A witch’s commentary on the demands of the Aquarian Age and how they connect to our healing and the power of Samhain.
What Constitutes Real Evidential Mediumship?
There are many psychic mediums out there who do not understand the values of evidential mediumship or what constitutes real evidence from spirit.
Haunted Gwrych Castle
Gwrych Castle was the location for British show ‘I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here’ in 2020. Due to the pandemic, the normal location in the Australian jungle was out of the question. But not all was well in Gwrych Castle. After all, many people claim that the castle is haunted. Even some of the cast and crew were starting to come out with stories. But what is the true story behind Gwrych Castle?
What Is The History Of Gwrych Castle?
Gwrych Castle is a fortress situated by the Irish Sea. It is surrounded by a whopping 250 acres of land, making it quite isolated. The castle’s origin dates back to 1810. It was built by Lloyd Hesketh Bamford-Hesketh.
The castle was the home for many people over the years. It was passed down to the Earls of Dundonalds through marriage. The estate was eventually sold in 1946 and was opened to the public later.
In 2018, the castle was bought by the Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust. As the castle started to fall into disrepair, the trust set upon a mission to restore the castle to its former glory.
Castle Hauntings
Gwrych Castle has quite the history when it comes to reported hauntings. There is a legend surrounding the Castle, as it is believed that the Countess of Dundonald Winifred Cochrane haunts the grounds.
Countess of Dundonald Winifred Cochrane was born in 1859 and died in 1924. She was a patron for the arts in Wales and was known for and wide for her contributions to charity. When her father died in 1894, she became the sole heiress of Gwrych Castle.
Winifred Cochrane married the 12th Earl of Dundonald, although the marriage was not thought to be a good one. It is claimed the Earl of Dundonald was never around and spent most of his time in Scotland.
The Countess of Dundonald eventually tried to leave her castle to prince George as a gift, who would later become King George V. However, George refused and the Earl of Dundonald later bought the Castle for £70,000.
Over the years, Gwrych Castle has been rumored to be haunted. In fact, one of the locations associated with the most ‘supernatural’ occurrences is the Countess’ Tower. At least, this according to the Castle’s own website. Naturally, the Castle is benefiting greatly from the ghost story.
The Countess of Dundonald is believed to be haunting the castle still, this according to paranormal investigator Gemma Williams. The investigator also claimed she had to run away when in a lady in a red dress walked out of the wall and screamed.
In addition to the reports about the Countess of Dundonald, some claim the castle is haunted by a servant girl who died when she fell off a horse. Others claim that the castle is haunted by numerous former servants who cannot find peace.
Ghost Hunts
Gwrych Castle has taken full advantage of the haunted stories that surround it. While the castle was still open to the public, it held its own ghost tours from 8 pm to 1 am. One of the stories featured on the website from staff and visitors include:
“The handrail gave way to nothingness and I felt something propel me up the top three stairs. Seconds later, my colleague told me the butler died right there on that same staircase.”
Unfortunately, the castle is currently not open to the public as it is being repaired. So, it seems the income from the TV show is being put to good use. Therefore, it will be a little while before people can start roaming the castle grounds again.
Critical First Steps For Psychic Beginners
Many people who have psychic experiences feel confused about what to do next. Here are four critical steps to take next.
Boyd House – A Most Haunted Home In The Middle Of Nowhere
There’s a remote and sleepy hollow cloaked in a dark past; a force drawing you back in time with an invitation to explore its eerie existence. The historic Boyd House once filled its walls with the sounds of children’s laughter is now filled with secrets. Imagine being transported back in time to a simpler era. A time without cell phones. A time when you knew your neighbours. A time when children played face to face. A time when family secrets were kept secret.
If you drive about two and a half hours west of Minneapolis, Minnesota, you’ll experience an endless road lined with farmers' fields on both sides. Then suddenly, in the middle of nowhere, the fields unzip to reveal a small piece of civilization: the tiny city of Boyd, Minnesota. It’s a welcome visual break from the symmetrical monotony of flanking cornrows. Boyd sits upon land originally inhabited by the indigenous tribes of the Dakota and the Anishinaabe. Descendants still live there today.
Bygone Days of Boyd House
On the edge of town, on the North-East corner of Scandia Avenue and 2nd Street, you’ll find 217 Scandia Avenue, a majestic, whitewashed home with four floors and a welcoming front porch facing the Boyd water tower. On one side stands the old lumberyard. There are railway tracks behind the house which served as a community lifeline over a hundred years ago. The new owner, paranormal investigator Jill Shelley, has affectionately named it The Boyd House.
