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  Table of Contents

  GHOSTHUNTING TEXAS

  Title Page

  Dedication

  Welcome to America’s Haunted Road Trip

  Introduction

  North Texas

  CHAPTER 1 - Amarillo Natatorium AMARILLO

  CHAPTER 2 - Motley County Jail MATADOR

  CHAPTER 3 - Fort Phantom Hill ABILENE / HOLLY

  CHAPTER 4 - Lonesome Dove Inn ARCHER CITY

  CHAPTER 5 - Hill House Manor GAINESVILLE

  CHAPTER 6 - Old Alton Bridge COPPER CANYON / DENTON

  CHAPTER 7 - The Bull Ring FORT WORTH

  CHAPTER 8 - The Majestic Theatre DALLAS

  CHAPTER 9 - Millermore DALLAS

  CHAPTER 10 - The Iris Theatre/ Books & Crannies TERRELL

  CHAPTER 11 - Catfish Plantation WAXAHACHIE

  West Texas

  CHAPTER 12 - Plaza Theatre EL PASO

  CHAPTER 13 - Gage Hotel MARATHON

  Central Texas

  CHAPTER 14 - Old Fort Concho SAN ANGELO

  CHAPTER 15 - Oakwood Cemetery WACO

  CHAPTER 16 - Dead Man’s Hole MARBLE FALLS

  CHAPTER 17 - Driskill Hotel AUSTIN

  CHAPTER 18 - Caldwell County Jail Museum LOCKHART

  CHAPTER 19 - Von Minden Hotel SCHULENBURG

  East Texas

  CHAPTER 20 - Oaklea Mansion Bed & Breakfast WINNSBORO

  CHAPTER 21 - Crystals Rock Shop TYLER

  CHAPTER 22 - Dabbs Cemetery FRANKSTON

  CHAPTER 23 - The Grove JEFFERSON

  CHAPTER 24 - Ghost Train of Jefferson JEFFERSON

  CHAPTER 25 - Scottsville Cemetery SCOTTSVILLE

  CHAPTER 26 - Spaghetti Warehouse HOUSTON

  CHAPTER 27 - USS Texas LA PORTE

  South Texas

  CHAPTER 28 - Grey Moss Inn GREY FOREST / HELOTES

  CHAPTER 29 - The Alamo SAN ANTONIO

  CHAPTER 30 - USS Lexington CORPUS CHRISTI

  Ghosthunting Travel Guide

  Visiting Haunted Sites

  Additional Haunted Sites

  Acknowledgements

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Copyright Page

  GHOSTHUNTING TEXAS

  AMERICA’S HAUNTED ROAD TRIP

  To my children, Madison and Jordyn,

  whose soft little hands and great big hearts hold the world.

  You remind me every day of how precious life truly is.

  To my husband, Allen,

  for constantly loving and supporting me through the chaos.

  You are my best friend.

  Welcome to America’s Haunted Road Trip

  DO YOU BELIEVE IN GHOSTS?

  If you are like 52 percent of Americans (according to a recent Harris Poll), you do believe that ghosts walk among us. Perhaps you have heard your name called in a dark and empty house. It could be that you have awoken to the sound of footsteps outside your bedroom door, only to find no one there. It is possible that you saw your grandmother sitting in her favorite rocker chair, the same grandmother who had passed away several years before. Maybe you took a photo of a crumbling, deserted farmhouse and discovered strange mists and orbs in the photo, anomalies that were not visible to your naked eye.

  If you have experienced similar paranormal events, then you know that ghosts exist. Even if you have not yet experienced these things, you are curious about the paranormal world, the spirit realm. If you weren’t, you would not now be reading this preface to the latest book in the America’s Haunted Road Trip series from Clerisy Press.

  Over the last several years, I have investigated haunted locations across the country, and with each new site, I found myself becoming more fascinated with ghosts. What are they? How do they manifest themselves? Why are they here? These are just a few of the questions I have been asking. No doubt, you have been asking the same questions.

  The books in the America’s Haunted Road Trip series can help you find the answers to your questions about ghosts. We’ve gathered together some of America’s top ghost writers (no pun intended) and researchers and asked them to write about their states’ favorite haunts. Each location that they write about is open to the public so that you can visit them for yourself and try out your ghosthunting skills. In addition to telling you about their often hair-raising adventures, the writers have included maps and travel directions so that you can take your own haunted road trip.

  There is an old song with the line, “The eyes of Texas are upon you,” but April Slaughter’s Ghosthunting Texas proves that at least some of those eyes belong to the dearly departed—ghosts. The book is a spine-tingling trip through Texas’ dusty small towns and cosmopolitan cities, from the panhandle to the Gulf of Mexico, and east and west across the largest of the Lower Forty-Eight states. Ride shotgun with April as she seeks out Indian and soldier ghosts at Fort Phantom Hill in Abilene. Travel with her to the Von Minden Hotel where the ghost of a World War II suicide can still be heard dragging furniture around, or to El Paso’s Plaza Theatre where several ghosts just won’t give up their seats. And who belongs to the disembodied female voice that whispers, “Please help! Someone is burning!” in the Caldwell County Jail Museum? Hang on tight; Ghosthunting Texas is a scary ride.

