West Virginia Road Trip 2026: Part One

Every summer, my family and I like to spend a long weekend exploring all the strange and historic places West Virginia has to offer. Last year, we visited the Cass Scenic Railroad and the Greenbank Observatory, taking about a million little side quests along the way. This year, we decided to spend the weekend in Helvetia, the little Swiss mountain town in Randolph County, and hitting the Rail Explorers Lantern Tour on our way home. 

The weekend didn't go exactly as planned, but we had an awesome time full of even MORE side quests than last year's adventure. Join me for Part 1 of our epic West Virginia road trip!

After a sleepless night, we packed up the car on a Friday morning and left Hurricane pretty early, heading north up I-79. Our first stop was in Jane Lew for some breakfast. Whenever we travel, there's no chain restaurants for us. We like to experience locally owned places that we can't get back home. On this day, our choice was Lightburn's Family Diner. I knew we were in the right place when we walked in and there was a large group of older guys taking up the entire back dining room. 

Lightburn's Family Diner

We were warmly welcomed by staff and quickly served. I ordered the Monte Cristo and home fries. My son ordered the chicken and waffles but substituted pancakes for the waffles. Aaron also had the pancake breakfast. When I tell you those were the best home fries I've ever had, I'm not exaggerating. I don't know if it was the seasoning or the cut or a combination, but they were awesome. My sandwich was delicious, too. Aaron thoroughly enjoyed his meal, and I'm pretty sure my son's breakfast was his favorite part of the trip. I didn't realize he was such a foodie! 

Not only was the food tasty, but the portions were huge. With full bellies--maybe too full--we continued on our journey. Since we were served so quickly, we had a few extra minutes to explore the town of Jane Lew. I'm embarrassed to admit that I had never really been to downtown Jane Lew before, nor did I realize how historic the little town was. I just thought it was a motel and gas station off the interstate. 

Monte Cristo

Jane Lew only covers .25 square miles, but its history goes all the way back to 1835 when U.S. Congressman Lewis Maxwell mapped out the town. However, it wouldn't be incorporated until May 27, 1907. The name is a tribute to Maxwell's mother, Jane Lewis. One of the town's most famous citizens was General Joseph Andrew Jackson Lightburn, who served with the Union during the Civil War and returned to the area afterwards to preach. 

Although there was more to see, we literally only had a few minutes to snap some pictures downtown. I was bummed to see that the local museum, known as the Old Harness Shop, was not open to the public that day. This would be a trend on this trip, but more on that later. Our goal was to make it to Weston by 11 am so that we could purchase our tickets and look around a little before the 12pm Paranormal Daytime Tour at the iconic Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum. 

Jane Lew Town Hall

I had been a little nervous on the short drive between Jane Lew and Weston. That area of the state had recently suffered some major flood damage, and I was concerned that it would affect our tour. Fortunately, the asylum had received minimal damage, which was cleaned up by the time we arrived. It's always a surreal experience to pull into town and see the hospital looming in the distance. It's even wilder to make the drive through the gate, realizing that for many, that same drive meant months or even years of misery. Too many would never make the drive out while alive. And some would never truly leave. 

That's why we were there. I've been on the overnight public investigations. As a family, we've taken the historical daytime tours. This time, we were combining the history with the paranormal for a daytime paranormal tour. I had wanted to take this tour LAST year when we made a quick stop at TALA on our way to Cass, but I was afraid my body couldn't handle it. 

Hydrotherapy

I guess we probably should have looked at the website a little closer, because the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum opened its doors at 11:30am, NOT 11 like we thought. So, we filled out our waivers online, took some outdoor photos, and waited patiently for the doors to open.

The cost of your tour ticket also includes access to the extensive museum on the first floor. Over the years, we have watched these museum exhibits expand to really become an unrivaled resource into the history of mental health. While such a topic will always be controversial when it comes to exploitation vs. education, I truly believe that TALA does a wonderful job. The history of mental illness and its treatments aren't sugar coated. Patients are remembered with dignity. You could spend hours and not truly see all the exhibits. But, we saw a lot of it!

TALA Ward

We browsed the museum for a bit before our tour started. It started right on time and was led by Kaylee, who was an awesome tour guide. She was knowledgeable and personable and a wonderful storyteller. As a paranormal investigator and tour guide, she has had plenty of experiences herself, and noted that activity could happen any time. In fact, there had been plenty of guests on daytime tours that have had experiences.

The tour lasted 90 minutes and covered all four floors. Therefore, we got a sampling of the most famous ghosts of the asylum, but unfortunately, there wasn't a lot of time to really get too in-depth. Still, it was a good introduction. I don't want to give too many spoilers, but we heard the stories about Jane Harvey, Lily, Dean Metheny, Frank and Larry, and others. We walked outside and briefly talked about the infamous grotesques and some of the hauntings associated with the other buildings on the property.

Dean's Room

On some floors, we were given a few extra minutes to roam around on our own, which was an especially nice bonus. We got TONS of pictures (you can find them on my Theresa's Haunted History FB page). On several occasions, I'm pretty sure I saw someone or something shadowy darting in and out of rooms. The best part was that my son was super interested and has requested that I bring him back for an overnight investigation! 

Visiting the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum is always an emotional experience for me. I had one aunt who worked there as a hairdresser. I also had a great-aunt who was a patient multiple times and even received electroshock therapy. Dealing with my own issues with severe depression and anxiety, I realize that if I was born a few decades earlier, I would have likely been a patient there myself. The whole place is more than just a haunted building to me. Obviously, I love the haunted history, but I'm so glad we have this preserved building and a whole team of professionals dedicated to keeping its story alive so that we never make the same mistakes again. 

Stay tuned for Part 2 when I cover the rest of Day 1 of our epic West Virginia Road Trip! 