Built in 1901, the house deed goes back to 1884 when the land was owned by the Hastings and Dakota Railway Company and officially entrusted to a man named Charles F. Hatch. It is said that he committed suicide in 1889 by shooting himself. The replacement trustee appointed by the now called Wisconsin Minnesota and Pacific Railway Company, was R. C. Mitchell who soon conveyed the land to Maddie E. Hatch in 1889, as the executrix of Hatch’s will.
The land known as Lot SW ¼ Section 15, Township 116, Range 42, changed hands numerous times until it was purchased by Peter Blacksmith and Ida Krogstad, who were married when Ida was only ten years old. Ole Iverson also owned part of the land. In 1901, H. J. Haakenson and his wife Pauline bought the house.
Did Previous Boyd House Owners Leave A Spiritual Signature?
Fred Eckhardt, Jr. was born in Ontario, New York, and married to Minnie Fenske, a German Immigrant. They moved to Boyd in 1906 with their four children, Selma, Alfred, Oscar and Elsa and purchased the Boyd House in 1912. Fred opened a general merchandise store with his brother-in-law and soon became a well-respected contributor to the community. According to a book about Boyd that Jill received from town volunteers, Fred cultivated a solid rapport with his customers. He even minted his own coins for his customers’ convenient use. It has also been said that Fred was an avid gardener with some people claiming that they’ve seen his ghost tending to the garden.
Fred was also the local Justice of the Peace, a member of the school board, city council and even the fire department. He and his father built the Lutheran Church, which still stands today and can be seen from the front porch of the house on the opposite corner of the street.
The Boyd House and the Eckhardt General Merchandise store survived the Great Depression, a flood, and numerous robberies. The availability of its products was made possible by the proximity of the railroad nearby.
Is it possible that Fred and Minnie’s resilience and strong ties to the community have left a spiritual signature on the house, long after their deaths?
Jill Shelley’s Dream Come True
As a young girl, Jill Shelley had a keen interest in the spirit world. She nurtured her curiosity and brought it with her into adulthood. In 2010, she formed a team of paranormal investigators called St. Croix Paranormal. Over ten years, the team has visited numerous haunted locations all over the United States. Jill has worked as a surgical technician for the last 19 years and before that, as a veterinary technician for 18 years.
Somewhere along her journey, Jill conceived a dream. She wanted to buy her own haunted house and offer it to the public and other paranormal researchers. Determined to bring her dream into reality, Jill engaged a real estate agent and began her property search. As soon as she came across the photographs of 217 Scandia Avenue, she knew it was the one. Naturally, listings rarely include details of any reported paranormal events, so Jill relied on her intuition.
During her first visit to the haunted home, she said she felt as if she was being watched. Jill calls herself “old school” and loves the traditional investigator equipment, such as Radiating Electromagnetic (REM) pods, K2 meters, and spirit boxes. She placed REM pods in various rooms around the house and told us that the one in the purple room lit up within eight minutes of being set up. A picture of Fred and Minnie Eckhardt now hangs on the exterior wall of that room.
Book Of Boyd Evokes Nostalgic Spirits
Jill was given a book about Boyd’s history called “Memories 1884-1984 Boyd” which was put together by Boyd town volunteers. It’s full of details and photographs, including those of the Eckhardt family and their general store. During our interview, Jill reported that upon opening the book inside the house and asking the spirits about it, activity immediately increased. It is possible that spirits became emotional with nostalgia and were motivated to declare their presence when reunited with their past through those photographs.
Resident Spirits Feel At Home Again
Photos in the Boyd book indicate that the exterior has remained unchanged for over 100 years. With four bedrooms and two bathrooms, the house is a spacious 2120 square feet, and brimming with natural woodwork. Jill and her husband Justin have redecorated the house to recreate what they think it might have looked like. They added ornate Victorian-style wallpaper and antique-looking furniture and even brought in objects that are said to have spiritual attachments. Possibly, all of this might help any resident spirits feel welcome and at home again.
Jill named some of the rooms, such as the Purple Room and the Gold Room. In the kitchen, there is a sunny yellow dinner table with a grooved aluminium edge and matching vinyl and chrome chairs. The beautiful solid wood bannister and handrail of the staircase cordially invite visitors to climb the stairs with treads fitted with a dark floral carpet runner. The top floor of the house reveals a spacious walk-up attic with large windows allowing in enough light to banish only some of the shadows.
