COLORADO LEGENDS Haunted Denver - Mile High Ghosts

COLORADO LEGENDS

Haunted Denver - Mile High Ghosts

At the base of the majestic Rocky Mountains, Denver is not only one of America’s most beautiful cities, but is also one ofColorado's most haunted.

Originally founded in the Kansas Territory in 1858, the first settlement was established on the banks of the South Platte River. With the area's rich mining resources, the city grew quickly as land parcels were often traded for grubstakes.Colorado became a separate territory in 1861 and a couple of months later, Denver was incorporated on November 7, 1861.

Initially catering primarily to the miners, Denver was filled with gambling halls and saloons, but quickly expanded to include a host of other businesses including livestock trading and a supply point for destinations west. In 1865, Denver became the capital of the Colorado Territory.

By 1890, Denver had grown to be the second largest city west of Omaha, Nebraska, second only to San Francisco.

Not only does Denver have a long and rich history, but the past has left in its wake, a plethora of ghosts that are said to roam its historic streets and buildings.

Denver Hauntings

Brown Palace Hotel- This century old luxury hotel is said to host a number of spirits in its historic rooms and hallways. The ghost of an old railroad ticket manager walks directly into a wall, a baby is heard crying in the basement, an ethereal waiter rides the service elevator, and a long dead string quartet has been known to practice their music here. To read more about the Brown Palace Hotel, click HERE!

Buckhorn Exchange - Denver's oldest restaurant began its life as little more than a trading post way back in 1893. Today, the Buckhorn continues a century old tradition of serving up wild game and steaks in an old west atmosphere. According to the tales, some of the many old traders, miners, scouts, and cowboy continue to lurk about this historic steakhouse, as ethereal voices and footsteps are often heard and tables seemingly move of their own accord.

Buckhorn Exchange - Denver's oldest restaurant began its life as little more than a trading post way back in 1893. Today, the Buckhorn continues a century old tradition of serving up wild game and steaks in an old west atmosphere. According to the tales, some of the many old traders, miners, scouts, and cowboy continue to lurk about this historic steakhouse, as ethereal voices and footsteps are often heard and tables seemingly move of their own accord.

Capitol Hill - Once the neighborhood of Denver'swealthiest citizens, Capitol Hill continues to wear its decadent image with honor, blending the past with the present, as ancient Victorian mansions and contemporary condos and apartment complexes dot the neighborhood. Also here in this historic neighborhood, are a bevy of ghosts. Ghost tours of the area tell of numerous entities who continue to inhabit this historic neighborhood. At the old Governor’s Mansion, ghosts are said to walk the halls, at the State Capitol buildings, a phantom woman in a long dress is often known to appear.

