American Ghost Stories

“Call Me” by Mike Staples

Perhaps the pot puffin’ student years are the worst in which to encounter a ghost.Nobody believes a word of it. “Lay off the weed man! Things that go brrriiiinnnggg in the night? What next?” Late summer 1995: Brooklyn Heights. Our pursuit of student accommodations reached its conclusion between the walls of a tidy top-floor apartment in a house just off Jay Street, recently vacated by its owner of many years. The rent was low and our landlady, Mrs Fusco, could not conceal her relief when passing the keys. Visibly, she deflated, blowing out air like a balloon introduced to its first hat pin: “My tiny family home for fifty years. But since I put my Mack to rest last month, I just can’t live there myself. Take good care o’ the place boys.” Mrs Fusco, Terri, had relocated to the other side of the street. Her sister’s home, with a horizontal view of our living room window. She’d be keeping an eye on us. Oh, and she promised to pray. Just in case. To us, the flat represented new found freedom – our own place in which to lock the door, get stoned lots and study little. The sun shone brightly as Iain, John and I picked out rooms and the new Pixies LP made it feel like summer. Summer in the city. No place for ghosts. No place for fear. We unpacked boxes, scattered electrical equipment relieved from parental possession, records, books, pinned the obligatory clichéd posters and nested. Iain’s bedroom was to double… read full story

Kennewick’s Haunted House

The first time I entered my house in Kennewick, Washington , in spite of its rundown and dirty condition, something about it seemed oh so right. It seemed like the house was welcoming me: telling me to come live within it. Not long after I moved in, at times it did not seem quite so welcome. And I had yet to meet ‘Ralph,’ my silent mischievous housemate, or at least start to realize I was not living alone. Ralph was, and is, invisible to me, except for one very brief occasion. I had lived in my house some two weeks when one day I heard the faint sounds of a baby crying. It seemed to be coming from the other end of the house. At first I didn’t pay it much attention. Just one of the cats, I thought. I had several and one, Cookie the calico, had quite an extensive cat vocabulary. I heard this baby-crying sound several different times and each time Cookie would not be in site, confirming my belief that Cookie had added another phrase to her speech-making. I had already assured myself that the neighbors on either side of me had no small children or babies. So, I concluded, it was the cat making the crying sounds. With that mystery solved, or so I thought, I continued unpacking boxes and making the place my own. If anything else unusual happened I was far too busy to notice. Then one day I again heard the faint cry of a baby. As… read full story

Tom Cypher’s Phantom Engine

Locomotive engineers are as a class said to be superstitious, but J.M. Pinckney, an engineer known to almost every Brotherhood man, is an exception to the rule. He has never been able to believe the different stories told of apparitions suddenly appearing on the track, but he had an experience last Sunday night on the Northern Pacific eastbound overland that made his hair stand on end. By the courtesy of the engineer, also a Brotherhood man, Mr. Pinckney was riding on the engine. They were recounting experiences, and the fireman, who was a green hand, was getting very nervous as he listened to the tales of wrecks and disasters, the horrors of which were graphically described by the veteran engineers. The night was clear and the rays from the headlight flashed along the track, and, although they were interested in spinning yarns, a sharp lookout was kept, for they were rapidly nearing Eagle gorge, in the Cascades, the scene of so many disasters and the place which is said to be the most dangerous on the 2,500 miles of road. The engineer was relating a story and was just coming to the climax when he suddenly grasped the throttle, and in a moment had “thrown her over,” that is, reversed the engine. The air brakes were applied and the train brought to a standstill within a few feet of the place where Engineer Cypher met his death two years ago. By this time the passengers had become curious as to what was the matter, and… read full story

Ghostly Legends of Cheyenne

Cheyenne got its start in July, 1867, when General Grenville M. Dodge and his survey crew platted the site now known as Cheyenne, Wyoming in anticipation of the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad through the territory. By the time the first track was built some four months later, 4,000 people had already migrated to the new city. The railroaders and first settlers were quickly joined by gamblers, saloon owners, thieves, opportunists, prostitutes, miners and cowboys, as well as legitimate business men. The fledgling city, busting at the seams, was a wild and lawless place during its first days so it should come as no surprise that it is said to be one of the most haunted places in Wyoming. In the days preceding Halloween, a Cheyenne Trolley offers two tours per night for ghost hunters hungry for the tales. Here are but a few of the legends we’ve picked up along the way. Atlas Theatre – Built in 1887, this three story building originally held a confectionary shop on the lower level and the upper floors were utilized as office space. However, in 1907, architect William Dubois was hired to convert the first floor into a theatre. The next year, the Atlas Theatre opened and continued to operate until 1929. Closed for a couple of months, it was then reopened as the Strand. By the mid 1950’s, the building sat abandoned until 1961, when it reopened as the Pink Pony night club. Remaining open for only two short years, the building again sat idle… read full story

