Ghost Stories VOL II
Ghost Stories VOL II: A Collection of the World’s Most Haunted Locations and Paranormal Encounters (Paranormal Locations Series Book 2)
By H.J. Tidy
The Sexton’s musings (spoilers are likely):
This second volume in the series focuses more on just locations. Here Tidy explores eight of the more known haunted locations in the US and the stories that surround those locations. For the purpose of this post I will be separating out each one and making a brief statement. This may end up being a shorter post. Tidy gives a brief history of the location and then talks a little bit about some of the hauntings at that location and some of the experiences people have had while visiting. Similar to Terrance Zepke but more paranormal than travel. Tidy just presents the known stories and lets the reader draw their own conclusions. For me there is not enough information to really determine if there is truly a haunting but it’s interesting reading none the less. One note about the kindle format…it’s strange and I suspect that perhaps there are pictures that are not translating to my device. That makes me sad because I enjoy pictures and I’ve never had issues with pictures before but I can’t think of another reason for it to be like that.
The Bell Witch
The picture of William Porter dragging the witch to the fire (illus 1894)
Photo: Wikipedia
Tidy describes this as “America’s Greatest Ghost Story”. I’m not sure that I necessarily agree with that BUT it is an interesting and mysterious one. I do like that Tidy expresses the difficulty discerning between what elements of the story are fact and what is fiction. This is the mark of a good researcher. The entity in question here is thus named for the family it was set upon (it is most popularly suspected that the family was cursed by a neighbor over a land dispute). The most impressive bit for me was the curse that befell the 2003 filming of the motion picture. As for the initial haunting on the Bell family in the 1800’s I suspect that it’s a little bit of everything. I do not buy that the witch was the one poisoning John Bell. I suspect that this was either his wife or someone who had access to him and his home. Now that’s not to say that they were not influenced by something. It is also not completely unfathomable that a jealous suitor would not go to certain lengths to get the object of his desire BUT perhaps not quite this far. I mean the coordination alone would be herculean. I can see him contributing and pulling some shit but to be responsible for all of it…I don’t buy it. An interesting legend to think about for sure.
John Bell Cabin (replica) as it is today. Tours are available. The cabin is said to be haunted to this day.
Photo: bellwitchcave.com
The Bell Witch Cave.
Photo: bellwitchcave.com
Los Feliz Mansion
Photo: reddit (r/zillowgonewild)
This one mixes true crime with the paranormal. I will say that after looking into this one a bit more allow me to say that the house did not sit “empty” for five decades. It was purchased in the 1960’s by a couple and they used the house for storage. Their son inherited the house and continued to utilize the house for storage. He did stay there occasionally but despite actually having owners the house still fell into disrepair. This gentleman passed in 2015 and the house was purchased in 2016 by Lisa Bloom and her husband. They gutted it and then found out that in order for the house to be up to code they were going to have to level the land that the house stands on. The cost of doing this was damn near half what they paid for the house so they decided to cut their losses and sell. In 2019 a construction development group purchased the property and there it sits. There are some interesting plans of what the house could be and it’s amazing. While something tragic occurred there it seems that the house itself may just give off creepy vibes as its pretty much been left to its own devices for years. Taken on a life of its own so to speak. Now that it’s been taken down to its bare bones and is no longer filled to the brim with the items of a family who were not capable of throwing stuff away it does not seem so macabre. The human mind is an amazingly powerful thing so is it possible that the activity that people have experienced was the result of their own mind and regular mundane explanations? Or did this tragedy leave behind a scar that has trapped the energy that should have moved on. Something to consider.
“Here’s the eerie reason why no one dares to inhabit this deserted $2.4M LA mansion after 60 years” by Mary K Jacob for the New York Post
Click pic to read the article
Back of house.
Photo: The Los Feliz Murder Mansion Podcast on X.com - check these folks out. There are soooo many awesome pictures and some great information here for those that want to know more.