Diving Into The Deeper Layers of History
Thrilled with her new house, Jill set out to learn as much as she could about its history. She visited the local historical society and even met with the great-grandson of Fred Eckhardt, also named Fred Eckhardt. He gifted her a handful of coins from his great grandfather Fred Eckhardt’s general store. He also gave her photographs and the potato advertisement shown above. Jill’s research continues today. She has been able to dig up countless details about the haunted home, the surrounding area, and the people who lived there. Some of it, however, remains shrouded in mystery, with any secrets buried with their keepers.
Uncovering A Tragic Past
Fred and Minnie’s family grew steadily to a total of eleven children. Sadly, David and Violet and two of their other children died in infancy, with two of them reported by Jill as passing away in the Boyd House. Fred and Minnie would spend the rest of their lives in their beautiful home, both of them passing away in the house, three years apart. Minnie died of a stroke in 1955 and according to a copy of her Funeral program, is buried close by at the Zion Lutheran Cemetery. Fred died in 1958 at the age of 76. The house was later owned by Anna Maria Reichherzer and according to the deed, she was born May 24, 1887, and died October 16, 1977. Her daughter, Erica Just assumed sole ownership. Jill notes that Ms Reichherzer also passed away in the Boyd House.
None of this information appears in the real estate listing.
Are Spirits Trying to Reveal Sinister Secrets?
Many paranormal investigators have spent time examining the four floors of this haunted home, trying to capture electronic voice phenomena (EVP) and video footage of paranormal activity. None have reported experiencing any harmful or sinister events. In fact, some investigators report a calmness in the house and despite the numerous activity they claim to have experienced, none of it was threatening. However, one of the video recordings Jill Shelley has, is a voice saying “He stabbed her.” Who was stabbed? Was Minnie stabbed?
On another occasion, Jill was in the library room and asked, “Did you die here?” She describes a recording of a voice responding, “Search for the body.” Jill also mentioned that once when she checked the storage area at the end of the hallway on the first floor, she heard a distinct “Don’t hurt me” plea when she checked the recording. Jill describes feeling extremely uneasy at the threshold of the master bedroom closet. Did horrible and unspeakable events happen in this house? If so, did they happen while the Eckhardt Family lived there? Perhaps it is the children’s spirits simply playing pranks on anyone who visits.
Boyd House Brims With Ghostly Tales
I’ve heard of playful spirits before. Not all ghosts are evil. There are probably some who are mischievous and who enjoy playing tricks on visitors. You can imagine what the house sounded like with so many Eckhardt children running around. They didn’t have television or video games. They probably explored every corner of the house, played hide and seek in the closets, and stayed up late in the dark, giggling together in their shared bedrooms.
Jill Shelley told me that the spirits in the house love to play cards, especially the game 21 while she uses a K2 meter. She even has a video of a card being pushed off the edge of a table after she asked them to do so. If you have ever had a cat, you know what that move looks like. Anything remotely close to the edge of a table or counter is fair game to the intentional flick of a cat’s paw. Although no cat could be seen in the video footage, one psychic told Jill that the spirit of Samson the cat resides in the house.
Of the many paranormal investigator teams that have stayed in the house, one of them, the Northern Outer Realm Paranormal Society, gave Jill a video capturing what appears to be two shadow figures, one substantially shorter than the other, running through the kitchen. Others have reported hearing children’s laughter or being touched. One of the researchers in a documentary about the Boyd House, says he felt a finger touch the back of his head. Jill herself said she’s been touched in the house. Maybe the spirits want to play a game of tag. Maybe it’s the ghost of Samson the cat, wanting his head scratched.
Why Is The Population Declining?
Isn’t it strange that the population of Boyd shrunk to only 141 people (Decennial Census) by the year 2020? That is a significant decline. In 1920, it was a booming town of 549 people complete with a town hotel, a dentist, a veterinarian, a piano teacher and hunting season lodging. Mr Pratt, who owned the hotel at one point, was killed by a train. Does the reduction in population have anything to do with the deaths associated with The Boyd House or the paranormal events that have been reported in the house? Of course, there can be many explanations. We may never know the real answers.
