Tag: Houston

Old Town Spring has earned a reputation as “the most haunted town in Texas.” Whether or not that is true, it has some very dramatic ghosts.

One of the most haunted buildings in Old Town Spring is in the old bank building in the middle of the 100 block of Midway. It’s just a few doors away from another famous haunted site, Wunsche Bros. Cafe and Saloon.

However, we have yet to capture anything dramatic in photos at Wunsche Bros. Cafe and Saloon. By contrast, the bank is profoundly haunted.

The little brick building — seen in the photo, above — has been the home to many shops since the 1930s when it was the Spring State Bank. In the 1930s, that bank was the site of at least two robberies involving gunfire.

One team of bank robbers may have been included the famous Bonnie and Clyde.  The evidence isn’t entirely convincing, but it seems pretty likely.

THE BANK IS GONE, BUT THE GHOSTS REMAIN

Today, the bank is a memory, as shops move into the building… and then move out. The reason that this prime real estate sits empty again (as we write this in January 2006) may simply be ghostly energy — also called residual energy — in the old metal vault that’s still part of the building.

Or, if our suspicions are right, at least one ghostly figure may be trapped inside this building, looking for the cash deposits that left when the bank did, over 50 years ago.

On the night of January 6th, 2006, we returned to Old Town Spring to investigate some of its many haunted sites. On this chilly Friday evening, our focus was on the old bank building at 115 Midway, in the middle of Old Town Spring’s popular shopping district.

This painted brick building sits amid quaint gift shops, cafes, and antiques stores. Most weekends, tourists and locals browse the streets, shop, and pause for great food, especially traditional Texas fare such as steaks, burgers, and barbecue meals.

AFTER DARK, THE MOOD CHANGES

The sidewalks roll up early in Old Town Spring. Restaurants such as Puffabelly’s and Wunsche Bros. Cafe and Saloon remain busy and boisterous, but the surrounding streets are dark and quiet… except for the old bank building. Something walks inside that building, and it’s not a night watchman.

Most of the windows of the old bank are covered with paper, and a sign indicates that the empty building is for rent. However, you can look into some of the windows. If you do, you may feel that–if you could peer into the darkness a little better–a figure or even a terrifying face might appear at any moment. It’s that kind of place.

UNEXPLAINED, INTERIOR ORBS

Most of my photos that night are a little odd.

The night was entirely still, and this building has been empty for months. The windows are all sealed tight, as are the doors. There was no reason for dust to be circulating, to cause multiple orbs. But, in many of the pictures, that’s what we see.

The photo at the right is the only reasonably “normal” picture of the evening. It was taken through the window next to the bank building. Those shutters are indoors. I’m not sure about the architectural plans, but that wall may have been an exterior wall, left “as is” when it was attached to neighboring shops.

Most of my other photos are filled with orbs of all sizes. Most also include glare from my flash, so I have to discount most of the orbs as lens flares.

However, one photo still makes us scratch our heads and wonder what it is.

IS THIS A GHOST?

Below, you can see two copies of one photo. First, you’ll see the photo exactly as I took it. (The original is far better.) Yes, the camera’s flash could account for everything in this photo… but I don’t think that it does. I have a dozen other pictures with the same reflected flash in them, and not one features anything this odd.

In the next photo, I’ve enhanced the picture’s contrast and put a circle around the face of the figure. To me, it looks as if he’s wearing a brown, 1930s-style hat. Below the circle, I can see the outline of shoulders, a tall white collar, and it looks as if he’s wearing a brown suit jacket.

   

We’ve already had several other interpretations of the figure in the photo. Perhaps spirits manifest differently to different people, and use the available energy in the picture to “reach” them? (If you click on the second photo — the one with the circle on it — you can see a sketch of what we first saw when we looked at this picture, and additional details about the ghost: Old Town Spring – ghost photo detail.)

What’s especially intriguing is that everyone seems to be describing a similar figure… but he manifests in different ways to each person.

I’ve taken thousands of photos, and most of them aren’t worth comment. Now and then I see one that stands out because it’s different.  This is one of those photos.

There may be very logical explanations for it.  This may be just a play of the light, a quirky reflection, and my own imagination.  I’m willing to accept that.

However, I wanted to share it with you because–whatever else it is (or isn’t)–it’s an interesting photo.

Several people have commented on this ghost photo. It was taken at an old bank building in the middle of Old Town Spring, north of Houston, Texas.

The picture at the right has been modified only to enhance the contrast. I’ve added a circle to indicate where the face is. Other than that, this photo is exactly as it originally appeared.

