Real Haunted Houses, part 2

Halloween is the time of year where haunted houses spring up across the country.  What about real haunted houses — which can be visited at any time of the year?  There are hundreds of them, so we’ve listed a few of the good ones below, in case you’re in the area around Halloween and want to experience a few genuine chills and thrills!

Lillian Collins Hospital, located in Turlock, California

This reputedly haunted building was constructed in 1918 and is now in the Sierra Building.  A doctor who worked here invented the MedicAlert bracelet because his daughter had an allergic reaction to drugs when she was there in 1953. The daughter was also the granddaughter of the hospital founder. The hospital was too small and was abandoned eventually.

The Queen Mary, docked permanently in Long Beach, California

This is one of the most haunted ships in the world and it’s also listed on the Natl. Register of Historic Places.  Construction started on the one thousand foot long ship in 1930.  The Great Depression delayed launch and it was sent on its maiden voyage in 1936.  Many sailed aboard her — the Duchess and Duke of Windsor, Greta Garbo, Clark Gable, Sir Winston Churchill and thousands of troops in WWII.

Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California

Sarah Winchester, of the Winchester Rifles fame, started to build this house in 1884.  She felt guilty over the deaths of those killed by Winchester rifles.  An army of craftsman and workers built the home of 160 rooms, and it took almost forty years to complete.   She always believed that her husband and baby daughter died as the result of those thousands of deaths by Winchester rifles.

Alcatraz, in San Francisco, California waters

Many gangsters and federal prisoners and eventually Native Americans stayed or occupied the land here.  It’s rumored that if a person sleeps in one of the now closed prison’s cells. They will hear banging on the cell doors during the night.

Royalty Theatre in Clearwater, Florida

This place was once a vaudevillian movie theatre and ever since 1921 there’s been a lot of paranormal activity here.  Apparently, an entity called Captain stays here.  He’s bearded and has blue eyes ad wears a blue hat and coat.  He loves the stage and can be heard walking across it.  On a stage wall which has seen twenty coats of paint, a knife image will simply not go away.  Theatre goers do say that the Captain is an amiable man.

Ponce de Leon Hotel in St. Augustine, Florida

This site is now a college, but it used to be a hotel which was run by a man called Henry Flagler, along with his unstable wife.  The Mrs. hung herself after their daughter died, using the 4^th floor of the hotel as the place to do the deed.  The girls dormitory was here and the site is now host to many strange events.  Girls staying here can tell of hearing ballroom music above their heads.  Another girl’s bed shook violently.  The fourth floor is still sealed off.

The Menger Hotel in San Antonio, Texas

This place is reputedly the most haunted in the San Antonio area.  A murdered maid wanders the upper halls.  A lady has been spotted too, and she reportedly died from a broken heart.  President Teddy Roosevelt used to visit the bar here and try and recruit soldiers for his Rough Riders.  His ghost has also been spotted.

Nicholson’s Home in Washington, Louisiana

This was the site of a Civil War hospital where many amputations were performed on soldiers.  An amputee wanders the corridors today.  He is apparently friendly, but simply walks around and around with his one leg.

The Myrtles Plantation in St. Francisville, Louisiana

This location is known as one of the most haunted in the South.  This gorgeous home was built in the later part of the 1700s.

Old Elerbe Road School in Shreveport, Louisiana

Several people disappeared here and that’s why the school closed up.  One was a janitor who was loved by all.  Children looked for the man and they, too, disappeared.  School lockers are gone and a mural remains of the grim reaper.  During the darkest hours, children are heard screaming and a school bell tolls.

The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado

Stephen King stayed here and it was reportedly the inspiration for his book, The Shining.  He didn’t actually write the novel at the hotel.  Parts of the TV version of The Shining were filmed here.  Stanley Kubrick didn’t use the place for his movie of The Shining.  The hotel is registered with the Natl. Register of Historic Places.

Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood, California

Montgomery Clift stayed at the elegant, older-style hotel in 1963, while rehearsing From Here to Eternity.  He apparently liked room 928 on the 9^th floor, where he’s been heard pacing the hallway, learning his lines, and playing the trumpet.  One would hope that wasn’t all at the same time.

Happy Haunted Halloween!