We only saw a ghost once. After a long night of Friday night activities we bounded back to a friend’s rent controlled apartment on the Upper East Side for the after party. As we boisterously ran up the staircase of the 6 floor walk up, we ran into the ghost of an angry old woman at the top of floor 5. OK no- it was just some crazy old coot that had lived in the building for the past 15 years and was not happy with our late night splendor. Despite this we ran past her screaming and laughing about the “walking dead” as she shouted furiously after us.
The more we joked about the aged building being haunted by old folk the more we considered – what kind of a ghost would bother to haunt such a location? The paint job was worn and lacking, the plumbing was rusted and unreliable and we’d spotted more than a few unwanted err- critters crawling about. If we were a ghost we’d haunt someplace much nicer.
As Halloween is upon us, we decided to revisit this question with regard to some known “haunted” locations around the country. What would a ghost see in these locations? Does good taste fade with the thrills of scaring the living by opening doors and moving chairs?
4 cases to consider:
#1) Hotel Chelsea
New York City
Designed by architect Hubert, Pirsson and Co. and completed in 1885 as a co-op, the famous celeb hotspot was converted to a hotel in 1905. Many famous faces have come and gone through the Chelsea- quite literally as it was the site of the drug induced murder of Sid Vicious’ girlfriend Nancy and the last place Dylan Thomas saw before he passed of alcohol poisoning (if he was able to see anything at all with that much liquor in his blood).
The Queen Anne style building draws guests regularly who try to hang with the ghost of Sid, while they lounge on ornate, loud décor. Quirky details and lots of art showcase the hotel’s bohemian past and encourage free spirit behavior. Why come here if you’re not going to experiment sexually and with lots of illegal substance? Well what you do is none of our business, but the orbs and faces in the mirrors that people claim to see regularly tell us that any paranormal activity going on at the Chelsea is indicative of a ghost that likes fun. As far as their taste is concerned- the hotel is in serious need of an update. A little refresher can go a long way here, but we guess this sort of thing doesn’t matter when you’re so drunk you can’t see straight.
#2) Lizzie Borden House
Fall River, Massachusetts
During the summer of 1892 one of those most famous double homicides in history took place at the Victorian style Borden House in Fall River, MA. 32 year old Lizzie Borden was a prime suspect in the murder of her father and step mother (who she openly hated) who were brutally mauled with an axe (it was suspected to be an axe anyway with what was left of their mangled faces).
These days, the house has been restored to look as it did in the 1890’s and is operating as a popular bed and breakfast where people claim to feel the presence of Lizzie, her sister Emma, and the murdered ghosts of Abby and Andrew Borden (one guest published that they even felt the Borden's cat scurry across their legs in bed). The only thing about the look of the house that isn’t spot on is the paint scheme. The owner states, “It was repainted a couple of months before the murders, and it was only described as 'drab’.”
Well we will just say this- we appreciate any authentic New England Victorian style home open to the public as much as the next person. However, the ornate and very very busy Victorian details of the bedrooms spook us a bit…perhaps more than the ghost of a suspected murderer would. And the sofa- the site of Andrew Borden's death- who would sit there? No really. Who would sit there?
#3) Belcourt Castle
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, Rhode Island’s Louis XIII style Belcourt Castle seems to be the perfect place for hauntings. Gothic-style millwork,a grand staircase and a grand ballroom amongst rooms and rooms of intricate detail designed by Richard Morris Hunt in 1894 may not suit our personal taste per se, but the ghosts moving the chairs about clearly have a traditional style- haunted old mansion. We can be down with it (from afar at least). It is suspected that it isn’t the property itself that is haunted, but the loads of antiques that the owners collected from international locations. This includes a suit of armor that supposedly is the source of screams in the night as the wearer was slayed through the eye visor- yikes.
#4) El Adobe de Capistrano
San Juan Capistrano, California
The Mexican come California style of the El Adobe restaurant in San Juan Capistrano has the warm and neighborly feeling that we just love. No wonder there's been the ghost of a headless monk spotted hanging out front from time to time. What can make you feel more welcome than some delicious Mexican soul food when you feel you've lost your mind? *drums*
The restaurant houses what was previously two structures. One a private house of 1778 and the other a jail cell. The cell is now the wine cellar and apparently where restaurant staff gets the most heebie jeebies due to the sensation of being watched. Despite the hauntings being ghoulish, we can see why an earthbound spirit might hang out here. The decor may not be so sophisticated but it's got that family friendly feel that might be the decorative equivalent of a hug....when you're not being eerily watched by dead prisoners that is.
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