Spirits at St. Mark's (St. Albans)

St. Mark's Episcopal Church
St. Albans, WV
Source: WV History on View

I've mentioned the paranormal activity concerning the St. Mark's Episcopal Church on my blog before (see Civil War History with the St. Albans History and Mystery Tour). However, after hearing local historian Denise Cyrus discuss the haunted history of St. Albans at September's St. Albans Paranormal Discussion Group, I was inspired to give this fascinating location its own post! If you'd like to learn more about Denise and her upcoming St. Albans History and Mystery Tours, please check out the link provided. 

Back in 1825, an early settler to the Coalsmouth area named Morris Hudson built a small church on his property. Located along today's Kanawha Terrace, this church was called Bangor Parish Church. Services were presided over by a preacher from Fort Lee in Charleston and the church lasted until it was destroyed by fire in 1845. Luckily, the bell was saved and became a focal point for the newly rebuilt church.

The newly rebuilt church was moved to the property of Phillip Thompson, on what is today 405 B Street, St. Albans. Completed between 1846 and 1847, the church was officially consecrated by Bishop Meade in 1847. The name was changed to St. Mark's in honor of Thompson's former church in his native Culpeper County, Va. The church grew and thrived in its new location...until the Civil War came to the area. By 1863, Union troops had commandeered the church. Unfortunately, St. Mark's, like so many other churches of this era, suffered severe damage under the soldiers, as they ripped the floors up, tore out a back wall, and used the beautiful brick building as a stable for their horses. 

Upon the close of the war, the congregation began to come back and tried to fix as much damage as possible, holding makeshift services on the grounds. Between 1874 and 1878 the church building was deemed unsafe and closed off until adequate repairs could be made. Vast improvements on the old building wouldn't occur, however, until 1913 when Rev. Herbert Jukes would come to the church. Before joining the ministry, Jukes had been an architect and aided by the $2,400 in Federal Restitution money received in 1915, was able to make vast improvements, which are still seen today.

St. Mark's 2022
History and Mystery Tour

The church would continue to grow and change. In 1955 an educational wing was added, and in 1969 a new, larger sanctuary was added, giving the modern structure a U-shape. Services continue to be held, and the church offers a variety of community outreach programs to the citizens of St. Albans. The church may also still harbor some citizens from the past.

In addition to a basement that gives many people an uneasy feeling, there has been a sighting of two full-bodied apparitions. A friend of Denise was alone in the church, practicing the organ, and had taken a break to go to her car. The parking lot is located behind the church and beyond the parking lot is a playground area. The witness reported walking out and seeing two men in the playground area. These two men were dressed as Civil War era soldiers! She went to grab her phone to take a photo, but by the time she was ready to snap a picture, the two men had vanished. 

It is believed that these were possibly the spirits of the Union soldiers who camped on the property during the war, still on duty after over 150 years. More likely, however, this isn't a sentient, intelligent haunting. Rather, it seems like the witness caught a glimpse of a residual haunting---a moment stuck in time, playing over and over again under the right conditions, much like a movie on repeat.  To be fair, the idea that it wasn't a ghost of all has to be considered. Ironically, when I went on the History and Mystery Tour several years ago, we were stopped at the church, hearing the stories, when we noticed an unhoused gentleman who was napping under a nearby bush. He looked a little rough, but I wouldn't say he looked like a soldier from the 1860s! 

Parking Lot/Playground where soldiers were seen (2022)

Either way, St. Mark's Episcopal Church has a long and interesting history. It has seen people come and go, it has seen the area change dramatically with time, and it has even witnessed the town changing names a few times. It is very plausible that those who are lucky enough can and will catch a peek into the past---a past that shaped the Kanawha Valley into what it is today. 

If you've had a paranormal experience associated with St. Mark's, I'd love to hear from you! Please feel free to comment down below or find me on Facebook at Theresa's Haunted History of the Tri-State. Stay Spooky! 

Additional Reading/Sources:

St. Mark's Website--History by Betty Evans, Archivist

National Register of Historic Places Nomination Application

St. Albans Historical Society

Society of Architectural Historians

Denise Cyrus, President of St. Albans Historical Society

A Walk Through Natchez's Haunted History

An Evening with Natchez Ghost Tours

SRI Selfie
by Kaysee

Any time I visit a big city on vacation, I immediately look to see if they have a ghost tour available! Ghost tours are an easy way to get a good overview of the haunted history of an area in an entertaining (and often pretty humorous) way. In recent years, I've been to ghost tours of a few 'southern' locations, including Wilmington NC, Charleston SC, and even New Orleans. But, when I found myself in Natchez, Mississippi with some time to kill, the idea of a ghost tour didn't even cross my mind. Surely, this little town, while being steeped in history and having quite a few local haunts, wouldn't be offering ghost tours in the middle of winter. Luckily, as I was waiting in the lobby one day, I wandered over to my hotel's display of brochures and pamphlets for nearby attractions. My eyes immediately landed on a rack card for...Natchez Ghost Tours! The best part was...these tours were advertised as being offered year round, 7 days a week!

The night before we were to return to West Virginia, Dan contacted tour guide and owner, Scott McCoy, and reserved us four spots for that evening.

Tour Guide, Scott
in front of the
Eola Hotel

 It was a brisk, yet not cold (by WV standards!) evening when the three SRI ambassadors to the south, with my husband tagging along, met Scott in front of the historic, but unfortunately closed, Eola Hotel on the corner of Main St. and Pearl. After a brief introduction and what to expect on the tour, we learned that the Eola was in fact, the first haunted building we'd be hearing about. The Eola, which had its grand opening on July 1, 1927, was made possible by the Natchez Investment Corporation. Isidore Levy, who was President of the Board of Directors, had the hotel named after his daughter, Eola. 

I don't want to give too much away in this blog as Scott has curated some great stories and history for his tour, and I highly encourage you to go hear them from HIM if you get the chance. But, I will say that if the Eola Hotel, which has struggled for quite some time, despite being an extremely prosperous hotel and mecca of local social functions, ever opens back up for business....you're going to want to explore the 7th floor. The seventh floor, which was built to house an auditorium, banquet hall, and kitchen, is the heart of the haunting, and the hotel's three reported ghosts (a young woman in white, and two older men) like to hang out mainly in that area, interacting with staff and visitors alike.

