The Blood Curdling History of Haunted Souter Lighthouse

Whenever people think of creepy hauntings or grizzly tales, references to decrepit graveyards or famous war sites are often made. Other popular locations for all things spine-tingling are Victorian manors and desolate farmhouses. Unsurprisingly, medieval castles and eerie forests are also favorites for housing a spook or two. All over the world, morbid history and blood-chilling tales have been attached to homes of all shapes and sizes and even land. But what about lighthouses? Most people will struggle to think of a haunted lighthouse; it isn’t difficult to see why.

Lighthouses sit quietly, peacefully governing the shores below. Comforting beams of light give guidance and hope to tormented sailors whose ships thrash among unforgiving waves. Lighthouses are helpful. These beacons of light are a far cry from the rotten inventions and structures carved by man’s hand to wreak havoc upon the world. Despite this, haunted lighthouses do exist. Prepare to have your eyes opened and blood curdled as you digest the haunted history of Souter Lighthouse...

From The Darkness Came the Lighthouse!

The majestic structure that is Souter Lighthouse sits proudly atop the clifftops of South Shields and keeps a watchful eye over the beautiful surrounding coastline. South Shields is a town famous for innovation in shipbuilding and boasts an array of other maritime successes.

Once a bustling shore packed with merchant vessels, fishing boats, and the occasional Royal Navy fighter ship, accidents were never far away. In 1860, at least twenty shipwrecks were reported. The loss of life was intense and South Shields quickly gained notoriety as the most dangerous coastline in Britain. The jagged rocks, relentless storms, and fogs as thick as curdled milk sat like giant webs, ready to decimate anything that dared to venture too close.

Sinking Ships

One famous incident that defied the monstrous shores, was the sinking of the Forfarshire passenger ship. in 1838, Grace Darling, a 26-year-old local woman, whose father was a lighthouse keeper, heroically battled the storms in a fishing boat and fought her way toward the floundering wreck, and saved the lives of 62 people. Grace was honored with a silver medal and became a local hero.

Although Grace’s actions countered the negative reputation of the disastrous coastline, a dark cloud of despair remained. The overbearing list of deaths and destruction weighed heavy upon the town’s shoulders. As a result of these horrifying catastrophes, trade began to dwindle but this economic concern became the catalyst for the existence of this wonderful lighthouse that sits there today. Construction was completed in 1871.

The 75-foot-high structure was built by an accomplished engineer called Robert Allison and would become the first lighthouse in the world to be powered by electricity. It was thought that this innovative technological advancement would bring popularity, respect, and a higher flow of trade to the town and surrounding shores. More importantly, lives would be saved.

The constant glaring light would act as a beacon of warmth and warning, preventing ships in the night from floating into death’s eternal clutch. The main hope was that South Shields could finally eradicate its reputation of coastal disasters and revamp itself as a significantly less formidable place of trade. In the coming years, Souter Lighthouse justified its construction and money spent, and tumultuous incidents became sporadic. Trade boomed once more and local well-being was restored.

Madness Within The Haunted Lighthouse Walls

Souter Lighthouse was working well. Manned with an experienced lighthouse keeper, the glaring light comforted and guided every vessel and sailor for miles around. While locals slept soundly, the isolated keeper monitored the huge light all hours of the night while his family slept in the quarters close by. The light was made from 4.5 tonnes of glass that sat upon 1.5 tons of mercury. The shores remained tranquil for a while but it wasn’t long before bad luck and destruction returned.

As the days and nights passed, the lighthouse keeper slowly began to change. His moods became erratic and bizarre behaviors began to ensue. Before long, the keeper was gnawing at his flesh, tearing handfuls of hair from his scalp, and mercilessly pounding his face and head against the windows of the watch tower. One evening, a fisherman witnessed these events and ran to investigate, thinking the keeper was being attacked. Upon inspection, it was clear that the keeper and the keeper alone was responsible. He was moved to a local asylum and certified insane. Later inspection revealed that the seeping mercury below the light had been responsible for the lightkeeper’s brush with madness.

To this very day, people have reported shrill cries emitting from the lighthouse watch tower and some have reported witnessing the transparent figure of a man mutilating himself before disappearing into the darkness.

A Mysterious Death

Many years ago, a man known as John would regularly visit the lighthouse. He could be seen sitting outside on the grass, staring aimlessly out to sea. He would occasionally leave his grassy spot to wander the gravel paths outside the lighthouse and the keeper’s lodgings. The lighthouse grounds were a dedicated right of way for the general public with a museum inside, so nobody ever thought to question the strange man.

Those who saw the man would report darkness in his eyes and an unusual energy seemed to penetrate the air whenever he was near. One staff member recalled walking past the man and as she brushed shoulders with him, she felt a dark and evil presence engulf her. All the hairs raised on the back of her neck and arms. When she looked at him, his eyes were as black as night, his grin wide and evil.

