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*

Parkersburg's Haunted Castle

According to the WV Division of Culture and History's "On This Day in West Virginia History" series:  On April 15, 1872, Peter Godwin Van Winkle, who represented West Virginia in the United States Senate from 1863 to 1869, died in Parkersburg. 

Photo property of Susan Sheppard,
Haunted Parkersburg Ghost Tour

In the Julia-Ann Square Historic District of Parkersburg, WV, there's a lot of history...AND a lot of hauntings! One of the more notable haunted buildings is the Van Winkle-Wix House, also known locally as The Castle. The Castle was built around 1833-1836 and served as the one-time home for Peter G. Van Winkle, a lawyer and renowned politician.

The house standing today (not to be confused with the demolished Peter G. Van Winkle House that was located nearby) is vastly different than the original. Back when the home was built, there was no Ann Street, and thus, the 1209 address of the home didn't exist! Instead, the home faced the Ohio River. Between the period of 1870 and 1899, the Castle underwent some pretty major renovations, giving it an updated Victorian appearance with the added turret and tower, and raised roof. The front door was also moved so that the new main entrance faced Ann Street.

Over the years, the Castle has been a private residence, a girl's school, and an apartment complex. It has also set empty for long stretches of time, adding to its mystery and haunted reputation! However, in October 2013, owner Craig Wix sold the property to Standard Oil. Craig, who had owned the property since 1985, also did some major renovation work and lived in part of the Castle off and on. In fact, it was under Craig Wix's ownership that some of the most fascinating stories of the home's hauntings were born.

In 1990, renovation and construction work was taking place on the home when some really weird stuff started happening. Years later, workers would report to Susan Sheppard of Haunted Parkersburg Ghost Tours that they were seeing the apparition of a man with curly blond hair and a ruffled shirt, roaming the house. When they gave chase, the man disappeared!  Workers outside the home also saw the apparition. As it was standing in the window, they were able to snap a photograph of it. The photographs can be found in Sheppard's book, Cry of the Banshee. (Theresa's Note: I can't find these photographs, lol. I have two copies of this book...a first edition from 2004 that has no photos at all of the Van-Winkle Wix House and an edition from 2008 that shows two photos of the house taken on tours. One photo shows a ton of 'orbs,' while the other allegedly shows a female figure in the window. I'm guessing these photos made it into the next edition, which I will now have to track down!)

Photo by the Parkersburg News and Sentinel

It is an almost universally accepted theory that renovations tend to stir up paranormal activity and after Standard Oil purchased the home, another round of renovations began. Originally, Standard Oil was going to use the property to house their visiting shareholders and staff, but by 2016, falling profits prompted the company to seek out other sources of revenue. The city allowed them to begin renting out the facility for weddings and other events, but the citizens were resistant to an all out Bed and Breakfast in their residential area.

The Castle can be rented out, and it is open several times a year for public events, making the chances of having a paranormal experience there all the greater (and legal, since you won't have to trespass!). Even if you don't catch a glimpse of the curly-haired gentleman, people have experienced plenty of other types of activity as well. The most common reports are phantom footsteps, but disembodied voices, cold spots, turning doorknobs, and objects that seem to move on their own have all been witnessed.

Sources and Additional Reading:
Historic Home Gets New Lease on Life, by Paul LaPann. Parkersburg News and Sentinel (October 19, 2013)

Delivering the Shivers: Top-Rated Ghost Store Scares Up Some Haunted History, by Julie Robinson. Sunday Gazette-Mail (October 5, 2008)

National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form

HPIR Founder, Melissa's Haunted Travels Blog

West Virginia's Top 5 Most Haunted Hotels and Inns

Are you looking for a spooky place to rest while visiting the Mountain State? West Virginia is full of historic hotels, creepy motels, and beautiful, old bed and breakfasts---many of which claim to have a resident ghost or two! Since today is the season premier of American Horror Story: Hotel, I thought I would share with you some of MY personal favorite places to stay in West Virginia where your room might come with a little more than just a mint on the pillow...Lady Gaga not included!

Lowe Hotel

Lowe Hotel---The Lowe Hotel seems to be the central point for all things spooky in the little Ohio River town of Pt. Pleasant. Its THE place to stay during the annual Mothman Festival, at which time haunted history tours of the hotel, which opened in the early 1900s as the Spencer Hotel, are given. Various ghosts haunt the old hotel, including Juliette Smith--a beautiful young woman seen dancing on the mezzanine, and Captain Jim, who causes disturbances to guests staying in Suite 316.

The Frederick Hotel

Frederick Hotel---The Frederick Hotel in downtown Huntington officially opened to the public in 1906, and until it closed in 1973, was one of the most lavish, expensive hotels in the city. Unfortunately, you can no longer stay at the Frederick, but you CAN visit one of its fine restaurants, shop in one of the retail stores, or visit/work in one of the office suites that now occupy the former glorious hotel. That still gives you plenty of opportunity to experience the ghosts, including two children who are said to frequent the site of the 21 Club Restaurant, and whatever entities that jangle keys, cause cold spots and are responsible for all manner of paranormal activity throughout the former hotel, especially on the sixth floor.

