If you’re looking for ghosts, you’ll find them easily in Texas. From strange lights — including “bluelight” cemeteries — to eerie tales of the early West, there are all kinds of ghosts throughout this huge state.
Mostly, my Texas research focused on the Houston area, where we lived from mid-2003 through early 2008.
I verified many local legends, debunked a few others, and found some great unreported sites as well.
For an overview of the city’s most popular ghosts, as well as my earliest reports, see Ghosts of Houston, Texas
However, Houston is just one city in a huge state. Here are a few of my reports about other Texas hauntings.
For more Texas ghost stories, see Haunted Places > USA > Texas, or use my search form for “Texas.”
Below: Photo taken at Galveston Old City Cemetery, B’way, Galveston, TX.
In this photo, you’ll see a bright light at the upper left, and a second spot at the lower right where it apparently highlights a grave.
When I took this photo, it was entirely pitch black out. The orange-ish light in the distance is a street light; it was the only light we could see that night, and it did not affect this photo.
It’s possible that the light at the lower right is a reflection from a bug. The upper left light cannot be explained.
After I’d seen this photo, we went back to that cemetery to see if anything could have been overlooked—a streetlight, a low-flying airplane, something reflective—but there was nothing at all.
When we took this photo, we did not see any lights except the distant street lamp. The light at the upper left—and possibly its highlight on the grave at the lower right—are anomalies.
For many years, when I talked to groups – especially to people who aren’t ghost hunters – I heard more questions about Ouija boards than any other subject.
Ouija boards have always been a volatile subject.
The following are my opinions, and how I reply to some questions and claims.
Claim: If you use a Ouija board, you’re asking for trouble.
In most cases – but not all – I agree.
When a professional is called to investigate a serious haunting, we almost always discover that the homeowner had used a Ouija board.
Some people insist that that Ouija boards can cause hauntings.
My opinion…?
I respectfully suggest that – in some cases – this might be putting the cart before the horse.
If a haunting is severe enough to call a professional, the homeowner has probably tried many other ways to deal with the problem… including folk remedies and Ouija boards.
In other words, the trouble was already there.
The Ouija board often came later.
However, in the case of demonic activity – something I don’t deal with, but refer people to professionals – almost every case involved a Ouija board.
Some demonologists offer deeper insights. I trust their opinions. Here’s what John Zaffis has said.
But, if you’re called to investigate a haunting, blaming the homeowner for using a Ouija board won’t resolve anything.
Look for solutions, instead.
Claim: Psychics can be ghost hunters, but they shouldn’t conduct seances.
Maybe. In my opinion, the problem is how we use different words, and what they mean to different people.
First of all, I believe everyone has some psychic abilities. I think it’s hard-wired into us.
But, just like some people can sing beautifully and others sing off-key, some people are gifted psychics.
Others have talents in other areas.
I don’t think it’s appropriate to set up a seance. That is, a formal gathering where the psychic opens him/her/their selves to allow a spirit to speak through that person, or through a Ouija board.
My concern is about a technique that involves inviting an entity to use the body of the psychic, so the entity can speak to others attending the seance.
At a haunted site, a psychic might:
Sense ghostly or spiritual energy. That could be from an entity or residual energy. That’s commonplace during a routine ghost investigation, and it can help confirm if a site is active.
Receive messages. That’s less common, and it usually involves a ghost who’s trying to make contact. The experience is like receiving a phone call, but the message can be a little garbled or difficult to understand.
Act as a trance medium. This could be planned or it could be spontaneous. In most cases, that’s a conscious choice by the psychic (or medium), and it can be a risky one. Generally, I ask my researchers not to do this. Not during the formal investigation, anyway.
Conduct a seance. This is very different from most of what goes on during routine ghost investigations.
Problem #1
The psychic puts himself or herself at risk as soon as the door is open, even a little.
That’s up to the psychic. Most of them are aware that they may be in danger, and take precautions before opening at all, even to “lite” spirit messages.
In my research, I evaluate many things before saying yes. Is the psychic very experienced in his/her/their work? Will anyone else be at risk, if things go very wrong? And, is the psychic prepared to deal with any repercussions?
Note: If you don’t have confidence in the skills and spiritual defenses of a psychic you’re working with, don’t work with that person.
Problem #2
In some settings, trance mediums can give spirits the idea that it’s okay to move into any undefended person’s mind or body.
It may be a rare occurrence, but if even one trance channeling session goes wrong, it’s one too many.
In one case in downtown Salem (Massachusetts), a trance medium was part of a team investigating a haunted house.
The trance medium allowed a spirit to speak through her.
But, whether from inexperience or spiritual interference, she didn’t close that door firmly when the investigation concluded.
About 20 minutes after the investigating team left the house, the spirit successfully invaded the mind and body of one of the homeowners.