And, at the many mansions that line the extremely haunted Cheesman Park, tour members hear the tales of residents who met untimely deaths, babies buried in walls, and Satanic care takers. At one location, a house once stood that was the inspiration for the 1980 horror film, "The Changeling." Though the ghostly tours offered of Capitol Hill vary, they often include the State Capitol, Grant-Humphries Mansion, the Croke-Patterson Mansion,Cheesman Park, the Brown Palace Hotel, and the Molly Brown House. Cheesman Park – During the 19th century, this park was a cemetery for decades. Though intended for the masses, the graveyard ended up being mostly for outlaws, pauper’s and the diseased. When it became overgrown and a terrible eyesore, the city made it into a park. However, as many as 2,000 bodies are said to remain buried here and the restless spirits continue to roam the park and the surrounding neighborhood. To read the whole story of the park's haunted past, click HERE!  At one location, a house once stood that was the inspiration for the 1980 horror film, "The Changeling." Though the ghostly  tours offered of Capitol Hill vary, they often include the State Capitol Grant-Humphries Mansion, the Croke-Patterson Mansion  the Brown Palace Hotel, and the Molly Brown House. During the 19th century, this park was a cemetery for decades. Though intended for the masses, the graveyard ended up being mostly for outlaws, pauper’s and the diseased. When it became overgrown and a terrible eyesore, the city made it into a park. However, as many as 2,000 bodies are said to remain buried here and the restless spirits continue to roam the park and the surrounding neighborhood. To read the whole story of the park's haunted past, click HERE! Croke-Patterson Mansion at the time it was built in 1892. Croke Patterson Mansion - Built in 1890 by Thomas B. Croke, this sandstone residence was one of the country’s most elegant homes. Now serving as an office building, it is also said to be one of the most haunted. According to the legend Thomas B. Croke, only entered the palatial mansion one time and was so emotionally shaken by "whatever” was there, that he never returned. Just two years later it was sold to Thomas M. Patterson, who’s family kept the home for several decades. Over the next several years, the building served many purposes, including a dance studio, a radio station, and a boarding house before it was converted to an office building.  During the renovation to office space in the 1970’s, construction crews began to experience a number of strange occurrences. After a long days work, they would often return the next day to find that the tasks they had completed the day before had been "undone.” After this had occurred several times, guard dogs were left to protect the property from what the workmen thought might be intruders. However, the next day they found the two Doberman Pinschers dead on the sidewalk after having apparently jumped from a third-story window. Once the renovation to office building was complete, employees almost immediately began to notice equipment, such as typewriters, copy machines, and telephone that mysteriously began to operate by themselves. When a séance was held to determine who was haunting the building, they found it to be the spirit of a little girl whose body was supposedly entombed in the cellar. However, when the basement was excavated, they found a hidden chamber was found, filled with sea sand, but no remains of a little girl. A ghostly image has often been sighted gliding up and down the main floor stairway and otherworldly voices have been heard here as well. Thomas Patterson, former owner of the home, is said to have been spied numerous times in the courtyard between the mansion and the carriage house. When the building still served as an apartment building, occupants on the lower levels were known to complain about wild parties taking place on the third level. But, when these parties were investigated, they would be met with only silent emptiness. Denver Children's Home – Located at Albion Street and Colfax Avenue and continuing to provide youth services today, this building was known as the Denver Orphan’s Home in the late 1880’s. In 1888, a fire broke out in the building, killing several children on the third floor. Though numerous exorcisms have been conducted in the building over the years, the sounds of children playing, as well as whimpers and cries continue to be heard on a regular basis. In addition to the children, the female spirit of a ghostly bride has been seenfloating down the third floor steps and across the 50 foot length of the second floor hallway. Denver International Airport - Everyone, no doubt, remembers or has at least heard of, the terrible problems that were encountered when building the airport in 1995. Grossly over its budget of 1.7 billion dollars, the airport was buried in technical problems during its building, especially regarding the automated baggage system. In the end, the airport cost $4.8 billion! These problems, as well as reports of employees and travelers experiencing a number of strange incidents at the airport today, is attributed to the fact that the airport was built on top of Native American sacred ground. The Denver Press Club – A couple of spirits have been seen here, one of which who is very friendly also likes to visit the neighboring Colorado Press Association. The other ghost, however, is said to be very eerie and is most often known to lurk about the dingy boiler room in the basement. Denver Public Library – Library staff report that the basement hosts a resident spirit who doesn’t appear too happy. Some have reported that they have been shoved by this restless entity. The legend continues that one security became so frightened when patrolling the basement, he quit his job and today, the library is patrolled in groups of two. Hotel Teatro – Occupying the old Denver Tramway Building, built in 1911, the site was also the first location of the Evans Mansion, home of John Evans, Colorado's second territorial governor. When the streetcar became obsolete, the building was utilized as the University of Colorado’s downtown campus and later as the Denver Center for Performing Arts. However, in 1997, restoration began to turn the building into Denver's premier luxury boutique hotel. When the major renovations began on the building, construction crews began to experience a number of strange occurrences. One group who heard voices coming from an office went to inspect, only to find no one there. Today, there is allegedly the ghost of a mechanic who has been seen walking down the hallways with tools in hand before mysteriously disappearing. The "tool man” is thought to have been a mechanic who once worked on railcars in the basement of the building. Tragically, he died in an accident while he was at work and is seemingly "trapped” in time. Book a room at the Hotel Teatro. Josephina's Italian Restaurant – Located in Denver's historic Larimer Square, Josephina’s is housed in a century old building that once sported a popular speakeasy during the Prohibition era. Legend has it that the spirit, known as Amelia, was married to the shady character who owned the illegal tavern. When their daughter, Ginger, began to date a boy that her father didn’t approve of, he used his underworld connections to kill him. However, the hit man took out not only the boy, but also their daughter, Ginger. Amelia was sitting in the rear of the speakeasy when she heard the news. Today, this area houses the women’s restroom, where the mirror has been broken so many times; staff no longer considers it a coincidence. Other odd things also