Reposted from Ghost Stories and Haunted Places | Go to Original Post

One of my most popular blog posts and chapters in my book, Haunted North Alabama, tells the tale of the Kildare Castle or McCormick House.  This beautiful, haunted, historic home has fought a long battle with its current owner.  The owner hates anyone looking at their home.   Now, they’ve decided to gut it as a kind of punishment to all who ever tried to look at this brilliant piece of history.  It is funny to me because in the below news story on WSFA the owners’ were upset because people cussed at them and called them names driving by.  I drove by there one time with my children just to look at the house I did nothing harmful.  I just drove by with my children and looked at the house and took a couple of photographs.   I was squirted with the hose and cussed at by the owner.  The things they yelled in front of my children (6 and 8) made my ears bleed.  Maybe if they didn’t curse at everyone that passed and throw things at them, people wouldn’t treat them with the same disrespect.   Their odd behavior has lead directly to the number of people that drive by causing problems hoping to view this insane behavior.   Click the link below to see the full story.

Kildare Mansion to be gutted and the pieces sold – WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

My Original Story on the House:

  The Kildare Mansion was first famous for it’s ghosts.  It was built in 1886 by a wealthy Irishman named O’Shaughnessy.   He built the castle as a reminder of his homeland, Ireland.   He put a fortune into making it the most extravagant house in the area and he did a good job of it.  This giant of a house overshadows everything around it. It has over 40 rooms and is over 17,000 square feet including the massive basement.   In 1900, MR. O’Shaughnessy went blind and his wife Anna sold Kildare to the trust fund established for Mary McCormick who inherited a multi million dollar fortune from her father

Unfortunately, Mary McCormick was mentally ill and suffered greatly during certain periods.  At the time,  treatment options were limited so they kept her locked in the house and had several nurses and staff to take care of her.  During her lucid periods,  Mary a wonderful woman who was known for her kindness and generosity.   For her entire life, she needed nurses to help her care for her mental illness.  Finally she had to retire to a sanitarium,  leaving her beautiful house behind.

From 1932- 1975, the Kildare Mansion fell into disrepair.   It decayed slowly as slums and lesser buildings slowly surrounded it hiding it’s beauty in their sullen shadows.  In 1975, the house was purchased by the Reeves, who lovingly restored the house to its original splendor  It was during this time that the house was shown in the tour of historic homes and became a popular visit for haunt jaunters.   The house’s basement was notoriously haunted by the ghost of  Mary McCormick.   Still tormented by her madness, she apparently made quite a ruckus at night.

In 2005 the house was bought by a family whose name I won’t mention.  Since that time, the ghosts have become the least interesting part of this house.   The house has always been a favorite site for anyone visiting Huntsville because of its historic significance, its beauty, and its haunted history.  Many people drive by the house and photograph it.   Since 2005, however, the new owners have spent a considerable amount of time watching out for anyone lingering near the house.  If you drive by slowly or stop in front of the house,  a woman will emerge screaming at you.  Sometimes she’ll curse and sometimes she’ll use the garden hose to spray your car.  Other times she’ll shine a spotlight on you and others she’ll take pictures of you with her cell phone.  No matter what the new owner does, it is always hostile and she seems to always be watching.  She sits day and night waiting for those that linger to long, which might make one wonder if  Mary McCormick’s mental illness might not be spreading?   Perhaps the house and its dark secrets have driven the new owner mad?  Perhaps madness is part of the curse of the house?

No matter what the case. Sadly,  the reason most drive by these days is to see the new owner run out and start screaming.  Her wild antics have become a fun attraction for locals who stop by just to see her jump around and scream  Few remember the ghost stories or the house’s beautiful history.

Reposted from Ghost Hunters of Urban Los Angeles | Go to Original Post

GHOULA presents…
The
MIRROR, MIRROR…
Ghost Tour

“And when you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you.”
— Friedrich Nietzsche

Come join us… if you dare… for this unique ONE DAY ONLY event as we travel across our city and gaze into some of  L.A.’s most haunted mirrors to see if anything stares back.

Within the world of the paranormal, there is a sub-genre of ghost stories that revolve around haunted objects… such as possessed dolls, cursed jewelry, and (of course) enchanted mirrors. Tales of these magic windows (that let us glimpse another dimension) go back hundreds of years and have permeated pop culture from fairy tales (Snow White) to classic literature (Through the Looking Glass) to contemporary horror films (Oculus).

