by Maureen Wood
The three aristocrats who were sent to evict the monks met untimely deaths: one jumped from a window, one was killed by his servant, and one drowned on a trip to the island. But this was just the beginning. Kings, queens, noblemen — all those who subsequently possessed the island suffered financial ruin, ill health, and even death. Lovers venturing into the beautiful garden of the monastery were said to have their heads cut off and their hearts sewed to the woman's dress by lecherous demons. Convicts were tossed from the cliffs to their deaths.
Today, Lokrum is a tourist attraction, but few locals venture to the island, especially at night. During storms, the pounding of the waves against the rocky cliffs echoes the sound of coffin lids being closed. And during moonless nights you can still see the flicker of the candles carried by phantom monks as they circle the island, renewing the curse.
JULY 12, 1807 THE GHOST BRIDE
Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Lydia Carver, the daughter of a popular Freeport banker, was returning home from a trip to Boston on the schooner Charles. She and her wedding party had gone to Boston to purchase her wedding dress and trousseau. This joyous occasion soon turned deadly when a fog bank rolled in and the Charles was smashed on Watt's Ledge near Cape Elizabeth, Maine. The next morning Lydia's body was discovered washed up on Crescent Beach. Next to her was a trunk containing her never-worn wedding dress. She was buried in a small cemetery just above the beach.
Today a five-star hotel is located next to the cemetery where Lydia is buried. The Inn by the Sea, as it is called today, has many visitors, including one of a spectral nature. Lydia is known to haunt the inn, turning lights on and off, riding the elevator, and making her presence known to pending brides. One of the best-known stories associated with Lydia deals with a woman who was about to get married. The wedding party checked into the inn the night before the wedding. The next morning the bride told her mother that she was exhausted and hadn't slept a wink because her satin gown had danced about the room all night.
So if your wedding plans include a visit to the Inn by the Sea, be sure to leave an extra place setting for the special party crasher, the ghost bride Lydia Carver.
JULY 13, 2004 THE GHOSTLY FACES
Belmez de la Moraleda, Spain
According to the Guardian's website, the most famous haunted house in Spain was put up for sale in 2004. Thirty-three years ago, scores of ghostly faces began appearing in the concrete floor of the kitchen. No longer able to stand looking at the them, Maria Gomez hired someone to chip away at the kitchen floor. However, rather than being rid of these spying ghostly specters, dozens of other faces began to appear. As word of this paranormal phenomenon spread throughout Spain, curiosity seekers lined up every weekend for a tour. The haunting had garnered such attention that a state-run, scientific investigation team closed off the kitchen, performing a series of tests. At first, the scientists believed that Gomez had painted the images herself. But after three months of investigation, under the supervision of a notary, the kitchen was reopened and the faces were still there.
To find a root cause of the unusual occurrence, a two-meter trench was dug. And what did the investigators find? A long lost graveyard, believed to contain members of the Gomez family, some of whom had been massacred during Spain's civil war. Strangely, the numerous other skeletal remains, dating back to the 1300s, were all headless.
JULY 14, 2008 THE GAS STATION SPECTER
Petrich, Bulgaria
A Bulgarian gas station seems to have been visited by a ghostly apparition. Film footage from the security camera reveals a startling image, and although no one can explain why the dark form made the visit, it can be easily seen by all. In the film, a black shadow seemingly appears out of thin air. At first the source of the shadow was thought to be the result of a butterfly in front of the lens. Then skeptical viewers of the image insinuated that it had been fabricated. But their opinions soon changed when they saw the shadow, which took form atop the linoleum tiles, morph into what looks like a human shape. It took several steps toward the rear of the station and then floated up to the ceiling, where it dematerialized several seconds later. In fact, the news anchor who was replayed during the showing of the film of the ghostly specter, “Ghost Shot by a Camera in a Petrol Station in Bulgaria,” on VidoEmo, appeared to be at a loss for words. The owner decided it would be best to have his station blessed to prevent future hauntings.
TERRIFYING TIDBIT
Bulgarian traditions dictate that the church bless all new buildings. Unfortunately for the gas station, this had never been done.