occur on a regular basis such as liquor bottles that seemingly turn over by themselves, chairs that inexplicably move from one side of the room to the other and many who are said to glimpse or feel her presence. Littleton Town Hall Arts Center – Built in the 1920's, this building once housed city offices, a jail out back, and the volunteer department. Located in the Denver suburb of Littleton, there have been several reports of friendly spirits heard laughing and playing music late into the night. Staff also report that objects are often moved about and desks rearranged by unseen hands. Lumber Baron Inn – Located in the historic Potter-Highlands neighborhood, this 1890 mansion was built by a Scottish immigrant who amassed a fortune as a lumber jack. The 8,500 square foot home fell into terrible disrepair over the years and was converted into apartments by the 1970’s. In 1991, the abandoned and condemned building was saved by the current owner and today serves as an elegant bed and breakfast. During its times as a rundown tenement, a 17 year old girl was raped and murdered in the building. A friend, who stumbled upon the murder, was also killed. Today, the elegant mansion is said to have experienced a number of hauntings and paranormal activities, one of which is the frequent sighting of a ghostly woman. More ... Molly Brown House Museum – This three-story Victorian house, built in 1894, was once home to Margaret Brown, who became known as "The Unsinkable Molly Brown” when she survived the Titanic’s sinking. Today, her home is said to be haunted by her husband J.J. Brown. Never allowed to smoke in the house during his lifetime, he seemingly rebels today as pipe smoke is often smelled lingering in the attic and basement.  In the dining room, chairs are often known to move on their own accord and a ghostly woman in Victorian garb as been seen. The specter of Molly’s adored cat has also said to lurk about the building. Near the first floor staircase, some have reportedly seen an angry looking butler peering at himself in the mirror. Other phenomena includes cold spots felt throughout the house, doors that open and close of their own accord, the sounds of footsteps in the upstairs ballroom, and misty apparitions are spied in various places. The Molly Brown House Museum is haunted by a number of spirits, including her beloved cat. Photo courtesy Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau Oxford Hotel – Built at the crest of the silver boom in 1891, the five-story brick structure was designed by leading architect, Frank Edbrooke, who would later also design theBrown Palace Hotel. Having survived the silver panic and the Great Depression, the hotel was remodeled in the Art Deco style in the 1930’s. The oldest hotel in Denver, it continues to cater to travelers today, as well as at least a couple of restless spirits. One bartender reported that in the Cruise Room, a lounge that sits frozen in time since its Art Deco facelift in 1933, a man sat down at the bar wearing an old fashioned post office uniform. After ordering a beer, he reported muttered something about how expensive it was. Then as he continued to sip on his beer, he was heard to quietly make other odd comments, such as, "the children,” and "I have to get the gifts to the children.” When he left, the bartender went to pick up his "empty” bottle, only to find it was completely full. Reportedly, the spirit is that of a postal worker who was delivering Christmas presents to nearby Central City in the early 1900’s. However, neither he nor the gifts ever arrived. The next spring his decomposed body was found with all the gifts still in his possession. Another tale of the Oxford alleges that a young woman was murdered by her husband in room 320 when he caught her there with her lover. In this room visitors are said to have sometimes see the faint image of a woman standing in the room, as well as others who have captured on film what appears to be a woman’s face. Book a room at the Oxford Hotel. Red Rocks Amphitheater – Nestled in the Rocky Mountain Foothills fifteen miles west of Denver, the Red Rocks Amphitheater provides acoustic perfection not duplicated anywhere in the world. Here, along with the many performers who please crowds of thousands, also lurks the spirit of man from another Colorado era. Often seen standing on the "restricted” side of the railings, is a grizzled looking old man thought to have been one of the many miners who once traipsed these foothills in search of their fortune. Described as about 5’5” tall, with a beard, dirty brownish hat and a bottle in his hand, he shows himself for just a few moments for he vanishes. Yet another legend also persists of a wild, headless woman, who is said to brandish a bloody hatchet is often seen riding a horse throughout Red Rocks. Galloping at night, she is seemingly intent on stopping any mischief or illicit romance that might be taking place upon these grounds. The Sugar Building – Built in 1906 by the Great Western Sugar Company, it served as their offices continually until 1986. Several years later, the building was sold and totally renovated but some of its previous tenants allegedly still continue to occupy the building. Tivioli Union Brewery. This image available for photographic prints HERE! Witnesses on the second floor have often reported the sight of hovering, ghostly balls that float through the hallways. Others have said that basement is particularly eerie and hint at malevolent spirits lurking in the walls and arches of the basement vault. Tivoli Student Union - The union, at the Auraria Campus, combines services for the Community College of Denver, Metropolitan State College and the University of Colorado.  The Tivoli is a Denver landmark, originally serving as one of twelve buildings of the Tivoli Brewery in 1866. The building became the student union in 1994, but still today some of the large brewing equipment still remains. Today, voices and whispers are often heard throughout the building and according to reports; an elegant ghostly party can be heard coming through the vents on the third floor. University of Denver – A couple of places are said to be haunted at the university. The most often told tales occur in Mary Reed Hall, described to be very active with paranormal phenomena. Though currently housing administrative offices, the building opened as the university’s library in 1932. Many report having felt cold spots in rooms that are otherwise very warm, doors get stuck before magically open of their own accord, fresh light bulbs suddenly stop working, and even the ghostly image of a woman has been sighted on numerous occasions. Some say the "Mary Reed Ghost” is of Mary Reed, herself, who contributed large amounts of money to the university. Others say it is her daughter, Margery Reed, who died at a young age from an illness she contracted in South America. The ghostly figure, often spied in the DuPont Room, is thought to perhaps be Mrs. DuPont, who’s husband contributed substantial funds for the library. Regardless of who she is her translucent image is most often seen sitting and reading in the dark in both the DuPont and Renaissance Rooms. Another story tells of a janitor who was pushed behind when locking up the building. When the custodian turned around, no one was there. When, she continued to walk away, she was allegedly pushed again by unseen hands. Another hot spot at the university is the Lamont School of Music, where at Dunklee Hall; a student allegedly killed herself on the second floor. Today, eerie incidents are said to occur here, including a door that quietly closes of its own accord after people have exited the room.