Ghosts of the Plains Hotel, Cheyenne

In the late 1800’s the City of Cheyenne, Wyoming was called “The Magic City of the Plains,” so it was only appropriate when a luxurious hotel opened in 1911, it called itself the “Plains Hotel.” The concept of the elegant hotel was born at the annual $1 dinner of the Industrial Club (now the Chamber of Commerce) in December, 1909. In the midst of the meeting, Thomas Heaney, club President, interrupted the other discussions to give his opinion that Cheyenne was badly in need of a new and modern hotel. At the time, the main hotel in town was one called the Inter-Ocean which, over time had become outdated and had taken on the more of a role as the city’s principal watering hole. Though Heaney had said this in a somewhat joking fashion, the other men agreed and by February of the following year, the Cheyenne Securities Company was organized for the purpose of building a new hotel. Moving quickly, the hotel was designed by architect William Duboise and in March, a contract was awarded to build it. Construction started in June, 1910 and in March, 1911 it was completed at a costs of about $250,000, including furnishings. On March 9, 1911, the hotel hosted an elaborate grand opening that was attended by men in full evening dress, gallant Army Officers and a host of elegantly gowned ladies. As a band played until the wee hours of the morning, the guests danced and admired the magnificent appointments and furnishings of the new hotel, modern… read full story

Ivy House Inn in Casper

Casper, Wyoming is home to the Ivy House Inn Bed & Breakfast, a beautiful Cape Cod style inn that also apparently houses not only the ghost of its prior owner, but also her two Siamese cats, as well. Built where the prairie meets the Rocky Mountains in 1916 by Mr. and Mrs. White, the roomy three story home was finally complete when two grand front porches were added in 1940. Said to have been controlling in life, Mrs. White apparently continues her manipulating behavior in the after life by ensuring that guests do not drink or smoke in her place. However, Mrs. White doesn’t appear to limit her activities to only undesirable activities, she shows up all the time according to owners and guests of the historic inn. At the age of 93, Mrs. White passed away in 1995 and the house was purchased by Tom and Kathy Johnson in 1996. Tom Johnson didn’t believe in ghosts when he bought the property, but that all changed as he began the work of renovating the home into a bed and breakfast inn. Evidently, Mrs. White was not entirely happy with the renovations, as suddenly, when Johnson was using a power drill, it stopped working. As he turned around, the plug was hanging in mid-air for several seconds before it fell to the floor. On another occasion, a hammer simply got up and walked out the room. To say the least, Tom Johnson is a believer today, so much so that he has since become a paranormal… read full story

Haunted Fort Laramie

Like many other forts across the American West, Fort Laramie, with its long history, is allegedly said to be haunted. This old post, now a National Historic site, dates back to 1834, when a trading post was built here called Fort William. By the 1840s, wagon trains rested and re-supplied here, bound for west along the Oregon-California Trail. In 1841, Fort John was constructed, replacing the original wooden stockade of Fort William. Built of adobe brick, Fort John stood on a bluff overlooking the Laramie River. Eight years later, Fort Laramie, the military post, was founded in 1849. As more and more emigrants pushed westward, Indian attacks became more common, and Fort Laramie was just many of the military posts established to protect these west bound travelers. Virtually, since the post was established, it has said to have been called home, not only to hundreds of soldiers, but also is said to be visited by a host of ghosts. The mostly well-known spirit in the vicinity of the fort is the “Lady in Green.” Her story began when the site was known as Fort John, a trading post of the American Fur Company. The agent in charge at the time, brought his educated and sophisticated daughter to visit. Known to be an accomplished equestrian, her visit was to be brief, but she begged to stay on. Concerned for her safety on the rough frontier, he relented, after gaining her promise that she would never leave the compound without an escort. He also tasked several men… read full story

The Haunted Sheridan Inn

The historic Sheridan Inn in Sheridan, Wyoming was home to Buffalo Bill Cody and though it has long been closed for sleeping rooms, it remains home to a ghostly spirit by the name of Miss Kate Arnold. This historic inn, now on the National Register of Historic Places, opened its doors on May 27, 1893 complete with electrical power which ran from a coal-fired threshing machine engine. A whistle would be blown at midnight to remind everyone that the building’s 200 lights should be turned off. Buffalo Bill Cody, who was involved with the Inn from its inception, led the grand opening celebration into the dining room on June 27, 1893. When it was opened the Sheridan Inn was said by many to be the finest hotel between Chicago and San Francisco. It immediately became the social center for the Big Horn country area which, at that time attracted many big game hunting parties, including notables from all parts of the United States. George and Lucy Canfield were the Inn’s first managers, catering to people who stayed at the Inn when their homes were being built, and the area ranchers who would spend their weekends at the Inn. Some even kept their good clothes at the Inn for the next party that would be thrown. Early prices at the inn were $1.00/day for a room, 25¢ for breakfast and 50¢ for lunch or dinner. A stagecoach made regular stops at the Inn so a meal ticket could also be purchased for $7.00, which included 21… read full story

Ken Hudnall Show

Ken Hudnall Show Ken Hudnall has written over 40 books covering such topics as conspiracies and ghosts and appeared on over 150 radio and television programs across the country. Monthly reports, radio shows, special bonuses, and much more! Ken Hudnall Show Scavenger Hunt Party Game. Enjoyable Parties Guaranteed With Downloadable EBook(R) Packed Full Of Ideas On How To Run An Amazing Scavenger Hunt. Ideas For Hunts. Samples. Scavenger Hunt Party Game. read full story

How to Hunt Ghosts

How to Hunt Ghosts No-nonsense paranormal guide to get you quickly started on your first ghost hunt or to help improve your next one. How to Hunt Ghosts Ghost Hunting Book You’ve seen them on Tv — Now enter their world. Learn everything you need to know to start conducting successful ghost hunts and paranormal investigations. Ghost Hunting Book read full story