Author: Fiona Broome

Ghosts of Eloise, Michigan: The Asylum that Started It All

“Eloise: The Asylum That Started The Whole Mess” (above) is not a ghost video, it’s a tribute, and a downright chilling one.  The really creepy part..? It’s not hyperbole.  The information in that video can be confirmed.

Watch it before the videos about ghosts at Eloise, Michigan.

This site was first a stagecoach stop, the Black Horse Tavern. Then it was purchased and turned into a poorhouse, and then became a medical facility.  In its various incarnations it was a sanitorium for victims of tuberculosis, and a mental hospital.  Its names included the Eloise Infirmary for the Sick and Elderly, and the Eloise Hospital for the Insane.

Several locations associated with Eloise sound as if they should be haunted.  In fact, I’d expect this to be one of the creepiest haunted hospital sites in America.

More history of Eloise:

“Eloise: Mostly a memory” (This video is no longer available at YouTube. I’m keeping this note here, in case it returns. It was a great history.)

Next, “Spirit Caught on Camera In Haunted Eloise Asylum” includes highlights of a brief investigation inside Eloise – Visual anomalies, some clear Ghost Box responses, and lots of NSFW language from the investigators.  It’s a good balance of evidence.

Next, a daytime tour by the Dearborn Paranormal Research Society of Michigan.  Sound quality is challenging to listen to, dialing the levels up and down, but the information is excellent.

“Eloise Mental Hospital – Ghost Hunters” isn’t the Ghost Hunters’ TV show; it’s a news report by a startled reporter who — apparently — didn’t really expect to encounter anything at Eloise.

Parody? The next video includes a daytime tour by Michigan Paranormal Investigators, interviews about (fictional) Patient 626, and a night-time investigation with impossibly clear EVP.  This is how many “ghost stories” are created.  In five years, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear about genuine phenomena related to the invented patient’s ghosts.

And now, only to better understand what you’ll find at Eloise, the next video series looked like a Ghost Hunters parody. Mostly, it showed foolhardy investigating, with some inaccurate history thrown in.

These 12-year-old kids may have encountered some paranormal activity. But, they made such serious research blunders, it’s impossible to sort fact from fantasy.

The worst part is: They’re clearly breaking the law. This kind of prank is unacceptable and it gives serious ghost hunters a bad name. (Two words: No trespassing. How smart does anyone have to be, to understand what that means? Yes, it’s a rhetorical question borne of frustration.)

[Update: These YouTube videos seem to be online, but can be viewed “by permission only.” I’m leaving the descriptions here in case that changes.]

  • Part One – Stylish introduction, and a quick daytime tour of the key locations at the Eloise site.
  • Part Two – More criminal trespassing. The smokestack building doesn’t seem especially haunted to me, but the visual imagery is impressive. It’s ideal for photographers who like abandoned sites. I’m not convinced that this part of the complex is worth paranormal research.
  • Part Three is more of the same. It shows more criminal activity no 12-year-old should try… or anyone of any other age, either. Mostly, the video shows a bunch of kids scaring themselves. The “reveal” (or summary) starts at 4:41 in the video, and some of the evidence is worth a second look. Unfortunately, this silliness erodes any credibility. That’s just one of many unfortunate aspects of what we see in these videos.

Resources for investigators

ties.

Gettysburg Ghosts – 2013 Report

Civil War statue at Gettysburg - Gettysburg ghostsThe biggest Gettysburg celebrations may be over for the summer, but I’d expect extra ghostly activity for several months.

Reenactments tend to stir up paranormal energy.  The bigger and more authentic the celebration, the more intense the hauntings during the event, and the longer the ghostly phenomena seem to linger.

If I were researching at Gettysburg, yes, I’d visit the most popular haunts.

However, the problem is: Too much modern-day energy can dilute the older energy at the site.  That’s always an issue with haunted sites that attract a lot of attention (and ghost hunters).  Less-explored haunted locations may be better for serious investigations.

So, I’d also explore the off-the-beaten-path locations around Gettysburg and vicinity.