Boyd House Is Open for Visitors
Jill and Justin Shelley have opened the house to visitors. Groups of up to eight people can stay overnight in the house from 3:00 p.m. to noon the next day. Recently, they added a coffee station on the first floor. For more information on booking your stay, visit the website.
“Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of nowhere, and sometimes, in the middle nowhere you find yourself." ~Unknown”
After talking with Jill Shelley, seeing the old photographs she sent, and the video footage of evidence from her and other investigators in her documentary film, all I could think of was picturing myself in the house. I would be relaxing in the wingback chair beside the piano and hoping to hear a few of the piano keys being played. I would have my computer resting on my lap while I conjured up words to fill the page with my next article.
While Jill and Justin continue to research the history of the house, many questions will remain unanswered. We may never know what secrets are buried with the Eckhardt family or the other owners of the house. One thing is certain, this grand structure holds an inexplicable charm that appeals to my love for old things and the stories they hold. Perhaps the peaceful city of Boyd will help people find themselves. Perhaps this house in the middle of nowhere will someday double as a writer’s retreat with spirits as muses who have someone to write their stories.
Relevant links reviewed for this story:
YouTube Channel St. Croix Paranormal: https://www.youtube.com/user/stcroixparanormal
Boyd House Website: https://boydhouse217.com/?fbclid=IwAR050hzXvZF2cBYNCHLyp7DVDnH3LBBYWH8tjxSHrXBjG4fmZhXkWLB1klE
Jill Shelley’s documentary on the house: https://youtu.be/mcUX0vH1QsI
Indigenous tribes: https://mn.gov/portal/government/tribal/mn-indian-tribes/
Real estate listing for the house: https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/217-Scandia-Ave_Boyd_MN_56218_M77072-58129
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boyd,_Minnesota
Map of Minnesota https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/USA/minnesota_map.htm
Decennial Census: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/about/rdo.html
The Exorcism Of Janet Moses
The exorcism of Janet Moses is another story where someone suffering from mental health issues suffered a so-called exorcism that caused their death. Unfortunately, this story is just as horrific as some others. It leaves many people wondering if a lack of access to mental health services is breeding more of these incidents across the world?
What Happened To Janet Moses?
Janet Moses was killed during a so-called exorcism in New Zealand. Janet believed someone was going to get her and tried to kill her family. Instead of seeking mental health services, forty of her family members gathered at her grandmother’s home. They then proceeded to surround Janet and stomped on her feet while chanting “Go with peace and love”. Janet was also subjected to drowning, as her family threw bowls of water at her while she was being restrained. Janet had trouble breathing but her family believed she was struggling with demons. Eventually, Janet died in her bed from drowning.
The case actually dates back to October 2007 and none of the family members involved were actually convicted. However, the tragedy led to a documentary, which investigated if the case was actually a callous murder opposed to the family believing they could help Janet.
Janet Moses’ History
Janet Moses was a mum of two young children. She found herself in an unhealthy relationship with a man who frequently cheated on her. In addition to that, she also suffered mentally after the recent death of her grandmother.
Moses’ family, who contributed to her death, believed Janet became possessed after the theft of a stone lion from a hotel. This event occurred weeks before Janet started to behave weirdly. However, once Janet showed signs of mental illness, that’s where it all went wrong.
Instead of getting proper mental healthcare or seeing a licensed practitioner, Janet was taken to a kaumātua, an elder of the Maori community, whose advice is regularly sought in these matters. Unfortunately, this advice would also lead to the death of the young woman. In fact, the kaumātua told the family that the lion brought an evil presence inside the home and caused Janet’s psychotic behavior.
Why Was The Family Not Convicted?
The subsequent court trial involved nine family members who faced manslaughter charges. Each of the family members pleaded not guilty to their charges. Their defence attorney claimed that the family believed Janet was genuinely possessed and that they only tried to help her. The trial lasted for almost a full month and mainly involved a discussion on consent for exorcism, more specifically, if Janet had given her consent for the exorcism.
Throughout the trial, the lawyer claimed the family loved Janet and only wished to help her. He also claimed that they paid a heavy price in return, the death of a loved one.
Even the documentary maker eventually agreed with the findings, stating:
“It’s recognised there are times when hysteria can take over and people are not in control of their actions, almost like being controlled by a substance. You’re not in your right mind. Nobody intended to murder anyone.”
“When they discovered she was dead, they couldn’t quite believe it themselves and blamed it on the demon, not themselves. “It wasn’t calculated, it wasn’t deliberate and it was coming from a place of love, not malice.”
