Category Archives: AHRT

Winter Got You Down? We’ve Got You Covered!

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Winter Got You Down? We've Got You Covered!
Ghosthunting Florida

We’re getting to the point of winter that feels like it will never end. The cold has set in for what feel like the rest of eternity.

This is the time of year when people begin planning their summer vacations, the prospect of sunny, sandy beaches warming our chilled bones.

With Florida being one of the most popular vacation destinations, we thought we’d highlight a few of The Sunshine State’s most haunted hotspots for you, your friends, and family to check out this summer.

These and other haunted hangouts can be found described in further detail in Ghosthunting Florida by Dave Lapham.

The Biltmore Hotel of Coral Gables Miami, FL

For being less than 100 years old, the Biltmore Hotel has accumulated quite the history. Constructed in 1925, the hotel housed speakeasies and a casino during the Prohibition. In 1942 the hotel was converted into a hospital that treated soldiers returning from World War II. The Biltmore was renovated once again in 1992 and the next decade saw remodeling and updating making the hotel grander and more opulent than ever.

But through the Biltmore is more than just a historical artifact for the city of Miami; it is one of the city’s most haunted spots. The hotel boasts dozens of ghost encounters, from Thomas “Fatty” Walsh, Miami’s most powerful Prohibition-era gangster, to the “Woman in White”. An historic landmark and haunted hotspot, The Biltmore is certain to be a tour you won’t soon forget.

Pinewood Cemetery Daytona, FL The haunting of Pinewood Cemetery goes back to 1877 and the untimely death of Alena Beatrice Smith, the most commonly spotted ghost in the cemetery. One of the most paranormally active areas in Florida, Pinewood Cemetery is said to be filled with the souls of many dearly departed who linger still. For the ghost-hunting enthusiast, Pinewood Cemetery is a must.

Homestead Restaurant Jacksonville Beach, FL It’s hard to tell whether the Homestead Restaurant is more famous for it’s delicious, southern, home-cooked food or for it’s haunted legends, but one thing is for sure, both aspects of this iconic Jacksonville Beach spot draw an array of visitors.  The building, constructed as a personal residence in 1932, was left to Alpha Paynter, who used it as a boarding house until 1947, when she refurbished the building into a restaurant. Alpha is said to still be lurking at the Homestead, often seen sitting by the fireplace and walking the upstairs halls. The Homestead has hosted an array of owners, yet has consistently provided good food and good ghost stories. Whether you’re in search of a ghostly encounter or some of the best friend chicken you’ll ever have, you definitely need to check out the Homestead Restaurant.

This blog post was written by our intern, Katie Butts.

Cincinnati Hauntings

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Paranormal activity isn’t easy to find or witness if you don’t know where to look. Even Cinci Haunted Handbook COVER lo-reswhen you do know of a place with a  spooky past, finding a ghost comes down to luck most times, which leaves people skeptical. However, when a story is passed down, being told countless times, something paranormal has to be going on.

Below are several places in Cincinnati said to be haunted, all (+97 more) are featured in the book Cincinnati Haunted Handbook, by Jeff Morris and Garret Merk.

Cincinnati Museum Center: In the early 1990s, the center was experiencing theft of computers. A single security guard name Shirley was hired to catch the thieves. One night, she found the thieves on the fourth floor and was shot dead. Her body was later discovered in Northern Kentucky. She is said to still roam the halls of the Union Terminal. Many of the housekeepers will not walk alone after closing, and the sounds of locking doors and footsteops can be heard when few people are around. Also, a ghostly pilot is often seen in the museum in the airplane from World War II. Occasionally, you can hear people crying and welcoming back soldiers on the tracks.

Cincinnati Museum of Art: Security guards have often reported seeing a 7-foot tall specter with no human features rise up from a mummy sarcophagus and go straight through the ceiling. The specter is seen coming through the ceiling whenever entering a room. When guards would take a nap in the storage room, they would wake up to a glowing face hovering inches away from them. Some guards claim that the specter blocks their way as they attempt to maneuver around the storage room. Many security guards have quit, reporting the same story.

Eden Park: The apparition of a woman wearing a black dress has been seen standing by the gazebo near the park’s lake. The woman is thought to be Imogene, the wife of famous Cincinnati bootlegger George Remus. Remus killed his wife in Eden Park after she filed for divorce.

