The sound of laughter rings through the hallway, but it is not always the children making the noise.
"Several of our ghost tours feature haunted schools," explains Beth Cooper, owner of Ghost Tours of Kansas, "The most common ghost activity in schools seems to be the sound of children playing, doors slamming and objects being moved."
Prominent schools with ghosts include Kansas State University, Topeka High School and Wyandotte High School in Kansas City, Kansas.
"KSU is well-known for the Purple Masque Theater Ghost," according to tour guide Amber Munoz, "The ghost is a former theater student who still makes its presence known by shaking props on stage and banging noises."
Topeka High School students have eery tales of the ghosts that haunt the school. The most mysterious is that of a photo that hangs in the lobby.
Former student Devin Cooper says the photo was taken right before the school opened. "In the photo you can see two shadow figures standing in the room. Years ago the photographer claims to have been alone when the photo was taken."
Students and staff continue to experience paranormal activity, including doors that open and close, whispering voices and "creepy and scary" feelings.
Why are schools haunted? Several theories might explain the ghost activity.
"As a paranormal researcher I have found that strong emotions, significant life events, or tragedy can lead to paranormal activity. Students experience a wide variety of emotions and events while attending school, and this potentially opens the door for paranormal activity or a haunting." states Paranormal Research Investigators Founder and Lead Investigator Nick Spantgos
Tragedy might also be a reason for paranormal activity.
At Wyandotte High School in Kansas City, Kansas four men were killed when the ceiling above the theater collapsed. Their deaths are commemorated by panels that flank each side of the stage. Students believe that the ghosts of the workers may haunt the theater.
“I was in the school production of ‘The Wiz’ in 2003. During a rehearsal, two girls were operating the spotlights when one of them felt something touch her,” explains Joe Kline, Ghost Tours of Kansas tour guide and alumnus of the school, “The other girl saw an apparition at about the same time.” Both girls were so frightened that they refused to work the spotlights anymore.
Perhaps the ghostly past still lingers as students return to the place that holds memories, and mystery.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Shawnee, Kansas Ghost Tour Announced
The wild frontier days of Shawnee as well as the haunts that may still linger are featured during a new ghost tour of Shawnee.
The first tour of the season will be at 8 p.m. Saturday, August 29, departing from PJ's Bar and Grill located at the intersection of Shawnee Mission Parkway and Nieman Road.
The tour will fascinate ghost enthusiasts and history buffs alike.
"We have extensive history dating to pre-Civil War days, which might explain some of the paranormal activity," explains tour guide Beth Rupert,"Without history, there are no hauntings."
Stops along the tour include two cemeteries, the business district and other haunted locations.
"For our first tour only, we will stop at a downtown business and talk to the owner who believes his grandfather is still 'working' in the store," said Beth, "It's a great chance to hear first-hand some of the experiences they have encountered there. A paranormal investigator will discuss what evidence they found at the store and the types of equipment they use."
Additional Shawnee tour dates are September 4, 18 and 26 plus every Friday in the month of October. Due to the sensitive nature of the tour, age is limited to 12 and over. Tickets can be purchased online at www.ghosttourkansas.com.
The first tour of the season will be at 8 p.m. Saturday, August 29, departing from PJ's Bar and Grill located at the intersection of Shawnee Mission Parkway and Nieman Road.
The tour will fascinate ghost enthusiasts and history buffs alike.
"We have extensive history dating to pre-Civil War days, which might explain some of the paranormal activity," explains tour guide Beth Rupert,"Without history, there are no hauntings."
Stops along the tour include two cemeteries, the business district and other haunted locations.
"For our first tour only, we will stop at a downtown business and talk to the owner who believes his grandfather is still 'working' in the store," said Beth, "It's a great chance to hear first-hand some of the experiences they have encountered there. A paranormal investigator will discuss what evidence they found at the store and the types of equipment they use."
Additional Shawnee tour dates are September 4, 18 and 26 plus every Friday in the month of October. Due to the sensitive nature of the tour, age is limited to 12 and over. Tickets can be purchased online at www.ghosttourkansas.com.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Weather and Ghosts in Kansas
“In Kansas, you know you’re in trouble when the storm chasers and the ghost investigators are in your town at the same time,” points out investigator and guide Devin Cooper.
An investigation in Leavenworth April 25, 2009 proved to be somewhat challenging. “I was really freaking out,” recalls Andrea Isaia, PRI investigator, “we followed a tornado for about 20 miles as we traveled from Lawrence to Leavenworth. We saw houses and trees damaged.” A 40 minute trip lasted nearly 2 hours.
