These are the five places that I’d visit with [...]]]> Austin, Texas is a wonderfully haunted city.  Its ghosts are more colorful than most, with the kinds of histories you’d expect from a “wild west” city.  In fact, many of Austin’s ghosts linger because they want to, not because they’re stuck in our earthly plane.

These are the five places that I’d visit with just a brief time to investigate Austin’s ghosts.

1. The Driskill Hotel

You have to stay somewhere when you’re in Austin, so why not stay at the city’s most elegant, haunted hotel?

In my book, The Ghosts of Austin, Texas, I devote an entire chapter to the Driskill’s great ghosts.

The lobby has at least two ghosts.  One is a little girl who follows a bouncing ball (that manifests as an orb) on the staircase near the front desk.

Almost directly across the lobby from that staircase, a small room was once the hotel’s vault.  It’s haunted by the cheerful ghost of a Depression-era hotel manager.  When the banks closed during one financial crisis, the Driskill’s manager opened the vault and handed out cash to patrons.  He trusted them to return the money when they could, and every one of them did.  His ghost lingers through hard times and good, occasionally greeting guests in slightly outdated formal wear.

Be sure to visit the Maximilian Room, for some of America’s most haunted mirrors.  (For their tragic history, see page 18 & 19 in my book about Austin’s ghosts.)

Upstairs, in addition to famous ghosts such as LBJ, you may catch a glimpse of the phantom hotel security guard.  He’s always on the job, striding quickly through the halls to be sure that everyone is safe and sound in this magnificent hotel.

2. Buffalo Billiards, 201 East Sixth Street, Austin, TX

Buffalo Billiards is less than a block away from the Driskill Hotel.  In 1861, as the Missouri Hotel, it was Austin’s first “boarding house” and a popular place for a cowboy to find a date… for an hour or so.

Today, the former brothel is one of Austin’s most popular night spots.  Stop in for a drink and some food, and you’ll see tourists, locals and scantily-clothed ghosts among the crowd.

3. The Spaghetti Warehouse, 117 West Fourth Street, Austin, TX

When you’re ready for a good, filling meal, Austin’s Spaghetti Warehouse is the place to eat… and encounter ghosts.

Ask your waiter about the latest ghost sightings at the Spaghetti Warehouse.  Most of the staff seem to have first-person stories to share.

In addition to quirky poltergeist activity, ask about the ghost who appears as a man — or just legs — around the restaurant’s vault.

After dinner, stroll up the street to the upscale gay men’s bar, Oilcan Harry’s.  There, look for one of Austin’s most colorful ghosts, the late madam Blanche Dumont.  She’ll be among the dancers.

4. Texas Capitol Building (Visitors’ Ctr: 112 E 11th Street, Austin, TX)

Day and night, you’ll see ghosts around the Capitol building.  The most famous is probably Governor Edmund Jackson Davis (1827 – 1883) who is seen gazing from a first-floor window.  On foggy and misty days — especially around mid-winter — and around dusk, he’s seen walking on the paved paths around the Capitol building.  He’s tall and has a moustache, but people most often comment on his chilling stare.  In fact, he often pauses when he sees someone, stares at them, and doesn’t move until they’ve passed him.

If you’re at the Capitol, be sure to walk past the Texas Governor’s Mansion.  It has its own dramatic history with multiple hauntings.   I recommend early morning photos at the mansion grounds, as well.

5. Oakwood Cemetery and Oakwood Annex Cemetery, Navasota St., Austin, TX

Oakwood Cemetery and its annex may be Austin’s most beautiful and haunted cemetery.  There, you can visit the graves of many of Austin’s ghosts including Susannah Wilkerson Dickinson and Ben Thompson.

Most of Austin’s cemeteries close at dusk, but you can take photos through the openings in the fences around Oakwood.  If you’ve been in the cemetery during the day, you’ll know exactly where to point your camera to capture eerie, phantom images.

Austin features many more, chilling locations where you can encounter ghosts and other frightening entities.  Some of them — such as the nightly appearance of as many as a million bats, around one downtown Austin bridge — are entertaining.

Others, such as the ghost of Jack the Ripper and his victims, are best avoided unless you have nerves of steel.