How an EMF Device Works

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One possible way to detect ghost is through the measuring of EMF (electromagnetic Frequencies). An EMF meter is an instrument that measures fluctuation in electromagnetic fields.  Ghost/spirits seem to be surrounded by tiny amounts of EMF, so by scanning an area with an EMF meter it is possible to pick up traces of EMF which have no readily explainable “source” under normal circumstances. Using an EMF meter can not only be used to detect the presence of ghosts, but with a reading, it is possible to track or follow the movements of a ghost.

Before using an EMF meter to detect ghosts in a location, one should first take EMF readings throughout the entire site in order to establish any other sources of EMF, such as electrical appliances generators, electrical cables or other devices that either use or generate power. This is done to establish the normal readings for a location and to isolate any natural sources of EMF so as to avoid “false readings” i.e. mistaking a fridge as an indicator of supernatural activity (unless of course the fridge is opening and closing itself).

Knowing the base line EMF readings of the area is important in knowing what the normal expected frequencies are. Most normal readings for devices are in the range of 9.0 – 30.0 on the EMF meter. Always make sure to back up the meter’s readings with other pieces of evidence as well.

When using an EMF meter to detect ghost or spirits one should sweep the area methodically taking note of any readings. A thorough check is done to see if there is any possible natural cause for the reading, i.e. electrical appliance, power cable etc. If no natural causes are present at the location you are reading with the meter, you are dealing with paranormal activity.

A typical EMF reading both for normal and paranormal activity will lie within the range of 2.0 to 7.0. Any reading within this range that cannot be traced to a source is attributed to spirit activity.

Another characteristic of EMF readings to be aware of is that the closer one comes to the source the higher the reading will be. Take for example a T.V. if one points the meter at the T.V. one will get a reading and the closer one moves to the T.V. the stronger the reading will get.

A reading from a natural object will always occur in the same location and will not disappear or move unless the source is moved or removed. Readings from natural sources are always discarded.

EMF fields do not occur naturally, nor do they move or disappear and reappear. It is impossible for low level EMF readings to occur without a “natural source”. Any readings picked up without a “source” present are therefore attributed to spirits and/or residual energy from supernatural causes.

EMF meters have different distance ranges. They all work on the same principle. The meter’s field of detection is generally cone shaped similar to the beam of a flashlight. Its range depends on the model and how much you care to spend on an EMF meter.

Ghost of the Night Watchman

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From the desolate stretch along route 278 through Lake Hope State Park, it’s hard to imagine a town of furnace worker shacks, a general store, a post office, and a tiny schoolhouse. Until you notice the crumbling monster of the old furnace shoved into the valley floor. Not much more than a fortress of thick stone slabs, bent iron, and a smattering of black, shiny rocks of slag remain to remind us of the past.

During the mid-to-late 1800s, the drive to pull raw iron ore from Southern Ohio’s fertile sandstone soil and turn it into iron brought mining, railroading and iron blast furnaces. There was Zaleski and Mineral, Ingham and Hope – all filled with workers and their families, eking out an existence working in the mines or at the furnaces to make a simple living. However, it’s the furnace by Lake Hope that remains haunted.

Whispers have always told of a night watchman for Hope Furnace who stumbled into the fiery stack. He burned to death almost instantly, not even a scorched bone to be found among the charred cinders at the bottom of the pit. The man’s name still remains a mystery and no newspaper article about his death can be found. However, it would not be uncommon for the furnace operators to hire a nameless tenant of a neighboring town or a vagrant passing through to work in their company.  Most were immigrants working for little more than enough food to get them by day to day. But the mysterious worker is said to be seen with an orange lantern still strolling across the top of the furnace on rainy evenings. He is seen as nothing more than a shadowy figure traveling as if walking on air where the old buildings once connected to the furnace.

Now known as the Night Watchman, a bright light can be seen bobbing up and down by the furnace. If you wait long enough, tales say the light moves quickly toward you, faster than any human could run.

If you’d like to explore the Hope furnace, from State Route 93-Take State Route 56 to State Route 278 south-following the signs toward Lake Hope State Park. The iron furnace will be on your right.

Please note: Always check with park staff to see when and where you can hunt for these ghosts. Because of the danger of many areas like the cliffs at Hocking Hills after dark, the trails close at dusk.