It was so terrifying, that person’s partner called 911.
Extreme? Yes. Rare? I hope so.
However, starting around 2005, and certainly since 2008, we’ve seen a dramatic increase in demonic attacks in this field.
(Note: I talk about demonic activity. Whether all of that comes from actual demons… that’s outside my range of expertise.)
I’m talking about sessions in which a psychic or a medium isn’t just transmitting messages from one world to another. The psychic or medium is actually allowing the entity access to his/her/their mind, body, or both.
There’s a fine line between “getting a message,” externally, and a spirit that’s “inside my head and saying ___.” That line is difficult to explain if you’re not accustomed to working with psychics.
Don’t open unknown spiritual doors
If you’re going to use a ouija board anyway, know how to protect yourself.
In general, I believe that ghost hunters should avoid making any investigation personal.
If spirits want to communicate with you, it should be on the same terms as the living. We make it as easy as possible for them to speak to us through EVP, photos, ghost boxes, other devices and measurable means.
There is absolutely no reason for anyone to put themselves at risk by “letting in” a spirit that might be malicious, but cleverly disguised.
I’m not questioning the skills, spiritual gifts, or competence of most psychics.
But why take chances you don’t need to? Carry and use devices like voice recorders, EMF meters, etc., and give spirits time to figure out how to communicate through them.
A skilled, trained, experience psychic can be an invaluable asset to paranormal research. I’m happy to work with psychics during almost any investigation.
However, alternatives (such as real-time communication devices) should – in theory – work just as well (or better) in most haunted settings.
Establish firm boundaries and know your limits
The trance state should not be attempted by novice investigators, especially in haunted settings.
Also, there have been enough problems with Ouija boards – under any label – that I won’t use one, or allow my team members to use one during a formal investigation.
In general, it’s risky to use any divinatory tool if you don’t fully understand:
The difference between allowing a spirit to use a device, and letting the spirit use you as the conduit to that device. If you’re part of the spiritual “circuit” (referencing electrical connections), you’re putting yourself at risk.
Defenses you must set up before using the device.
The doorways you’re opening.
How to recognize trouble as it approaches.
What to do to protect yourself if the worst happens.
The problem isn’t necessarily the tool you choose.
The issue is a lack of boundaries. I’m concerned that some people may not have the experience and training they need.
Know when firm boundaries are needed, Recognize when they’ve been crossed.
And, be prepared for the worst: Know what to do if you (team members) discover you’ve been fooled by something that’s not a ghost, after all.
In most cases, it’s best not to open those doors – with Ouija boards and seances – unless the situation offers no alternatives.
What you see on TV is just part of the production team.
In most (not all) shows, the stars and producers know the risks, and they’re prepared to take responsibility for them if things go wrong.
Please don’t think you can casually replicate what you’ve seen on TV, or at a faux “haunted house” event.
The risks can be deadly.
Find out more at: If You’re Frightened and Need Help.
Many ghost hunters – including me – have theories about residual energy hauntings.
That is, eerie, repeating energy at haunted sites, and what they mean.
First, let’s start with the two most common types of hauntings.
Two kinds of hauntings
The first are active or ‘intelligent’ hauntings, involving the presence of a sentient spirit or ghost.
The rest are usually residual energy imprint hauntings, often called “residual energy hauntings” or just “imprints.” Most result from an emotional incident, and usually a violent event.
Perhaps, just like an iron remains hot long after it’s turned off, strong energy seems to be stored in physical surroundings, at least for a while.
When someone witnesses this kind of haunting and is startled by it, that energy may refuel the setting so that the manifestations and/or impressions continue.
(This may also explain haunted objects. Maybe they’re just storing residual, emotional energy.)
How experts explain residual energy hauntings
Ghost hunters may disagree about the frequency and importance of residual energy hauntings.
We may use different terms for it. But, we usually agree about what it is:
In Ghosts, Spirits and Hauntings, author Patricia Telesco uses the term ‘memory imprint‘ and describes it as, ‘An energy remnant that leaves a mark on a room or region.’
Although it’s dismiss it as unlikely, in The Field Guide to Ghosts and Other Apparitions, authors Evans and Huyghe call it a ‘memory trace‘ and relate it to a psychic ‘tape recording of a voice’ that some witnesses can perceive.
Cassandra Eason, in Ghost Encounters, refers to imprints in terms of a ‘worn-out reel of film constantly replaying in an empty cinema’ and dismisses them as hauntings.
In his study, How to Hunt Ghosts : A Practical Guide, Joshua P. Warren says, ‘Regardless of exactly how time functions, paranormal imprints show us that, for whatever reason, events can be recorded in an environment.’ (Important note: Joshua is not related to Ed & Lorraine Warren, often associated with the Amityville House hauntings.)