That ghost would be full-size — about six feet tall, or a little shorter. That is, if you could see my reflection in the window — which you can’t — it would be about the same size as the ghost. (I look nothing like the ghostly figure.)

There are many interpretations of this ghost photo. Some people see a full figure within the circle. Others see a cowboy in chaps.

I’m the first to admit that this is one of those “either you see it, or you don’t” photos. It may be nothing more than a quirky reflection from the flash on the window. I’m fine with that.

On the other hand, when I see really weird images and anomalies, I pause and wonder if that old adage is true, and there are no coincidences.

The bank’s robberies took place in the 1930s, and the robbers may have included the infamous Bonnie and Clyde.

In addition, the town has ghosts dating back to its “wild west” days. So, any figure from those eras is likely.

We were outside, looking in, when I took a series of pictures.  I angled my camera to reduce glare from the flash, but — of course — a lot of people are going to say, “Of course that’s the reflection of her flash camera.)

I don’t have a lot invested in being right about what I see when I’m ghost hunting.  Confirmation is always nice, but it’s not required.  I know what I see.

Above (left) is my sketch of the figure in the window, as I see him.

This is the second part of a two-part story.
It started at Houston – private cemetery, part one.

My favorite grave at this cemetery belonged to an older woman. I felt like I’d received a very clear message that she wasn’t very impressed with us, but she was just vain enough (in a cute, good way) to want some attention anyway. I was reminded of the nurse in the movie, Doc Hollywood.

Out of respect for her privacy, I’m showing just the top of her gravestone… with dozens of orbs nearby. I expect that she was part of a large family — and she was a grandmother — so many of her relatives are in nearby graves. Her grave seemed to be guarded by one of the largest banana spiders I’ve ever seen, in a web that easily spanned a four-foot square area. It wasn’t easy to get past it to take photos.

The area around her grave is the most active with congenial spirits.

(There is another part of the cemetery, to the far left as you approach it from the street, that has a more derelict feeling to it. It’s as if those people died without much hope, and little color in their lives.)

The photo above also reveals a blue area to the right of the frame. It’s the only one with that kind of coloring, and I have no explanation for it. I wish that I’d taken more pictures, because this reminds me of the blue figure I photographed at Fort Worden, in Port Townsend, Washington.

I’m not sure if we’ll have another opportunity to visit this private cemetery near Houston, Texas. However, if we do, I’ll probably bring flowers for the grave of this charmingly eccentric woman, and hope that she reveals more of her life to me, and presents even more vivid images for my photos.

(2014 update: We didn’t have a chance to go back there.  Getting access to private cemeteries isn’t as simple as visiting those open to the public.)

This is not a cemetery to visit on your own. While we were there, we could hear gunfire less than a mile away. Our escort was armed, too.

But, most importantly, this is one of the many private cemeteries in Texas. Some were provided for people who couldn’t afford plots in city cemeteries. The people who rest in these private cemeteries probably didn’t want to be gawked at in life. It’s unkind to trample their graves–marked or unmarked–in pursuit of ghosts.

We visited with permission and tread carefully around the cemetery. We cannot provide further information about the location, the landowner, or how we were able to visit this site.

(Sometimes when we visit private sites, the terms of our visit include total secrecy.)

Nevertheless, it was a memorable visit, and far richer than many ghost hunts we’ve conducted at more popular, traditional cemeteries.

Houston is one of America’s largest cities, and it has dozens–perhaps hundreds–of haunted sites. These are just a few that I’ve investigated, with a research partner or with a group.

Glenwood Cemetery (a Washington Ave. Cemetery)

An early investigation of this cemetery shows good EMF readings but no daytime orbs.

Woodlawn Cemetery (across the street from IKEA)
Woodlawn is a charming, mostly modern cemetery, privately owned and managed by a Houston family.Generally, this location is not suited to ghost hunting. It is carefully maintained, with gates that close at night, and security cameras watching the property.

However, for daytime (and respectful) explorations, we found some good (albeit brief) EMF recorded as 40+ degree compass swings, in the vicinity of the matching military headstones.

If you’re using a compass, be sure to rule out interference from metal pipes and grave markers.

Alief Cemetery (at the corner of Bellaire and Dairy Ashford) This cemetery is NOT recommended for investigations at this time, due to its location. See our report for additional information.

Patterson Road – Page 1: Langham Creek bridge – Page 2: Bear Creek bridge  / Bear Creek bridge is a more likely site for the legendary tapping, but we found good compass anomalies at Langham Creek bridge.