Conclusion
The trial certainly brings forward more questions about intent. Even if the family did not intend to kill Janet, she still lost her life due to religious superstitions and a lack of mental healthcare access. Who in the end is held responsible? At the end of this trial, nobody truly paid for the death of Janet Moses. Perhaps more investigation is required into these types of cases where the thin gray line between mental illness, religious superstition and the reality of real proven demonic possession can be identified.
The Importance of Proper Tutoring for Mediumship Development
With the sad decline in the standards of mediumship the most important aspect is how good is a development teacher. This all important aspect cannot be emphasised enough. Not all great mediums make good teachers. Not all good teachers are great mediums. It is not good enough to study aspects of mediumship, throw that together with a few years experience and decide that you are able to teach to a sufficient level. Having knowledge and being able to pass it on are not necessarily the same thing.
The Watseka Wonder Possession
We’ve all heard tales of spiritual possession. Most of the time, the stories we hear are of malicious, demonic entities hell-bent on controlling the living. Frightening and ghastly visions come to mind when we think of them. But what if some spirits are only looking for a way to communicate. In the form of a living person, a vessel to help them find closure to a life cut short? Or, to help bring peace to their own family, whose grief is so deep, they’ve taken to rituals to communicate with the other side? So was the story in the historical, haunting case of the Watseka Wonder.
The Watseka Wonder is credited as the first well-documented case of possession in the United States. It has inspired a movie, and it was so profound that the physician, Dr. E. Winchester Stevens, who witnessed the phenomenon first hand, wrote a book documenting the case.
To understand this mysterious story, we must first visit the heartland of America, Watseka, Illinois. Here, an ominous-looking home stands. Built, in 1868, the long, narrow, arched windows and brick exterior give this Victorian, Italianate style home a Gothic mood. Known today as the Roff House, it was constructed by Asa Roff, a prominent member of the Watseka community in the mid-eighteen hundreds, and has remained a mystery in the paranormal world since the Roff’s occupied it.
Clairvoyance Brought On By Illness?
Asa and Dorothy Roff’s daughter, Mary Roff, suffered from epilepsy and had frequent seizures. As she grew older, Mary claimed that spirits were around and spoke to her. These episodes became more violent as years passed. During one of her last and most violent spells, she became so fierce that it took several adults to restrain her while she calmed down. By this point, Mary was incredibly weak from a suicide attempt and blood loss, yet she exhibited a tremendous amount of strength.
She eventually settled down and remained delirious for five days and slept for many hours. When she awoke, it is said that Mary gained supernatural gifts. Her senses seemed to be heightened and, supposedly, could read while blindfolded.
Witnesses stated that she accurately read a letter in the pocket of A.J. Smith, editor of the Danville Times. The letter was supposedly sealed and in his pocket, but Mary read it aloud.
Because doctors could not find a cure or proper diagnosis of her strange symptoms, it was assumed she was afflicted with insanity. She was placed in an asylum for treatment in Peoria, Illinois, but died there in July 1865.
Séances And Secret Societies
After her death, The Roff family home was constructed in 1868. Being devout spiritualists and a common practice during the nineteenth century, the family immediately began holding séances inside the house. In addition to the family séances, Asa Roff was a known member of the Odd Fellows. A secret society who were known for partaking in mysterious rituals surrounding the dead during that time.
Some have speculated that the Roff’s involvement with the spiritual word may have been the catalyst that awoke the spirits which plagued Mary.
Watseka Wonder Under Spiritual Possession
In 1878, over a decade after Mary’s death, a young girl named Lurancy Vennum, who was thirteen years old at the time, lived in Watseka. One day, she suddenly became ill and began suffering epileptic seizures, stomach pains and said she saw angels around her. Her illness soon worsened; she spoke in different voices, taking on personalities not her own, and, at times, became violent.
This was during the height of the spiritual movement and gained rapid popularity amongst those practicing spiritualism. Instead of following doctors’ suggestions of placing Lurancy in an asylum, her parents sought help from local spiritualists to investigate.
Asa Roff was interested in Lurancy’s case because her symptoms so closely resembled his daughter, Mary’s. He had been convinced that Mary’s illness was not caused by insanity, as doctors tried to explain. But that she had been touched by the spiritual world, and he carried a tremendous amount of guilt over what happened to his daughter.