For more ghosts (and true ghost stories) around Austin, read my book, The Ghosts of Austin, Texas.

In its pages, I list over 130 ghosts and haunted places in and near Austin, Texas.  You’ll read a full description of the Driskill Hotel’s many ghosts, a list (with details) of Austin’s most haunted cemeteries, the connection between Austin and Jack the Ripper, and the Shoal Creek Curse.

In addition, you’ll discover haunted sites around Austin, including Columbus, Texas.  I describe its strange history and many ghosts as something like a “theme park for ghost hunters.”

However, our deliberately blurred photo of the Mansion reveals some very interesting, possibly paranormal images. [Link: Austin - Texas Governor's Mansion photo.]

Many people sent us helpful comments. For example, several observant readers mentioned the ghostly apparition of the man [...]]]> Ghosts are seen and heard at the Texas Governor’s Mansion. That’s not news.

However, our deliberately blurred photo of the Mansion reveals some very interesting, possibly paranormal images. [Link: Austin - Texas Governor's Mansion photo.]

Many people sent us helpful comments. For example, several observant readers mentioned the ghostly apparition of the man at the tree.

The following are just a few of the very best of the many comments that we received about the photo, when we first posted it.  They’re listed in the order that they were received. Some of these comments are unique, and others show that several people see similar images in this photo.

(This is a very long page. You may want to print it out, and then compare the comments with the original photos.)

“…take a look in the bottom left corner- I see what looks like a woman’s face in that misty area.” — W. Ceranek

“…the first one I see is in the upper tree trunk (closest to the front) you can see a body without a face. It looks like a male figure standing with feet apart, arm almost down to his side, but the sleeve has a ruffle at the end, but no hand really to be seen. His shoulder is just about to the top balcony. He looks like to be wearing the skin tight pants I (riding pants)? with a long tailed coat on.

“The second one I see is where the tree starts a V shape. It looks like there is an upper body of a man, like he is sitting for a portrait. He looks like he has white hair that comes just below the ears, his facial features look like he has a heavier face, like he may be a bigger man. You can see the white shirt in the V under the jacket (coat) he’s wearing. The collar of the jacket looks like the lapels are larger and then come down to an angle.

“There is a line on the picture (third tree back) that looks like a hair? Or it could be some type of energy form.

“If you look at the top of the balcony, it also looks as if it is on fire.

“It does also look as if there is a skull form with a very long pointed chin.” –DC from NE

“…Some aspects of the photo look like it could be double exposure, yet some parts of it are in focus, plus the orb and orange lights which don’t seem to be affected by that either.” — Kyleigh (NZ)

“…there appears to be a little boy standing on the balcony. Where the second story of the mansion looks to be divided into four parts by the pillars, in the second “part” a little boy in a white shirt is standing before the railing. His head reaches above the railing, and he looks sad. He has short brown or red hair. His legs are hard to see.” — Yuka Oh

“..in weird1 there is a face of sorts, although a little evil looking he is looking to the left and a little down you can see the left eye and a grin on the face.

“Zoom is the original of mom2 it is the original picture but zoomed in on the light. In mom I tried to highlight the features of a woman? It also looks as if she is turning away and something is in her arms.

“if you look at zoom2 again you should be able to make out what I was trying to recreate. You need to zoom in quite a bit to see anything.” –SSX

“…in that picture of the tree with the white house behind it, I see two things I think might be quite odd. … at the bottom of the picture, in that small plant in the left corner, it looks like an arm because you can kinda make out the hand, but it might not be right.

“Up in the balcony of the house, to the farthest right of the balcony, if you look closely, it sorta looks like there is a blue-ish figure up at the top. I’m not sure what he/she is doing, but I thought that was quite odd.” — Rachel

“…the bloke against the tree…he looks kinda weird.” — DR in AU

“…on the top balcony it looks like there’s someone standing there, perhaps a lady in an old dress. I’m not sure, but there is someone or something standing there.” — Paul Williams from Hawaii

“..why does it look like one, if not two, little heads peeking over the balcony like two kids who should be sleeping but aren’t?