  But once you’ve finished reading this book, don’t unbuckle your seatbelt. There are still forty-nine states left for your haunted road trip! See you on the road!

  John Kachuba

  Editor, America’s Haunted Road Trip

  Introduction

  “THE BOUNDARIES WHICH DIVIDE life and death are at best shadowy and vague. Who shall say where one ends and the other begins?”

  —Edgar Allan Poe

  To some, the idea that ghosts exist is nothing more than a product of an overactive imagination. To others it seems to be an amusing possibility, a deeply fulfilling spiritual experience, or a terrifying everyday reality. Whether you are a devout believer in the paranormal, a skeptic who finds there is a more logical explanation for everything, or simply someone curious about the ‘other side,’ one thing remains constant—the unexplained has always been among us and continues to evoke fear and fascination in all areas of the world.

  When I was eight years old, my family moved into a home where odd things happened almost daily. Initially my experiences frightened me, but as the years passed and I began to seek out an explanation, I learned that fear only made things more difficult. I wanted to know, to understand, to survive those things that scared me the most … and I did. It was the beginning of a journey for me that forever changed my outlook on life, as well as the afterlife.

  I know that ghosts and spirits exist. I have seen them and heard their voices. I have been touched by unseen forces and witnessed apparitions materialize and dissipate right before my eyes. Being an avid paranormal researcher and investigator, these things have become commonplace in my life and have taught me that just when I think I have it all figured out, I am faced with the realization that I still have a lot to learn. No one has all of the answers, but it certainly is an interesting pursuit looking for them and sharing our collective experiences with others in hopes that we may come across that one experience that turns us into true believers.

  I am often asked what it is I hope to accomplish in doing the work I do. Am I looking to convince others that the spirits of the deceased walk among us? The simple answer is no. I am in search of validation of my personal beliefs and am entirely open to sharing that information with others with a willingness or desire to listen. The key to exploring anything unknown is to always keep an open mind and to truly soak up the energy that constantly surrounds you in any given situation. Be aware of your environment and be willing to let it teach you something new.

  My husband, Allen, is also an experienced investigato
r who has accompanied me in my travels and assisted me a great deal in fine-tuning the investigative process. There are several things visitors and investigators alike should keep in mind when they visit a location reported to have paranormal activity.

  I always stress the importance of making safety a priority. Whether you are visiting a location on your own or investigating with a group of people, it is imperative that you use your common sense and keep away from areas that are potentially hazardous or dangerous. While our curiosities often encourage us to explore that which has been hidden from us, it is very possible that our experiences can be tainted or even ruined entirely by not heeding caution.

  Another important point to keep in mind is that we are guests in these locations, and they deserve our respect. Both the physical and spiritual environments around us are sensitive to our actions, and we need to be accountable for how we conduct ourselves. You might even find yourself welcome to make a repeat visit in the future if those who care for the property are impressed with your conduct. This also helps to ensure other curious visitors will have access as well. What good is a great haunt if we can’t all share in the experience?

  In all of my travels, I have found it most helpful to go in knowing at least a little history of the place and what activity has been reported there over time. While some people prefer to go in blind, I find I am better prepared for a paranormal experience if I have a slight expectation of what could occur. It is important, however, to keep in mind that paranormal activity is not guaranteed. Just as people do unexpected things in life, those who have crossed over work in much the same way. There is an element of choice that seems to carry over from one realm to the other, and while it may seem disappointing at times, it is important to understand that not everything works on our own personal timeline or expectation. It may take some time before you experience legitimate activity, but it is well worth the wait when it happens! Some of my most profound experiences occurred when I least expected them or when my attention was turned to something else.

  Take notes! It is common practice among investigators to carry a notebook with them at all times. Documenting all of the details that you feel are important can later validate your experience as a whole. If others accompany you, interesting correlations may develop in your collective notes. Also, speaking with those who are frequent visitors or caretakers of the property can provide you with some of the more interesting details outside of the recorded history.

  One of the most common frustrations among beginning investigators is the notion that they need to spend a great deal of money on equipment before they are ready to get out into the field and gather reliable evidence. Nothing could be further from the truth! It is wholly unnecessary for you to invest money into equipment for investigations when it is fairly inexpensive to get started. Sure, having a thermal imaging camera is nice and can definitely be useful, but it comes with a hefty price tag and rarely produces anything anomalous. You can capture some of the best evidence with the simplest and inexpensive of tools, such as a digital camera, digital voice recorder, and one of the most important tools—the flashlight. I often have the opportunity to work with high-tech equipment, and there is the rare occasion it produces something impressive, but my best evidence has always come from the simple tools I take with me everywhere I go.

  Paranormal investigation is my passion, and I find it a privilege to meet and network with many individuals in the field as I learn something new from each of them. It is my hope that Ghosthunting Texas is a fun and informative read for you, as it has been such a pleasure for me to write. Many thanks to my friends and family for their endless support and understanding, as well as to those I have the honor to work with when forging ahead into the unknown. May your experiences be as enlightening and fulfilling as mine.