The Stanley Hotel
The Stanley Hotel
Photo: visitestespark.com
I didn’t know the specific history of this location but I knew of it and I knew that it had inspired Stephen King’s “The Shining”. It is also where some of the made for TV version starring Rebecca De Mornay and Steven Weber was filmed. Seeing pictures of the check-in desk and the lobby clenched it for me. There is a great shout out to Richard Estep here too. Richard actually worked at the Stanley for three years giving tours. As the hotel does not have a violent history I suspect that the vortex theory is the most likely. Richard has described vortex in his books and considering that this place was a joyful one for so many people over its history why not have visitors that have passed on. The vortex theory would theoretically allow for these visitors to travel to this location. I think my favorite element of this location is the pet cemetery that was built for the pets of staff who passed. Respect for Tidy when talking about the perspective of skeptics: “One should not ignore this perspective, because the search for truth should involve considering all possibilities. It is difficult to know what is real and what is not, so listening to both sides of the story is important.” This is also the stance of Richard Estep, who consequently does believe in the paranormal but also is very cautions of stating that every creek and moan have a paranormal explanations. He’s a debunking believer and he believes that the Stanley is haunted. Thus I too tend to lean toward there being paranormal activity here. Honestly if it is indeed possible to travel after death I would totally visit this resort. The majesty of the area alone would make it worth it.
“I stayed in Colorado's most 'haunted' hotel and quickly learned why it inspired Stephen King to write 'The Shining'“ by Monica Humphries for Business Insider
Click pic to read her article and to see some great pictures of the hotel
If you have seen the made for TV version of “The Shining” you will recognize this lobby. This version is closer to the novel than Stanley Kubrick’s version. Both are entertaining.
The Queen Mary
The Queen Mary
Photo: Tripadvisor
We’ve visited this location before and heard some of the stories and experiences surround it. There is some interesting history attached to this ship. Luxury cruise liner turned warship and then back to a luxury cruise liner. Known as the “Grey Ghost” while serving her country the Queen Mary was one of the fastest ships on the water. There were a couple of historical items that I had not read about before. The hauntings were the more popular ones. I do think that it is interesting that Tidy does not go a smidge more into the murder that took place on the ship. That’s definitely one of the more interesting parts of history that directly relates to the hauntings onboard. I did learn a bit more about the haunting in the swimming pool and its adjoining dressing area.
Cabin b340 - the room has since been renovated and is guest ready. It’s actually one of the most popular rooms.
Photo: “Check-in to The Queen Mary’s MOST HAUNTED Cabin Stateroom B340” by Linita Masters for Hollywood 360. Click pic to read their article.
Cabin b340 after refurbishment (2018)
Photo: The Queen Mary on Facebook
Second Class Pool (tourist class)
Photo: sterling.rmplc.co.uk click pic to visit site - there are more pictures and some interesting info
First Class Pool Woman’s changing area.
Photo: sterling.rmplc.co.uk click pic to visit site - there are more pictures and some interesting info
1st Class Swimming Pool - Queen Mary
Photo: reddit
Eastern State Penitentiary
“Discover the history and change behind the walls of Eastern State Penitentiary” by Elizabeth Hudak for PHL17 news.
Click pic to read article
I had never heard of this location nor had I heard about the type of incarceration that was involved. Solitary confinement based on repentance and finding salvation through God for one’s full sentence, no communication or connection with anyone. That’s just crazy to me. Taking crazy a few million steps further the punishments for breaking the “no communication” rule were a bit on the steep side. When I say a bit I mean like waaay out there inappropriate. The kicker for me is that most of the people incarcerated were probably not even the worst of the worst. I can’t imagine being a petty criminal and being sent here. This said it’s one hell of a deterrent for recidivism. If the history behind this place is more truth than story, all I can say is it’s not a wonder if it’s haunted. Tidy states that the record pertaining to deaths that were incurred among the incarcerated population were not well documented so who knows? It does seem suspicious that incoming prisoner records, the crime committed and the duration of incarnation are very well documented and death records were tantamount to incompetence. There is something hinky going on there. Very interesting. It would be interesting to look into this one more. Oh and fun fact the asylum scenes of the film 12 Monkeys was filmed at the penitentiary.