And, in The Ghost Hunter’s Guidebook, Troy Taylor talks about residual hauntings saying, ‘This type of phenomena is much more common than people think’. I agree with him.
Here are some of my thoughts
But really, we’re all guessing
I’ve encountered many ghosts and hauntings, in a variety of settings, from cemeteries to apartment buildings.
It appears that at least 50% of all reported hauntings — and perhaps more — are the product of residual energy.
However, that’s just a guess. It may only reflect the kinds of haunted sites I’ve visited. I tend to favor ancient sites, and hauntings from the 19th century.
In some cases, if the residual energy is bothering those currently living in (or regularly visiting) the site, you can try some residual energy solutions.
Hauntings can involve both residual energy and actual ghosts
It can be difficult to tell which is which.
In my experience, residual energy hauntings don’t change very much.
An extreme is Gilson Road Cemetery in Nashua, NH. I’ve encountered the exact same energy, day after day, starting at about noon. That’s why I’ve used it to teach ghost hunting; the ghostly energy is predictable!
Generally, residual energy hauntings provide the ‘good scare‘ that many ghost hunters enjoy.
By contrast, an active haunting — caused by an actual ghost, spirit, or apparition — can surprise you.
Many ghosts will react to the people who are in ‘their’ area. Each visit to a site with a ghost will be a little different. It’s often not fun, and it can be more intense than people expect.
Residual energy hauntings provide a window to the past.
When you’re psychically ‘seeing’ something that seems like a movie, it may be an imprint of the event on the environment.
Or it might be something else.
As ghost hunters, we’re still trying to figure out what’s behind our experiences at haunted places.
For now, those are my best guesses about residual energy hauntings.
If you have more insights, please share them in comments below!
A radical, delightfully geeky theory:
When you feel as if you’re “seeing” (or experiencing) an entire event from the past, it may actually be a window through time.
In other words, it might relate to a parallel universe or be a weird ripple in time.
(If those concepts intrigue you, I recommend following the evolution of string theory, M theory, and related quantum and physics studies. One of the best introductions is a PBS television show called ‘The Elegant Universe‘ and the Science Channel’s ‘Parallel Universe‘ program.)
Almost every city and town has ghost stories. Many have active hauntings. The biggest challenge for new ghost hunters is to find really haunted places.
Look at the photo to the left. It doesn’t look especially haunted, does it?
That’s a photo of the most haunted wing of one of America’s most haunted houses, The Myrtles Plantation, in Louisiana.
Few places are as haunted as that house. However, no matter where you live, you can find haunted places nearby.
Q. How do I find local ghosts?
Start ghost hunting near your own home. That’s usually the easiest place to find haunted sites.
Search using Google or another search engine. Enter the name of your city, town, state, or region, using words such as “ghosts” and “haunted.”
Remember, a lot of this is based in folklore, and the stories are more fiction than fact. Many websites list every location that is even rumored to be haunted. (I like Dave Juliano’s website, The Shadowlands.) In my experience, only a small percentage of listed locations have actual ghosts. However, if sites are nearby, they’re worth looking into.
Check news headlines for recent reports of hauntings. Search at Google News using words such as “ghosts,” “haunted houses,” and so on. (I regularly review those kinds of reports, but I can’t investigate – or even list – all of them.)
Read books at the library. Most public libraries have a section that includes paranormal books. Also look among books describing your local geographical area, especially folklore. Libraries usually have a section specifically about their town or city, and the region in general.
While “ghost” books – collections of stories – can be unreliable, they are a good place to start.
Ask people. Almost everyone has heard of a few local places with ghost stories and haunted histories. Generally, college, high-school and middle school students know the most rumors about local haunted places.
Check back issues of local newspapers. Most regional newspapers feature haunted sites during the week before Halloween.
Ask the police. Police are often the best resource for information about hauntings. They know which places generate complaints about odd activity–noises, weird lights, and so on–but have no reasonable explanations.
Q. Are there some places almost always haunted?
Yes, and some of these classic cliches can help you to locate haunted places.
Cemeteries are usually mildly haunted. Older cemeteries – from the 19th century and earlier – are far more likely to have ghosts. Explore the oldest sections of cemeteries for the best results. However, many cemeteries are closed between dusk and dawn. Observe local laws whenever you’re ghost hunting.
Abandoned buildings are often haunted. People rarely walk away from a perfectly good house or building unless something’s really wrong with it. What’s “wrong” may be a ghost. A few commercial locations in Salem, Massachusetts, are like that. (However, never trespass on private property. Get permission.)
Theaters – those with a stage the people have performed on – are almost always haunted. Usually, these are fun ghost. Look for ghosts on the stage, in the audience, backstage, and just outside the auditorium doors. Many theaters have a ghost that visits during rehearsals, and can be seen sitting or standing on the balcony.