A year later, both bridges seemed haunted:
Bear Creek Bridge – May 2006
Langham Creek Bridge – May 2006

Bear Creek Park – Bordered by Patterson Road and Highway 6, Bear Creek Park is a popular park for hiking, riding, picnics, and sporting events.

Bear Creek Park is also the site of one of Houston’s most famous “blue light” cemeteries. (According to many local ghost investigators, that cemetery is tiny, disappointing, and not worth visiting. That part of the park is closed after dark.)

We weren’t planning to see any anomalies in a last-minute photo, but we did, anyway. See it at Houston – Bear Creek Park orb

During our return visit in May 2006, we saw little evidence of hauntings at nearby Addicks Bear Creek Methodist Cemetery.

More Haunted cemeteries near Bear Creek Park include Beeler Cemetery, Houston, TX.

The West Oaks Phantom Walker appears regularly by the West Oaks Mall, on Richmond near Westheimer. He appears to be a uniformed Spanish soldier, and possibly headless. He’s a quirky ghost, and one of our favorites.

Also, a reader reports that there is a haunted house in back of the zoo. It’s a white house with a black fence, surrounded by a moat. We’re noting this for further investigation, but haven’t heard other reports about this site.

DOWNTOWN

Spaghetti Warehouse in downtown Houston is just one of many haunted Spaghetti Warehouses. (Austin’s Spaghetti Warehouse is even more famous for its colorful ghosts.) The staff will share many great stories with you. During our visit, we were fascinated with what we called “the scary guy’s portrait.”

Also downtown, be sure to visit haunted Market Square. For more information about Market Square ghosts, read my stories in the book, Weird Hauntings. (Sterling Books, 2006)

KATY, TEXAS

25 miles west of downtown Houston, this historic town features remarkable orbs. See Ghosts of Old Town Katy, TX, part one and part two. I was the first to report ghosts at the depot. Since then, many others have confirmed them.

My first follow-up visit did not produce good photos, but the ghostly impressions were vivid. Read more about the ghosts of the Katy, Texas train depot.

Romantic ghosts at the Katy depot may have manifested as twin orbs in several locations on January 2nd, 2006. (At the very least, it’s a sweet idea.)

I also captured more vivid orbs and a great “jack-o-lantern” orb nearby, at Ghost Orbs in Katy, TX (1/06).

SPRING, TEXAS

About a half an hour north of Houston, the town of Spring (and vicinity) offers considerable paranormal activity.

See Ghost Hunting in Spring, Texas and vicinity – page one and page two.

Also see my reports about ghosts in Old Town Spring. (It’s a popular, quaint shopping area in part of Spring.) Here’s a partial list of my articles.

Old Town Spring – haunted bank

Old Town Spring – ghost in the bank

Old Town Spring – ghost photo detail

UNIDENTIFIED SITES

Sometimes I check locations that are only mildly haunted.

Sometimes, they’re on private property or otherwise restricted, so I don’t identify them online.

Here’s a typical report: Houston – private cemetery – August 2005 – a two-part article, with photos.

Alief Cemetery (pronounced “A-leef”), near Houston, Texas,  has a wide reputation for being haunted.

I haven’t had time to do much research, and I don’t intend to return for a formal investigation.

Here’s the legend:

This pioneer cemetery was either unknown or ignored when an apartment complex was built on adjoining (and perhaps overlapping) property. As a result, the apartments are rumored to be haunted.

No one claims that the apartment buildings are actually on top of graves, but I’m not sure that anyone is certain, one way or the other.

During our visit at dusk, I caught several orbs, some dramatically large, with my camera. (See photos below.) Because of the fast-fading light, I did not check for EMF with a compass.  And frankly, the later it got, the more uneasy I was in that neighborhood.  I definitely stood out and caught looks of resentment from a few (not most) people.

I’m sympathetic. I believe that certain communities have the right to unspoken boundaries. They shouldn’t feel as their residential areas are being invaded, investigated, and treated like a sideshow by ghost hunters.

Had I realized the situation beforehand, I wouldn’t have explored the site at all.  I didn’t feel threatened, but definitely uneasy, especially as most of the young families seemed to go indoors as dusk fell.

Even in the daytime, I don’t recommend visiting this site alone. (Since posting this, several readers — one a former gang member — warned us that no one should go ghost hunting there at night, even in a group.)

Also, wear sturdy shoes or sneakers, even during daylight hours. The ground isn’t treacherous, but it is uneven in spots and difficult to see where the grass has not been trimmed.