“What are the bright green spots in the tree top? (reflection maybe?)

“I love the ‘happy face’ that is in the V of the tree trunk, I’m sure it’s something on the house itself but it looks funny from this point of view.” — Kath

“I don’t think in the blurred picture that there is a set of cartoon eyes in it. But I do think that if you look at it again above where you thought you’d seen cartoon eyes above it, just a little closer to the green on the trees is a black circular shape I would say that that is the face or head and then as you look down to the left looks like an arm in the white and orange.

“The shape I would say is an arm and it looks to be wearing a white gown of some sort…

“Then there is the same picture below but it isn’t blurred and although it is darker… I would say if you look close into the tree branches where the light shows through it looks like there are quite a bit of faces in it don’t ya think?” — Sonjia from Michigan

“…if you look towards the bottom i see an apparition of a face in the grass.” — Corey Joiner

“…the initials SP [appear] carved into the tree in the forefront and just next to it I can see a face.

“When I showed this to a local psychic, they suggested that the owner of the mansion had a family member who may have been murdered in the past, and the orange streak represented… vengeance on its mind at the time of the photo. … the yellow streak may have been sorrow towards or from the mansion.” –Mr. T. M. Cigobia, N.T Australia

“…in the house in the background, the light is on, and very bright for the daytime.” — Mike

“I immediately noticed the face (not the cartoon eyes) this face is centre of pic and transparent, though the right side of his face is more solid in appearance. his head seems to be tilted back slightly with prominent nose, cheek and jaw.

“…I copied the photo (temporarily) and circled the face and drew lines to certain features. Now I know this makes it harder to actually see the face in question but if you place it next to the original for comparison it’s pretty clear.

“I’d love to check this place out as I am quite psychic and have been contacted by the dead before but I don’t think I’ll ever find myself in the neighbourhood… pity!” — Kim from Australia

“What strikes me immediately about this picture is the erie cartoon like figure in the very upper right hand corner. There is a definite white outline of a head, upper torso, shoulders and upper arms with blue eyes, nose and mouth.

“I frequently see these types of figures in walls, furniture, etc, especially when deeply concentrating or meditating, but whenever I snap a picture, the figure is never present but 99% of the time an orb is visible right about where the figure should be.

“[My wife and I] decided to try an experiment. We went to a spot where I have had many “paranormal” experiences and I began meditating while my wife waited with her camera in hand. As I began to sense activity, I waited until sure enough the ‘faces’ began to appear to me (most of the time they were not apparent to her) and I told her where to take a picture.

“Sure enough in about 9 out of ten pictures, there was a very pronounced orb right where I said I had seen the face.

“…it seems like too much of a coincidence that they almost always seem to appear in the spot where I predict they will be. Who knows, but now I see this picture on your site with a figure in it just like the figures I see but can’t photograph. Very interesting.

“One theory I am toying with now is that for some reason, they are spirits that want to be noticed, but can’t physically manifest themselves. Instead, they can somehow produce an image that can be seen(or in this case photographed) possibly from their ‘thoughts’, which is why they appear cartoon like.” — Jay in Nebraska

“…the first thing that caught my attention was that white shadow on the top end of the bark just before the first leaves. It reminded me of a hand holding a pen (though in the actual shadow no pen is visible) at a bird’s eye-view.” –Kathleen

“…the first thing that i saw was what looked like fire lines on the trees but then i started to see what looks like the bottom of a chin and then the lips and nose almost in the center of the picture. It appears to me that the face is looking to the left which would be our right…” — Lito

“I can see a large skull in the mist on the left side, right where the big tree is.

“I also notice three other strange things in that picture.

* One, there is blue “rod” of light on the bottom left side, in the grass. It is not straight though.
* Two, there is a bright squiggly line just right of the center of the picture, right around the two smaller trees.
* Also, in the mist near the “skull”, I can also make out what seems to be a bust of a person, but it is difficult to determine whether it’s a man or woman. The figure looks to have short hair. This misty figure appears right where the big tree splits into a V.

