like to see if I can meet this ghost while staying in a luxurious castle. Wouldn’t you?

Museum of Shadows, Omaha, Nebraska

Supposedly the most haunted museum in the world, the Museum of Shadows claims to have over three thousand haunted objects within its walls. Occupying two floors of a four-floor building, there are skulls, dolls and puppets, crosses, bones, and God only knows what else. It is available for tours and ghost hunts, and they have empty rooms available for Sit Challenges, where you sit in complete darkness for ten whole minutes and see if anything happens to you.

Guess who wants to do all three? ME!!!

Lumber Baron Inn, Denver, Colorado

Featured last year on the Netflix miniseries 28 Days Haunted, the Lumber Baron Inn is a beautiful Victorian era building that was built by Scottish lumber baron John Mouat (hence the name). Today, it’s a bed and breakfast that also offers tours and acts as an event space, but between Mouat and his family and today, the place had quite a few owners. At one point, it was a tenement building, and two young women were violently murdered while living there. It’s believed this incident caused the entire building to become haunted.

Anyone want to head out to Denver with me? Anyone? Bueller?

Kiyotaki Tunnel, Kyoto, Japan

Considered one of the most haunted locations in Japan (and considering the country has separate categories for violent ghosts depending on their reason for haunting, each with their own dangers to beware of, that’s saying something), the tunnel is around 500 yards long and used to be part of a railway line. Nowadays, it’s a one-way tunnel that’s rumored to be very haunted.

Some of the hauntings are rumored to be the spirits of laborers who died building the tunnel. Others may be those of people who have had accidents in the tunnel or who have taken advantage of the tunnel’s woodland location to commit suicide. These ghosts are rumored to wander the tunnel at night, scream loudly, and change traffic signals to cause accidents. One spirit of a woman in white is said to run out of the tunnel and jump onto car hoods like a crazy person (she sounds delightful).

If I ever get to Japan, I’ll add it to the list!

Ramada Plaza Laredo, Laredo, Texas

This one was told to me by my boss. Years before I met her, she was out at Laredo for work and was staying at this hotel. According to her, during the two nights she was staying there, the writing desk in her suite kept shaking every time she went to bed and turned out the lights. As if someone was either writing on it, or as if someone wanted to scare her out of the room. And it worked, because she got out of there and never went back.

Nowadays, the hotel is permanently closed and may not even be standing. However, my boss’s story was enough that if I’m ever out that way, I want to check it out and see if anything’s haunting the building. And I know someone who could go with me.

La Posada Hotel, Laredo, Texas

Speaking of Laredo, Texas, the La Posada Hotel is a beautiful old hotel that used to be a convent. Nowadays, it’s a hotel, but it’s said the nuns are still hanging about. They often manifest as hotel staff and try to trick the guests, but they oddly cannot speak. Cold spots, objects being thrown, and running footsteps in the ballroom are also reported.

Again, I know a certain someone in the area whom I could take with me. Whether she wanted to go or not!

House of Wills, Cleveland, Ohio

I heard about this one from my friend Jeff Ignatowski, whom you saw in my various videos from the ghost hunt at the Ohio State Reformatory (see that blog post here). Built in 1900 in what was then a heavily German and Jewish area, it was the home for a singing and dancing group, the Cleveland Hebrew Institute, and, most famously, a funeral home and a meeting place for the African American community. In fact, John Walter Wills, the man whom the house is named, was a founder of the Cleveland NAACP and remodeled some of the rooms in the house to be elaborate viewing rooms with Egyptian, dream, and cloud themes.

Today, the house is undergoing restoration after being closed down in 2005, and is open for architectural and ghost tours and ghost hunts. A rumor I heard said at some point, someone might have done magical or even dark rituals, which may have super-charged the hauntings there. Without anything to verify that, I’m treating that as just rumor, but I’d still be interested in checking out the house. And maybe dragging friends and family living in Cleveland with me.

