The Haunted Palace Theater in Hilo – A Bone-Chilling Tale from the Big Island of Hawaii 

This is another spine-tingling tale from the tropical paradise of Hawaii, where the sun-kissed beaches and lush landscapes conceal a sinister secret. Our eerie escapade takes us to the historic Palace Theater in Hilo, situated on the Big Island. This iconic theater, which first opened in 1925, is not only a revered cultural landmark but also the residence of several ghostly inhabitants. Join me as we uncover the blood-curdling history of the Palace Theater, its paranormal happenings, and the legends of its spectral occupants.

The Dark and Mysterious History of the Palace Theater

The Palace Theater, conceived by architect H.C. Hudson and constructed by the Hawaiian Amusement Company, first welcomed terror-stricken patrons on November 3, 1925. It quickly became a thriving epicenter of entertainment, featuring silent films, live performances, and musical acts that enthralled the people of Hilo. Over the decades, the theater has survived multiple catastrophes, including the devastating 1946 tsunami, which inflicted severe damage upon the structure. Nevertheless, the resilient Palace Theater has always managed to rise from the rubble and continues to serve as a cherished venue for the arts.

Spectral Residents of the Palace Theater

Rumors abound that the historic Palace Theater is haunted by a spine-chilling assortment of spectral tenants, each with their own unique tales of terror. Let us delve into the macabre mysteries surrounding these ghostly figures.

The Woman in White

One of the most infamous apparitions at the Palace Theater is that of a woman in white. Often spotted lurking in the balcony, she silently observes the theater’s activities. Some believe that she is the spirit of a former patron or employee, so enamored with the theater that she refuses to leave, even in death.

The Phantom Projectionist

Another eerie presence at the Palace Theater is that of a phantom projectionist. Numerous employees have reported hearing the chilling sounds of film reels and projectors emanating from the projection room, despite no one being present. It is said that the projectionist, who dedicated decades to the theater, remains so devoted to his craft that he continues to play films for an audience of the undead.

The Mischievous Child

A more playful spirit is rumored to haunt the theater halls: a young child. Theater staff and patrons have reported witnessing objects moving on their own, hearing the spine-chilling sound of a child’s laughter, and even feeling a gentle tug on their clothing. Some speculate that the child may have been a young performer or the offspring of an employee who once frequented the theater.

Paranormal Phenomena at the Palace Theater

Throughout the years, countless employees and visitors have reported spine-tingling experiences at the Palace Theater. These blood-curdling encounters include unexplained cold spots, flickering lights, the unnerving sensation of being watched, and disembodied footsteps echoing through the desolate halls. Some have even claimed to see full-bodied apparitions roaming the theater’s corridors, vanishing as quickly as they materialized.

All in all, the haunted Palace Theater in Hilo stands as a testament to the enduring power of the supernatural, as well as the rich cultural history of the Big Island of Hawaii. Whether you’re a paranormal aficionado or merely a lover of the performing arts, the theater offers a unique glimpse into a bygone era and the otherworldly enigmas that continue to captivate the imaginations of visitors and locals alike. So, the next time you find yourself on the Big Island, consider paying a visit to the Palace Theater.

John Henry: The Steel Driving Man A West Virginia Legend

John Henry was a relentless man, yes sir. He was conceived a slave in the 1840’s however was liberated after the war. He went to act as a steel-driver for the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad, don’t ya know. What’s more John Henry was the strongest, the most effective man working the rails.
John Henry, he would use his day’s penetrating openings by hitting thick steel spikes into rocks with his reliable shaker hunching near the gap, turning the drill after every forceful blow. There was nobody who could match him, however numerous attempted.

John_Henry-Big_Bend_tunnel
Historical Marker erected to memorialize John Henry at Big Bend Tunnel

That being said, the new railroad was moving along right speedy, much appreciated in no little part to the forceful John Henry. In any case approaching right smack in its way was a compelling adversary – the Big Bend Mountain. Presently the huge supervisors at the C&o Railroad concluded that they couldn’t go around the mile and a quarter thick mountain. No sir, the men of the C&o were going to experience it – penetrating directly into the heart of the mountain.
A thousand men would lose their lives before the extraordinary foe was won. It took three long years, and before it was carried out the ground outside the mountain was loaded with stopgap, sandy graves. The new shafts were loaded with smoke and dust. Ya couldn’t see no-how and could barely relax. Anyhow John Henry, he worked energetically, boring with a 14-pound sledge, and setting off 10 to 12 feet in one workday. Nobody else could match him.
At that point one day a sales representative tagged along to the camp. He had a steam-controlled bore and asserted it could out-penetrate any man. That being said, they set up a challenge without even a moment’s pause between John Henry and that there drill. The foreman ran that brand new steam-drill. John Henry, he recently hauled out two 20-pound pounds, one in each one hand. They bored and penetrated, dust climbing all over the place. The men were crying and cheering. Toward the end of 35 minutes, John Henry had penetrated two seven foot openings – a sum of fourteen feet, while the steam drill had just bored one nine-foot gap.

Statue of John Henry at Big Bend Tunnel
Statue of John Henry at Big Bend Tunnel

John Henry held up his mallets in triumph! The men yelled and cheered. The commotion was so uproarious, it took a minute for the men to understand that John Henry was tottering. Depleted, the strong man collided with the ground, the hammer’s moving from his grip. The swarm went quiet as the foreman hurried to his side. Yet it was past the point of no return. A vein had rush in his mind. The best driller in the C&o Railroad was dead.
A few people say that John Henry’s resemblance is cut directly into the rock inside the Big Bend Tunnel. Furthermore in the event that you stroll to the edge of the darkness of the passage, now and again you can hear the sound of two 20-pound sledges penetrating their approach to triumph over the machine.

 

Entrance of Big Bend Tunnel
Entrance of Big Bend Tunnel

Marker on John Henry Statue
Marker on John Henry Statue