Among the many cities I’m dying (well, not literally) to visit is New Orleans. Just like the Witch City of Salem, it’s a town where death seems to be a part of life. Ghosts, witches, vampires, and other nocturnal peoples seem quite at home there and the presence of hoodoo is undeniable. Every shop, bar, and hotel carries with it some fascinating, if not haunting, tale.
One such place is 5 Continents Bed & Breakfast, which I did look into and noted in the “Haunted LGBT Accommodations” section in the back of my book. While I left out some of the history and hauntings at the inn, I just might finally revisit it for the sequel. It’s a beautifully-restored old home, and apparently still occupied by its original owners.
Passport Magazine visited this haunted hotspot for the Halloween season (possibly after seeing it listed on my website… I’m not trying to assume, but reporter Paul West did attempt to contact me about a story earlier this summer, but due to email issues I missed him… sorry again, Paul!) and interviewed the innkeeper as well as a paranormal team as they looked for paranormal evidence at the business.
I may seem quiet, but in reality, life has been insanely busy. I have a ton of editing work to do on another project (not my own… someone else’s) as well as the other more mundane trivialities of life. And this month is going by too fast in some ways… not fast enough when other matters are concerned. But I won’t complain. There is enough goodness in my life that even the minor issues fail to bother me.
I do have some things to look forward to, and one interesting matter for this blog which will be an all-time first. In a few weeks, I will be posting about an allegedly haunted bed & breakfast I stumbled across. But unlike my other posts where I either interview the innkeepers via phone/email and give my opinions from afar, I’ll have some first-hand experience. That’s right: I’m crossing that Canadian border to report directly from the inn itself!
Relatively-speaking. I’m not so sure I’ll be connected to the internet during my stay… or even that I’ll have the time to give a play-by-play. But at least afterward, I’ll be discussing the adventure. I’ll reveal the identity of the B&B at that time… though this tantalizing view of the front is a hint…
Yes. This is, indeed, turning into an interesting year. And here I was just hoping for a book deal. Who knew things would get this interesting?
The fight has ended for Florida’s Seven Sisters Inn. This past week, the two historic Ocala Victorian houses became the property of the bank for $100,000 at a foreclosure auction. Bonnie Morehardt and Ken Oden bode a tearful farewell to their business, though they still own the small cottage behind the properties.
First Coast Community Bank expressed regret at having such a fate meet a property on the National Register of Historic Places. They still are hoping to find new owners to continue the business and purchase the place. But for now, the seven other staff members are left hopeful to return to work.
On the day before the auction, a book flew from a shelf inside the bed & breakfast. Ghostly happenings have been on the increase since the tense times facing the inn. Even the spirits are upset by the recent turn of events, but hopefully after the bank has had the opportunity to make sure the historic inn is in top shape, a new owner will move in… one able to appease the disquieted spooks.
Foreclosures still plague the United States as our economy maintains its frightening slump. Everyone is susceptible. In Florida, one allegedly-haunted bed & breakfast is the newest victim. But if a group of ghost hunters has their way, the house won’t face any wrecking ball.
The Seven Sisters Inn on Ocala’s Fort King Street was built in 1888 and remains one of the few magnificent Victorians still standing in the area. The owners, Bonnie and Ken, ran the guest house for 20 years before facing a financial crisis. A failed sale led to the banks demand for total payment, which could not be met. in October 2008, foreclosure proceedings began.
But they’re not going down without a fight. Southeastern Paranormal Investigations (SEPI) has helped create a website, Save the Seven Sisters Inn, where visitors can sign a petition and make donations to help the cause. The National Register of Historic Places lists both houses for their historical value. Charity events are being planned in hopes of doing anything possible to avoid disaster. A buyer is desperately wanted by the owners for the two-house B&B, which is priced at $1.3 million.
An episode of Ghost Hunterswas recently filmed at the structure and hopes are high for it attracting paranormal investigators in an effort to save the building. Events are still happening at the inn, including the Seven Sisters Haunt in April, so it’s not dead just yet. Allegedly, the haunted activity is tied to the land, not necessarily the houses. In the 18th century, a hospital was built on the grounds and treated many injured soldiers who apparently refused to leave.
