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    Queer Paranormal Road Trip: Christopher’s by the Bay


    2009 - 03.11

    Posted in bed and breakfasts, ghosts, hauntings, massachusetts, provincetown, road trips | Comments Off

    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.

    Queer Paranormal Road Trip: WhiteGate Inn & Cottage


    2008 - 10.21

    Posted in asheville, bed and breakfasts, gay, north carolina, road trips, tuberculosis | Comments Off

    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.

    Queer Paranormal Road Trip: Battlefield Bed & Breakfast


    2008 - 08.29

    Posted in bed and breakfasts, gettysburg, ghost hunting, ghosts, hauntings, history, lesbians, pennsylvania, road trips | Comments Off

    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…

    Queer Paranormal Road Trip: Buddie’s Pub


    2008 - 07.11

    Posted in business, gay bars, gay ghosts, murder, new jersey, road trips, united states | Comments Off

    The ghost of what was once a gay bar can be found on South Broad Street in Trenton, New Jersey. It was known as Buddie’s Pub and had been in operation since the 1960s. Unfortunately, the last efforts to keep the establishment alive failed a few years ago. But the legend lives on… as does, presumably, the ghost.

    In 2004, the final owners, Beth and Gary Feltus, did extensive renovations to the century-old building. After tracking down the original blueprints, they restored the interior to its original layout and design. The Trenton Historical Society recognized their work with an award for historic preservation. Otherwise, it was your typical corner bar with inexpensive drinks and nightly entertainment.

    And then there was the ghost.

    Glasses would fly off their rack. Games and lights would turn on and off sporadically. Pictures and objects would fly off the walls. The light over the pool table even fell off its hooks… without the hooks falling from the ceiling.

    Patrons and owners never feared the supernatural presence. In fact, they knew who it was. Most of the paranormal happenings were attributed to Seymour, who converted the pub into a gay establishment in the mid-1960s. He allegedly died in the tavern and never felt the need to leave. Two regulars also met their demise in an adjoining building. One passed away after having his throat cut; the other murdered his lover.

    For a brief time in 2007, the structure became a Mexican restaurant, yet it seems to be abandoned once more. Hopefully, the next owner will take good care of the property and reopen it as a successful business, if the spirits approve…

    Queer Paranormal Road Trip: Rexmont Inn


    2008 - 06.27

    Posted in bed and breakfasts, gay ghosts, hauntings, paranormal, pennsylvania, road trips, united states | Comments Off

    I have to thank Richard F. for passing along this interesting little tale.

    In the tiny village of Rexmont with its one stop sign, you will find a quaint bed and breakfast known as the Rexmont Inn.

    The mansion was built in 1875 for banker and businessman Cyrus Rex, where he lived with his niece, Susan Amanda. Cyrus was the namesake for the town and made his fortune selling acre-sized lots to the local miners. He was a “confirmed bachelor” and often traveled to Europe with his “companion” Dr. Andrew M. Gleninger.

    The Susan Amanda Room, her former bedroom, is one of the hot spots of paranormal activity at the inn. Visitors and staff have encountered a figure wearing a flowing gown.

    But the owners seem to doubt it’s Susan. The ghost seems to be taller than a young girl should be.

    Cyrus had more than his share of skeletons in the closet. He was a rather private person, yet the townspeople knew he was gay… and that he enjoyed cross-dressing.

    So if you find yourself staying the night in Susan’s old bedroom and see what appears to be a female apparition gliding across your floor, don’t assume it is Susan. It quite possibly could be the spirit of Cyrus Rex, having a little dress-up fun in the afterlife…

    Who says drag is dead?

    While the inn does not have a website, anyone interested in spending the night at 299 Rexmont Road in Lebanon County can call (717) 274-2669 to make a reservation.

    Queer Paranormal Road Trip: The Urge


    2008 - 06.19

    Posted in gay bars, hauntings, new york, paranormal, road trips, united states | Comments Off

    When it comes to diversity, New York City has everything for everyone.