Strangely, Los Angeles has lots of this “ghostly glass” scattered around town. Is there a connection between our dark history and these supposed portals for lost souls? Or, is there a more uncomplicated reason why there are so many haunted mirrors in Los Angeles, a town so (wrongly or rightly) associated with vanity and narcissism? Is it simply because we just are always trying to see ourselves (that we sometimes see “others”). Then again, maybe there something more sinister happening in the city of angels?

NOTE: No one under 21 years of age should take this tour.

Seating for this bus tour is VERY limited. Only 24 seats!
(12 guests per tour. 2 tours. 1 Day)

DATE: Sunday, July 27, 2014
TIME: 12:30pm and 3:30pm
(tours run 1 1/2 to 2 hours each)
PRICE: $35.00
MEET-UP LOCATION: Millennium Biltmore Hotel
506 S Grand Ave Los Angeles, CA 90071 (map)

or for more ticket info click on this link…
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-mirror-mirror-ghost-tour-tickets-12250195665

Reposted from Ghost Hunters of Urban Los Angeles | Go to Original Post

GHOULA presents…
Los Angeles’ Top 13 Richest Ghosts
BUS TOUR

Ghosts, Gold, and GHOULA…

Come join us for this unique ONE DAY ONLY event as we travel across our city and explore some of the places where LOST TREASURE is thought to be buried and discuss the GHOST STORIES surrounding these locations.

Within the realm of spirits, there is a particular kind of apparition that attaches itself to lost gold generally to protect the hidden treasure from discovery. European folklore is filled with such stories (including a reference in Bram Stoker’s “Dracula”). It is even said that the carved pumpkin (“Jack O’ Lantern”) of Halloween has its roots in this strange phenomena.

Is it any wonder that California (“The Golden State”) would have a long history of such “golden ghost” tales? More specifically, Los Angeles, where gold was first “discovered” (before the “Gold Rush”), has more than its fair share of these spooky tales of lost fortunes. Even though they say “You can’t take it with you,” these local “Au” apparitions refuse to be separated from their wealth.

WARNING: We will visit the secret locations of buried gold (according to the spirits), if you try to use the knowledge learned on this tour for personal gain… you may encounter an angry ghost!

Seating for this bus tour is VERY limited. Only 24 seats!
(12 guests per tour. 2 tours. 1 Day)

DATE: Sunday, June 29, 2014
TIME: 12:30pm and 3:30pm
(tours run 1 1/2 to 2 hours each)
PRICE: $35.00
MEET-UP LOCATION: The Redwood Tavern
316 W 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 9001 (map)
We will meet outside this establishment under the awning with the “X”
(“X” marks the spot!)

or for more ticket info click on this link…
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/los-angeles-top-13-richest-ghosts-bus-tour-tickets-11984113807

Reposted from Ghost Stories and Haunted Places | Go to Original Post

 

Last week, some friends of ours traveled to New Orleans.  They love this beautiful, historic city and they enjoyed their trip.  They also had an encounter with one of New Orleans most famous haunted locations.   They stayed at The Monteleone, one of New Orleans most haunted hotels.  They didn’t book the hotel for this reason.  They booked the hotel because they had a Groupon.  Discounts may have brought them to the hotel, but the Groupon didn’t protect them from the ghosts of this historic haunt. 

Our friends visited the hotel on a family vacation.  They are the typical family. There was a mother, father, and two daughters.  They have no particular interest in ghosts or hauntings.  They just enjoy traveling. When they traveled on the elevator together, they immediately noticed that the elevator always stopped on the 14th floor.  Being reasonable people, they assumed this was a technical difficulty.   The door would open on 14 and they would push the button and continue their journey. The problem continued, but they didn’t let it hamper their enjoyment.  On the second day, they heard one of many ghost stories that floats about the historic hotel like dust.  They heard the story of a little boy who once visited The Monteleone with his family.   During their stay, the parents caught yellow fever.  They passed away and the boy was left orphaned.  They boys life went on.  He went to live with family and time passed.  Sadly, the boy died a few years later.  According to legend, the boy’s ghost keeps returning to the Monteleone, however.  It is forever searching for his parents.  Apparently, the ghost believes that he can find his parent’s spirtit where they died, on the 14th floor of the hotel.

When my friend’s discovered this story, the cute technical difficulty suddenly became terrifying to their two daughters.  They were afraid of the 14th floor and wanted nothing to do with it.  So my friend decided she would investigate on her own.  She went up and down the elevator several times and without her daughters and the elevator never stopped.  She got out and wandered the halls and found nothing strange.   She felt safe taking her daughter’s on the elevator again.  As soon as they got on, the elevator stopped on 14 again.  It waited there, as if calling to them.  The girls were mortified.  It seemed the ghost wanted them and was waiting for them.  The ghost wanted a friend. 

