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| Morgan County State Police Barracks Source: Google Maps |
Way back on Halloween of 1992, the Associated Press picked up a story out of West Virginia's eastern panhandle. In an area of the state that is already known for more than its fair share of paranormal activity, local state police officers shared their stories of what it was like to work amongst a ghost!
According to the Morgan County iAS Property Search website, a beautiful, large brick home was built around 1960 at 1750 Valley Rd, in Berkeley Springs. This was the home of Ercel Luther Michael, a retired carpenter. Ercel was born in Morgan County on 8 February 1897. While living in the house, it was noted that Ercel LOVED his garden and his garage. He was meticulous about the care and upkeep of such, and as his niece would later say, he had a mantra of 'everything in its place.'
Unfortunately, Ercel passed away on 13 January 1973 at the age of 75. His wife, Della, passed away three months later. Both were buried in the Greenway Cemetery in Berkeley Springs. The following year, their beautiful brick home was sold to the state, and became the local WV State Police Barracks. With the transition from a private home to a state facility, Ercel's beloved gardens were paved over to make room for a parking lot.
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| Ercel's Grave at Greenway Cemetery Find-a-Grave (uploaded by GraveRobber) |
That's when the paranormal activity allegedly started!
Police officers stationed at the barracks would often claim that they would turn off all the lights before leaving on patrol, only to come back to a completely lit up building. Slamming doors and creaking stairs are a few of the other spooky reports made by officers, including Sgt. Jim Riffle, who was stationed there in 1977. According to Riffle, "some awfully strange things happened in those barracks."
Apparently, the ghost of Ercel was common knowledge, and more than a few troopers actually refused to sleep in the barracks overnight. But, in recent years, it seems as if activity has pretty much died down. It is believed that as long as the grounds around the barracks are kept neatly trimmed and maintained, Ercel remains happy. Let the grass get a little too long, however, and you're bound to get a visit from the former owner.
I've included a copy of the 1992 article. The clipping below is from the 02 November 1992 edition of the Standard-Speaker (Hazleton, PA), but you can also access the AP article online for free via the AP website. This story re-appeared this past Halloween season in a article by Lisa Schauer in The Morgan Messenger.
As a young Conservation Officer stationed in Morgan County in the fall of 1988, the State let me stay at the barracks for a few months until I could find adequate housing. I noticed many odd things at night. The most notable, I went to take a shower so, I lowered the blinds in the bedroom so i could dress after my shower. I came back to grab a towel and the blinds were up. I lowered them again. I returned momentarily to grab my toothbrush. The blinds were up! Frustrated, I said, “Okay Ercel, have it your way, leave them up!” When I returned from my shower, the blinds were down.
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