JULY 15, 2009 MICHAEL JACKSON'S GHOST APPEARS ON CNN
Santa Barbara, California
Is the king of pop still posing for the camera? Many people believe so. Miko Brando, a close friend of Jackson's, provided Larry King with an intimate tour of Jackson's Neverland ranch in Santa Barbara County, CA. During the show, the CNN camera pans down a long, desolate hallway when, suddenly, a dark shadow glides across an open doorway. The eerie image caught on film triggered a buzz on the Internet, as excited fans believed that the camera might have captured the moonwalking ghost of Michael Jackson. Despite CNN's denial of the alleged evidence, many see this as a sign that Michael has made one more appearance from the grave.
JULY 16, 1865 JUMEL MANSION
New York City, New York
The Morris-Jumel Mansion was once used as Washington's headquar-ters during the Battle of Brooklyn in 1776. It was later purchased in 1810 by a French wine merchant named Stephen Jumel and his newlywed wife, Eliza. Eliza was a voluptuous blonde with a checkered past.
Eliza's reputation did not improve much after her marriage. She was often seen cavorting with the likes of Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, and Thomas Jefferson. But what's worse is that, according to rumor, she pushed her husband out of a moving carriage, then stood by and watched as he bled to death. No one can be certain if Eliza's murderous act really happened. However, the fact remains that Stephen Jumel's death made her a very rich woman, a woman who 200 years later is said to still haunt the Morris-Jumel Mansion.
The Jumel House's rich, lengthy history has attracted scores of ghostly visitors. In the 1960s, a group of unruly children glimpsed a blond woman in a violet gown walk out onto a second floor balcony. She shushed them, then turned and vanished into thin air. Eliza? Possibly. However, another sighting took place when one teacher brought her students on a field trip. In her excitement she wandered into an area closed off to tourists. But her excitement soon turned to fear when she caught sight of a Revolutionary soldier as he stepped out of a painting. She fainted dead on the spot. And last but not least, yet another teacher, after coming face-to-face with a ghostly apparition at the mansion, suffered a fatal heart attack. In past years, curators have been known to downplay the hauntings. However, the Jumel Mansion's history speaks for itself. Literally.
JULY 17, 2002 THE JUNKYARD GHOST
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
A family claims that the ghostly image they viewed on the surveillance camera at Puckett's Auto is in fact thirty-three-year-old mother of twins Tracy Martin. Sadly, on June 30, eighteen days before the video was captured, Tracy, who hadn't been wearing her seatbelt, was involved in a fatal crash. Her vehicle was towed to Puckett's salvage yard. On July 17, 2002, her truck was moved to another location within the yard, and not more than five hours later, a ghostly apparition was spotted.
Kathy, an employee of Puckett's, while monitoring the security camera, noticed the brief apparition of someone darting about the wrecked vehicles. She sent another employee out to check for intruders, but none could be found. When they rewound the videotape and took a closer look, they were astounded at what they saw. The ghostly image, wearing what appeared to be overalls, floated above the ground, moving in a circular motion. It seemed to be searching for something. Intrigued with what they'd seen, the workers reported their curious finding to the local news station. Not long after, Tracy's family stepped forward. It appears that the ghostly
presence wandering about the wreckage, possibly looking for her recently moved truck, was none other than Tracy Martin. Although there are those who are skeptical that this video is real, Tracy's family is convinced it was her. Tracy, they said, favored her overalls.
JULY 18, 2004 DALE EARNHARDT SR.'S GHOST SAVES SON
Sonoma, California
Did the ghost of Dale Earnhardt Sr. save his son's life? Dale Jr. believes so. In an interview with Mike Wallace of the CBS show 60 Minutes, Dale Earnhardt Jr. revealed the strange circumstances surrounding his fiery wreck and rescue at the Infineon Raceway.
During the first lap of warm-ups for the American Le Mans Series, Dale's yellow Corvette spun out of control and slammed into a concrete wall, bursting into flames. While trying to escape the car he felt a hand underneath his arm, dragging him out of the burning vehicle. Seconds later, he collapsed to the pavement.