Prentiss Club

Our next stop was the Prentiss Club, which opened in 1905 as an elite gentleman's fraternal organization of wealthy businessmen, named after Sergeant Smith Prentiss. It served various functions over the years, including a speakeasy during Prohibition, and was considered a total loss after a 2018 fire. The building was restored, but as of right now, sits empty, awaiting a new purpose. It's also a favorite location of a colorful local named Buzz, who passed away in 2011. Buzz has been spotted walking along the sidewalk by the building, immediately recognizable by his fashionable attire. Buzz has been reported to interact with those he encounters, communicate via K-II, and even be photographed. Unfortunately for us, it may have been a little too cold for this southern gentleman during our trip, as we didn't receive any sign that he was willing to talk.

King's Tavern

Our approximately two hour, one mile long tour took us to other parts of downtown, where we learned about a devastating night club fire, and the small museum dedicated to it that may have some lingering spirits. We also learned much about the town's early history and Civil War-era history with a stroll through the local park...a park that also serves as a cemetery. In addition, we made a stop to the historic King's Tavern. I've already dedicated a blog post to the King's Tavern (read it HERE!), but that was one of the locations that repeatedly came up as being the most haunted place in the area, so it was definitely a top priority for me to see before heading home. The tavern, which boasts being the oldest building in the state's oldest town has a long history of serving both the town and the riverboat community...and may have even been the site of a terrible murder that left a young woman named Madeline bricked up in the chimney. Madeline is still around, most often showing herself through a series of bare footprints traipsing through recently mopped floors.

Memorial Park

We wrapped up the tour with a special treat; we were allowed to go inside the old county jail! While the building is still used mainly for city offices, the old converted Victorian house still has the original jail cells in the back...including the 'death row' section, complete with what is believed to be the original indoor gallows. But, it's not the prisoners' ghosts who have most often been reported in the area; the spirits behind the hauntings are said to be the former guards, still on duty after so many years. We got to spend a little time exploring the jail and attempting to communicate through both the K-II and the flashlight method. 

Guard's Walk
Old City Jail

This was a great tour, and fairly priced at $25 per person. Scott was a great storyteller, and any 'down time' between stops was spent with personable conversation, us telling him about ourselves and our own paranormal experiences, and vice versa. And, while Scott notes that he is a storyteller/historian and NOT a paranormal investigator, he did bring along a few ghost hunting gadgets to help enhance the spooky experience. 

The Natchez Ghost Tour was a great way to wrap up our week down south and have one final spooky sendoff before heading back to the cold, snowy mountains of Appalachia. If you're ever in the area, please make this a part of your itinerary. It's a fun, informative way to see the downtown Natchez area and get a glimpse into its haunted history.  Find them at:

Natchez Ghost Tour Website

Natchez Ghost Tour Facebook

Phone-- (225) 772-0525

Further Reading:

National Register Application for Eola Hotel

Historic Natchez Foundation: Prentiss Club

Charleston's Haunted East End

Charleston Ghost Tour Company FB Page

Last November, my husband and I moved into an apartment on Charleston's historic East End. My dad has worked and lived in the area for quite a few years now, and often tells me about the ghost stories and reports of hauntings HE has heard, many from some of the buildings where he works. Hell, we've even experienced a few unexplained things in our own apartment, including the sensation of being touched, and seeing a man standing in our hallway. So, when the Charleston Ghost Tour Company announced that it would be offering a Ghost Walk of the Historic East End as part of the annual Sternwheel Regatta festivities, I signed my husband and me up!

Despite living in the area, life has always seemed to get in the way, so this was only the third tour I've gotten to take with Charleston Ghost Tour Company---the first two being focused on downtown haunts. Those were awesome, but I REALLY enjoyed the East End tour as we meandered about this historic district, learning about the haunted history of my new home.

April and Scott start the tour

It was hotter than Hades as my husband and met the rest of the tour participants in front of the Governor's Mansion. We had signed up for the 9pm tour on June 30th (I had an investigation on the 1st!) hoping that the later time would be a little cooler. It wasn't, and the humidity was oppressive, but thankfully the tour was conducted at an easy walking pace with the opportunity to sit down in a few spots. 

As stated, we started off at the Governor's Mansion and learned why employees are no longer allowed to enter by themselves. I'd like to think that Governor Jim Justice is just terrified by the ghosts, and that's why he refuses to follow state protocol and actually LIVE there...but the Greenbriar also is said to have it's fair share of ghosts, so I guess he can't use that as an excuse!  Following the Governor's Mansion, we moved onto another building on the state capitol grounds, Holly Grove Mansion. Holly Grove is Charleston's oldest home, being built in 1815 by Daniel Ruffner. From the legends and lore, even during the Ruffner's tenure there, a servant had an unfortunate run-in with an alleged ghost...a run-in that would prove fatal. 

The Ruffner family, who at one point owned all the land in the current East End (and pretty much all of the land between Malden and the Elk River, too), would make a couple of appearances on this tour. We also made stops at Ruffner Park, which once served as the town's burial grounds, and where several members of the Ruffner Family are still said to be buried. Dogs tend to avoid this area (except for my beagle, who when we tried it, was far more fascinated by the squirrels and new places to pee, rather than any potential ghosts) and strange temperature fluctuations are common. 

Holly Grove Mansion

We also stopped at a private home along Kanawha Boulevard that also once belonged to Ruffner heirs. According to a famous psychic medium of the late 19th/early 20th century, this home was a portal to connecting with deceased Ruffner ancestors and she would occasionally hold seances there. A modern owner of the property also had some paranormal activity, and contributed the less-than-friendly atmosphere of the ghosts to him NOT being a Ruffner relative. 

