Donna Stewart takes readers to some of the spookiest haunts across the state including Oaks Park in Portland where visitors have reported a ghostly apparition of a child in the 1970s style dress, O’Kane Building in central Oregon where people have reported seeing “ghostly smoke” and strange lights, and Pioneer Park in Pendleton where some have reported apparitions and hearing voices. As a native Oregonian, Donna Stewart discovered her interest in the paranormal at a very early age in the early 1980s, a time when very few others were even aware of a paranormal community.
In 2004, along with cofounder Laura Schier, Stewart formed PSI of Oregon, working long and hard for a decade to make their team one of the most respected and sought after paranormal research teams in the area.
With a copy of Ghosthunting Oregon in hand, readers can visit some of the spookiest haunts across the state and compare their experiences.
America’s Haunted Road Trip is a one-of-a-kind series of haunted travel guides. Each book profiles 30-100 haunted places open to the public. From inns and museums to cemeteries and theaters, the author visits each place, interviewing people who live and work there. Books also include travel instructions, maps, and an appendix of 50 more places the reader can visit.
The FX thriller American Horror Story: Coven wrapped up its season on January 29. According to Entertainment Weekly, it averaged 4 million views, more than its previous seasons (Murder House averaged 2.8 million and Asylum average 2.5 million views). The third season of this self-containing miniseries centered on witches and voodoo practitioners in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Spirits of New Orleans explores the haunted history, paranormal activities, magical ceremonies, and supernatural rituals and practices that have haunted New Orleans for many years. Join author, intuitive, and oracle Kala Ambrose on a journey into the exciting history of New Orleans.
America’s Haunted Road Trip is a one-of-a-kind series of haunted travel guides. Each book profiles 30-100 haunted places open to the public. From inns and museums to cemeteries and theaters, the author visits each place, interviewing people who live and work there. Books also include travel instructions, maps, and an appendix of 50 more places the reader can visit.
This blog post was written by our intern, Robyn Campbell.
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.
Ghosts can haunt anyone, even celebrities! Here are five with their own paranormal encounters.
Nicolas Cage Nic Cage has had several ghost encounters, but his favorite story is about when he stayed at Francis Ford Cappola’s house in Napa Valley. Cage was staying in the attic one night when a lady with big hair appeared in front of him. At first, he thought it was his aunt, but as the lady drew closer, Cage knew it couldn’t be her and was sure it was an apparition. Regardless of who it was, he had the pants scared off of him.
Matthew McConaughey In 2003, Matt, the shirtless heartthrob, moved into a reportedly haunted house. Every night he heard a loud sound, like a dime was being dropped from 10 feet in the air. One night, Matt jumped out of bed, grabbed a baseball bat, and ran around the house, naked of course. Matt has since claimed that he and the ghost are on better terms now. He even calls her Madame Blue. The obvious reason for the calmed spirit comes from Matt walking around naked at night.
Jenna Bush Daughter of George W. Bush, Jenna claimed that while living in the White House, 1920s music would sometimes drift out of the fireplace in her room. Concerned, Jenna told her sister about the strange music. Jenna’s sister stayed in her room the next night only to confirm that the music was indeed coming from the fireplace.
Ace Frehely Kiss guitarist, Ace, claims that a ghost tried to hit him. While in his recording studio, a book dragged off the shelf and was flung toward him.
Ian McKellan and Patrick Stewart Stars of X-Men, and numerous other films, these two British actors were performing Samuel Beckett’s play Waiting for Godot at the Haymarket Theater in London. One night, Patrick had a moment where he just froze for a moment in the first act. When Ian asked what was wrong, Patrick claimed to have seen the ghost of John Baldwin Buckstone, an actor-manager from times gone by.
Share with us your own ghost stories–we want to feature a great one, and it could be yours!
In Spirits of New Orleans, Ambrose states that “more horrific activities have occurred at this home [LaLaurie’s] over the years and no one is ever able to rest easy in the home. The house appears to have a “presence,” an entity that has developed from all the torture and misery experienced in the home. The entity seems to have an effect on all who stay in the home, leading many of them to do dark deeds of their own.”
In the article, Ambrose claims that “as to Madame LaLaurie, she is buried in New Orleans, where she reportedly is still at rest, unlike her resurrection in the first episode of American Horror Story: Coven.”
Check out the entire article here, and then decide for yourself whether or not American Horror Story: Coven’s portrayal of Madame LaLaurie is fact or fiction! If you are interested in knowing the rest of the story behind all of the characters being portrayed in American Horror Story: Coven, you can dive into the rich history and infamous spirits of New Orleans with Kala Ambrose’s book, Spirits of New Orleans.
Nicolas Cage
Matthew McConaughey
Ian McKellan and Patrick Stewart
