Tag Archives: ghosts

Scary Places: The Farnsworth House Inn

Halloween is coming soon, so not blog about what many people love – scary places. I’ve already blogged about the Winchester Mystery House, the Whaley House, and the Robertson County, Tennessee, the home of the Bell Witch. Today, I want to talk about the Farnsworth House Inn in Gettysburg, PA. For some of you, the mere mention of the name Gettysburg conjures up images of a Civil War battle that was brutal and deadly. The Farnsworth House Inn was actually used by Confederate soldiers during the 1863 battle. Sharpshooters holed up in the attic of the inn and shot from … Continue reading →

Three Quick and Easy Ghost Craft Projects

Halloween ghosts are very easy to make. Here are three to occupy the kids or to brighten someone else’s day. Ghostly feet Take one small person’s foot and press into white washable paint. Press their feet onto black paper so that the heel is at the top of the paper. The round imprint of the heel is the ghost’s head. On top of the paint put googly eyes, or dots of black paint for eyes. The prints of little toes almost look like the ghosts are floating. These make great party invitations or Halloween cards for grandparents. Tissue paper ghosts … Continue reading →

Ghost of a Chance – Kerry Blair

In “Ghost of a Chance” by Kerry Blair, we see the second installment of the Nightshade Mysteries series, the first being “Mummy’s the Word.” As we begin the sequel, Samantha Shade is on a stakeout at the old San Rafael mission, watching for the ghost of a dear departed monk. There also happens to be a serial killer on the loose who leaves a marigold between the lips of his victims. But Sam has nothing to fear, even though it’s late at night – her faithful dog, Clueless, is on hand to protect her. Also nearby is Thom Casey, police. … Continue reading →

Sci-Fi’s Ghost Hunters

Plumbers by day, ghost hunters by night? As unlikely as this may seem, that is the case for Sci-Fi’s reality series “Ghost Hunters.” Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson are Roto-rooter plumbers who investigate ghost hauntings at night. They are part of The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS). The TAPS headquarters moved from a trailer behind Jason’s house to a store in downtown Warwick, RI. Along with other members of TAPS, they investigate paranormal activity with such equipment as digital thermometers, electromagnetic field scanners, night vision cameras, digital video cameras, and digital audio recorders. When they first arrive at a site, they … Continue reading →

America’s Most Haunted House?

Did you know there are houses that are listed as authentic haunted houses by the U.S. government? I didn’t either until we visited the Whaley House in San Diego. The United States Department of Commerce has named the Whaley House as one of the thirty homes across the country that they believe to be haunted. Another house certified as haunted is the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose. The Whaley House is located in a part of San Diego called “Old Town.” Thomas Whaley moved himself and his family into the house in 1857. In addition to housing the Whaley … Continue reading →

The Haunting of the Battleship North Carolina

I love a good ghost story and I stumbled upon one this weekend. My best friend Ralph came into town and he likes to see historical sites, so we decided to visit the Battleship North Carolina in Wilmington. Once on board, I realized why I never joined the Navy. I am sure modern day ships are quite different, but this relic from World War II was crowded, dark, and a bit creepy. As we went from level to level, Ralph commented that he bet this ship was haunted. Once we were through with the tour, we visited the gift shop. … Continue reading →

The Winchester Mystery House

I always love a good ghost story and there are few better than that of the Winchester Mystery House. In case you haven’t heard about it, here’s the story: William Wirt Winchester took over a firm in 1857 that made the Volcanic Repeater, a rifle. Shortly thereafter, he developed the Henry rife, the first true repeating rifle. His company prospered and he soon renamed it the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. In 1862, after his company had become successful, he married the lovely Sarah Pardee. Unfortunately, the Winchester’s good fortune was short lived. In 1866, Sarah gave birth to a daughter, … Continue reading →

Bell Witch – Tennessee’s Best Ghost Story

The Bell Witch story is one I grew up hearing, even though I was all the way on the other side of Tennessee in Memphis. It is Tennessee’s and perhaps America’s best known ghost story. Some say that the popular movie Blair Witch Project was based in part on the Bell Witch tale. John Bell moved his family to Robertson County, Tennessee in the early 1800s. He bought land and a large log home for his family and they quickly settled into the community, making friends and living a good life. Trouble began in 1817, when John Bell saw a … Continue reading →