During the investigation at Leavenworth’s Santa Fe Depot Diner, some of the team members sat in the basement while the tornado sirens were sounding.
Paranormal investigators theorize that weather has an impact on ghost activity.
“There was more activity during this second investigation,” explains Cathy Ramirez, “we think part of that is because of the storm and the electricity from the lightening. Spirits need energy to manifest, and lightening can provide this energy.”
Other investigations may have been impacted by weather.
“At the Holton Country Club during the first investigation we had a rain storm.” said Devin, “before it started raining we had a variety of activity. After the rain, activity seemed to just stop.”
There are many theories concerning the effect of weather and moon phases on paranormal activity but the bottom line for most investigators is “Every day is a good day for a ghost hunt.”
-From the book "Ghosts in Kansas" publish date 2010.
An investigation in Leavenworth April 25, 2009 proved to be somewhat challenging. “I was really freaking out,” recalls Andrea Isaia, PRI investigator, “we followed a tornado for about 20 miles as we traveled from Lawrence to Leavenworth. We saw houses and trees damaged.” A 40 minute trip lasted nearly 2 hours.
During the investigation at Leavenworth’s Santa Fe Depot Diner, some of the team members sat in the basement while the tornado sirens were sounding.
Paranormal investigators theorize that weather has an impact on ghost activity.
“There was more activity during this second investigation,” explains Cathy Ramirez, “we think part of that is because of the storm and the electricity from the lightening. Spirits need energy to manifest, and lightening can provide this energy.”
Other investigations may have been impacted by weather.
“At the Holton Country Club during the first investigation we had a rain storm.” said Devin, “before it started raining we had a variety of activity. After the rain, activity seemed to just stop.”
There are many theories concerning the effect of weather and moon phases on paranormal activity but the bottom line for most investigators is “Every day is a good day for a ghost hunt.”
-From the book "Ghosts in Kansas" publish date 2010.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Former Mortuary Tops Kansas Most Haunted List
Ghost Tours of Kansas today announced the top 5 most haunted places in Kansas.
"Each year we select the locations based on the quality of evidence and personal accounts of hauntings," said Beth Cooper, co-owner of Ghost Tours of Kansas, "for 2009 the Holton House tops the list as most haunted".
The Holton House is one of 48 locations that was investigated by Paranormal Research Investigators and ghost tour staff. Formerly a mortuary, the Holton House in Holton provides a rich environment for paranormal investigators.
"We were running a FLIR thermal sweep when we saw a profile on the screen walk through a closed door," explained Nick Spantgos, Co-Founder of Paranormal Reserach Investigators, "It was the most amazing thing I have ever seen.”
Along with personal experiences, disembodied voices and EVP’s (Electronic Voice Phenomenon) it is easy to see why the Holton house is labeled as the most haunted location.
"It was a surprise to us that Holton had so many haunted places," said Cooper, "I am sure the locations will change as we continue to investigate across the state."
The top 5 most haunted locations in Kansas are:
1. Holton House Bed and Breakfast- Holton
2. Constitution Hall- Topeka
3. St. Mary’s Church- Kansas City
4. Hotel Josephine- Holton
5. Holton Country Club- Holton
"Each year we select the locations based on the quality of evidence and personal accounts of hauntings," said Beth Cooper, co-owner of Ghost Tours of Kansas, "for 2009 the Holton House tops the list as most haunted".
The Holton House is one of 48 locations that was investigated by Paranormal Research Investigators and ghost tour staff. Formerly a mortuary, the Holton House in Holton provides a rich environment for paranormal investigators.
"We were running a FLIR thermal sweep when we saw a profile on the screen walk through a closed door," explained Nick Spantgos, Co-Founder of Paranormal Reserach Investigators, "It was the most amazing thing I have ever seen.”
Along with personal experiences, disembodied voices and EVP’s (Electronic Voice Phenomenon) it is easy to see why the Holton house is labeled as the most haunted location.
"It was a surprise to us that Holton had so many haunted places," said Cooper, "I am sure the locations will change as we continue to investigate across the state."