As rescue workers carried him away from the fireball that was once his car, he asked about the “guy” who helped him from the car. They informed him that there was no “guy.” Dale suffered burns to his legs and neck, but survived.
Wallace asked if Dale thought the “guy” was his father, who had died three years earlier in a fatal racecar accident.
A spooked Dale, replied, “Yeah, I don't know. You tell me. It … freaks me out today just talking about it. It gives me chills.”
JULY 19, 1463 THE HAUNTED BED
London, England
In the V & A Museum in London sits a rather large bed, measuring 133 inches long and 130 wide. This monstrosity was built by Jonas Fosbrooke for King Edward the IV who used it for his own personal use. It was passed on to his son, Edward V, and then eventually sold. The bed, reputed to be haunted by its maker, was sold several times, passing through several inns in Ware. Once during a festival, when no one could find a room, twelve couples slept in the bed, or at least tried to. The spirit, known as Fosbrooke, harassed the couples all night long, pinching and scratching them in “a most unpleasant manner.” The attacks of Fosbrooke became so well known that guests would offer up a toast before they bedded down with his ghost. Today, you can bear witness to the infamous Fosbrooke ghost by visiting the V & A Museum, where the “Most Haunted Bed in England” resides.
JULY 20, 1878 PORTSMOUTH LIGHTHOUSE
New Castle, New Hampshire
This forty-eight-foot iron-and-brick tower was built in 1878. For over 130 years it has stood guard over Portsmouth Harbor. A long line of keepers oversaw the Portsmouth Lighthouse until it was finally automated in 1960. The keeper who served the longest was Joshua K. Card, who retired in 1909 after 35 years of service. When people would ask Joshua what the letter K on his uniform stood for, he'd tell them “captain.” He died in 1911, but it seems that he has never left.
Coast Guard workers at the nearby station have reported hearing footsteps and seeing someone moving in the old keeper's house and near the tower. Others working in the tower have heard disembodied voices and unusual noises. Although most of these incidences have happened at night, one visitor to the lighthouse met the “Kaptain” in broad daylight. She was walking on her way to tour the lighthouse when she noticed a man in a uniform. However, when she reached the lighthouse he was gone. Later, the visitor was able to identify Card from a photo. There have been several investigations with great results. However, the New England Ghost Project has collected the most interesting piece of evidence to date. While recording EVPs in the tower, one of the investigators asked, “Is anybody here?” The reply on the recorder said, “It's the Kaptain.”
JULY 21, 2006 HAUNTED HOUSE FOR SALE
Sanford, Florida
According to Central Florida's Local 6 News, a historic home believed to be inhabited by the spirit of an elderly woman was listed for sale. The ad told all prospective buyers that the house was, in fact, haunted. Intrigued by the story, Local 6 News interviewed the realtor.
While in the home, to the amazement of the reporter, just as the realtor described the ghostly apparition that had appeared before her near the armoire, the cabinet doors suddenly opened and closed of their own accord.
However, it seems that the real estate agent and the reporter are not the only ones to have witnessed these events, as several others have also reported the bizarre ghostly goings-on In fact, the mortgage banker had also witnessed the cabinet doors opening, closing, and slamming of their own accord. And another time, a penny that had been left on the banister when no one else was in the home mysteriously showed up in the tub.
Although the realtor had listed the home in a blind ad indicating that the home came with a ghost, she stated that some people appeared intrigued, while others were deathly afraid.
TERRIFYING TIDBIT
In Massachusetts, if a home is known to be haunted, the seller must inform the prospective buyers only if the seller is asked. However, this law varies from state to state.
JULY 22, 1929 BARON CASTLE
Cairo, Egypt
Visitors to Cairo today cannot miss Baron Castle. The ornate structure looks more like a Hindu temple than a castle. Belgian Baron Edward Louis Joseph Empain came to Egypt on business, but to everyone's surprise, decided to stay. Some say it was because of his love for the sensuous Yvette Boghdadli, while others claim it was for the love of the country.