“I can also see a small white misty area on the far right, in the shrubery or whatever that is. Then there is something on the ground that reminds me of a crude skull near the blue light, but closer to the center of the pic.” — SBM, Fredericksburg, VA

Many people sent us helpful comments. For example, several observant readers mentioned the ghostly apparition of the man at the tree.

These are just [...]]]> Ghosts are seen and heard at the Texas Governor’s Mansion. That’s not news. However, our deliberately blurred photo of the Mansion reveals some very interesting, possibly paranormal images.

Many people sent us helpful comments. For example, several observant readers mentioned the ghostly apparition of the man at the tree.

These are just a few of the very best of the many comments that we’ve received about the photo, listed in the order that they were received. Some of these comments are unique, and others show that several people see similar images in this photo.

(This is a very long page. You may want to print it out, and then compare the comments with the original photos.)

“The second one I see is where the tree starts a V shape. It looks like there is an upper body of a man, like he is sitting for a portrait. He looks like he has white hair that comes just below the ears, his facial features look like he has a heavier face, like he may be a bigger man. You can see the white shirt in the V under the jacket (coat) he’s wearing. The collar of the jacket looks like the lapels are larger and then come down to an angle.

“There is a line on the picture (third tree back) that looks like a hair? Or it could be some type of energy form.

“If you look at the top of the balcony, it also looks as if it is on fire.

“It does also look as if there is a skull form with a very long pointed chin.” –DC from NE

“Zoom is the original of mom2 it is the original picture but zoomed in on the light. In mom I tried to highlight the features of a woman? It also looks as if she is turning away and something is in her arms.

“if you look at zoom2 again you should be able to make out what I was trying to recreate. You need to zoom in quite a bit to see anything.” –SSX

“Up in the balcony of the house, to the farthest right of the balcony, if you look closely, it sorta looks like there is a blue-ish figure up at the top. I’m not sure what he/she is doing, but I thought that was quite odd.” — Rachel

“What are the bright green spots in the tree top? (reflection maybe?)

“I love the ‘happy face‘ that is in the V of the tree trunk, I’m sure it’s something on the house itself but it looks funny from this point of view.” — Kath

“The shape I would say is an arm and it looks to be wearing a white gown of some sort…

“Then there is the same picture below but it isn’t blurred and although it is darker… I would say if you look close into the tree branches where the light shows through it looks like there are quite a bit of faces in it don’t ya think?” — Sonjia from Michigan

“When I showed this to a local psychic, they suggested that the owner of the mansion had a family member who may have been murdered in the past, and the orange streak represented… vengeance on its mind at the time of the photo. … the yellow streak may have been sorrow towards or from the mansion.” –Mr. T. M. Cigobia, N.T Australia

“…I copied the photo (temporarily) and circled the face and drew lines to certain features. Now I know this makes it harder to actually see the face in question but if you place it next to the original for comparison it’s pretty clear.

“I’d love to check this place out as I am quite psychic and have been contacted by the dead before but I don’t think I’ll ever find myself in the neighbourhood… pity!” — Kim from Australia

“I frequently see these types of figures in walls, furniture, etc, especially when deeply concentrating or meditating, but whenever I snap a picture, the figure is never present but 99% of the time an orb is visible right about where the figure should be.

“[My wife and I] decided to try an experiment. We went to a spot where I have had many “paranormal” experiences and I began meditating while my wife waited with her camera in hand. As I began to sense activity, I waited until sure enough the ‘faces’ began to appear to me (most of the time they were not apparent to her) and I told her where to take a picture.

“Sure enough in about 9 out of ten pictures, there was a very pronounced orb right where I said I had seen the face.

“…it seems like too much of a coincidence that they almost always seem to appear in the spot where I predict they will be. Who knows, but now I see this picture on your site with a figure in it just like the figures I see but can’t photograph. Very interesting.

“One theory I am toying with now is that for some reason, they are spirits that want to be noticed, but can’t physically manifest themselves. Instead, they can somehow produce an image that can be seen(or in this case photographed) possibly from their ‘thoughts’, which is why they appear cartoon like.” — Jay in Nebraska

“I also notice three other strange things in that picture.