(They include the real haunts around Burkittsville, Maryland, made famous by the Blair Witch Project.  Burkittsville is 56 miles – about an hour’s drive – from Gettysburg.  See my articles: The real “Blair Witch” ghosts – Part One and Part Two.)

Gettysburg haunts

If you’re heading to Gettysburg for ghost hunting, the following article lists the top 10 haunts at Gettysburg.

Top 10 ghost-heavy spots: Gettysburg 150 (link no longer works)
…PennLive.com, on Fri, 28 Jun 2013 08:24:31 -0700
We asked Gettysburg Ghost Tours, After Dark Investigations, Haunted Gettysburg Ghost Tours, Ghostly Images of Gettysburg and Mark Nesbitt’s Ghosts of Gettysburg Candlelight Walking Tours for the spots in Gettysburg with the most paranormal activity.

Here’s one person’s views of Gettysburg hauntings:

Haunted Gettysburg: How Can We Deny the Authenticity of Other Worldly Spirits …
Student Operated Press, on Fri, 05 Jul 2013 04:54:38 -0700
After studying the Battle of Gettysburg intensely for more than two weeks, I`m convinced this scene experiencing three days of intense fighting between the Blue and Grey, is HAUNTED beyond description or belief! The basis for an abundance of paranormal …

If you’re looking for Gettysburg ghost tours, this summarizes the top six.

Six Gettysburg ghost hunting tours: Gettysburg 150 (link no longer works)
Patriot-News, on Fri, 28 Jun 2013 07:23:01 -0700
Gettysburg Ghost Tours has multiple guides, including Johlene “Spooky” Riley, the host of the “Ghostly Encounters” radio show. It is located at 47 Steinwehr Ave. Cost: $8 adults, $5 youth. Ghost Hunts are $30 and $55. www.gettysburgghosttours.com; …

Related videos – Gettysburg ghosts

The first video is a 10-minute slideshow of various “ghost photos.”  While I can suggest normal reasons for many of them (the first could be breath, the third could be hair), a few of the photos are worth serious consideration.

gettysburg ghosts

A collection of ghost pictures and video from the North East Pennsylvania Paranormal Society from Gettysburg, Pa.

This next video is a well-produced, nine-minute, set of first-person stories about visiting the site of Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg. The story told by the three men sound like a credible encounter with a residual energy haunting.  It’s unlikely that the same visual imagery would occur, over and over again.  In fact, the third man describes it as a “loop.”

As the tale continues, the conflicting numbers — and how Rich Mendoza explains them — are curious… and a little chilling.

I believe something weird happened to those men. Whether their story is entirely true or not,  it’s a great ghost story.

A Gettysburg Ghost Story

A sighting on the field of Pickett’s Charge

Gettysburg links for ghost hunters

Planning to visit Gettysburg? Here are a few useful links for tourists:

Gilson Road Cemetery, NH – Index to Articles and Investigations

Gilson Road Cemetery is one of the most unsettling and fascinating cemeteries in southern New Hampshire.

It features…

  • Very old graves
  • Unexplained flickering lights
  • Paranormal energy fields at the back of the cemetery, and
  • Weird anomalies in photographs.

In other words, it’s an ideal location for paranormal research.

Is Gilson still haunted?

Yes! Although one book reported otherwise, the Gilson site is still very haunted, day and night. Use caution when you visit it. During investigations, we’re not certain whether some of the entities are okay—or hostile.

This website, Hollow Hill, was the first to report ghosts at Gilson Road Cemetery. I’m proud of my original research, which has been one of my largest projects for over a dozen years.

Before your first visit to this site, you may want to skim my article, Gilson Road Cemetery – Driving Directions and Legends.

The Investigations

To learn more about my earliest research at Gilson Road Cemetery, use the following links.

PHOTOS

RELATED PHOTOS – NOT GHOSTS

RESEARCH MAPS

To read more offline:
See the Nashua Telegraph newspaper article about Hollow Hill, Gilson Road Cemetery, and local haunts, published on 27 Oct 2000.