Reposted from Ghost Hunters of Urban Los Angeles | Go to Original Post

GHOULA presents…
Los Angeles’ Top 13 Richest Ghosts
BUS TOUR

Ghosts, Gold, and GHOULA…

Within the realm of spirits, there is a particular kind of apparition that attaches itself to lost gold generally to protect the hidden treasure from discovery. European folklore is filled with such stories (including a reference in Bram Stoker’s “Dracula”). It is even said that the carved pumpkin (“Jack O’ Lantern”) of Halloween has its roots in this strange phenomena.

Is it any wonder that California (“The Golden State”) would have a long history of such “golden ghost” tales? More specifically, Los Angeles, where gold was first “discovered” (before the “Gold Rush”), has more than its fair share of these spooky tales of lost fortunes. Even though they say “You can’t take it with you,” these local “Au” apparitions refuse to be separated from their wealth.

Come join us for this unique ONE DAY ONLY event as we travel across our city and explore some of the places where lost treasure is thought to be buried and discuss the ghost stories surrounding these locations. WARNING: If you try to use the knowledge learned on this tour for personal gain… you may encounter a ghost!

Seating for this bus tour is VERY limited. Only 24 seats!
(12 guests per tour. 2 tours. 1 Day)

DATE: Sunday, June 29, 2014
TIME: 12:30pm and 3:30pm
(tours run 1 1/2 to 2 hours each)
PRICE: $35.00
MEET-UP LOCATION: The Redwood Tavern
316 W 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 9001 (map)
We will meet outside this establishment under the awning with the “X”
(“X” marks the spot!)

or for more ticket info click on this link…
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/los-angeles-top-13-richest-ghosts-bus-tour-tickets-11984113807

Reposted from Ghost Hunters of Urban Los Angeles | Go to Original Post

GHOULA presents…
The CURSED Tour of
HAUNTEDGRIFFITH PARK

Not only is Griffith Park one of the largest urban parks in North America, it is also the most haunted public space in the United States, and the site of some of the oldest ghost stories our city has to offer, including the infamous 150 year old curse! Even today, it is said that there are so many sightings still, that the ranger’s office has a “special occurrence” form just for citizens that want to report their ghostly encounters.

Those of you that regularly attend GHOULA events may already know that we have been talking about doing (and attempting to do) this tour for the past few years, but due to circumstances beyond our control… it never happened. Its almost as if the “Los Feliz curse” itself was preventing us. Well this summer, GHOULA is defying the curse, and finally making good on our promise.

So, come join us if you dare… for this unique bus tour as we explore 4,310 acres of haunted history.

Seating for this bus tour is VERY limited. Only 12 seats!

DATE: Sunday, June 29, 2014
TIME: 7:00pm
(tour runs 1 1/2 to 2 hours each)
PRICE: $35.00
MEET-UP LOCATION: The Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round
4730 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027 (map)

For more ticket info…
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-cursed-bus-tour-of-haunted-griffith-park-tickets-11980553157

Reposted from Ghost Stories and Haunted Places | Go to Original Post

My new middle grade book, The Monster Hunter’s Manual, is now available.   It is a children’s book set in the haunted castle, Chateau Larcher in France!  For the next two days, I will send free copies of this new book to the first 5 commenters below who agree to review the book on Amazon or Goodreads! 

The Monster Hunter‘s Manual is the story of Gabriel.  Gabriel is a boy who has just lost everything.  His parents have died and he’s forced to move to a strange county, France, to find a new home.  He dislikes his crazy aunt, who he has to live with, he doesn’t want to learn French, and to make matters worse, the only real family he has left is his whinny, baby brother.  Despite all this, as soon as Gabriel enters his aunt’s ancient castle, he realizes that all these disasters might be the beginning of a grand adventure.  In the castle of Chateau Larcher, the walls groan and the attic talks.  Shadows take on strange shapes and Gabriel becomes convinced the castle is haunted.  But the ghosts in Chateau Larcher aren’t what Gabriel expects and he soon learns that skeletons aren’t always scary and ghosts can tell the most interesting stories.  Even Aunt Perrine can end up being the most powerful monster hunter in the world.