  April Slaughter

  Dallas, TX

  North Texas

  Abilene/Holly

  Fort Phantom Hill

  Amarillo

  Amarillo Natatorium

  Archer City

  Lonsesome Dove Inn

  Copper Canyon/Denton

  Fort Phantom Hill

  Gainesville

  Hill House Manor

  Dallas

  The Majestic Theatre Millermore

  Fort Worth

  The Bull Ring

  Matador

  Motley County Jail

  Terrell

  Iris Theatre/Books & Crannies

  Waxahachie

  Catfish Plantation

  CHAPTER 1

  Amarillo Natatorium AMARILLO

  Natatorium front facade on the 6th Street entrance (April Slaughter)

  LOVINGLY NICKNAMED “THE NAT” by locals, the Amarillo Natatorium was first opened to the public as an open-air swimming pool off Route 66 on 6th Street in 1922. A roof was added in 1923 so that it could be utilized all year long. While it provided the community with a valuable source of recreation and an escape from the scorching Texas heat, it survived as a swimming pool only three years when it was purchased by J.D. Tucker and completely converted into a concert and dance hall. The pool was drained and covered with a ten-thousand-square foot wooden dance floor to entertain dancers of the Roaring Twenties. A small hatch was installed in order to access the pool area beneath the dance floor.

  The Nat quickly became a treasured retreat for the community as the Depression swept over the United States. A businessman by the name of Harry Badger purchased the Nat in the 1930s, and to keep business and morale up, added a castle façade as well as a café, renaming the structure the Nat Dine & Dance Palace. Several well-known bands and singers were often booked to perform at the Nat. Such notables as Roy Orbison, Little Richard, Louis Armstrong, and Buddy Holly were some of the stars that entertained the patrons and provided an upbeat and fun environment in which to leave behind worry and enjoy a lively evening out.

  In 1994, the building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and in 1995 was deemed a Texas Historical Landmark.

  Perhaps the personal struggles of the people trying to survive the Great Depression coupled with the exciting entertainment of the Nat over past decades created the residual energies that still inhabit the building to this day.

  Now owned by Jim and Nell Griffin, part of the historic building has been converted into a bookstore while the dance hall area is still occasionally used to host events such as weddings and concerts. Over the course of many renovations to the original structure, people have recounted several experiences of paranormal phenomena. The sound of music playing in the ballroom seems to bring a part of the Nat’s vibrant past into the present, as activity has been said to spike shortly after the music begins to play.

  In my research of the Amarillo Natatorium, I came across several stories of people throughout the decades who believe the building is haunted because they have had their own personal experiences that defy any other explanation. It is rumored prior owners of the building would often return after having closed it up tightly the night before, only to find that objects and furniture had been moved from their original locations. Lasting only a matter of seconds, apparitions have reportedly been spotted dancing in the ballroom before quickly disappearing into thin air.

  These accounts intrigued me so much that I set out with my husband to visit the Nat and hopefully gain a little more insight into its colorful past. The building is immediately distinguishable from several blocks away, as its castle-like façade is unique and does not resemble any other building in the area. The structure sits back from the busy road and is nestled among other commercial properties. Allen and I were immediately excited to be visiting such an interesting historic site. We entered the Nat through the bookstore side and instantly felt at ease in the quaint little shop filled with old books, small sitting areas for reading, and George, the bookstore’s resident cat. We had the pleasure of meeting Aaron Baker and his wife Sarah Stone, managers of the bookstore. As we spoke with them we learned that they have yet to experience anything rea
lly paranormal, but expect they might someday. They aren’t at all worried about the possibility of a ghostly encounter. In fact, they seem to find the idea intriguing and enjoy hearing the stories of others. After all, what good is a bookstore without a good story or two?

  “We’re here all day, and aren’t usually around when it gets late and things supposedly happen,” Aaron said. “We’ve had several people come in looking for ghosts, though most of their attention is focused on the ballroom.”

  Branden Mann currently leases and manages the Nat Ballroom, which is accessed through the back of the bookstore, and is all too familiar with the spirits that make themselves known in the building. He was gracious enough to allow my husband and I in one Saturday afternoon to see and experience the ballroom for ourselves. I asked him to share with us what phenomena he had encountered in his time at the Nat.

  “I have heard so many noises with such consistency over the past five years that I honestly don’t even hear or pay attention to them anymore. On one particular occasion, I heard what I thought was the sound of a woman speaking in the same mumbling-type voice you would hear on a Charlie Brown cartoon. I couldn’t understand what was being said, but I definitely knew that someone was speaking close by.”

  Branden is often in the ballroom area working when the sound of footsteps on the upper level can be heard without anyone else being present in the building. While he has no idea who may be visiting or why, he has accepted their presence and continues on with his work despite the sometimes unexpected distraction. He is not at all frightened by the activity and believes that whoever is spiritually roaming the building must be there because it continues to mean something to them.