Exploring the Mighty Magic Mojo of New Orleans

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Catch up with AHRT author Kala Ambrose (Ghosthunting North Carolina and Spirits of New Orleans) as she revisits her October book tour through The Big Easy. She will take you to the French Quarter, to unique shops and bookstores, and even to the Anne Rice Ball. You can read her full article HERE.

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Victory of Light Expo – November 23 & 24

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For those interested in the psychic arts, the Victory of Light Psychic Festival will be held at the Sharonville Convention Center (Greater Cincinnati area) this Saturday and Sunday, November 23 and 24, from 10:00AM to 7:00PM. Admission to the festival is $14 for one day or $20 for both days. Seniors and students with ID get two dollars off. Children 12 and under get in free. Readings range from $20-$40.

The majority of seminars are free to attend unless specified. Some prominent speakers include Patricia Mischell, festival founder Victor Peruta, Rosemary Ellen Guiley, Patti Starr, John Kachuba, and many more.

America’s Haunted Road Trip will have a booth in the main vendor area and will be selling all AHRT books at discounted prices! Several AHRT authors will be speaking and signing their books in the booth–schedule is below. With vendor and guest attendance at an all-time high, this is sure to be the best VOL yet! We hope to see you there!

Saturday at 11:00AM – “Journey into the Spirit World” – Patti Starr, world-renowned ghost hunter (FREE). Patti will be signing her book Ghosthunting Kentucky in the AHRT booth immediately after her presentation.

Saturday at 12:00PM – “Ouija: Yes or No?” – Rosemary Ellen Guiley, leading authority on the paranormal (FREE).  Rosemary will be signing many of her books at  her own booth immediately after her presentation. Signed copies of Ghosthunting Pennsylvania will be available in the AHRT booth.

Saturday at 4:00PM – “Dream Visits & Messages from the Dead” – Rosemary Ellen Guiley (2 hours, $10).

Saturday at 4:00PM – “Ohio Ghosthunting” – John Kachuba reveals his favorite Buckeye haunts (FREE). John will be signing all of his books, including Ghosthunting Ohio On the Road Again and Ghosthunting Illinois, at the AHRT booth immediately after his presentation. You may catch him in our booth before his presentation, as well.

Sunday at 1:00PM – “Cincinnati Haunted Handbook: The Histories Behind the Hauntings” – Jeff Morris and Garret Merk (FREE). Jeff will be signing all books in the Haunted Handbook series in the AHRT booth immediately after the presentation. Books cover the cities of Cincinnati, Nashville, Chicago, and the Twin Cities.

 

America’s Most Haunted

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Depending on your level of bravery, these haunted tours may or may not be for you. Claimed to be some of the most haunted spots in America, these locations offer up gruesome histories that make the paranormal all the more normal. Numerous reports of ghosts have been reported at these locations, but if you want proof, you will have to explore them yourself.

Waverly Hills, Kentucky
The Waverly Hills Sanatorium, located in southwestern Louisville/Jefferson County, Kentucky, was once a two-way hospital that housed 40-50 tuberculosis patients. Bodies of dead patients were thrown down a tunnel in the building to save time. The Sanatorium is open to the public, offering guided tours, self-exploration, and even overnight stays.

Mansfield Reformatory, Mansfield, Ohio
The Mansfield Reformatory opened in 1896, its architecture meant to inspire prisoners to turn from their sin and embrace a clean spirituality. The reformatory housed over 155,000 inmates throughout its lifetime and is open to the public as a historic landmark with a lot of paranormal activity. The reformatory was also used as a location for the film, The Shawshank Redemption.

Fort Mifflin, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Also known as the Island Fort, Fort Mifflin was a turning point in the American Revolution. The 400 American soldiers held off a British naval fleet long enough for George Washington and his men to arrive at Valley Forge. Fort Mifflin offers guided tours and the option to stay overnight.

Harem of Horror, The Sultan’s Palace, New Orleans
Located in New Orleans, the house at 716 Dauphine Street appears to be an ordinary house. However, ordinary is far from the truth. In the late 1800’s, a young, Turkish man rented the house from a wealthy plantation owner. The Turkish man had a brother who was a sultan. The house underwent massive changes; guards with scimitars kept watch constantly, heavy draperies covered the windows and a hoard of people filled the house. Hardly anyone ever left. One day, a stream of blood could be seen flowing from the house’s entrance. Upon investigation, the entire home was turned into a slaughter house with no sign of survivors.