BUY NOW AT AMAZON!!! 
http://www.amazon.com/Monster-Hunters-Manual-Jessica-Penot/dp/178099933X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1401887270&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Monster+Hunter%27s+Manual

Reposted from Ghost Hunters of Urban Los Angeles | Go to Original Post

GHOULA presents…
The Many Ghosts of
Rudolph Valentino
BUS TOUR

Does the flame that burns twice as bright, burn half as long? Rudolph Valentino was only 31 years old when he died, and yet he had achieved a super-stardom that has never been duplicated. His death as cinema’s first sex symbol caused mass hysteria among his legions of female fans. His larger than life persona not only left behind an indelible mark on Hollywood metaphorically, it seems to have done so super-naturally as well. Since his death in 1926, his restless ghost has been routinely seen (and sought after) all over California, with most sightings occurring in different locations within our city limits. It seems that even after his life was extinguished, his flame continues to burn brightly.

Come join us for this unique ONE DAY ONLY event as we travel across our city and explore some of the local haunts connected to Hollywood’s most ubiquitous ghost…

Seating for this bus tour is VERY limited. Only 24 seats!
(12 guests per tour. 2 tours. 1 Day)

DATE: Sunday, May 25, 2014
TIME: 12:30pm and 3:30pm
(tours run 1 1/2 to 2 hours each)
PRICE: $35.00
MEET-UP LOCATION: The Hollywood Heritage Museum (The Lasky-DeMille Barn)
2100 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90068 (map)

(NOTE: Your ticket also includes free entry into the museum, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. So please plan to spend an extra hour with their historical exhibits, and Valentino memorabilia, either before or after the tour.)

or for more ticket info click on this link…
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-many-ghosts-of-rudolph-valentino-bus-tour-tickets-11548414619

Reposted from Ghost Hunters of Urban Los Angeles | Go to Original Post

GHOULA presents…
The Many Ghosts of
Rudolph Valentino
BUS TOUR

Does the flame that burns twice as bright, burn half as long? Rudolph Valentino was only 31 years old when he died, and yet he had achieved a super-stardom that has never been duplicated. His death as cinema’s first sex symbol caused mass hysteria among his legions of female fans. His larger than life persona not only left behind an indelible mark on Hollywood metaphorically, it seems to have done so super-naturally as well. Since his death in 1926, his restless ghost has been routinely seen (and sought after) all over California, with most sightings occurring in different locations within our city limits. It seems that even after his life was extinguished, his flame continues to burn brightly.

Come join us for this unique ONE DAY ONLY event as we travel across our city and explore some of the local haunts connected to Hollywood’s most ubiquitous ghost…

Seating for this bus tour is VERY limited. Only 24 seats!
(12 guests per tour. 2 tours. 1 Day)

DATE: Sunday, May 25, 2014
TIME: 12:30pm and 3:30pm
(tours run 1 1/2 to 2 hours each)
PRICE: $35.00
MEET-UP LOCATION: The Hollywood Heritage Museum (The Lasky-DeMille Barn)
2100 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90068 (map)

(NOTE: Your ticket also includes free entry into the museum, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. So please plan to spend an extra hour with their historical exhibits, and Valentino memorabilia, either before or after the tour.)

or for more ticket info click on this link…
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-many-ghosts-of-rudolph-valentino-bus-tour-tickets-11548414619

Reposted from Ghost Hunters of Urban Los Angeles | Go to Original Post

GHOULA presents…
The CURSED Tour of
HAUNTEDGRIFFITH PARK

Not only is Griffith Park one of the largest urban parks in North America, it is also the most haunted public space in the United States, and the site of some of the oldest ghost stories our city has to offer, including the infamous 150 year old curse! Even today, it is said that there are so many sightings still, that the ranger’s office has a “special occurrence” form just for citizens that want to report their ghostly encounters.

Those of you that regularly attend GHOULA events may already know that we have been talking about doing (and attempting to do) this tour for the past few years, but due to circumstances beyond our control… it never happened. Its almost as if the “Los Feliz curse” itself was preventing us. Well this month, GHOULA is defying the curse, and finally making good on our promise.

So, come join us if you dare… for this unique bus tour as we explore 4,310 acres of haunted history.

Seating for this bus tour is VERY limited. Only 12 seats!

DATE: Sunday, May 25, 2014
TIME: 7:00pm
(tour runs 1 1/2 to 2 hours each)
PRICE: $35.00
MEET-UP LOCATION: The Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round
4730 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027 (map)

For more ticket info…
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-cursed-bus-tour-of-haunted-griffith-park-tickets-11614676811