Roads Hotel, Atlanta, Indiana

This location actually had a table at ParaPsyCon last month. Founded in the early 1900s, the hotel was owned by the Roads family for a number of years until being sold and becoming a speakeasy and brothel. After that, it was empty for a time, then went through several owners until being taken over by a charity in 2017. Throughout its history, death has been part of the house. The Roads’ youngest child Everett died there, as did a preacher who killed himself, and possibly one of the women of the night working at the brothel.

Today, the hotel is open for public and private investigations, and is said to have lots of whispers, shadows, and other spooky occurrences. It’s even been named Indiana’s most haunted house. Sounds like I need to check in one of these days.

South Carolina State Hospital, Columbia, South Carolina

You know that when you get a hospital for people with mental illness, hauntings are bound to pop up after a while. Founded in 1821, it was one of the first publicly funded mental institutions in the United States and at one point held over a thousand patients. However, staffing, funding and legal troubles, as well as a move away from public institutions and more communal therapy, eventually led to the hospital’s closure in the 1990s.

Nowadays, some of the buildings are still in use, and others have been sold off to private owners, but the buildings that remain are said to be quite haunted. In fact, some people consider the SCSH to be one of the state’s most haunted locations. Sounds like I should check in the next time I’m down that way.

The Whaley House, San Diego, California

This location has been a private home, a general store, a county courthouse, and even a theater. Now, it’s a museum and is also a heavily haunted location, known for footsteps and strange apparitions. It has been featured on numerous ghost hunting shows and even been the subject of one or two (really bad) horror movies.

During StokerCon this year, many people went to visit and tour the house due to its spooky reputation. As someone who couldn’t go to StokerCon this year (I am going next year, though), I was really jealous. Hopefully one day I can go, though. Maybe I’ll even stay overnight. That would be fun.

Tell me, my Followers of Fear: have you been to any of these locations? What did you experience? And do you have any you think I should add to the list? Let’s discuss.

Until next time (which should be very soon), good night and pleasant nightmares!

A Very Active Evening at the Ohio State Reformatory

Posted: May 22, 2024 in Living and Life, Scary Stuff, Tales across the US
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
2

All videos should be listened to with headphones on and the volume turned up.

As I said in my last post, I was recently at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, OH, one of my favorite places on Earth, for ParaPsyCon. And as you probably know, it’s one of the most haunted places in the nation. Of all the times I’ve been there, only once have I not experienced something strange or spooky. And that one time was not this past weekend!

And speaking of which, on Friday night, the Reformatory had a mini ghost hunt for the vendors (the mini part meaning it was only three hours instead of the entire night). And you know that I had to participate in that! So, I did. And my friend Jeff Ignatowski, owner of Scorpion Lair Games and Killers the Card Game, whom I’ve mentioned here before, was there too with a new ghost hunting device called a ChatterGeist. So, we teamed up for the ghost hunt and to see if we could get anything.

And oh boy, did we get something! In fact, nearly the whole night, the prison was jumping with activity! And I got a ton of it on camera!

Our first stop was James Lockhart’s cell. If you didn’t know, James Lockhart was a prisoner who, in 1960, immolated himself and died soon after. He was 22. His spirt is said to still haunt the cell he died in. I’ve always had good luck speaking with him using the dowsing rods (he’s got a reputation for not being very talkative), so we headed there first.

And I should just mention, the moment we were about to start, the birds started freaking out! You can’t avoid the birds, they make nests in holes in the building and in the windows and you can always hear them. But when I sat down in Lockhart’s cell, they just freaked out! It was weird. And as it turned out, it was very relevant.

After this session, Jeff and I set up the ChatterGeist device. And the results we got were quite relevant to where we were.

Weird about that “melting” comment, right?

After wrapping up in James Lockhart’s cell, we headed to solitary confinement, where I’ve interacted with the spirit of a dead guard before. However, that night, I learned about a very different story that occurred in the solitary confinement cells. When they used to double people in solitary (which kinda defeats the purpose, doesn’t it?).

Damn, that’s spooky! Who knew Jeff had a dark connection to the prison like that?