For an overview, here is part of the Ghost Hunters episode, aired this past fall:
Some of you might remember Christopher’s by the Bay from an earlier pre-Christmas post mentioning a conversation I had with the innkeeper. I thought I may as well elaborate on the place, since summer will be here before you know. Time for vacations and travel. And if you find yourself in Provincetown, MA, Christopher’s is a wonderful choice for lodging…
…and perhaps a ghost or two.
Dave and Jim have operated the guest house on Johnson Street for the past couple years. It is located in a century house, constructed in the 1840s as a home for shipwright Stephen Mott. For the past 40 years, guests have stayed at the residence through its many incarnations: Swanberry Inn, Carpe Diem, and (finally) Christopher’s. A variety of rooms are available for overnight guests on each of the three floors; each is named for a famed painter. But anyone planning to visit the inn might want to keep an eye out for a ghost or two.
The main presence within the home has been dubbed ‘Elizabeth’ after a local psychic picked up on the name while passing the property. The owner’s dog occasionally growls at ‘nothing’ in the dining room and there is a sense of people coming and going at what once was the rear entrance (now leading to the innkeeper’s quarters). A few guests have experienced bizarre-but-not-frightening occurrences in a few rooms, including the sensation of being watched and encyclopedia’s removing themselves from the bookcases. Whoever ‘Elizabeth’ is, she is not unfriendly, though, to the living, her unexpected manifestations can catch people off guard. Even through the eyes of skeptics, there have been moments that leave you wondering if ghosts really do exist…
Provincetown has been an escape for artists and celebrities for decades, and the region is ripe with history. Its high GLBT population makes it a favorite vacation spot for ‘friends of Dorothy’ with as much sun and entertainment as any man or woman could want. And if staying in a haunted bed & breakfast isn’t enough to satisfy your craving for the dead, haunted places can be found throughout the city. You can explore the sites for yourself or tag along with Provincetown Ghost Tours and get a taste of Cape Cod’s undead nightlife.
Today has been quite a crazy day. I finished the last of my holiday baking so that’s one more thing to check off the to-do list. And I made a little headway with research for my book! I spent the afternoon having a delightful chat with Jim Rizzo about the haunted bed & breakfast he runs with his partner Dave in Provincetown: Christopher’s by the Bay.
While they do try to be skeptical and seek logical explanations, there have been some bizarre happenings. Unfortunately, they haven’t been able to uncover much history on the Victorian home since many records were destroyed in a fire in 1920. Luckily, my research skills are still sharp. Even being several hundred miles away, I tracked down the original owner’s name and historical information. I just sent that off to him moments ago… a little early present for them.
They are discussing the idea of having “psychic nights” during the off-peak season and hopefully once my book is in stores, I’ll be able to arrange a few events there in 2010. It’s quite a beautiful old place. If you happen to find yourself in the oldest art colony in the United States, be sure to stop by Christopher’s or book a few nights there on the quiet street. Hopefully, the Encyclopedia Britannicas in your room will stay on the shelf…
Otherwise, I’m continuing with my editing work while tackling as much research as the holidays allow (which isn’t quite enough, since so many people are preparing to leave town). I have many emails to pound out and a few phone calls (including one to a gay psychic with firsthand information about one location for the book), but that will have to wait until 2009. So much to do… but it’s the little things that bring be much joy.
With the crisp chill to the Midwest air, thoughts not only drift to ghostly happenings but to warmer climates. The allure of a southern escape is quite tempting and there are many destinations to choose from. North Carolina is often neglected, yet there is a gay-owned bed & breakfast in the city of Asheville worth a glance. And you might find yourself face to face with a specter from the past.
Built in 1889, the WhiteGate Inn and Cottage offers luxurious bed-and-breakfast accommodations in the heart of historic Asheville. Aside from the cozy rooms, there are superb gardens tended by one of the innkeepers. The most impressive room, the Walt Whitman Garden Spa Suite, features French doors which open out into the lush flowered greenery. But if you decide to book a room at the inn, you just might find a few spirits lingering within the walls.