Note: One section of Gilson Road – not part of Gilson cemetery, as erroneously stated in one ghost book – has been on the Federal hazardous waste Superfund list. As far as I know, there are no toxins or hazardous materials at the actual cemetery.

Gilson Road Cemetery is the usual name of this haunted site. However, we’ve seen several people spelling it “Gilson cementery” or “Gilson cementry” or even “Gibson cemetery.” So, I’ve added those spellings, here, so they’ll find the articles they’re looking for.

For even more trivia and insights, use the Search form at this website, and search for “Gilson.” (In some articles, I just call it Gilson Road, sometimes Gilson cemetery, and so on.)

Spalding Inn Ghosts, Revisited (2013)

Return to the Spalding Inn - ghosts 2013In April 2013, I visited the Spalding Inn for a ghost hunting event hosted by Jason Hawes.

It had been about two years since I’d last investigated the hotel.

Frankly, my earliest overnight visit to the hotel – in 2008, before the hotel opened – was alarming.

Whatever I encountered there, it wasn’t just ghosts.

I’m in my comfort zone with ghostly phenomena.

BUT… when weird things happen, I get anxious.

So, I generally visited Jason & Grant and their families during the daytime.

I liked sitting on the hotel porch, laughing and chatting about our adventures.

Then, in 2013, I knew that my husband and I were moving soon. So, when invited, I went back to the Spalding Inn for one of Jason’s ghost hunting events.

Things had changed… really changed.

The ghostly energy confirmed what I’d discovered with my NH ley line map, shown later in this article.

But before I explain the ley line map, here’s what happened during my 2013 investigation.

My April 2013 report

The upper floor of the Spalding Inn’s carriage house seemed just as strange, but more had focused energy.

That is, many of us (including me) didn’t encounter the usual off-the-wall weird energy there.

It was… well, the word I’d use is “tidier.”

It was as if whatever’s there had a purpose for being there. 

If you weren’t useful to the ghost, and whatever his or her goal was, the ghost wasn’t around.

However, some investigators experienced profound encounters and spiritual confirmations.

Those seemed to be very quirky – and somewhat conflicted – experiences.

The “hottest” areas were in and near rooms 15 and 17.

Also, the spirits (ghosts, energy, whatever) at the main level (ground floor) of the Spalding Inn’s carriage house were far more responsive to the various electronic devices in use.

Kris was eager to talk about the ghosts

During that 2013 visit, Jason Hawes’ wife, Kris, shared many stories.  They were fascinating, because she was describing encounters that complemented mine.

Generally, Kris seemed more eager to talk about the hotel’s ghosts than Jason was.

But, I appreciated Jason’s decision to say less. As a high-profile ghost hunter, he needed to remain as objective as possible. Or perhaps he didn’t want to prompt visitors, but let them make their own ghostly discoveries.

What happened in 2008

I’d visited the hotel late in 2008. That was immediately after the Ghost Hunters International team investigated, but before the hotel was officially opened.

At the time, I preferred to keep a low profile. Another guest at the hotel was eager to claim the spotlight, and I was happy to let him do so.

In general, I’m fairly shy, especially in a predominantly male setting.

Also, unless asked for details, I usually keep many of my observations to myself. I like to think about them for a few days.

That gives me time to evaluate my experiences, away from the turbulence of the hauntings.

So, I didn’t talk much about what I’d seen and felt at the hotel. It included:

    • An apparition in the coach house
    • An astonishing collection of dead flies in another room in that building
    • And a voice – heard aloud – that mimicked me.

Then there was the figure that was dragging itself along the floor in the main building.

And the haunted mirror on the first floor.

And finally – back in the coach house – the completely unplugged old-school phone with the “call waiting” light blinking.

So, yes, what I’d witnessed in 2008 was very weird. I just didn’t say much about it at the time.

I may write more about this, later.

Oh, I slept soundly at the hotel. But what I witnessed during my investigations…? It was one of the strangest combination of phenomena I’ve ever encountered.

Then, Kris Hawes described what she’d seen

Five years later – in 2013 – Kris Hawes confirmed many of my experiences, without knowing about them ahead of time. After all, I’d never said much about them.

