Ghost & Hauntings

The haunted Willard Library and ghost cams

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Evansville, Indiana is home to one of the most documented haunted structures in the country. It is listed on many “Top Ten Haunted Places”. The library is Indiana’s oldest operating public library, it was opened in 1885. The beautiful building is filled with period furnishings and some magnificent interior wood work. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

The library’s reading room. The Gray Lady is often seen here.

The Willard library started its journey as a haunted site in the 1930’s. A custodian was greeted one evening by the vision of an apparition that is now known as “The Gray Lady”. This translucent form has made many more appearances throughout the decades and has been seen by many. No one knows for sure who this ghost is nor the reason for her continued presence in the library.

One thing for certain is the fact that strange and unexplained happenings have and continue to occur in the building. Water faucets have mysteriously found to be opened, books have been moved and other objects have been found in new places. No one feels that the lady is malevolent but her identity remains a mystery.

The 2nd floor conference room, sightings also seen in this room

Some feel that other spirits other than the Gray Lady also haunt the library. Interest in the hauntings have resulted in many paranormal investigations. Photographic evidence abounds that shows what many think can only be apparitions.

One of several Ghost Cams scattered throughout the building and on 24/7/365.

The library has installed several “ghost cams” that are functional 24/7/365. A trip to the ghost cam website allows you to participate in anytime ghost hunting!. Go ahead, open up the Willard Ghost Cams Website and maybe you’ll see the Gray Lady!

Village of Story is found south of Nashville Indiana

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The community of Story dates back to 1851. It began as a lumber town that was founded by Dr. George Story. At its peak of development it boasted a non-denominational church, grain mill, blacksmith shop, two general stores, a post office, slaughter house and a few homes.  Between 1930 and 1940 about half of the residents left Brown County during the Great Depression.

Exterior of General Store/Restaurant

Former Service Station Sign

Nice outside patio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Story nearly became a ghost town after the main road between Columbus and Bloomington was cut off by the completion of Lake Monroe in 1960 by the Army Corps of Engineers. In the late 1980’s the General Store became a bed and breakfast, and in 1999 the entire town was purchased by one individual.

Inside the first floor dining room

Cozy dining areas

 

 

 

 

 

Posing with the bear

The Story Inn offers a wide variety of dining and lodging options from which to choose. The main floor of the store is now the rustic dining room with gourmet items on the menu. Many rooms are ready for visitors on the second floor. Yarns aplenty are told about “The Blue Lady”, who many claim still haunts the second floor. The tavern is in the basement. All bar seating is provided with original iron tractor seats.

In front of the store

Stairway to the Still Tavern

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sher going into the basement Tavern

The Story motto through the years remains “-One inconvenient location since 1851-“. You can rent the entire town if you want to have one huge wedding or family reunion. Many different packages are available to fit any size group or time of stay. Many events occur during the year including a Bourbon Festival, Wine Fair, 1880’s style Baseball games, comedy shows and other events. When visiting Nashville, consider taking a little side trip down Highway 135 and check out Story. This is the Story Inn Website

We went to Irvington’s Spooky Organ Concert

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Irvington is an historic neighborhood on the near eastside of Indianapolis. As part of it’s famed annual Halloween Festival, Our Lady of Lourdes Church was the site of a “Spooky Organ Concert” last night.

Our Lady of Lourdes main entrance

 

 

 

 

 

 

The free concert began at 6:00 PM, with the church sanctuary filled to capacity. Bach’s Fugue in G Minor opened the program played, of course, on the church organ. Very talented local musicians performed a variety of numbers including movie scores, Broadway hits and other spooky themes.  We really enjoyed this delightful musical celebration of the Halloween season.

Indiana Candlelight House built in 1868 now home to ghosts

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Located in Johnson County, Indiana, east of the modern I-65 interstate highway is a stately two story brick home commonly referred to by the name Candlelight House. In olden days the  many windows facing the road were said to have been often lit with candles.

Photo we took from the road, work in progress on the new porch.

Working on the new portico/porch

The owners of the house are currently working on the restoration of the house. The day we drove by a new porch was being installed. This structure was surprisingly made of structural steel, not like the original wood portico that is long gone.

Unknown date, unidentified people. Photo from Franklin Daily Journal files

Since the house was built three generations of the same family have lived in the house. The only son of the third generation, named Otho Henry Pritchard, died in the house in 1995. According to many accounts Otho still walks the rooms of the house, even writing his name with his finger on windows. There have been paranormal investigations at the house.