“Discover the history and change behind the walls of Eastern State Penitentiary” by Elizabeth Hudak for PHL17 news.
Photo: Eastern State Penitentiary
Old Barber Chair - an amazing picture!
Photo: Reddit (r/urbanexploration)
Photo: Amy’s Crypt - Click pic to visit their site. There are lots of great pictures on this one!
The Whaley House
Whaley House
Photo: whaleyhousesandiego.com
Another new one for me. The structure itself is striking in an inconspicuous kind of way. Not a place that you would pass and be like “that place is haunted”. You also wouldn’t pass it and think that there was a court room in it but apparently the city rented the space from the family. As for the tragedies that befell the family…honestly seems like regular “life sucks” stuff. Sad to be sure, especially that loss of their two children but not overly unusual. This is not to say that the location is not haunted. I wonder if they have ever used ground penetrating radar there to see if there are graves there. That would be an interesting bit of research to do.
The Court House
Photo: thetravel.com - click pic to read their article
“A nineteenth century view showing not only the original porch and drainpipes, but also the original configuration of doors and windows on the façade.”
Photo: Save Our Heritage Organization (SOHO)
Myrtles Plantation
Myrtles Plantation
Photo: Wikipedia
This is a familiar location and if you don’t remember the name I’m sure you would remember the picture of the woman in the green turban. A previous book had focused on the mirror at this location where visitors would try to capture apparitions on the steps reflected in the mirror. Tidy only mentions the mirror in passing. Tidy focuses more on the history of the location and what is documented as occurring. I will say that Tidy does not dismiss the stories attached to the experiences that others have had. It is simply stated that there is no documentation to support the stories. This does not make them false but it also does not make them true. There are many different opinions surrounding this location. Perhaps it would behoove us to visit and experience it for ourselves. Perhaps Richard would like to join us there sometime? No to mention that the hotel looks amazing and the restaurant looks even more amazing! Beautiful place!
The haunted mirror said to contain the spirits of Sara Woodruff and her children.
Photo: The Chicago Haunted Museum on Facebook
Photograph of the woman in the green turban. Some think this is Cloe and others
Photo: themyrtles.com
Sallie House
The Sallie House
Photo: travelks.com
The story behind this location is not that far fetched. Doctors during the mid to late 1800’s would perform surgery in their offices which were commonly run out of their homes. There were no huge medical facilities all over the place and some towns were miles away from the nearest hospital. Plus this is the house that you pass and say “that place is haunted as shit”. I do wonder if the activity is related more to an attachment to an individual rather than to the location itself. And interesting thing to think about.
Sallies “Bedroom”
Photo: visitatchison.com
Sallie House Basement
Photo: Amy’s Crypt
Closing thoughts:
This book is a good introduction to the locations and some of the stories that surround them. Tidy simply presents a brief history and the stories, including some of the more common experiences that visitors have. There is no push to believe one way or the other. It is left up to the reader to form their own opinions. For me there is simply not enough information provided here for me to do that. In fact I don’t think that there is any book that could make me say definitively where I stand in any one haunting. It would take several different sources including a visit for me to decide. Even then many locations simply create more questions for the paranormal investigator than answers. This is the nature of the unknown (as frustrating as it can be). This element is a very personal thing. Perhaps the most personal thing as it pertains to the time that we sluff this mortal coil and move on to the next adventure (or to oblivion for some). As stated before the best thing to do is keep an open mind and heart when exploring these things. This is the only way to bring about innovation and discovery. Something for the outright skeptic to chew over.
Oh and just one more comment….how cool would it be to have the opportunity to visit places that you always wanted to when you were alive after death? I personally would love this to be a reality. I’d see the whole world and it would be amazing!