Two more houses along the boulevard were near-identical copies of each other, or at least they were when they were built in 1923 by Albert Schwabe for his two daughters. The daughters, Claire and Hedwig, were giving matching EVERYTHING, and it is said that even in death, the two girls' spirits are still in the homes, copying each other. If one turns a light on, the other will turn a light on in the reciprocating room. This must be quite the spectacle for anyone happening to pass by at night, or watching from across the river.

Speaking of the river...

April Morgan, owner of the Charleston Ghost Tour Company was accompanied by Scott Worley of Beckley Ghosts, a tour company, offering tours in the southern part of the state. One of the stories Scott added to the tour was the tale of a strange giant leech creature that lived in the Kanawha River, luring people, especially small children, to their demise. That's a pretty horrific aquatic cryptid to lay claim to, but being the Kanawha River, nothing surprises me.

Capito Mansion

Another stop on the tour, and my favorite home we visited, was the Capito Mansion on Virginia Street. I drive by this location all the time on my way to my dad's place. Now, I'll make sure to slow down a little and try to catch a glimpse of either the shadow man, who struts across the front porch, still acting as a guard for Mr. Capito's perfectly legal wholesale liquor business *coughcough*, or the angelic image in the stained glass, depicting a woman who passed away while giving blood during the home's time as a Red Cross donation site. 

The evening was wrapped up back at the West Virginia State Capitol, which is full of enough legends and lore for its own tour, probably. Both guides shared some personal experiences from the building, and also shared some of the more famous tales, such as the Suicide Stain and the phantom maintenance man. Overall, I had a great time. It was certainly worth the $10 admission fee, and (mostly) worth the mini fibro flare up due to the heat and being so outta shape, lol. I had a great time learning more about the haunted history of the state's capital city and will be waiting patiently for more tours held during slightly cooler months!

Both the Charleston Ghost Tour Company and Haunted Beckley offer a variety of tours throughout the year, so please follow them both for more updates! 

Ending at the State Capitol

Civil War History with the St. Albans History and Mystery Tour 2022!

Tour Guide, Denise Cyrus

One of the things I love almost as much as the paranormal is learning about local history. As a native West Virginian, I'm fascinated by my state's rich and unique background, and the stories of those who have called these hills home over the years. And obviously, whenever, I see an opportunity to experience the SPOOKY and unusual history of the Mountain State, I jump at the chance! Last week I did just that with a guided walking tour of St. Albans!

Led by local historian Denise Cyrus, this month's St. Albans History and Mystery Tours are focused on the Civil War era and the impact of the war on the citizens of a small, but bustling town known then as Coalsmouth. Like many towns in what is now West Virginia, this area truly embraced the old 'brother against brother' saying, as families, friends, and neighbors were split as to whether their sympathies were with the Confederacy or with the Union...and interestingly enough, some citizens' sympathies seemed to align with whichever side was in control of the village at the time! Still, other families just left the area entirely. But, those who stayed left quite a treasure trove of stories to be passed down for us today.

St. Mark's Episcopal Church

Our group met at The Loop, and after an introduction to the history of the town, proceeded to our first stop, which was St. Mark's Episcopal Church on 'B' Street. Originally organized as the Bangor Parish on the other side of town, St. Mark's was built on this site around 1847 after the previous church burned down. During the Civil War, Union troops camped on the site and used the church to stable their horses. In fact, our first spooky story is connected to this Union occupation of the grounds. A lady was out back behind the church and witnessed a man dressed as a Civil War era soldier. This gentleman was so clearly seen that she just assumed that he was some sort of re-enactor...but no re-enactors were present.  In a weird twist of fate, as we walked back to the area where the presumed spirit was seen, the group noticed that there was a man lying down near the corner of the property! I can't help but wonder if it was just a homeless guy taking a rest in a relatively safe and comfy spot...or if we collectively caught a glimpse through time and observed one of those Union soldiers, still camping out there behind the church. 

Anyway, while we were back there, we discussed the nearby Hansford House on Riverside Drive. The Hansford Family were prominent citizens in the area, and Victoria Hansford was a figure whose name came up in multiple stories throughout the evening. I don't want to give too much away, because I encourage you to take the tour for yourself, but let's just say she was quite a brave young woman! The house she called home, however, was the site of at least two tragic deaths. After the Battle of Scary Creek, it is said that a wounded soldier who knew the family made his way to Hansford House in search of help. Unfortunately, he passed away from his injuries, right at the entry to the house. After the Civil War, 78 year John Hansford was going out to vote and was walking along the train bridge when he was struck by a passing train and knocked off the bridge. He was dragged home from the river's edge, still alive, by his daughter Victoria and a servant, but unfortunately passed----in the SAME EXACT SPOT the soldier had died in. 

Behind St. Mark's where the ghostly soldier was seen

Moving on, we stopped at the new, modern post office building and talked a little about postal service in Coalsmouth during the time before, during, and shortly after the Civil War, which was really quite interesting. But, more importantly, the current site of the post office is actually the original site of the the Chilton House, before it was moved in the 1970's. Now known as Angela's On the River, the old Chilton House is a beautiful, upscale (yet fairly priced!) restaurant. 

The Chilton House was built around 1857 by Allen Smith, and didn't become known as the Chilton House until well after the Civil War, when the house was purchased by Mary Elizabeth Wilson Chilton and William Chilton I. And, it has a reputation for being haunted. Or rather, it DID have a reputation for being haunted. I had actually written a blog post about the hauntings of the Chilton House after speaking with an employee during the St. Albans History and Mystery Tour of 2019! I know have some updated information to add to that blog! You can read my original post HERE, but in short, when the current owner took over the building, she had bought an antique mirror which had come from England. Apparently, fingerprints were noticed on the mirror, and no amount of Windex could scrub these things away. Things progressed, and what were just fingerprints on apparently the inside of the mirror, became the vision of an entire HAND, which culminated in an image of a terrifying FACE peering back out from the mirror! Strange knockings and other disturbances seemed attacked to the mirror as well, so it was decided that the thing had to be gotten rid of...and was put out on the curb where some lucky passerby snagged  him or herself a FREE possessed mirror! 