Most colleges and some schools have at least one poltergeist. Ask students. To narrow your focus, remember that poltergeist activity is usually connected with water or a water source (streams, ponds, and – indoors – faucets). Also look for unusual, mobile EMF spikes.
Avoid investigating private homes when you are new to ghost hunting. Safety issues are just part of the problem. Some people who are troubled by ghosts – or proud of them – may have expectations you’re not able to meet.
These tips will help you find good local haunts. In addition, rely on your gut instinct. If a location looks haunted, it might be a good place to investigate.
One of Hollow Hill’s most popular real ghost photos was taken near the Guard House at Fort Worden, in Port Townsend, Washington, near Seattle on the night of April 4th, 2003.
When this photo was taken, colorful orbs and sparkles appeared all around me. Most of them were to my right and left, and I did not see them through the viewfinder of my camera.
I knew that I was getting some great photos that night in April 2003, but until I saw this print, I had no idea that I’d captured something this startling.
According to local legends, Port Townsend (near Seattle) is one of America’s most haunted towns. With Fort Worden–a former military base–plus the town’s colorful pirate history, you can expect ghosts… and plenty of them.
This real ghost photo was taken at Fort Worden’s haunted Guard House. Local stories claim that a soldier was assigned to the Guard House, but the loneliness of the work began to bother him. Whether it was carelessness or something else, the despondent soldier accidentally shot and killed himself at the Guard House.
His ghost lingers there today, and manifests often.
In two investigations, we found him to be a shy and sometimes angry ghost. This is our only clear photograph of him, taken during our 2003 investigation with artist, ‘Zanne B.
Read the full story of that investigation, with additional photos, in a two-part report starting at Fort Worden ghosts, part one
Fort Worden is a lovely park and conference center in Port Townsend, Washington State, about an hour from Seattle. Fort Worden is an ideal place to vacation, with a hostel and a campground on the property. Other haunted areas of the park include the Schoolhouse, the bunkers, and–maybe–the wooded area next to the cemetery.
In April 2003, I was at a conference at Fort Worden in Port Townsend, not far from Seattle, Washington. I’d heard the Fort Worden was haunted, and took this opportunity to investigate its ghosts. On the previous page of this report, I describe Fort Worden’s cemetery, a nearby wooded area, and the history of the haunted Guard House.
I took several rolls of film that night, in addition to some digital photos. Many of these photographs had extraordinarily large orbs in them:
Multiple ghost orbs at the Fort Worden Guard House
While we would usually discount any photo with car lights in it, we have dozens of other photos taken at the same time from the same angle with the same car lights… and no orbs. These orbs are not caused by a “lens flare” or other reflection.
In one photo, a clear, brilliant blue ghostly figure was standing in front of me just outside the Guard House. I did not see this figure–or any other–when I took the photographs. I only knew that the “sparkles” were exceptional, and I was probably photographing other anomalies. As I expected, this ghost showed up on the negative and in the print. It is my only clear photograph of him.
Blue figure outside the Fort Worden Guard HouseRead more about this photo at Fort Worden – the man in blue
The anomalies were so vivid, I looked for someone else to witness what was going on. Another conference guest, an artist named Z’anne, accompanied me back to the Guard House.
At first, there were no “sparkles” and nothing of note. Then, on impulse, Z’anne began talking to the ghost, encouraging him to appear. As if acting on command, the anomalies resumed.
Note: Many ghost researchers believe that direct communication with the ghosts produces the best results.
Because the manifestations responded to our voices, we consider this an active haunting. That is, there is some entity–probably what most people would call a “ghost”–reacting to visitors. There may also be some residual energy at the Guard House as well.
It’s hard to explain how we can get bored with steady anomalies. However, it was a cold, windy night. After about ten minutes, we were eager to see what other phenomena we could find at this former military base.
PARADE GROUND
Our next stop was the parade ground. Again, there was little activity at first, and then Z’anne addressed the ghosts and we saw very good sparkles. The Fort Worden parade ground doesn’t have the high energy of the Guard House, but still notably haunted. It’s probably residual energy, not an active haunting.
Routine “ghost orbs” at the parade ground
FORT WORDEN DORMS
Finally, we paused at a dormitory that was being restored. In a couple of photos, we detected small, faint orbs. Like the parade ground, this is probably the result of residual energy, not an active haunting.
A few normal “ghost orbs” in both photos
Note: Fort Worden is the location of a campsite, hostel and conference center near Seattle, Washington State. The park has specific hours when it is open, and you should not trespass on this property at night without specific permission of the Park Manager.
Texas is a huge state with many hauntings.
An extreme is 
Almost every city and town has ghost stories. Many have active hauntings. The biggest challenge for new ghost hunters is to find really haunted places.