Ghosts of Tombstone

                           Ghosts of Tombstone

Like so many other places in the Old West with violent histories,Tombstone is said to be one of the most haunted in Arizona.  Tombstone Streets The streets of Tombstone themselves are said to be the pathways of many a lingering spirit, one of which is the long dead Marshal Fred White, who was accidentally shot by Cowboy faction leader,Curly Bill Brocius on October 28, 1880. White, the first marshal ofTombstone, had gained the respect of the Clanton Gang, and in fact, had arrested "Cowboy” members on a number of occasions, rarely having any problems when doing so. In the early morning of October 28th, Curly Bill and several of his cohorts were making sport by shooting up the town. When White went to disarm the gunman, a shot was accidentally fired, hitting White in the groin. Though, it was thought that he would make a full recovery, two days later he died. Today, he is said to haunt the street in front of the shooting site, which was an empty lot where the Bird Cage Theatre was built a year later. Another cowboy, that of a man moving along in a long black frock coat, has also been seen on a number of occasions. Crossing the road, the apparition is often seen near the site where Virgil Earp was ambushed and shot in the arm, crippling him for life. The spirit never makes it across the street, leading many to believe that this may the ghost of Virgil Earp, himself. A woman in a long white dress has also been spied on Tombstone streets. One legend tells that she is a fretful mother whose child died from the yellow fever in the 1880’s, and devastated, she took her own life later. Another version of the tale claims that she was a brothel madam who was hanged and continues to stalk to streets in search of her executioners. Lawlessness though was not the only cause of numerous deaths during Tombstone's heydays. Twice it suffered terrible fires, the first in June, 1881 and a second in May, 1882. During these two infernos, which both wiped out significant areas of the business district, more than 40 men lost their lives in the crowded saloons and brothels that burned to the ground. These long-dead, suffering men are also said to make themselves known, appearing complete with drastic burns. Others have reported the smell of smoke and burning materials when there is no explainable reason. The Tombstone of today doesn't look a whole lot different, Kathy Weiser. This image available for photographic prints and downloads HERE! O.K. Corral Tombstone's most famous place - the OK Corral, was the site of the best-known gunfight occurring in the Old West. Portrayed in dozens of western films and books, the gunfight made a legend of Wyatt Earp and brought Tombstone, Arizona fame. After tensions had been building between the Earps and the Cowboy faction inTombstone, for some time, Marshal Virgil Earp determined to disarm the men on October 26, 1881, resulting in the 30 second shoot out, which left Frank and Tom McLaury, as well as Billy Clanton dead. Also involved in the gunfight for the Cowboyswere I Ike Clanton, Billy Claiborne and Wes Fuller. In the Earp party were brothers,Virgil, Wyatt, and Morgan, as well as Doc Holliday. Today, the O.K. Corral is allegedly haunted by the ghosts of the Cowboys. Over the years, a number of witnesses have reported seeing the fading apparitions of men dressed in cowboy attire, often appearing with guns drawn, perhaps locked into a perpetual battle with the Earps. Others have claimed to have felt numerous cold spots in various areas of the corral. The O.K. Corral is at 308 E. Allen Street. The O.K.Corral today, Kathy Weiser, April, 2007. The Boot Hill Graveyard is a tourist attraction today. However, it is a real cemetery and as such, there is no admission fee, and respect  should be shown for the dead. Photo April, 2007, Kathy Weiser. This image available for photographic prints and downloads HERE! Boot Hill Graveyard At the nearby Boot Hill Graveyard, called such because many of its occupants died with their boots on, more than 250 graves give partial stories of the Tombstone'slawless past. Used primarily from 1878-1884, the graveyard was originally called the "Tombstone Cemetery." Men such as those killed at the O.K. Corral Gunfight, Marshal Fred White killed by Curly Bill Brocius, an unfortunate soul by the name of George Johnson who was hanged by mistake, five men hanged for the vicious killings labeled the "Bisbee Massacre," gunfighter, Charlie Storms who was killed by Luke Short, and dozens more, ranging from prospectors, to outlaws, lawmen, and prostitutes. Of some who were laid to rest here, their names were never known or were only known by a nickname. Over the years, the old cemetery fell into disrepair, with numerous old wooden tombstones falling down or decomposing entirely, and others being stolen by souvenir hunters. It wasn't until the town's first Helldorado Days, around 1929, the old cemetery began to be referred to as the Boot Hill Graveyard. Still, it continued to sit neglected until the 1940's when an effort began to restore the cemetery. Today it is one of Tombstone's most popular tourist attractions. Evidently, per a number of legends, it also remains popular with the many dead who lie there. Visitors often report seeing strange lights and hearing unidentifiable noises coming from the old graveyard. Spirits have been spied on numerous occasions, and even more frequently are said to appear in photographs. Billy Clanton, killed in the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral is said to rise from his grave before walking along the road back to Tombstone. The Boot Hill Graveyard is just north of Tombstone on Highway 80. Continued Next Page Though John Heath was lynched in Tombstone for masterminding the Bisbee Massacre, there is evidence to  show that he was not actually buried at  Boot Hill, as this  marker indicates. Photo by Kathy Weiser. This image available for photographic prints and downloads HERE! Cartoon by Dan Thompson