Angela's On The River,
formerly the Chilton House

Walking down the river's edge a short ways, we stopped to discuss the importance of the old covered bridge that once stood over the Coal River and how as Confederate troops left town, they burned the bridge in attempt to stop the Union troops from following them. Hilariously, I guess it had been a particularly dry season, because the Coal River was low enough for them to just walk across without the aid of the bridge, so that piece of history was lost in an instant for nothing.  And, while we were still in sight of the Coal River, Denise told us the ironic tale of a former preacher who gave up the pulpit for the whiskey selling business, but drank away all his profits and ended up killing his wife and 'hiding' her body in the river. His subsequent trial and hanging were a big deal and featured in newspapers well beyond the borders of then-Virginia! 

The next location was St. Paul's Baptist Church, where there is some beautiful artwork on the doors to the church, and then a short uphill hike to everyone's favorite house in St. Albans---The Mohler House. Now, technically, the Mohler House isn't really Civil War related as it wasn't built until the early 1900's, but Denise found a couple of ways to tie it in, including the fact that where the house sits was once part of the large Muckamore estate, and was probably where the enslaved members of the estate lived. The Mohler House has an absolutely fascinating history, including being used to house nearly 100 young women known as 'Rosies' during WW2 who worked at the Naval Ordnance Plant in South Charleston. It's also thought to be haunted, of course! Activity isn't really specific, but the area around the staircase and in the basement tends to give people a very, very bad feeling. 

Mohler House

More stories were told as we got to take a little sit-down break on Old Main, and even more stories wrapped up the evening back at the parking lot.  Along the way, the sun had set and a bright, fat moon peeked eerily out from behind the clouds. It was a perfect evening...despite the earlier wind and clouds, it never got too terribly chilly, and it never rained. Just a wonderful night for a lot of history and a lot of mystery!  I absolutely had a fabulous time and learned a lot about the history of St. Albans. Denise was a great story-teller, and a wealth of information about anything and everything having to do with the history of the area formerly known as Coalsmouth. I can't imagine the dedication and hours of research that went into making these different tours, but it shows in her passion for sharing this knowledge with her tour guests. Each guest went home with a really cool photo postcard of the old covered bridge, a walking tour pamphlet of historic locations around St. Albans, and hopefully a greater appreciation for the history and mysteries of our little neck of the woods!

Know Before You Go:  

Make sure you're following St. Albans History and Mystery Tour on Facebook for updates on tour schedules and much more. See schedule below as well!

The October tours meet at the Loop in front of Family Care, across from the bridge.

The cost is $10 for adults/$5 for kids.

Tours generally run about 90 minutes.

Estimated length is 1.5 miles.

(It's a fairly easy walk, with only one fairly small hill. Even with my bad back, I managed to do just fine!)

Halloween with the Charleston Ghost Tour Company!

The last month or so has been super busy! Between my personal life and SRI/Theresa's Haunted History commitments, I've been booked solid. Because of my crazy schedule and overall exhaustion, I was afraid that I would miss out on the Charleston Ghost Tour Company's October schedule. But, as they tend to do, the pieces fell into place, and I was able to grab a pretty last-minute ticket to Saturday night's Midnight Mischief Halloween tour/ghost hunt. 

When my husband and I took the tour in September, we had an awesome time, walking around downtown Charleston and hearing the wonderfully told stories of the city's haunted history. Unfortunately, my husband had to work this weekend, but I still had a ton of fun as April, owner of the Charleston Ghost Tour Company, shook things up a bit with this special Halloween edition. Instead of just hearing about the ghosts of Charleston, tour guests were given the opportunity to actually try to interact with them and capture proof of their existence!

Our ghost tour/investigation began at 11:30pm at the United Bank Courtyard, where we checked in, and were given glow sticks and a choice of light-up crown or light up sunglasses. That was a fun little surprise and definitely put everyone in the mood for some Halloween party fun. The big surprise, however, was that April had gone all out and purchased a ton of ghost hunting equipment to use on the tour. 

Brawley Walkway. Tour guests have captured alleged photos 
of a ghost in this doorway! This is also where we contacted the spirit
of 'Darren.'

Before we headed out, the tour group got a quick tutorial on the use of pendulums, dowsing rods, laser grids, EMF meters, spirit boxes, digital recorders for EVP work, and even a FLIR-type thermal camera! Equipment was divided up, and we headed to our first location---Brawley Walkway. 

Brawley Walkway is reported to be haunted by a mischief-causing ghost that at one point, terrorized a homeless man who would sleep in the area, mainly by stealing his possessions and moving them to a different location. On previous tours, patrons had reported finding strange anomalies in their photos, especially in the doorway of one particular storefront. 

As the group spread out to test their equipment and see if they could capture evidence of ghosts, I headed straight for the doorway in question. Joined by two other tours guests, one with a K-2 meter, I attempted to make contact with whatever may be in Brawley through pendulum work. According to the pendulum, we made contact with a homeless man named Darren, who originally didn't want to share his name, but agreed to if I asked nicely, lol. It's important to note that it was cold...and my hands were shaky as a result. But, even if it hadn't been cold, it's important to remember that this type of pendulum work is heavily influenced by the ideomotor effect---tiny, involuntary muscle movements that make it SEEM like the pendulum is moving on its own, but in reality, it's not. Eventually, I wandered away from the doorway, leaving the two other tour guests there to see if they could continue talking with Darren. When I met up with them later, they said that Darren had left, been replaced by a not-so-nice entity, who then left when Darren returned. Darren also lit up the K-2 meter---something he wouldn't do when I asked him to earlier, lol.