Good Spirits vs. Bad
Lurancy claimed evil spirits possessed her, and that was the cause of her violent outbursts. One of the doctors treating Lurancy asked her to seek a more pleasant spirit surrounding her to possess her body. When she stated that Mary Roff was present and wanted to help, the witnesses were astounded. Lurancy then invited Mary to take control of her physical body.
Immediately after the possession, Lurancy became calm and polite. A sharp contradiction to her previous behavior, and took on the personality of Mary Roff. Though Lurancy had never met Mary and had no knowledge of what Mary had gone through, she seemed to have intimate details of the Roff family. She was able to recognize them and knew the names of the Roff family relatives. She was even able to recall personal possessions that the family had owned.
Lurancy no longer recognized her own family and asked to be taken to the Roff home. Convinced that Lurancy was under the possession of his daughter, Asa asked if he could take Lurancy with him, believing that his daughter was asking from the spiritual world to be brought back to her family.
The Vennum’s agreed, and Lurancy accompanied Asa back to his home, where she lived for 15 weeks. At the end of that time, she bid the family goodbye in a tearful departure that she had prophesied and promised the return of Lurancy once she departed her body.
As promised, Lurancy returned. Seeming to be back to her old self and without any further episodes of spiritual possession, she went back to live with her parents. She eventually married, had a family of her own, and lived a normal, long life with no other illnesses.
Summoned Spirits Left Behind
Today, the Roff House still stands and is owned by John Whitman, who has worked to restore the home and turn it into a Bed & Breakfast. However, the Watseka Wonder possession story is not the only haunting tale attached to this property. Over the years, the owner and guests at the house have reported ghostly activity—some sinister.
Whispering is often heard from empty rooms. Black shadows have been spotted. Even reports of demons have been made. The owner stated in an interview that while staying the night, he awoke to a figure in his bedroom which appeared to have been burned, was wearing a black hooded cloak, and an evil grin curled its lips. Some visitors have also said that spirits have taken over their bodies, in a temporary possession.
Many believe that the ghostly sightings and dark presence that roam the property were invited through the portals opened during the many séances that the Roff family held. And that over the years, investigation groups who were inexperienced could have unknowingly exacerbated the haunted property by inviting more unfriendly spirits into the home.
Conclusion
As alluring as it is to make contact with the other side, one must always be cautious. Opening doors could very well let the person you are seeking to communicate with in, but there is no guarantee that others spirits, friendly or malicious, won’t follow them.
Image References:
https://www.newsbug.info/iroquois_countys_times-republic/roff-house-earns-preservation-award-from-landmarks-illinois/article_66084618-d77d-5464-94c6-f702b580178e.html
Top Haunted Hotels In The USA
Haunted Hotels and the Ghosts That Haunt Them
Haunted Hotels are not just a Hollywood gimmick—many people believe a few real-life properties around the country play host to several long-term guests. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, there are many places that claim to have unexplained occurrences that can only be attributed to haunting lost souls. To many, going through such an event or testing one's bravado with the unknown is as exciting as riding a roller coaster or skydiving. If you happen to be that person, here is a list of haunted hotels in the United States where you can spend the night and try your luck at spotting a ghost. They all have a history of murder, suicide, accidental death, and past employees and guests that you may be fortunate enough to meet if you dare.
1) The Stanley Hotel
Generally regarded as one the most "spirited" hotels in America, The Stanley is better known for motivating Stephen King's The Shining after the author stayed there one winter’s night. In 1909, the hotel was initially built to house traveling, bourgeois city-folk and offered cars and servants to all their visitors. Today, many of their spirits still remain and guests have reported the sounds of untraceable piano music and maniacal laughs all over the hotel. These incidents are said to be the playful spirits of dead employees and guests.
2) Malaga Inn
The Malaga Inn is the only boutique inn of its kind and regarded as the most haunted hotel in Alabama. Built in 1862, this ancient property in the deep south is reminiscent of the Civil War era. It has 39 private rooms, Victorian furnishings and an outdoor courtyard. Initially, the two townhouses were constructed by two brothers-in-law as a wedding gift for the 2 sisters in the family—but that does not mean they ever left. Guests claim to have seen a ghostly lady figure in white, swinging chandeliers, lights that turn on by themselves and furniture that eerily moves on its own.