Rocky Hill Castle,

Rocky Hill Castle, also known simply as Rocky Hill, was a historic plantation and plantation house between Town Creek and Courtland,Alabama, United States. Once famed in Alabama for its architecture, it was an unusual mixing of neoclassical and picturesque aesthetics in one plantation complex.^[1] The house and tower suffered from neglect during much of the 20th century and were subsequently demolished in the 1960s.^[2] Much folklore surrounds the site, with Rocky Hill Castle being the subject of numerous ghost stories.^[3][4] The most notable story, "The Ghost of the Angry Architect", was published in Kathryn Tucker Windham and Margaret Gillis Figh's 1969 work13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey.^[5]
 

A Few More Hauntings

Mount Misery Road, West Hills, New York - Not far from the populated built up areas of Long Island, the small hamlet of West Hills sits quietly in an amazing country setting surrounded by a nature preserve. The community is filled with very old well-to-do homes, hidden behind groves of trees, along with horse farms and paddocks. There are no street lights, telephone poles or cable lines; and roads are narrow, including that of Mount Misery Road. Though residents have long tried to change the name of the road, most likely to stop the late-night tourists, hey have been unsuccessful due to resistance by historical societies. There have long been paranormal legends along this historic and narrow path including ghostly faces seen in the trunks of trees, strange lights playing over the woods, and misty apparitions that appear to drivers. Reports of the "Lay in White" are often told, where visitors have seen her walking on the side of the road, but when they turn around, she is gone. There are other reports of a phantom hanging from a bridge, the result of a long ago suicide. Others report a phantom demonic-like dog that lurks in the wood a a group of men dressed in spotlessly clean black suits. A graveyard ghost named Mary allegedly haunts an old cemetery along the side of the road.
Myrtles Plantation, St. Francisville, Louisiana	Myrtles Plantation, St. Francisville, Louisiana - Built in 1796 by General David Bradford and first called Laurel Grove, the antebellum plantation near Baton Rouge operates as a bed and breakfast today and offers historical and mystery tours. Said to be one of the most haunted homes in America, an number of theories abound as to why it is so haunted. But, when one learns the history of this old building, it becomes more clear. First, it was allegedly built on the site of an ancient Indian burial ground and after the house was done, ten murders were committed within her walls. There are number of strange events that occur within the mansion including handprints in the mirrors, the sound of footsteps on the stairs when no one is their, strange smells and objects that move or disappear. there are allegedly a number of spirits that remain within the building including a French woman who wanders from room to room, a ghostwho sits at the grand piano playing the same chord over and over again, and a young girl who only appears just before thunderstorms.
But, the most famous apparition of the home is a woman named Cloe. A slave, she became her master's mistress, and when he tired of her, she began to eavesdrop on the family. When she was caught, she had her ear cut off and sent to the fields to work as punishment. As revenge, she poisoned a family birthday cake, which killed the family's two children and the mother. The other slaves, fearful of the plantation owner's wrath, dragged Cloe out of the house and hanged her. The spirit of Cloe, as well as the two children and the mother are said to remain within the house. THE QUEEN MARY Beach Harbor is the HMS Queen Mary, a colossal ship that was bigger, faster and more powerful than the Titanic. The 1,000-foot ship began her life when the first keel plate was laid in 1930 at the John Brown shipyard in Clyde, Scotland. The depression held up her construction between 1931 and 1934, but she was finally completed, making her maiden voyage on May 27, 1936. After 1,001 successful Atlantic crossings, she was permanently docked and soon became the luxury hotel that she is today. Today, the museum-hotel ocean liner is said to be called home to a number of ghosts including ghostlychildren playing by the pool and the spirit of a seventeen-year-old sailor killed while escaping a fire. More odd occurrences have been made in a number of first-class staterooms. Here, reports have been made of a tall dark haired man appearing in a 1930’s style suit, as well as water running and lights turning on in the middle of the night, and phones ringing in the early morning hours with no one on the other end of the line. In the third class children’s playroom, a baby’s cry has often been heard, which is thought to be the infant boy who died shortly after his birth. Other phenomenon occurring throughout the ship, are the sounds of distinct knocks, doors slamming and high pitched squeals, drastic temperature changes, and the aromas of smells long past. Saint Augustine Lighthouse, St. Augustine, Florida - First build by Spanish settlers during the 1600's, ghost stories about the lighthouse intrigued visitors for decades. The present lighthouse was built in 1874, replacing the first one, which was about 1/4 mile away, that was lost due to tidal erosion. In 1824, it became an official U.S. lighthouse. Today it serves as a museum preserving and interpreting Northeast Florida's rich maritime history. Several ghosts are said to haunt the historic lighthouse including three young girls who died while playing in a rail car used to bring supplies up the hillside during construction of the new lighthouse. While five children riding in the car, something happened and all of them fell into the water. Two were saved but three drowned. Visitors today often report hearing a female crying, "Help me!" Several other people died at the lighthouse over the years and a number of strange events occur today that suggests some of them might remain. These include mysterious light, footsteps from unseen people, the apparition of a man, and cigar smoke. Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado - This old hotel was built in the early 1900's by F.O. Stanley, who created the Stanley Steam Engine -- a steam powered horseless carriage. The majestic Georgian style hotel opened in 1909, catering to the rich and famous. In addition to its regular guests, the hotel is also said to play host to a number of other worldly visitors. The most notable is F.O. Stanley himself who is most often seen in the lobby and the Billiard Room, which was his favorite room when he was still alive. Not to be left out, his wife, Flora Stanley also haunts the hotel, continuing to entertain guests with her piano playing in the ballroom. Employees and guests have reported hearing music coming from the room, and when they take a peek in there, they can see the piano keys moving. However, as soon as someone walks across the thresh-hold to investigate further, the music stops and no more movement can be seen upon the keys of the piano. There are tales of other ghosts as well including that of a small child, who reportedly Stephen King saw when he stayed at the hotel and wrote The Shining. Waverly Hills Sanatorium, Louisville, Kentucky - The Waverly Hills Sanatorium opened in 1910 as a two-story hospital to accommodate 40 to 50 tuberculosis patients. Though considered the best site at the time for treating the disease, the procedures were primitive, doctors experimented, and used illegal drugs. Tuberculosis sometimes ravaged the mind, causing patients to go insane. More than 6,000 patients died during the time that the Sanatorium was open. It closed in 1962. Currently, there are plans to turn the historic building into a hotel even though it is said to be one of the most haunted hospitals in the United States. Visitors experience cold spots, disembodied voices, and ghosts roaming the halls. The spirit of a little girl has been seen on the third floor solarium playing hide and seek with visitors, a small boy has been spied playing with a ball, and an old woman has shown herself  running from the front door with her wrists bleeding screaming: “Help me. Somebody save me!”  Other phenomenon includes rooms lighting up when there is no power in the building, doors slamming of their own accord, cries and screams, and at least one report of a ghostly hearse driving up to drop off coffins. Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado - This old hotel was built in the early 1900's by F.O. Stanley, who created the Stanley Steam Engine -- a steam powered horseless carriage. The majestic Georgian style hotel opened in 1909, catering to the rich and famous. In addition to its regular guests, the hotel is also said to play host to a number of other worldly visitors. The most notable is F.O. Stanley himself who is most often seen in the lobby and the Billiard Room, which was his favorite room when he was still alive. Not to be left out, his wife, Flora Stanley also haunts the hotel, continuing to entertain guests with her piano playing in the ballroom. Employees and guests have reported hearing music coming from the room, and when they take a peek in there, they can see the piano keys moving. However, as soon as someone walks across the thresh-hold to investigate further, the music stops and no more movement can be seen upon the keys of the piano. There are tales of other ghosts as well including that of a small child, who reportedly Stephen King saw when he stayed at the hotel and wrote The Shining. Winchester Mansion, San Jose, California - The Winchester Mystery House is a well-known California mansion that was under construction continuously for 38 years, and is reported to be very haunted. It once was the personal residence of Sarah Winchester, the widow of gun magnate William Wirt Winchester, but is now a tourist attraction. An extravagant maze of Victorian craftsmanship, visitors can wander through 110 of the 160 rooms of this Victorian mansion, designed and built by the Winchester Rifle heiress Sarah Winchester. Under Winchester's day-to-day guidance, its "from-the-ground-up" construction proceeded around-the-clock, without interruption, from 1884 until her death on September 5, 1922, at which time work immediately ceased. Over the years numerous strange events have been reported such as ghostly footsteps, banging doors, mysterious voices, cold spots, and Sarah Winchester herself, has been spied many times.

A Few Hauntings

                              Hauntings at Famous Places

Alcatraz, San Francisco, California - With its centuries old history from ancient Native Americans, to Fort Alcatraz, to a Military Barracks, and most often known service as one of the toughest federal penitentiaries in the Nation, it is no wonder that this place is said to be one of the most haunted in the nation. Often described as a portal to another dimension, Alcatraz is filled with the energy of those who came to the "Rock” and seemingly never left.
Today, these spirits that continue to lurk in the shadows of the often fog-enshrouded island have been heard, seen and felt by both the staff and many visitors to Alcatraz. The sounds of men’s voices, screams, whistles, clanging metal doors and terrifying screams are said to be heard within these historic walls, especially near the dungeon.