After solitary, we were going to head to the attic, but then we found out that the subbasement, which is usually left off the tour and which is supposedly filled with very active spirits, was open for the ghost hunt. So, guess who went down to a place I’ve only seen on TV? We did. And boy, did we get results!

Man, of all the things that I experienced that night, the subbasement sticks with me the most! I mean, you heard those sounds, right? And up until we were trying to leave, we were the only ones in the basement. What made those noises? We may never know.

But as you saw the end of the video, we had some guests and one of them, Daryl, is a volunteer at OSR studying to be a tour guide. So he told us some very dark stories that actually put some things from the last video into context.

Damn! That prison was not run very well back then. 0/10, would not recommend.

After the stories, Jeff and I went up to the attic. Sadly, we didn’t get any good proof on camera, so I did not upload any footage from there. So, we headed to the library. And it was actually kind of peaceful. Here’s what happened.

With that, we went downstairs to the infirmary, where we hung out with some other ghost hunters who were talking to a very smarmy ghost (I wish I got that on video, but oh well). After that, they left and we got out my dowsing rods out for one last time. And it’s probably the second-most memorable experience for me for that night.

I want to think that maybe that ghost just wanted someone to know how he died, and maybe telling someone allowed him to pass on. I hope we at least brought him some peace.

Anyway, after that, it was close to eleven, so we packed up and left so we could get some sleep before the convention in the morning. But man, was it a great night! The prison was more active than I had ever seen it, and we got some amazing stuff on video. I hope plenty of people find the videos informing and entertaining, and maybe makes them want to explore the beyond as well.

Or maybe it’ll scare them silly. I would be happy with that.

Anyway, that’s all for now, my Followers of Fear. I hope you enjoyed my breakdown of my ghost hunt at ParaPsyCon. Be sure to check out my YouTube channel by clicking here and maybe giving me a subscription. And be sure to check out Jeff’s Channel, Route 666, as well.

Until next time, good night and pleasant nightmares!

Ten Haunted Locations I Want to Visit Before I Become a Ghost

Posted: January 22, 2024 in Scary Stuff
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
2
Photo by Pedro Figueras on Pexels.com

I love investigating haunted locations. I love visiting them and trying to communicate with the spirits. Sometimes, I get incredible results. And so, I list the places I want to eventually visit before I become a ghost myself. Yes, I’m planning on possibly becoming a ghost after death. It’s one of several options I’m planning. And yes, the result might be out of my hands, but since when have I ever followed the paths everyone else has gone down?

Anyway, here’s the latest addition to my list of haunted locations I want to visit. Hope you find them plenty spooky.

The Ross House, Bellaire, Ohio

Turns out the Bellaire House isn’t the only haunted house in Bellaire, Ohio. In fact, they’re down the street from one another! According to the Ross House’s website, it’s located on a ley line, a vein of supernatural energy underneath the earth that power strange phenomena. Regardless of what you think of that idea, the house reportedly has a lot of spirits and I’ve seen a couple of videos showing weird happenings there. Perhaps I should head there and get some evidence myself.

The Victoria Theater, Dayton, Ohio

Ah, the theater! The art! The stories! The hauntings! According to rumor, this 19th-century theater is home to a few spirits. One is known as Victoria or “Miss Vicky,” and is supposedly the ghost of an actress who disappeared while on her way to her dressing room. Many say that they see her in that dressing room while looking in the mirror. Another spirit is of a man who committed suicide in the theater and is sometimes seen around the curtains.

Who wants to buy a ticket with me for an after-hours show?

Thomas House Hotel, Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee

Built in the late 19th century to take advantage of the boom in resorts centered around hot springs, this beautiful hotel has been featured on several paranormal shows. Room 37 is said to be the most haunted, supposedly by the daughter of one of the hotel founders. There’s also supposed to be a ghost of a man who fell off a horse into a river and drowned. Sounds like a fun road trip, and probably easier to get into than the Stanley Hotel.

The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, Los Angeles, California

You’ve probably seen it in a movie or on TV. It has a huge sign on the roof that’s kind of iconic. It’s Los Angeles’s longest continually-operating hotel and has seen its fair share of celebrities. And it’s haunted. The Roosevelt Hotel is rumored to be haunted by some of its famous former ghosts, such as Errol Flynn and Marilyn Monroe, as well as a little girl in a blue dress named Caroline.