Our next location was a double stop---we explored the area of the 1921 capitol building fire, which sits directly across from the old Oddfellows building, both of which are said to be haunted. The Oddfellows building is a favorite spot on the tours, and many tour patrons have submitted photos taken of the building which seem to have human figures or shadow beings in the windows, especially one in particular. This is fairly significant, because the story that is told about the building is that a large, shadowy, humanoid figure actually attacked an unsuspecting cleaning woman one evening! And, of further interest is that when I posted the photos I took to Theresa's Haunted History Facebook page on Sunday, I had someone say they saw something in that exact window! 

Oddfellows Building. Do you see anything?

Despite that particular building's potential, I focused the majority of my time spent in that location trying to contact the ghosts associated with the capitol building fire. It is believed the fire that brought down West Virginia's fourth capitol and killed two people was the result of a poker game gone bad. When an argument erupted and a lantern was knocked over, the night watchmen who was responsible for this secret attic activity felt so bad that he is said to come back to the spot, trying to save the two people who were lost because of him. I chose to do some EVP work, but upon analyzing the recording, haven't found anything of note. 

Further stops on the tour didn't afford much opportunity for ghost hunting, but it was fun to rehash some of the tales we heard on the first tour, such as the mysterious Mortar Man figure, the ghosts of the Capitol Theater, and the firemen still trying to put out the fire at the old Woolworth Building. I was pleasantly surprised to also hear about the ghost that likes to play with the vintage elevator in the old Masonic Lodge building, as well as the 'Southside Bridge hanged man.' I've been meaning to blog about the strange addition to the mural, seen from the Southside Bridge that has a hidden figure of a man hanging himself, since I first learned about it back in 2012, but never had an opportunity to stop and get a photo! So...be looking for that in the near future. 

Anyway, it was well past 1am when we finally wrapped up the tour with one last tale--the strange disappearance of a colony of settlers along the Kanawha River. I was worn out, a little damp from the misty rain that never quite completely cleared up that night, but thrilled to have rang in the Halloween holiday sharing the spooky history of West Virginia's capital city with other ghost enthusiasts. 

Do you see the hanging shadow man? 
More info coming soon!

Obviously, ghost hunting outside in downtown Charleston, especially on the Saturday before Halloween, isn't exactly an ideal set-up for legitimate evidence, but that's not really the point. I had an awesome time hearing the stories of each haunted location and seeing the excitement of other tour guests when they seemingly 'got a hit' on a piece of equipment! It was a really cool introduction to various tools of paranormal investigation and a really fun way for those who don't do this kind of thing regularly to get a taste of what it's like and some hands-on experience in a fun and laid-back setting. I can't say enough good things about this tour and I'm so happy that Charleston has such a fun, spooky activity available. After this weekend, I'm even MORE excited for the November tour route, which will feature haunted locations in Charleston's East End. 

For more information on upcoming tours and events:

Charleston Ghost Tour Company Website

Charleston Ghost Tour Company Facebook page

Theresa's Travels: Tour Time with the Charleston Ghost Tour Company

Tour Guide and Owner
of Charleston Ghost Tour Company
April Morgan

Okay, so I didn't travel far---just about 25 minutes away---but, my plans for Thursday evening included taking a haunted history walking tour of Charleston, WV!  Yup, you read that right---Charleston, WV has finally gotten it's own ghost tour, which I think will soon become not only a fun, hip way for locals to spend the evening, but also serve as a great destination activity for those outside the Kanawha Valley. 

Unfortunately I wasn't able to attend the inaugural weekend of the Charleston Ghost Tour Company tours, but I was able to attend during its second week in operation. On the way there, the skies opened up and dumped a ton of rain on the Charleston area. I was terrified we'd have to reschedule, but the weather cleared up and it turned out to be a beautiful night. 

My husband and I had signed up for the 8:30pm to 9:45pm tour, which the second and last time slot of the evening. The sun had already disappeared as we met our guide and fellow tour patrons at the United Bank Building's courtyard. Our guide, April Morgan, is a local history buff and paranormal enthusiast. She owns and operates the Charleston Ghost Tour Company along with her husband, who was there to assist. He did a great job, but you could tell that this is April's baby! 

Brawley Walkway

We started off with a quick overview of Charleston's history, including its pre-history as a Native American hunting ground. Back before the United States was...well, the United States, Thomas Bullit, on the direction of Lord Dunmore, met with the Shawnee leader, Chief Black Fish, to ask permission for Europeans to settle in the area now known as West Virginia. Black Fish denied the request, saying the land was not his to give. Rather, it belonged to a mysterious race of Moon Eyed People, known as the Azgen tribe, who had been wiped out by other tribes. He said the spirits of these people haunted the hills and terrified the Shawnee people more now than they did when they were alive. He also mentioned that if anyone tried to settle their lands, the Azgen would not kill them. Instead, they would turn brother against brother, and son against son. 

Whether or not the darker side of Charleston's history and its hauntings are directly related to this Azgen curse, it was certainly a spooky way to start off the tour! And, the spookiness continued as we took a stroll around the city. We learned about the ghosts occupying the old Capitol Plaza Theater and the Mortar Man hiding on Capitol Street. We heard a terrifying tale of a shadow being in the Oddfellows Building, and of a ghost who liked to steal from a homeless man in Brawley Walkway. We made a stop at the site of West Virginia's former capitol building which burned down in 1921 and heard some amusing stories about the ghost of the man responsible for the fire. The Woolworth Building was another stop. This was the site of a horrific fire in 1949 that took the lives of 7 firemen. Many believe those firemen are still wandering the halls. 

Kanawha River, across from the Sunrise Carriage Trail

Our evening concluded down by the river, across from the Sunrise Carriage Trail, as we listened to the stories of the two Confederate women who were executed and buried along the trail, along with the tragic story of Governor MacCorkle's daughter, who died in a car accident and had quite the spooky memorial set up along the trail in her honor. 