Bachelor's Grove Cemetery, Midlothian, Illinois - Largely abandoned since the mid 1960's, this 1800s-era cemetery is well-known for its haunted stories and ghost sightings. The small cemetery in the Chicago metropolitan area, is located near Midlothian and Oak Forest, Illinois in the Rubio Woods Forest Preserve at 143rd Street & the Midlothian Turnpike. Victim to vandals over the years, many of the tombstones are toppled and rumors circulate that the cemetery has been the location for satanic and occultist groups performing ceremonies. Over the years, numerous stories have been told of glowing balls, sightings of apparitions; strange noises being heard including moans, squeaks, and groans; and  voices. Paranormal investigators report  strange photos, anomalous recordings and sightings of unbelievable creatures. Near the cemetery is a quarry pond that is also said to be haunted. The foul, dark, algae covered pool is said to have been used by Al Capone and other gangsters as a dumping place of their murder victims. Other reports tell of the ghosts of a farmer and his horse who were drowned in the pond as well as another unknown "two-headed" ghost.

Bell Witch Cave, Adams, Tennessee - The Bell Witch Cave, located near where the Bell Farm once stood is said to be associated with the Bell Witch, a sinister entity that allegedly haunted the Bell Family between 1817 and 1821. The story became so famous at the time that even General Andrew Jackson decided to visit and allegedly experienced the antics of the witch himself. Local legends say that the Bell Witch has haunted the area surrounding the caves for hundreds of years. The area has a long history of pioneers and Native Americans, many of whom were said to have been buried in the cave. The Trail of Tears, which forcibly relocated the Cherokee, Creek, Seminole, Choctaw, and other tribes from their homelands to Indian Territory (Oklahoma) went through the farm. Numerous visitors have told of seeing her apparition, as well as odd shadows, and hearing voices in restricted areas of the cave. visitors who take anything from the cave, such as a rock, will be cursed and many have returned items quickly. Today, the privately owned Bell Witch Cave and former Bell Farm offers tours.

Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - This former prison operated from 1829 to 1971 and its revolutionary system of incarceration was the first to establish the policy of separate confinement, emphasizing principles of reform rather than punishment. However, the confinement was severe, locking inmates in their cells 23 hours per day and prohibiting any communication among inmates. Punishment was harsh, including subjecting them to water baths, where inmates who broke the rules would be  dunked in a bath of ice-cold water then hung from a wall for the night. They were also
punished in what was called the "Mad Chair," so named because it was not uncommon for an inmate to go mad before his punishment ended. During this punishment, inmates would be strapped into the chair so tightly that it was impossible for them to move at all while sitting for days without food until the circulation in their body almost stopped from the tightness of the straps and the lack of movement. For consistently refusing to obey the no communication rules, an iron collar was sometimes clamped onto the tongue of the inmate, then chained to his wrists which were strapped high behind their back. Called the Iron Gag, any movement would result in the tearing of the tongue and severe bleeding, from which many died before their torment ended. Notorious criminals such as bank robber Willie Sutton and Al Capone were held  within its walls. Today it is currently a U.S. National Historic Landmark, which is open to the public as a museum for regular tours as well as haunted tours. Today, visitors and staff report hearing unexplained eerie sounds throughout the prison, as well as whispering, laughing and weeping and seeing tormented faces in the cells.

Gettysburg Battlefield, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania - Over ten thousand men died in the battle of Gettysburg. The most violent battle of the Civil War, over 10,000 men lost their lives in July, 1863. Cited as the war's turning point, the Battle of Gettysburg effectively ended Confederate General Robert E. Lee's invasion of the North. A National Historic site today, not only does it offer a wealth of history, but is also said to be one of the most haunted places in the nation. Visitors often report ghostly encounters, many of whom initially believe they've seen Civil War re-enactors, only to find out later that no such groups are at the park. There are allegedly a number of ghosts that lurk within the park, especially at a place called Devil's Den where hundreds of men lost their lives. Many have also reported hearing disembodied screams and numerous others report malfunctioning cameras.

Lemp Mansion, St. Louis, Missouri - Said to be one of the ten most haunted places in America, the Lemp Mansion in St. Louis, Missouri, continues to play host to the tragic Lemp family. Over the years, the mansion was transformed from the stately home of millionaires, to office space, decaying into a run-down boarding house, and finally restored to its current state as a fine dinner theatre, restaurant and bed and breakfast. The scene of triumph and tragedy, with a background of intrigue, scandal and suicide, visitors have reported a wide range of phenomena at the Mansion. Tales of phantom guests sitting on chairs and misty white apparitions appearing throughout the mansion are often told. Candles are said to mysteriously light of their own accord and the smell of cigar smoke fills the area in the non-smoking environment. Guests have claimed to have felt someone stroking their hair in the night and receiving phantom phone calls. Personal items have been known to disappear or be moved. More ...

Lincoln Theater, Decatur, Illinois - The grand old Lincoln Theater was built in 1916, but the haunting history that surrounds the building goes back beyond the theater’s construction. Prior to the theater being built, the site was home to the old Priest Hotel, which opened in 1880 and stood until it was burned down in 1904. Said to be haunted by several ghosts, the most well known is one that is called Red, who is thought to have been a former employee of the theater. After falling from the catwalk he died and allegedly remains. Others report having seen the ghost of a young woman and a male figure standing on the stairs. Paranormal activity includes ghostly footsteps, cold spots, sounds of people walking on stage when no one is there, and phantoms sitting in the seats of an empty audience. The historic theater has been undergoing a restoration project since the 1990's but continues to be open and host live entertainment

On a quiet residential street in the small town of Villisca, Iowa, a horrible tragedy occurred a century ago that continues to leave its effects on this small town. The walls of this pristine home still protect the identity of a murderer who bludgeoned to death the entire family of Josiah Moore and two overnight guests on June 10,1912. What's more, not only do her walls hold the secret of the killer these many years later, they also continue to house a number of paranormal entities.