I was delighted. (And a little creeped-out, if I’m honest, especially about the unattractive figure crawling on the floor.)

As of 2013, it seemed like the ghosts were learning from visitors. The ghosts’ responses were more specific, more consistent, and involve more senses.

In other words, the Spalding Inn had become a more useful research location.

Paranormal “hot spots” at the Spalding Inn

In 2013, in the main building, the dining room felt like more of a “safe haven” from intrusive ghosts.

That was a relief. We could get away from the entities… whatever they were.

But, the perimeter of the dining room was odd. It was like walking through spiritual jello, if that makes sense.

The extended corridor (where the sleeping rooms are) was far more active than it had been.

Previously, I’d categorized most of the activity there as fae and perhaps Native American, not ghostly.

Now, several ghosts in that hallway – and sleeping rooms along it – seemed interested in contacting us.

(I’m not sure what words to use for that. Maybe those ghosts were there all along, but fairly silent. Maybe they’d migrated to that part of the hotel, where they had a bigger audience. I have no idea.)

It was time to sell the hotel

As we chatted in 2013, Kris confided that Jason and Grant were thinking of selling the hotel.

The hotel’s massive repairs had cost far more than Grant and Jason had expected. Competing with neighboring hotels – that offered more amenities for seasonal tourists – was a challenge.

And, I think Jason and Grant had started out with a different vision for the hotel.

I told Kris that selling the hotel was a good idea.

I did not tell her that – during that 2013 investigation – the energy at the hotel seemed angry.

It was a somewhat nasty, drain-everything-from-you kind of energy.

This wasn’t just a spiritual attack.

I had no doubt the malicious energy wanted to destroy the hotel’s business, crush morale, and generally tear things up.

I was happy not to spend another night there.

Why did the energy change?

Maybe the ghosts didn’t like the idea of dealing with yet another set of owners.

Or maybe the ghosts had enjoyed the attention of Jason & Grant’s ghost hunting overnights.

I’m glad Jason & Grant and their families sold the hotel. I wish the new owners very good luck with it.

And yes, I’d cheerfully return there, out of curiosity. I’d love to see if the ghosts and other entities remained there.

My northern New Hampshire ley lines map

NH ley lines mapFor the 2013 event, I’d created a special information sheet that featured ley lines at and near the Spalding Inn.

It also showed “hot spots” in northern New Hampshire in general.

The illustration on this page is just part of that map.

If you draw these lines on a larger map, you’ll see where they extend into other states. All locations along these lines are worth exploring.

The ghost figures indicate locations where ghosts have been reported. The star-in-circle marks indicate other paranormal reports (UFOs, etc.) and anomalies.

If you’re researching in NH, check sites on either line.

Choose the northern one if you’re interested in ghosts. Choose the southern one if you’re eager to find Bigfoot (yes, there are reports along that line) or want to see UFOs.

Two different ley lines. Two different kinds of phenomena.

The Spalding Inn is on the more ghostly line.

And, in my opinion, it’s still haunted… and perhaps by more than just ghosts.

Titanic Exhibits… Haunted or Not?

Sometimes, I’m more convinced by retracted “ghost stories” than those that get lots of publicity.

Here’s an example:

I was searching for fresh news reports about ghosts.

The following is a screenshot of one story that caught my interest.

HauntedTitanicExhibit(If you can’t read the fine print, it asks, “Art the artifacts in the Titanic exhibit… haunted?”)

However, when I clicked to read the article… it had already been removed from the WOOD-TV website.

That’s not entirely weird.  After all, it looks like the story was from 2012… over a year ago.

On the other hand, I’m still not sure why it showed up on my feed of recent news stories. (Cue the Twilight Zone music…?)

Generally, when I see something that looks like a publicity stunt — a news reporter “locked in,” Ghost Adventures’ style — I sigh in exasperation.  Really, guys, that’s become a cliche.  Zak and his friends can do “locked-in” investigations far better than amateurs.

What made this story different is that it’s the Titanic. 