• One, there is blue “rod” of light on the bottom left side, in the grass. It is not straight though.
• Two, there is a bright squiggly line just right of the center of the picture, right around the two smaller trees.
• Also, in the mist near the “skull“, I can also make out what seems to be a bust of a person, but it is difficult to determine whether it’s a man or woman. The figure looks to have short hair. This misty figure appears right where the big tree splits into a V.

“I can also see a small white misty area on the far right, in the shrubbery or whatever that is. Then there is something on the ground that reminds me of a crude skull near the blue light, but closer to the center of the pic.” — SBM, Fredericksburg, VA

At the 2003 New England Ghost Conference–at which Hollow Hill’s Fiona Broome was the opening speaker–a few of us were discussing whether some ghosts need an energy source to manifest. The context was EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena, or recordings of ghosts, talking) and whether ambient noise can be helpful.

The Shoal Creek Curse

O. Henry, the famous author and former resident of Austin, once wrote, “It is a well-known [...]]]> Austin, Texas has many ghosts. In researching Austin’s haunted places for my June 2007 book, The Ghosts of Austin, Texas, I found patterns to many of the hauntings. Here’s one of them.

The Shoal Creek Curse

O. Henry, the famous author and former resident of Austin, once wrote, “It is a well-known tradition in Austin and vicinity that there is a buried treasure of great value on the banks of Shoal Creek, about a mile west of the city…”

Two treasures were buried at Shoal Creek. One is from 1770 and the other is from 1836. One may have been found; the other wasn’t.

Searching for those treasures resulted in many deaths and hauntings. But, gold isn’t all that’s buried at Shoal Creek, and treasure hunters aren’t its only ghosts.

Gideon White was killed with several others during the 1842 massacre at Shoal Creek. No one is certain how many of the victims were buried at the site. (White’s grave at nearby Oakwood Cemetery is also haunted.)

There are many other unmarked graves at Shoal Creek. Many victims of cholera and yellow fever were hastily buried at the Creek. These include soldiers who camped at the creek during the Civil War, and those who served with General Custer during his Reconstructionist occupation of Austin. Most of those bodies were later removed and reinterred at Arlington National Cemetery, but about 35 graves were never found.

Then, in April 1915, a flash flood took even more lives along the banks of Shoal Creek.

These are just a few of the tragedies associated with Shoal Creek, making it one of Austin’s most haunted areas. Ghosts are reported at many sites around the creek, including the parking lot at Central Market.

The Shoal Creek tale doesn’t end there. In my book, The Ghosts of Austin, you’ll learn how Abner Cook’s business practices turned Austin into Texas’ most haunted city.

The Ghosts of Austin, Texas describes over 130 ghosts and haunted places in and around Austin. From fun (but true) “ghost stories” to chilling tales of dark, haunted places, this book offers plenty to delight every ghost enthusiast.

Listen to this podcast to hear how Hollow Hill founder, Fiona Broome, found more than a dozen hauntings in Austin, Texas. They’re victims of Jack the Ripper, before he went to London.

In Austin, he was named the “Servant Girl Annihilator” by writer O. [...]]]> Looking for obscure and “missing” ghost stories where you live?

Listen to this podcast to hear how Hollow Hill founder, Fiona Broome, found more than a dozen hauntings in Austin, Texas. They’re victims of Jack the Ripper, before he went to London.

In Austin, he was named the “Servant Girl Annihilator” by writer O. Henry, who was also interested in ghosts.

In this podcast, Fiona refers to:

- Her book, The Ghosts of Austin, Texas

- A Twist at the End, a fictional story related to Jack the Ripper in Austin, Texas

Listen now

She also discusses Austin, Texas’ haunted Shoal Creek and the strange story of Abner Cook, and why his buildings may be haunted.

Fiona offers her theories about why most hauntings occur after dark, and describes a brief investigation [...]]]> Fiona talks about patterns in hauntings, and how they can help you find other, unreported ghosts.

She also discusses Austin, Texas’ haunted Shoal Creek and the strange story of Abner Cook, and why his buildings may be haunted.

Fiona offers her theories about why most hauntings occur after dark, and describes a brief investigation in Austin.

Listen now

Links:
Fiona’s book, The Ghosts of Austin, Texas

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