Nestled in the hills of southwest Iowa, Villisca is a small rural community of about 1,300 people today; but, in the early 1900's, it was a bustling railroad town with about 2,500 people.

At that time, more than two dozen passenger and freight trains stopped at the depot each day and the town sported several hotels, restaurants, stores, theaters, and manufacturers. Within this thriving environment lived Josiah B. Moore, one of Villisca's most prominent businessmen. The owner and operator of the Moore Implement Company (a John Deere Company franchise), he was a solid competitor with other area businesses. On December 6, 1899, Josiah married Sarah Montgomery at the home of her parents and the couple would have four children – Herman, Katherine, Boyd and Paul.

“J.B.”, as Josiah was familiarly called, and his wife, Sarah, were well-liked in the community, active in Presbyterian Church, and described as being friendly and helpful to their neighbors. On Sunday, June 9, 1912, the Moore family as well as the Stillinger family attended church. An annual event was also held Sunday evening called the “Children's Day Program,” which had been coordinated by Sarah Moore. That evening, 9 year-old Katherine Moore invited her friends, 12 year-old Lena Stillinger, and her sister, 7 year-old Ina May for a sleepover. The girls accepted and the after the program ended at 9:30 pm, the Moore family, along with the Stillinger sisters, walked home from the church, arriving about 9:45 and 10:00 pm.

The next morning, Moore's neighbor, Mary Peckham, noticed that the Moores were not outside taking care of their regular chores and that the house was unusually still. Between 7:00 and 8:00 am, she knocked on the door but, received no answer. When she tried to open the door, she found it locked. Concerned, she called Josiah's brother, Ross Moore. When Ross Moore arrived, he knocked loudly on the door and shouted, attempting to raise someone inside the house. He then tried to look through the windows but found all of the curtains drawn 

or the windows covered. He then produced his keys and entered the house, quickly returning to the front porch and instructing Mary Peckham to call the sheriff.

What he had seen was shocking. The entire Joshiah Moore family had been murdered, as well as the two young overnight guests – all bludgeoned with an axe while they slept. In the upstairs master bedroom lay 43 year-old Josiah Moore and 39 year-old Sara Moore, both bludgeoned in the head, their bed linens stained heavily with blood. In the adjacent upstairs bedrooms, were the Moore children, 11 year-old Herman, 10 year-old Mary Katherine, 7 year-old Boyd, and 5 year-old Paul, who had also been bludgeoned in the head while they slept. In the main level guest room, the bodies of Lena Stillinger, age 12 and her sister Ina, age 8, were also found dead, killed in the same manner as the family.