If I ever go out to LA, I’ll consider staying there along with the Cecil.

Yankee Pedlar Inn, Torrington, Connecticut

This historic hotel was the set and the setting of the film The Innkeepers, which I highly recommend. And speaking of which, that film is supposed to be based on the actual hauntings in the hotel. The most haunted room is supposedly Room 353, where the original owner, Alice Conley, died.

Sadly, the current owners of the building have let it sit in neglect, so it won’t be taking reservations anytime soon. However, renovations are supposed to start up next month. Maybe in a year or two, I could make a visit and see what the movie got right.

The Ohio Theater, Columbus, Ohio

I have been to the Ohio countless times for ballets, traveling Broadway shows, and local productions. However, I recently heard that the theater may have some spirits. One of the staff members at the ticket booth said they’ve heard mop buckets move on their own, and shadow figures moving around in the basement. And once or twice, I thought I’ve seen shadow figures moving around and disappearing at the very edge of the theater.

Maybe someday I can do an investigation there. Or set a story there. Or both!

The Red Brick Tavern, London, Ohio

Like the name says, this Colonial style building is made of red brick and looks like it would be right at home in a historical village. Built in 1836, it has been an inn, a tavern, a schoolhouse, and a private residence. It is now a restaurant, but some people say that on the upper floors, there’s the spirit of a woman who used to live there. According to legend, after her lover forsook her, she embroidered a handkerchief with the words “Remember Me” and then killed herself. From what I hear, that piece of embroidery is still on the building’s second floor and so is she, making creaking noises and creeping out guests.

Sounds like a place I should go one of these days.

Hotel Del Coronado, San Diego, California

Considered one of the top ten resort hotels in the world, the Hotel Del Coronado is a massive sprawling complex centered around the original building, one of the few surviving examples of the Victorian wooden beachfront hotel. Since opening in 1886, it has been featured in books and films and hosted all sorts of famous people. One of those famous people is Kate Morgan, a maid who arrived at the hotel in 1902 presumably to meet a lover. After five days, she took her own life, and is now a permanent resident of the hotel. Her room, which is one of the most requested rooms in the hotel, has been a hotspot for paranormal activity, and she’s been seen throughout the hotel as well.

I want to go there, I want to experience some paranormal activity, and I want to write a book there. Who wants to join me?

Miami Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables, Florida

Designed to look like the medieval tower of a Spanish cathedral, the Biltmore Hotel was at one point the tallest building in Florida. It has a massive pool, and one of the best spas in the world as well. It also has a golf course and a beautiful ballroom. It’s a beautiful place, but it’s got some secrets. In its nearly 100-year history, the hotel was also a hospital, a medical school, and was abandoned for a number of years. To this day, it’s supposed to be haunted by the spirit of a dead gangster, a dancing couple in the ballroom, and a woman in white, among others. Plus the 13th floor is just freaky!

I might want to check into one of the rooms. And then include the hotel in a story after experiencing a ghost. It sounds like a good excuse to go to Florida.

Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Alberta, Canada

Located in Banff National Park at nearly five-thousand feet above sea level, the historic Banff Springs Hotel was original a small, wooden railway hotel. However, it has since grown into a massive complex with multiple buildings, twelve restaurants, multiple event spaces, a ballroom, outdoor activities, and a bowling alley, among other things. Among its amenities: ghosts. Supposedly, the ghost of a longtime bellhop named Sam still hangs around and helps guests, while a bride who fell down the stairs on her wedding day is still seen gliding down the stairs and dancing in the ballroom.

You know, I would like to visit Canada someday. Maybe this is another good reason to go.

Well, there we go, Followers of Fear. Ten locations full of ghosts that I would like to explore before I become a ghost myself. But tell me, have you been to any of these places? Did you experience anything? And are there any places I should put on a future list? Let’s discuss.

And until next time, good night and pleasant nightmares.