    New York’s gay community gained notoriety during the Stonewall riots, when abused gay men and lesbians turned the tables on the corrupt police force, pinning them inside the Stonewall Inn and forever altering history. Since that time, Chelsea and Greenwich Village have been known to be gay meccas, yet all of Manhattan is quite welcoming of people of all sexual orientations.

    In the East Village, you can find one of New York’s many gay bars. The Urge, on 2nd Avenue at 2nd Street, has everything you would expect in a nightclub. There’s a beautiful central oval bar, drag shows, DJs, dancing, and male strippers. And if you believe tales from the owners and patrons, it also has ghosts.

    While undergoing renovations, something seems to have been stirred up in the walls. Poltergeist activity has plagued the club ever since. While the spooks haven’t kept the customers away, it is commonplace for the occasional drink to be dumped over by a mysterious force. No one is quite sure who could be haunting the establishment, yet the possibilities are endless.

    After all, the building was once a funeral home.

    Whether you visit NYC for the shopping, nightlife, or unquiet dead, there’s something for everybody. Just remember that no matter how lively the atmosphere can be, the dearly departed could be right over your shoulder…

    Queer Paranormal Road Trip: Queen’s Theatre


    2008 - 06.13

    Posted in england, gay ghosts, ghosts, hauntings, london, paranormal, road trips, theaters | Comments Off

    The Queen’s Theatre can be found in the heart of Soho, only a few blocks from London’s Leicester Square. London has become infamous for hauntings, and even it’s gay neighborhood would not be complete without, you guessed it, a gay ghost.

    The Queen’s Theatre opened it’s doors on Shaftesbury Avenue on October 8, 1907. Originally, it was to be named Central Theatre (to which Bernard Shaw stated, “as if it were a criminal court or a railway terminus”), but after much debate the name Queen’s was attached, and a portrait of Queen Alexandra was fixed above the fireplace in the grand entrance foyer.

    On September 24, 1940, during World War II, a bomb was dropped on the theater, ripping off the front of the building, destroying the stone dome and foyer, and killing three unnamed people. After a costly reconstruction, it reopened in 1959 and has been showing plays ever since. In fact, the longest running performance of Les Misérables still can be seen there to this day.

    While the theater is host to a few supernatural entities, one in particular made his presence known to medium Becky Walsh during an investigation for Spirit & Destiny Magazine in 2006. A male presence had been spotted periodically in the upper circle. The team had been notified that ushers have felt uncomfortable stares while changing in the stall bars. During a séance conducted in a corridor which formerly connected to backstage, a male presence did indeed come through. And he had a message to deliver.

    He fancied one of them men on the team. And he enjoyed watching the boys changing into their uniforms.

    An ethereal queen in the Queen’s Theatre? What are the odds?

    So if you find yourself in London at one of the top theaters on the West End, be sure to keep a lookout for a male figure looming in the shadows. If you’re an attractive man, he just might be looking back at you…

    Queer Paranormal Road Trip: Banting House Inn


    2008 - 06.06

    Posted in business, canada, dogs, gay, hauntings, health, history, road trips, toronto | Comments Off

    If you’re looking to take an extended trip to Toronto for a weekend this summer, one gay-owned bed and breakfast should be on the top of your list. In fact, it has been ranked one of the Top 10 Places to Stay in Toronto.

    Believe it or not, Banting House Inn is right in the heart of downtown Toronto. Yet it’s immense property and towering trees make you feel as though you’re in an oasis within the city. The seven guest rooms each have their uniqueness (such as the Wedgewood Room and the Oscar Wilde Room) and the off-street parking is an added bonus! Of course, there are some possible reasons to visit… of a more supernatural nature.

    The brick home was constructed in 1899… and apparently, one of it’s first residents never left.