Villisca City Marshall Hank Horton arrived quickly, soon followed by other officers. In the meantime, the gruesome news spread like wild fire and within no time, neighbors and curious onlookers converged on the house. Law enforcement quickly lost control of the crime scene and it is said that as many as a hundred gawkers traipsed through the house before the Villisca National Guard arrived around noon and cordoned off the home. The investigation tells that the eight victims were killed shortly after midnight, and all but Lena Stillinger were thought to have been asleep at the time of their murders. It was concluded that Lena was the only victim that had attempted to fight off her attacker, as she appeared to have had a defensive wound on her arm. The attack was so vicious that the ceilings in the parents' and childrens' bedrooms showed gouge marks apparently made by the upswing of the axe.  The axe was found in the guest bedroom, indicating that the Stillinger girls were the last to be killed. It was bloody but, an attempt had been made to wipe it off. The axe belonged to Josiah Moore. All of the curtains in the house had been drawn. Two windows that didn't have curtains had been covered with clothing. All of the victims faces were covered with bed linens or clothing after they were killed. Other evidence showed that a pan of bloody water was discovered on the kitchen table as well as a plate of uneaten food. No one could imagine who could possibly commit such a heinous crime and the townsfolk were first convinced it must be a deranged tramp. Expecting to find the blood-drenched killer hiding somewhere in the area, a number of posses were formed on horseback and in autos, searching alleys in the city and every barn, shed, and outhouse in the vicinity. But, they returned empty-handed. With darkness came the fear that a madman was on the loose and might strike again. Families partnered with their neighbors to stand shotgun guard all night and windows were nailed shut. In the ensuing days, every lock in town was sold out, residents openly carried weapons, neighbors looked with suspicion upon neighbors, and rumors and accusations ran rampant. Soon, newspaper reporters and private detectives flooded the streets. Bloodhounds were brought in and law enforcement agencies from neighboring counties and states joined forces. The murders began a chain of events that split the small town and forever changed the course of the lives of its residents. One of the earliest thoughts by investigators was the possibility of a serial killer. The previous year, a series of horrible murders had taken place in the Midwest. In the fall of 1911, every two weeks whole families had been slaughtered in their beds without apparent reason. These included the families of the Burnhams and the Waynes in Colorado Springs in September, the killing of a family in Monmouth, Illinois two weeks later, a culminated in the murder of the Showman family in Ellsworth, Kansas on October 15, 1911. The next year, another similar murder occurred in Paola, Kansas on June 5, 1912, just four days before Villisca. Though there were similarities in these gruesome killings, interest in the serial killer theory soon faded and was largely forgotten. Every stranger or transient to the small town were also suspects. One such man was Andy Sawyer. A transient that moved from job to job, he gained temporary work for the Burlington Railroad on the very morning of the murder. According to the rail crew,  he purchased a newspaper which headlined the murders and w "was much interested in it." The crew also complained that Sawyer slept with his clothes on with an axe close by and was a loner. Afterwards, he talked much about the Villisca murders and whether or not a killer had been apprehended. He also told the crew foreman that he had been in Villiscathat Sunday night and was afraid he may be a suspect which was why he left. The crews foreman, Thomas Dyer, was suspicious and turned him over to the sheriff on June 18, 1912. The foreman would later testify that before he turned Sawyer over to authorities, that he walked up behind him and Sawyer was rubbing his head with both hands, then all of the sudden jumped up and said to himself "I will cut your god damn heads off," while making striking motions with his axe and hitting the piles in front of him. Though Sawyer's name often came up often in Grand Jury testimonies, he was eventually dismissed as it was found that he was actually in Osceola, Iowa on the night of the murder. The alibi was extremely tight as he had been arrested for vagrancy at 11:00 pm that evening. As the investigation continued, the focus turned to locals in the community and a number of possible suspects emerged. The speculation of the townspeople caused them to identify themselves by who they believed committed the crime. Friendships became strained and in many cases, irretrievably broken. One of the first suspects was Sarah's brother-in-law, Lee Van Gilder, who was the ex-husband of her sister, Mary. A man prone to violence and having previous brushes with the law, there was bad blood between him and the family. Van Gilder; however, was later cleared. Looking at motive, the authorities began to investigate Frank F. Jones, a prominent businessman and Iowa State Senator. For years, before he opened his own business, Josiah Moore had worked for Frank Jones as a top salesman in Jones of Villisca, a hardware and implement store. In 1907, Josiah left the company and started a competing business, taking with him the coveted John Deere franchise. The two became bitter enemies, so much so that by 1910 they wouldn’t speak and would cross the street to avoid meeting each other. Not believing that Jones would commit the crime himself, investigators began to look at a man by the name of William Mansfield, who from a “tip,” had learned he may have been hired by Senator Frank F. Jones  to murder the Moore family. In July, 1916, Mansfield was arrested in Kansas City, Kansas and extradited to Iowa to face a Montgomery County Grand Jury. Though local opinion anticipated Mansfield would be bound over for trial, the jury refused to indict him on grounds that his alibi checked out. In the meantime, Frank Jones lost his re-election as senator, but, was never charged with a crime. Some thought that Senator Frank F. Jones, who was bitter enemies with Josiah Moore, might have been involved in the crime. Another suspect was the Reverend George Kelly, who was a traveling minister who happened to be teaching at the Children's Day services at the Presbyterian church, which the Moore family attended on June 9, 1912. The tiny, nervous, bird-like preacher had a reputation of being unbalanced and perhaps a pedophile and had left Villisca very early on the day of the murder. It was not these facts; however, that led to his being investigated. Rather, it was an obsession that he had with the murder that turned law enforcement's eyes on him. His obsession resulted in a stream of long, rambling letters sent to state and local investigators, private detectives, and relatives of the victims. On his next preaching visit to Villisca two weeks after the crime, he arranged to stay over on Monday and visited the murder house. Within a month, officials began to investigate him finding out that he had been seen peeking into a woman's bedroom just days before the murder and had been observed in several towns prowling streets late at night. He had also made specific requests that young women pose nude for him on at least three occasions. They also cited a disturbed mental state including his sexual obsession and a bloody shirt he sent to be laundered the week after the murder. Kelly was arrested in April, 1917. As the trial drew near, state officials decided on one final all-out effort to get him to confess. After a long evening of interrogation, Kelly dictated a confession on August 31, 1917. The confession stated that he had difficulty sleeping the murder night and went for a walk, during which he spied the Stillinger girls getting ready for bed through the window. He then went on to say that he heard the Lord’s voice commanding him to “suffer the children to come unto me.” The trial began on September 4, 1917 but was dismissed on September 28th as the jury was deadlocked eleven to one for acquittal. A second trial in November resulted in Kelly being acquitted for all charges. By the time the trial began, a majority of Montgomery County citizens were convinced that Kelly was being framed as part of a conspiracy led by Frank Jones. They believed that Jones had tried to use his money and influence to pack the jury. Another suspect was Henry Lee Moore (no relation to Josiah Moore), who was thought to be a serial killer. Several months after the Villisca murder, Henry was convicted of the murder of his mother and grandmother with an axe. He was also suspected of the killings in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Ellsworth and Paola, Kansas. The cases were similar enough that all were committed by the same person; however, this was never proven. In the end, the police and investigators gave up in 1917. The murders remained unsolved and the killer unpunished. Today, the remains of those murdered by the mysterious axe-man lie in the Villisca Cemetery. The “Murder House” continues to stand. The house where the murders took place was originally built in 1868 and the Moore family purchased it in 1903. After their deaths, the house went through the possession of eight people, until it was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Darwin Linn in 1994. The Villisca Murder House today, Kathy Weiser, September, 2011. By that time, the house had deteriorated badly and was close to being condemned. However the Linns restored the old house to its original condition and in 1998 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Today, it is open for tours and overnight sleepovers. And, it should come as no surprise that it is haunted, so much so, that it is consistently rated in the top ten most haunted places in America. Over the years, there has been a long history of paranormal happenings in the house. Previous tenants have said they have spied a shadowy man with an axe standing at the foot of their bed, images of bloody shoes, closet doors that open of their own device, the sounds of children crying, and clothing taken from dressers and closets and strewn about the room. In one instance a man reported that while sharpening a knife, it suddenly turned around and stabbed him in the thumb. He explained that it felt as if someone had a grip on his wrist. One family who reportedly ran out of the house screaming one night, moved out that very day. Since the house was opened to tours and overnight stays, a number of paranormal investigations have been conducted, which have allegedly provided audio, video and photographic proof of paranormal activity. When the house was investigated by the Travel Channel's Ghost Adventures Crew, they captured a recording of a man who said "I killed six kids." Yet others, who have toured the house, have reported hearing children's voices when none are present, whispers, banging sounds, falling lamps, and objects that move of their own accord. Some have reported feeling an evil presence in the attic where it is thought the murderer hid while waiting for the family to fall asleep. One story alleges that as one an individual tried to enter the attic, an unknown force prevented her from doing so. Though there are many that say that the house is truly haunted, there are many who say it is not, including some who actually lived in the house without ever experiencing any mysterious activities. You can judge for yourself, by making a visit to the home, which is open for tours.

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