Of course, the artifacts from it could have eerie energy.  I’d be more surprised if this kind of exhibit wasn’t haunted.

Though this news story is old, my point is still current:

If you’re looking for creepy, haunted places to investigate, sometimes it’s better to look for reports that vanish almost as completely as the ghosts do.

Stories (and commercial sites) that shout, “Look at me! Look at me!” are less likely to be the real deal.

It doesn’t take the Haunted Collector to spot a show or exhibit that could be truly haunted, and worth visiting.  In fact, if you can get to a display like this one, I recommend (discreetly) carrying an EVP recorder in your pocket, to pick up any odd messages you might hear while in the gallery or exhibit.

If you’re intrigued by the idea of a haunted Titanic exhibit, you’ll have lots of choices.  Check the Titanic Exhibitions list to find a site near you. (Personally, the Luxor might be my first choice, if/when the artifacts are there.  That place was pretty creepy to begin with, with its massive Egyptian statues. What’s happened in recent years makes it even more unsettling.)

Old South Pittsburgh Hospital, Tennessee – EVP?

Tennessee’s Old South Pittsburgh Hospital is haunted. I’ve investigated the site informally… enough to know that it requires a strong stomach to explore at length.  However, this first video — by Cryptic Shadows Paranormal Research, from Ohio — is a little too tidy and too informal for credibility.

My initial problem is the crystal-clear EVP.  The fact is, we hardly ever hear EVP like that, especially involving the exact same voice and absolutely no static or interruptions.  Unless this was processed to an extreme level before adding to the sound track, almost all of this EVP sounds like it was a prank, or it was added afterwards… and by one man.

The exceptions might be real EVP worth studying.

The following videos have more credibility. They’re among a series of videos — covering a 28-hour investigation (three nights) — at that same hospital.  The team members are part of Living Dead Paranormal, also from Ohio.

Update: All related videos were removed from YouTube, and I can’t find any of them on the Fourman Brothers’ (Living Dead Paranormal) website. That’s disappointing, but seems to happen often in this field. (If you find someone with a copy of that full episode, watch the investigation. It’s worth your time.)

Old South Pittsburgh Hospital looks like a normal medical facility, except that it was empty when I investigated the site.  It’s not creepy-old, it’s simply creepy.  Except that it lacks the usual visual cues, it could have inspired the Geoffrey Rush remake of The House on Haunted Hill.

  • The site’s energy is weird.  It’s not your normal haunted site.  It has a grisly aspect, lurking in the shadows.  I have no idea what it is, but I was uneasy when I was there.
  • My research suggests that bodies are buried on the site, in unmarked graves.
  • I’d expect almost any kind of phenomena there.  It’s not a site to explore with children, especially after dark.

I haven’t been inside the building (it was closed and looked abandoned, when I was there) nor have I taken part in any of their events.  However, if you’d like to investigate a site that’s more than a little strange — even among haunted places — Old South Pittsburgh Hospital is probably a site to visit.

All I can say is: Something is not right at that hospital, and it’s not your typical haunted site.  It feels like a gathering of shadow people… and I’m not convinced they’re actually “ghosts” in the classical sense.

I don’t think my reference to The House on Haunted Hill is misplaced.

Originality of the first video (by Cryptic Shadows) – Not much.  They were having fun.  I don’t think they intended it as a serious “ghost video.”

1-half-star

Credibility of the first video (by Cryptic Shadows) – The clear EVP raises questions about how it was recorded and filtered.  If that’s raw footage, someone (not necessarily the people in the video) was probably playing a prank.

2-stars

However, I think the other videos — by Living Dead Paranormal — have enough credibility to place Old South Pittsburgh Hospital on your list of places to investigate.

And, as I said, I’ve been there when the hospital was mostly deserted.  No one was there to hype the ghosts or try to convince me it was haunted.  My feeling was: The hospital is haunted, including the grounds around it.  I haven’t been to any events there, so I can’t say whether they’re worth your time, but the site itself is good and creepy.

Of course, check accessibility to the site. I’ve heard that it’s now posted against trespassers, and under management by a group determined to keep vandals out.