Blennerhassett Hotel

Blennerhassett Hotel---Built in 1889 by William Chancellor, this Parkersburg hotel is a beautiful example of Queen Ann architecture. It's also a beautiful example of what a haunted hotel should be! The Blennerhassett serves as the meeting point for Susan Shepperd's Parkersburg Ghost Tours, and for good reason. William Chancellor is known to frequent his hotel, emitting a phantom smell of cigar smoke, or manifesting a weird glow in his own portrait in the front reading room. Other ghosts include a man in a white tuxedo, a sobbing woman, and a little boy from the 1920s era...among others!

General Lewis Inn

General Lewis Inn---The General Lewis Inn of Lewisburg opened in 1929 and was built around an existing structure that dated to about 1834. At least three ghosts call the General Lewis Inn home, including a former slave named Reuben who was believed to have been hanged where the current dining room sits, a little girl who is heard crying or laughing in room 208 or 206, and the Lady in White of Room 208.

Wells Inn

Wells Inn---The Wells Inn of Sistersville has been in business since 1895, and was built as a luxurious hotel in response to a local oil and gas boom. Former owner Ephraim Wells is allegedly the main (and possibly ONLY) ghost to reside at the Wells Inn. Mr. Wells likes to move items around and create unexplained noises throughout the hotel. He is especially fond of room #324 and his former office on the second floor, where he can still be heard writing to this day.

*There's your sneak peek of haunted West Virginia hotels and inns, but the state and surrounding areas are full with even more haunted accommodations! Make sure you check out Theresa's Haunted West Virginia Page for more Mountain State hauntings!*

The Haunted History of Parkersburg's Quincy Hill

With outstanding views of the Ohio River and downtown Parkersburg, clean restrooms, a quaint wooden gazebo and a cute little play area, Quincy Hill Park seems like a peaceful place to relax, and to possibly get a little exercise and fresh air.  But when the sun goes down, Quincy Hill Park is anything but peaceful.

Originally known as Prospect Hill, the area of Quincy Hill Park was used as a tent hospital during the Civil War.  It was actually one of five Civil War hospitals that sprung up in the area during the war years, and from what I can gather, this tent-city operation, which was home from anywhere to 500-1000 sick and wounded soldiers, was one of the lower rungs.  It was where the African American and Irish immigrant soldiers were sent.  At one point, a small pox epidemic raged through the camp, devastating the patients and overwhelming the small staff. Moans and cries from the sick and dying could be heard all the way in downtown Parkersburg, and it seems as if some of those soldiers never left.  Over 150 years later, the moans of those who suffered terribly atop the hill can still be heard.  In the book, A Guide to Haunted West Virginia, authors Gavenda and Shoemaker tell of one tale in particular which occurred on the evening of September 26, 1996 as two young girls ascended Quincy Hill to get a good view of that night's lunar eclipse.  Below them, they heard the moan and the rustling of what they assumed to be the restless spirits of long-dead Civil War soldiers.

Susan Sheppherd, of the Parkersburg Ghost Tours also related a rather interesting ghost tale associated with the Civil War spirits of Quincy Hill.  Ron Nelson, an historian, Civil War re-enactor, and ghost hunter visited the area one evening and conducted an EVP session.  He was shocked to find on his recording what sounded like someone whistling the commercial from an Irish Spring soap commercial!  Consulting experts, he found that the song whistled in the commercials was an old Irish folk song...and that the soldiers sent to this particular hospital were largely of Irish heritage.

Another ghost story from Quincy Hill isn't related to the Civil War, but it does take on a more visual experience.  One way to get to the top of the hill is to climb the 150+ stairs leading up from Avery Street.  About halfway up, there is a small concrete landing lit with a lamppost.  Joggers and other early morning visitors to this area have seen the apparition of a Native American standing on this spot.

Quincy Tank Disaster

With all the ghost tales stemming from the Civil War era and earlier, a tragic event in the area's history is sometimes overlooked.  Back on March 19, 1909, the hill was still known as Prospect Hill, and at its top were perched the city's two reserve water tanks.  Around 5:10am, one of the tanks burst, crashing into its twin and causing it to burst as well, sending 2 million gallons of water rushing down the hill and directly into town.  A newlywed couple was killed when their small home was washed away, several were severely injured, and a church and several homes were destroyed.  Other homes and businesses received a great deal damage, and debris littered the streets.  Although I am unaware of any ghost stories resulting from this tragic event, one can't help but note that this one little area has seen a great deal of tragedy within a short period of time. 

Sources:
Quincy Hill Water Tank Disaster: Photos and articles from Jim Dawson
Haunted Parkersburg Ghost Tours by Susan Sheppherd
A Guide to Haunted West Virginia by Walter Gavenda and Michael T. Shoemaker