Manhattan Bistro, New York
The Manhattan Bistro was built around a well that became the hiding place for Gulielma Sands’ body. Sands was planning to meet her lover on the evening of December 22, 1799, when she was never seen alive again. Her body was discovered in a well in Manhattan.

Driskill Hotel, Austin, Texas
The Driskill Hotel is reportedly the most haunted hotel in Texas. Owned by Colonel Driskill after the Civil War, the hotel became a popular place for all of Texas, including the Texas Senate. Ghosts of several patrons have been said to appear in the hotel. Most notably, Colonel Driskill’s ghost follows a scent of cigar smoke.

For further information, all locations can be found in the America’s Haunted Road Trip series books.

Fall Foliage and Haunted Road Trip: OH, PA, VA

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Just about every city has a homegrown ghost story that is closely linked to the town’s history. If you’re interested in exploring the unknown, here a few haunted road trips near the Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia borders. Explore rich history, haunted locales, and enjoy some of the best fall foliage along the way.

Willoughby, Ohio
The Willoughby ghost walk is a guided tour through the haunted historic district of downtown Willoughby, beginning at Cathi’s store on Erie Street, The Spice Peddler. The tour covers approximately twelve blocks and takes about 90 minutes. Described as a rough town, the basements of stores along the ghost walk used to be homes of brothels, speakeasies, and number rackets back in the twenties and forties.

Fort Mifflin, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
All battlefields and forts have their resident ghosts, but Fort Mifflin ranks high on the list when it comes to the paranormal. Some visitors claim Fort Mifflin to be one of the most haunted places in the country, especially during a moonlit night. There are plenty of phantom activities, but the most renowned ghosts are the Screaming Lady and the Faceless Man. Ghosts have been reported all over the fort, in buildings and out in the open. The 14 buildings of the fort sit on 50 acres on Mud Island, a stone’s throw from Philadelphia and its International Airport.

Ghosts of the Valley, Winchester, Virginia
Winchester may very well be the most haunted city in the entire Commonwealth of Virginia. Located at the north end of the Shenandoah Valley, Winchester is the northernmost community of any size in the state. The Fuller House Inn and Mount Hebron Cemetery are only a couple of the haunted locations in Winchester. Several ghost tours are offered in Winchester.

To find out more about these sites and more in their areas, or to discover other haunted locations in your area, check out the rest of the books in the America’s Haunted Road Trip series here.

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*All ghost hunts excerpted from AHRT books. 

New Book Uncovers Windy City’s Ghosts

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The newest addition to the America’s Haunted Road Trip series, Chicago Haunted Handbook, brings you 99 ghostly places you can visit in and around the Windy City. Authors Jeff Morris and Vince Sheilds profile 99 of the most haunted spots in Chicago, covering all the important information such as location, directions, a brief history of the spot, the ghost story behind the spot, and tips for when and how to visit.

Are you ready to hunt for ghosts in the Windy City?
All 99 locations are open to the public, and suggested tours are included in the back (Paranormal Pub Crawl, Gangland, etc.), which make this guide the perfect tool when planning your next ghosthunt in the Midwest. Combine this book with John Kachuba’s Ghosthunting Illinois or Helen Pattskyn’s Ghosthunting Michigan and make a real road trip out of it!

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All books in the AHRT series are available at AdventureKEEN. 

Scarefest 2013 Success

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Just this past month, America’s Haunted Road Trip attended the 6th annual Scarefest Horror & Paranormal Convention in Lexington, Kentucky. Produced by Ghost Chasers International, Scarefest has become one of the largest horror conventions in the United States, and this  year was no exception.  

This year’s star-studded guest list included Malcolm McDowell (A Clockwork Orange, Star Trek Generations), Rutina Wesley (Tara), Jim Parrack (Hoyt), Janina Gavankar (Luna), and Jessica Clark (Lilith, the Vampire Goddess) from True Blood, Chandler Riggs (Carl from The Walking Dead), and of course, the Scarefest staple babe, Danielle Harris.

There where were more vendors than ever before at Scarefest 2013, with 82,000 square feet of artists, entertainers, tattoo artists, paranormal groups, booksellers, ghosthunting gear, novelty items, and much more. Seminars from experts in their fields stacked the 3-day schedule and drew huge crowds.

Both at Scarefest 2013
Both at Scarefest 2013

 We had an extremely successful year this year at Scarefest 2013 and we can’t wait to return next September 12-14, 2014!