I absolutely loved this glimpse into the spooky side of Charleston's history! I learned a couple of different ghost stories that I wasn't familiar with, and even the ones I already knew were told with such passion and skilled storytelling, that I was thoroughly enthralled all evening. April did a wonderful job, and she and her husband were a delight to talk to on the way back to our vehicles. It turns out that we have a lot more in common than just our love for haunted history! I know I'll definitely be a regular visitor, and I hope you'll come out for a tour as well! Even just a few weeks into their first tour season, Charleston Ghost Tour Company is already helping out the community by working with various groups and causes (such as Poca Middle School Cheerleading and the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Society). With such commitment to charity and such a commitment to bringing a fun, educational, and SPOOKY activity to this area, I really see the Charleston Ghost Tour Company growing and thriving. And I can say I was here from the (almost) beginning, lol!

Know Before You Go

*Ghost Tours are held Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 7pm and again at 8:30pm. 

*These are walking tours, but they are handicap accessible. It's an easy enough pace that my jacked-up back didn't have any problems. Tours last about an hour to an hour and 15 minutes and the trip length is around 12 blocks.

*September tours are currently meeting at the United Bank Building courtyard. We had no problem finding street parking on Thursday evening, but there are several options, including area parking garages. Please see the website's FAQ section for suggestions. 

*Tickets can be reserved on the Charleston Ghost Tour Company website, through EventBrite. You can pay through PayPal, or pay in person when you arrive with cash/check/card. Again, see website's FAQ section for more info!

*Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for kids 6-12 years old, and free for kids 5 and under

*Each month the tours will be different! October will bring some different locations and different stories!

*Private and corporate tours are available.

Contact Information

Call or text: (304) 610-4439

Email: charlestonghosttourcompany@gmail.com

Website: Charleston Ghost Tour Company

Facebook

Instagram

Ghost Tours Coming to Charleston, WV: Autumn 2021!

Last month, a friend shared a Facebook post with me about an exciting new paranormal opportunity for those in the Kanawha Valley---GHOST TOURS of the capital city of Charleston, WV were coming in September of this year!  I immediately shared the post on Theresa's Haunted History's page, and before I could reach out to the tour owners for more information, they reached out to me! I've invited April, owner and operator of the Charleston Ghost Tour Company, to share a little about the upcoming tours:

My name is April Morgan. My husband, Troy Morgan, and I are the owners and operators of the brand new Charleston Tour Company. We offer guided ghost walks through historic Charleston, Wet Virginia. 

Charleston has gotten a bad reputation over the last few years, but I want to show people a different side of the city. The side with rich history, architectural beauty, and luring ghost tales. The Kanawha Valley has a very tragic past making it a hot spot for paranormal activity. We've all heard the stories of Mothman from Point Pleasant, but not often are the spirits of the Charleston area spoke of and I want to change that. 

Growing up in the Capitol City, I developed a deep interest in West Virginia history and folklore. At a very young age, the stories peaked my interest. Researching and learning so many interesting tales from the Kanawha Valley inspired me to find my own way to share my interest and knowledge. From that desire, came the concept of the Charleston Ghost Tour Company. It is my hope that the Charleston Ghost Tour Company will bring a new kind of tourism to the region and that we can work with local businesses to grow the community and keep these stories alive for the future generations to come.

I'm personally looking forward to this exciting opportunity and am so happy to see such a cool new attraction being offered in this area. Starting September 9th, tours will be held every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening at 7pm and again at 8:30pm. Tickets cost $10 for ages 13 and up, $5 for kids 6-12 years old, and free for children 5 and under. For more info:

Call: 304-610-4439

Email: charlestonghosttourcompany@gmail.com

Website

Also make sure to follow Charleston Ghost Tours on Facebook for information, updates, and special offers!

The Ghost Cat Butt of Parkersburg

Susan Sheppard-Haunted Parkersburg

Many years ago, my mom and I went on our first of several walking tours with Haunted Parkersburg's Ghost Tours, owned and operated by renowned researcher, Susan Sheppard. It was a really fun experience, and I learned a lot about the haunted history of Parkersburg, WV. But among the stories of the Silver Run Tunnel, the the Marrtown Banshee, the East End Ghoul, the ghosts of the Riverview Cemetery, and so many others, one tiny story stuck out most to me...

...the apparition of a black cat's hindquarters.

Ghostly cats are nothing too out of the ordinary. I know several people, myself included, who have experienced their beloved feline sticking around long after their bodily death. In fact, Parkersburg itself has several locations haunted by ghost cats, most notably the old Trans-Allegheny Bookstore is said to be home to up to three phantom felines. But, those cats appear...whole.

There's a story from one of the historic residential areas in Parkersburg where a black cat's apparition is seen. The head and front paws are never seen, however.  Only the tail and hindquarters has ever been seen. But why would only the cat's BUTT appear to witnesses?

Source

The house where the half-cat is spotted was built around 1900, and is located right near where the old streetcar system, which operated through the 1940's ran. It's theorized that the poor cat was a pet of the family who lived in the home and that it met an untimely end on the tracks of the streetcar. To me, however, that doesn't fully explain why only the cat's back half is observed.  Even if the poor creature was cut clean in half by a passing streetcar, why would only the back half be left? Where's the front half?  Perhaps it was too badly mangled in the fatal accident...or perhaps there's another house nearby where people are seeing only the head and front paws of what they think is a completely different cat. 

I was pleased to see this lil' tidbit was included in the first edition (2004) of Sheppard's book, Cry of the Banshee.  In the same chapter, its noted that (presumed) living cats seemed drawn to the tours, and whenever a ghost tour was being led around town, numerous black cats would pop up along the route. That struck a chord with me, because when I was a tour guide for Haunted and Historic Guyandotte Tours, that was a running joke with us, as well. We ALWAYS had cats, not always black, though, follow our tour through the village, and occasionally, sit and LISTEN to our stories. On more than one occasion, a tour patron went home with an obvious stray. 