The top 5 most haunted locations in Kansas are:
1. Holton House Bed and Breakfast- Holton
2. Constitution Hall- Topeka
3. St. Mary’s Church- Kansas City
4. Hotel Josephine- Holton
5. Holton Country Club- Holton
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Comments from October 2008 Ghost Tours
Thank you and your team so much for the fantastic tour last night! I know the Chamber group really enjoyed it. I heard many people mention how many locations we visited that they didn't even know existed in our community! The ghost stories are wonderful; both for their spooky nature, but for their historical information, too. Again, thank you!!
~Megan
We had a great time!
Thanks again - Kim and Shelby
We had a wonderful time on both. I got some interesting EVP's. I am looking forward to any future tours and investigations you have.
Kathy
Hi Beth,
We had a great time on your ghost tour! I tried really hard to relate all the haunted locations back to my mom, she was so jealous!
I wanted you to know we had a great time on the tour! Is there any way to get a copy of the script? There was so much information given, that we can't remember what went with which location. We hope to make it on a few of your other tours soon.
Thanks for a great time,
Wendi
That was excellent !!! I was wondering if they ever go back into St.
Mary's Church in KCK if there was any way I could come along ? I really like to see the inside of the church.
Rich
I just wanted to respond to this since i didn't have the number with me Saturday night - there were 5 of us at the 10 pm tour. Thanks for a fun time - very interesting - we all enjoyed it.
Jane
~Megan
We had a great time!
Thanks again - Kim and Shelby
We had a wonderful time on both. I got some interesting EVP's. I am looking forward to any future tours and investigations you have.
Kathy
Hi Beth,
We had a great time on your ghost tour! I tried really hard to relate all the haunted locations back to my mom, she was so jealous!
I wanted you to know we had a great time on the tour! Is there any way to get a copy of the script? There was so much information given, that we can't remember what went with which location. We hope to make it on a few of your other tours soon.
Thanks for a great time,
Wendi
That was excellent !!! I was wondering if they ever go back into St.
Mary's Church in KCK if there was any way I could come along ? I really like to see the inside of the church.
Rich
I just wanted to respond to this since i didn't have the number with me Saturday night - there were 5 of us at the 10 pm tour. Thanks for a fun time - very interesting - we all enjoyed it.
Jane
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Haunted or Not- EMF and Ghosts
Recently the Paranormal Research Investigators team was asked to visit a home that was extremely active with several hauntings. The owner explained to us that their child was seeing and communicating with several ghostly entities.
The first step for investigators was to meet with the family in their home, and do a walk through of the child's bedroom. Astoundingly, the EMF detector registered energy that was off the chart.
A keyboard, fan and electric outlets were emitting an electro-magnetic field at levels dangerous to human health. Most often the culprits of high EMF readings are ceiling fans, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, breaker boxes, and any electronics with a transformer inside.
Studies indicate that high levels of EMF can cause feelings of paranoia, delusions and anxiety, as well as poor health and illness.
The team made several recommendations to the family, including removing the keyboard and fan, and checking the wiring in the outlets.
Many stories of hauntings have been debunked simply by calling an electrician. Haunted? Or not?
The first step for investigators was to meet with the family in their home, and do a walk through of the child's bedroom. Astoundingly, the EMF detector registered energy that was off the chart.
A keyboard, fan and electric outlets were emitting an electro-magnetic field at levels dangerous to human health. Most often the culprits of high EMF readings are ceiling fans, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, breaker boxes, and any electronics with a transformer inside.
Studies indicate that high levels of EMF can cause feelings of paranoia, delusions and anxiety, as well as poor health and illness.
The team made several recommendations to the family, including removing the keyboard and fan, and checking the wiring in the outlets.
Many stories of hauntings have been debunked simply by calling an electrician. Haunted? Or not?
Comments from a Constitution Hall Investigation Guest
"We had a fabulous time! The PRI guys were very informative and stayed and talked to us for quite a while. I have not had time to go through all the stuff on the digital recorder. I did have my hair lightly pulled at the constitution hall and when I came out the pictures tim took of me showed one loop in my hair were it was pulled through the barrett. That was exciting and believe it or not didn't scare me like I thought it would. I think it only made us more curious. although we do have two pictures from the tour you took us on. One picture taken in the big six room at about 2 am has a weird face in the mirror and some other unexplainable shadows. We were the only ones down there and the bar was closed. Also one of the pictures we took at the Haskel cemetery has a weird reflection but you can see an eye in it and there is no way that I can see to get one eye floating in the trees. Thank you very much for the tickets and we will be in touch. We are looking forward to getting more equipment and joining more investigations. "
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