In 1905 he began construction of the new city of Heliopolis, ten miles outside of Cairo. Just two years later, he began construction of Baron Castle with the help of French architects Alexander Marcel and George-Louis Claude. They designed an extraordinary structure, melding the characteristics of a Hindu temple, a Renaissance cathedral, and a Cambodian temple all into one.
The Baron died in 1929. Upon his death the building began to fall into disrepair. As the years passed, rumors of its haunting grew. It changed hands several times and eventually was abandoned. Satan worshippers and the dregs of society violated the crumbling structure for sinister purposes. To preserve its past, the Egyptian government declared it a national monument. The building is now being restored under guard, but the rumors of haunting still continue. Doors and windows open by themselves, and the occasional ghost makes an appearance.
Some say it is the Baron himself who is seen wandering the halls, unable to find peace until his home has been restored.
JULY 23, 1938 GRIDLEY TUNNEL
Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan
The narrow Gridley Tunnel is one of twenty tunnels on the Yokosuka Naval Base. Through the years, several reports of supernatural activity have surfaced. They all involve people driving through the tunnel on rainy nights. The odd happenings usually take place between midnight and one in the morning, when there is only one car on this secluded patch of road. From out of nowhere the ghostly apparition of a samurai appears.
Some believe that this honor-bound samurai was ambushed and killed while on a mission for his lord. Sworn to complete his mission, he is damned for eternity until it is completed.
If you find yourself driving through the Gridley Tunnel at midnight on a rainy evening, beware of the samurai, or you find yourself swerving off the road in sheer terror.
JULY 24, 1915 OPRAH'S STUDIO
Chicago, Illinois
Is Oprah's HARPO studio in Chicago, Illinois, haunted? According to the Enquirer, some of the staff believe so. And although Oprah has chosen to no longer speak about the haunting, at one time she felt strongly enough about the paranormal activity in her studio to devote an entire show to it. But how did this storage building that once housed weapons become haunted? One need only look back to July 24, 1915, the day Chicago suffered one of its most horrific tragedies.
On route to their picnic, Western Electric Company employees along with their families boarded the Eastland steamer. The Eastland, which had known design flaws, had reached its passenger capacity. The theory is that prior to embarking on their twenty-minute excursion a large number of passengers stood to one side of the steamer to take a photo, which set it off balance. An engineer, trying to correct for the shift, op
ened a ballast tank. But rather than stabilizing, the Eastland steamer capsized. Eight hundred men, woman, and children died. Their bodies were pulled from the water and placed in the Second Battalion Armory's gymnasium, the building now known as HARPO studios.
Many unexplained sounds echo throughout the building. The mournful sobs of tormented souls still collecting their dead can be heard, as well as giggling children running up and down the length of the halls. Is this residual energy? If so, it doesn't explain the “Lady in Gray,” that is often seen moving about the building. Is she still looking among the dead for her love, or was she a victim herself? We may never know for sure.
JULY 25, 1920 KIMBALL CASTLE
Gilford, New Hampshire
Kimball Castle, overlooking Lake Winnipesauke, was built in 1895 by railroad baron Benjamin Ames Kimball. He borrowed the design from a castle he saw while on a summer vacation in Germany. Kimball used the castle extensively as a summer home for his family. In 1920 Kimball died, and shortly after, his only son, Henry, passed. His wife had died earlier, so the property was passed on to his son's wife, Charlotte. She lived in the castle until she died in 1960. The property was then willed to the Mary Mitchell Humane Society, along with funds necessary for the upkeep of the castle. However, the Humane Society failed to maintain it, and the castle fell into disrepair. Eventually, the property was sold to the town. Through the years, vandals and the weather have turned this once splendid monument into crumbling ruins. And perhaps because of its sad condition, ghost stories abound. Since Charlotte's death, a caretaker has remained on the property, and his experiences have driven its haunted reputation. On several occasions, the heavy oak door of the castle has closed by itself. Lights have been seen in Mrs. Kimball's old sewing room, even though there is no electricity. And the apparition of a woman has been witnessed in the kitchen and walking about the grounds. As the castle slowly deteriorates, one can only wonder if the ghost of Charlotte will remain or simply fade away with the castle.