An old folklore belief states that cats protect their humans from harmful spirits---could our little tour assistants have simply been keeping us safe from the ghosts that prowled around town? Or were they themselves, the ghosts? 

*Want more spooky cat stories?  Here's my experiences with Ambrosis, The Ghost Cat*

Chasing Ghosts at the St. Albans History and Mystery Tour 2019!

C&O Depot

I was pretty bummed about not being able to attend the WV CASE Paranormal Expo this year...but since I was in (my) town for the weekend, I decided to go and do something fun and spooky, anyway.  So, I went to the St. Albans History and Mystery Tour, hosted by the St. Albans Historical Society!

Adult tickets were $10 each, and while they were sold at the door, we ordered ours in advance through EventBrite, just so we'd have them ready!  We checked in, ran into some old friends, and got ready to tour through the city of St. Albans, WV to hear its history...and maybe a few ghost stories to go with it.  The way the tour was set up was similar to what Ironton, OH does with its cemetery ghost walk, although on a much grander scale.  Upon checking in, you're given a sheet of paper with the addresses and a brief description of each spot on the tour.  A presentation was given at each spot every 15 minutes starting at 5 pm and running until 8:45 pm.  It was up to you go at your own pace and either walk or drive to each destination.  

Since we got there before 5 pm, we had PLENTY of time to get through each stop without feeling rushed, which I could really appreciate it.  In theory, I love the idea of running it this way, but we found out along the way that presentations didn't always start on their given times.  This led to a few times where I think we missed some information.  But, since we had plenty of time, we could stay through another presentation and there were even a couple of stops that we just revisited completely at the end of the evening. 

Overall, I had an excellent time!  I know a little about the basic history of St. Albans, so it was cool to hear some additional stories told through re-enactors portraying historical figures from the area's past.  Here are the locations featured on this tour, and a little about each one!

1. St. Albans Historical Society--At this stop we saw an awesome lil' skit about who exactly were the first settlers and who technically 'founded' the city known today as St. Albans.  It was really cute, and the re-enactors did a wonderful job.  There was also cider and snacks available for FREE at this location!

Lantz Lumber

2. C&O Depot--Right next door to the Historical Society building is the old C&O Depot where we learned a little about the railway industry in St. Albans, and Collis P. Huntington's role in its development.  This is also where we heard our first spooky ghost story.  Years ago when the station was in operation, a passenger missed his train and had to sleep overnight at the station.  He awoke sometime later with the sounds of what he assumed was a train coming...not just through the station, but THROUGH the building at him!  He then heard the sounds of people talking, and hustling about, almost as if he was witnessing the phantom procession of passengers disembarking through a big-city depot.

3. Lantz Lumber Company--At the Lantz Lumber Company, we met the Weimer family and learned of their role in the lumber industry and in St. Albans' overall history.  We had another spooky tale as we learned that footsteps could be heard in this large, brick building used for storage---but when investigated, no REAL footsteps can be found in the dust.

4. Johnson/Smith House--The Johnson/Smith House was one of my favorite stops on the tour.  We got to go inside this beautiful, early 20th century home to 'have tea' with Mrs. Johnson and other local society women.  Mrs. Johnson would tell us about herself, stopping only to listen in to the 'gossip' of the society ladies, who had their own spin on these stories.  The house was beautifully decorated, both inside and out, for Halloween and refreshments were available.

Johnson/Smith House

5. Flowers on Olde Main--This gorgeous flower shop has been in business for 50+ years, but the building in which its located has an absolutely wild history.  Here we met African-American architect, John C. Norman, who told us how he built the building. Upstairs was used a one of the few pool halls that allowed African-Americans, and during Prohibition, the building was home to a speakeasy, complete with 'hidden' elevator that ran bootleg whisky up from the lower floors.  The ladies who worked and lived in the building were present to share their experiences with hearing phantom footsteps on the main floor of the shop when no one else is around.

6. Angela's On the River--Now a popular restaurant, this former home to the Chilton family was almost razed when the Loop was being built in St. Albans.  Luckily, the pre-Civil War era home was saved, moved a short distance away.  Although the flyer for the tour states that we'd be hearing about 'the spooky things that have happened here,' when asked, we only received a short quip about a demon in a mirror.  Luckily, I found someone who had a little more information to give on that story....so look for THAT in another blog!

7. Bangor Cemetery--I have driven by this cemetery hundreds of times and never once noticed it.  It is a small burial ground dating back to the early 1800s and unfortunately many of the tombstones have been knocked over.  It's a neat little location with ties to George Washington's family and I hope to see a group come in one day and help restore the damaged stones.  As a further interesting side note...this cemetery does contain a 'slave section.'  But, apparently the slave section of the cemetery has houses built over it now!  I wonder if any of those homes are experiencing paranormal activity?

Angela's on the River

8. Morgan's Kitchen--Morgan's Kitchen was another great lil' stop on our tour.  Roasted marshmallows over the fire, live music, and a dedicated re-enactor talking about early pioneer life in the St. Albans area made for an awesome presentation.  At this stop we learned quite a bit about the old Fort Tackett, including a more mysterious side to its history.  The fort had been attacked by natives at one point and continuing YEARS after the event, people living in the area of where the fort once stood would report hearing the residual sounds of that attack, including yelling and whooping, and women screaming.  

I had a really fun time seeing this side of St. Albans under a bright and beautiful (almost) full moon. I thought the re-enactors did a wonderful job telling the history of the town and it was nice to see so many people interested. I would have loved to have a little more of the 'mystery' side thrown in, but I'm a weirdo, lol.  Overall, it was a great night and I'm so glad that we got to experience this tour.  I look forward to future events put on by the historical society, and if I get the chance to attend, I'll be sure to share my experiences with you!  Happy Haunting!

Looking for MORE ghostly goodness from St. Albans?  Check out these articles:

Haunted Hereford House

Fire Under the Bridge

Pink Lady of Shelton College

Flowers on Main

Morgan's Kitchen

Bangor Cemetery