3) Omni Mount Washington
Bretton Woods, NH. Knock, knock. Who's there? at this resort, perhaps no one…whom you can see, in any case. The resident invisible resident here, Carolyn Stickney, is known to tap on doors and once inside your room (whether you invite her in or not) she has no qualms regarding borrowing your belongings. However, she is a Victorian lady through and through—all manners—and will return your belongings to precisely where she got them. Tip: Rumor has it that checking into Room 314 nets the best possibility of spotting the ‘Princess’, as she is known.
4) Omni Grove Park Inn
Asheville, NC. Back in the 1920s, a young woman either jumped or was pushed to her death from her 5th floor room. 545, to be specific. Virtually a century later, employees and guests still report her presence, mostly as a pink mist or as a woman in a flowing pink gown, thus her nickname, the Pink Lady. How do you like these apples? Tip: Allegedly, young children are extremely sensitive to spotting her, so if you really want a glimpse, you know who to let loose on her trail.
5) Otesaga Resort
Cooperstown, NY. Sizeable resort + over a hundred years of history + no sinister sagas = a perfect breeding ground for a ghost neighborhood, and a friendly ghost community at that. Its former life was a winter school for girls and to this day, a giggling gaggle of girls continues to echo through the 3rd floor hallway, when absolutely no children are checked in at the hotel. (Warning: They may be laughing at you but they are young girls after all, so please do not take it personally.) The adults, nonetheless, do want you to take it personally. People have claimed hearing their name called, absolutely out of nowhere.
6) Omni Homestead
Hot Springs, VA. It's an unending story: In the most ancient wing of one of the oldest resorts in the country (built in 1766), a jilted woman committed suicide after her fiancé left on their wedding day and never came back. Since that sad day in the early 1900s, she has aimlessly wandered the 14th floor. Stopping guests as well as employees to ask for the time, she expects to catch the hour when her groom-to-be was meant to come back to her and that this time he'll be there.
7) La Posada de Santa Fe
Santa Fe, NM. This hotel's spectral highlight, a German known as Julia Staab, feels right at home here. Prior to becoming a resort, it was her residence, built by her merchant husband in 1882. After her 8th child died shortly after delivery, Frau Julia spun into a deep depression, ultimately holing up in her room, never to be seen in the flesh again after 1896. But, in wisps and wafts she is still ever present, most often in Suite 100, her former bedroom.
8) Queen Anne Hotel
San Francisco, Ca. Not all ghosts will leave you cold. Miss Mary Lake, former headmistress of the school for girls that opened here in 1890, has been known to take care of guests who stay in her former office, Room 410, just as she really did for her pupils several generations ago. Many have revealed that their clothes were unpacked for them while others have woken up at night to find their blankets tucked nicely around them.
9) The Mayflower Hotel
Presidential alert: The customary inaugural ball at the Mayflower began while Calvin Coolidge was in office; however he missed the grand event due to his son's untimely death a fortnight earlier. To make up for the lost occasion, he apparently returns to the site yearly on the anniversary of the ball. But Silent Cal mainly remains just that in his eternal phase. The only hints of his presence are flickering lights in the Grand Ballroom at 10pm, which would have announced the ball's guests of honor back in 1925. And an elevator that will not budge from the 8th floor (the location of his holding room) until 10:15pm, which is exactly the time that he planned to make his grand entrance.
10) Esperanza Mansion
Keuka Park, NY. It's uncertain whether this one should be chalked up as local folklore. However, there are many who believe there is a phantom lady, decked out in white, wandering the property. Similar to any ghost worth his/her weightlessness, she is also highly skilled at keeping us mere mortals in the dark. No one actually knows who she is or where she came from. It’s probably better this way. Tip: If you need a vacation from waiting for the lady in white to appear, refocus your paranormal energies on nearby Spook Hill.
11. Hawthorne Hotel Salem
Salem, Ma. There has been great controversy over this supposed haunted hotel and questions still remain as to whether it is truly haunted and who is haunting it. Perhaps because of Salem’s local history, many people automatically assume it’s haunted. Nevertheless, this hotel has a rich history and some storytellers suggest that the entire sixth floor is haunted, with guests reportedly hearing unusual noises and seeing a ghostly woman wandering along the hallways.
Share Your Haunted Hotel Experience
Have you had an experience of a haunted hotel that you would like to share, then please send it to us so we can add it to this list. We may even feature your story in Paranormal Daily News. Contact us through the PDN Submissions Page. We look forward to hearing from you.