    It is possible that the apparition occasionally seen by visitors is none other than Sir Frederick Banting, who once resided at the homestead. Banting was a Nobel Prize winner in 1923, made famous for his work with Dr. Charles Best which lead to the discovery of insulin. (His later home in London, Ontario houses the Canadian Diabetes Association and a museum, not to confuse the two “Banting Houses”.)Banting perished in a plane crash in 1941, at the age of 49. It was also used as an animal research facility, and a few guests have reported hearing dogs barking or running up and down the hallways.

    But that hasn’t deterred anyone…

    So if you’re looking to visit Toronto and are curious to stay at a haunted inn, Banting House is the perfect spot. Even if you don’t have a paranormal experience, it is certainly worth the trip.

    Queer Paranormal Road Trip: Carluccio’s Tivoli Gardens


    2008 - 05.23

    Posted in gay ghosts, las vegas, liberace, nevada, paranormal, restaurants, road trips, united states | Comments Off

    If you’re looking for fine dining in Las Vegas, be sure to check out Carluccio’s Tivoli Gardens. And you might just have a paranormal encounter during your stay!

    The restaurant opened it’s doors in 1983 and was designed and owned by famed pianist Liberace (few people realize he loved to cook… he even wrote a few cookbooks). Woodwork in the English Lounge was imported by him from a pub in London. And if you’re at all curious, the Liberace Museum which opened on April 15th, 1979 is right next door.

    Most of the original interior of the eatery remains untouched, including Liberace’s private lounge. While he was alive, he would use the room to quietly slip into the main dining area and play piano to the delight of the diners.

    Some say he still enjoys doing a little entertaining in his former restaurant. Many patrons have reported seeing his apparition in the dining area. Electrical disturbances are often reported throughout the restaurant. On one such occasion, the power went off in the entire building on Liberace’s birthday until the entire staff sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to him (electricians found no problems with the wiring afterward). And then there’s the ladies bathroom, where guests have complained of doors locking and unlocking by themselves.

    I wonder if he still is looking for his brother George…

    Queer Paranormal Road Trip: Walker Estate


    2008 - 05.16

    Posted in california, gay ghosts, houdini, paranormal, road trips, united states | Comments Off

    The famed “Houdini Mansion” of Hollywood, California might not be haunted by the master illusionist after all.

    Perched atop a hill on Laurel Canyon Boulevard sits the ruins of a once great estate. Though it is claimed to have been the home of Harry Houdini himself, he never lived there. His wife, Bess, did rent the property after his untimely death, but the real history of the home is far more interesting.

    The villa was built by Eliza Walker in 1918, and in this fateful year, legend says the haunting began. According to a popular story, Walker’s son was gay. Soon after completion, the wealthy family held a party. The son met with his lover on a high balcony, and soon began to quarrel. The argument became heated and the young man pushed his lover from a balcony to his death.

    The Walker family continued to own the property and was believed to have befriended Houdini and his wife. After Harry’s death in 1926, Bess began renting the guest house on the property where she is alleged to have conducted seances in the parlor to contact her dead husband. She never quite succeeded, and even today psychics and magicians have failed to get in touch with Houdini on the other side.

    The Walker Mansion was destroyed by a wildfire in 1958, yet some small remnants can still be found. The best known is the stone staircase, where Houdini’s ghost has been reported on several occasions.

    But is it really Houdini, or the gay lover who was murdered all those years ago?

    Currently, music producer Rick Rubin owns a recording studio on the site. Mick Jagger, David Bowie, and even the Beatles have stayed at the location. Bands, including Slipknot, experienced unusual phenomena there. While the Red Hot Chili Peppers were recording their album Blood Sugar Sex Magik at the studio, they reported strange, unexplainable occurrences. The drummer, Chad Smith, was so shaken that he refused to live at the location.

    Perhaps it was merely a case of paranormal homophobia…

    Here’s what Maroon 5 had to say about recording at the location:

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