Hauntings at the WhiteGate stem from the days of the tuberculosis epidemic. Two sisters purchased the house in 1928 and converted it into one of the many tubercuosis boarding houses throughout Asheville. One of these women, referred to as “Mrs. B”, still makes her presence known to guests and staff members. Opened drawers mysteriousy close on their own accord, lights turn on and off, and doors left open are often found closed. It appears that she remains as a housekeeping presence; much of the activity is centered around the Robert Frost Room where she passed away in 1973. She has also been spotted sitting in the garden, admiring the beautiful view.
Two male spirits also reside in the house and have been seen and felt in various places throughout the building. One may be attached to the basement area and has frightened people by making sounds in the darkness. This presence may be that of a former patient, rumored to have killled himself. The other more friendly phantom could be Charles, the son of Mrs. B who lived here for several years in the mid 20th century.
WhiteGate Inn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is lovingly cared for by Ralph Coffey and Frank Salvo. Whether you seek a peaceful retreat of a little spooky fun, this bed & breakfast has a little something for everyone. And if this house doesn’t offer enough ghosty happenings, be sure to check out the Asheville Ghost Tour and hear the stories of the many other haunts around the town.
Without a doubt, the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania is one of America’s most haunted locales. During the pivotal Civil War battle of 1863, the town saw the largest number of casualties of any campaign. It has since become a major tourist attraction, not only for the history but the ghosts as well. One such haunted site is a quaint, lesbian-owned inn on the southern end of town: Battlefield Bed & Breakfast.
The house was built out of fieldstone in 1809 by Cornelius & Anna Houtelin. A barn followed in 1820. It remains largely unchanged from its original design, save for the modern amenities added in the 1970s. The current owner has occupied the bed & breakfast for the last 14 years. The house is one of the oldest in the city and has more than a few eternal guests.
During the Gettysburg Campaign, fighting took place on the property. One soldier still appears throughout the homestead and on the property. The spirit of a young girl has also been witnessed by guests. Some have reported a small, cold hug from the ghostly child. Footsteps are heard on the stairs. Door unlock by themselves. An ethereal lantern shines in the nearby field. Some even say Cornelius Houtelin himself still watches over his former home.
Devil’s Den, Cemetery Ridge, and Little Round Top are just a short distance away, making it a prime location for paranormal enthusiasts. But why venture out? There are plenty of spirits within the grounds of the inn, just waiting to be explored…
It’s the night before “the biggest gay party weekend of the year”, and five gay couples find themselves seeking accommodation far from the highway. The Sahara Salvation Inn seems like a rustic, charming old place… but as the night wears on, secrets are revealed and the nightmares begin!
That’s the basic synopsis for the campy, humorous horror movie, The Gay Bed & Breakfast of Terror. The 2007 independent film centers around a group of stereotyped gay men and lesbians, from the sophisticated lipstick lesbian to the personal trainer/gym bunny boy. The innkeepers, Helen and Luella, might seem like typical, wholesome mother and daughter entrepreneurs, but nothing at this inn is what it seems to be.
While it might not feature hauntings, the plot does involve something even more frightening. And it all leads to the attic…
But don’t take my word on it. Just watch the trailer…
First, the bad news: I will not be posting a “Queer Paranormal Road Trip” this week.
No, I have not run out of places (quite the contrary). Instead, I’m taking the time to ask for a little assistance from around the world. An open call for help from my dear readers.
You might think I’d be content with having the dozens of tales I possess at the moment, but no. I know there are more gay/lesbian ghosts and gay/lesbian-owned haunted places! Some might possibly be in your own town… or personal experiences you have had over the years.
So, do you have a story? Do you know of a haunted place with a queer spook? Have you stayed at a gay-owned bed & breakfast and had an unusual experience? Noticed any rainbow flags flying at places on ghost tours?
I want to know.
It doesn’t matter where in the world the place is, I’m looking for something anywhere I can find it. Australia would be nice… Spain, Canada, Portugal, France, Brazil, Germany, China… anywhere at all. The United States as well. Anonymity is not a problem. And keep in mind I’m looking for places open to the public. Private residences aren’t preferred, but they will do in a pinch.