Eventually, things took a sinister turn. One morning, the lighthouse keeper was conducting his rounds. Upon entering the engine room, he found the man dead. An investigation was launched and no foul play or suicide was determined. The reason for the man’s death remains unknown. Even after an autopsy, no solid conclusion was passed. Many people are convinced that an evil presence that lurks in the lighthouse is responsible. Whatever the cause, we will never truly know.

The Phantom Haunted Lighthouse Keeper

For decades, a tall man has been seen wandering the lighthouse grounds. He is always described as wearing a blue peaked cap and a thick blue trench coat with chunky brass buttons fastened from the bottom right up to the collar. This was the common uniform worn by lighthouse keepers in the 1800s. He is said to have a long, drawn, pale face, wearing an expression of tiredness and grief. He makes no sound and only walks a few steps before disappearing silently into thin air. Staff and visitors have reported that just before the lighthouse keeper appears, an eerily still and creepy vibe penetrates the area.

One of the more recent terrifying incidents involved an office worker. At 10 pm, she began to lock up for the evening. She heard a succession of taps on the window behind her. Knowing she was alone, she turned around and was startled by what she saw. Staring at her through the class, was the face of the lighthouse keeper. He fitted the descriptions of all who had seen him over the years. Frozen with fear, the office worker watched in horror as the drab face slowly faded away, leaving her alone once more.

The Ghost Of Isabella Darling

Isabella Darling was the niece of Grace Darling, the maritime heroine mentioned earlier in the article. Her father was the keeper of Souter Lighthouse for ten years from 1881 to 1891. Could the phantom lighthouse keeper be the spirit of Isabella’s father? Scores of people have reported seeing the spectral image of Isabelle roaming around the lighthouse gardens and picking flowers as she did in life.

Isabelle’s spirit has also been seen and heard wandering up and down the lighthouse staircase, accompanied by the swishing of her long flowing dress. Isabelle’s spirit is non-threatening and it is said that she remains to keep a watchful eye over her beloved lighthouse. Isabelle was said to have been an avid cook in life and loved concocting a wide array of delicious food for her friends and family in the lighthouse kitchen. In the dead of night, anybody walking past the kitchen can sometimes hear the clanking of pots and pans, gleeful whistling, and the smell of cooking. When people investigate further, all the noises and smells cease, leaving the kitchen quiet once more.

The Playful Poltergeist

After recent building work took place, paranormal activity increased throughout the lighthouse and lodgings. Personal belongings and objects such as tools, clothing, and cutlery would mysteriously disappear and reappear in inconspicuous places, sometimes weeks after they had vanished. Cold spots would appear around the lighthouse and many staff and visitors likened the coldness to ‘walking into a freezer’.

The poltergeist has never been described as malevolent but rather immature and ‘irritating’ in nature, very much like a bored child seeking attention at a busy family party. Staff and visitors have also reported a feeling of being watched. Invisible hands regularly grab arms and clothing and pull people’s hair. A lot of poltergeist activity is witnessed in the kitchen area and involves the levitation of spoons, and the opening and closing of drawers and cupboards. Taps mysteriously turn on and off by themselves and the coal fire has been known to ignite itself.

The engine room is also rife with poltergeist activity. Machines are reported to turn on and off by themselves and banging on the windows and doors can be heard by engineers who are trying to work. One Engineer reported seeing a dark figure standing to his right. When he turned, he saw the short, dark figure quickly scurry out of view behind the machinery. When the engineer investigated further, nobody was found. Many people think the poltergeist could be the spirit of a child who lived at the lighthouse many years ago and was tragically killed by falling off the nearby cliff while playing with friends. Whatever or whoever is responsible for the activity, is keeping a stern but friendly eye on the lighthouse.

Personal Experience

The Souter Lighthouse is now owned by the National Trust and daily tours allow visitors to see the preserved lodgings and lighthouse. Everything remains largely unchanged and many visitors liken their visit to ‘stepping back in time’. I was lucky enough to enjoy such a visit when I was eight years old. I remember walking into the keeper’s lodgings and listening to the guide telling our group about the daily duties of the lighthouse keeper and how his family would spend their lives in those rooms.

The impressive old living room had an open coal fire, stone floors covered with rugs, a kitchen table, and a cooking area adorned with brass pots, pans, and cooking utensils. In the center of the room, an old rocking chair faced the fire. It was easy to imagine a weary lighthouse keeper sitting in the chair, rocking back and forth as he stared into the glowing embers of the fire on a cold winter night.

The Haunted Rocking Chair

When the tour guide had finished talking, he gestured to the next room and the group slowly made their way out. Being the last person in the room, as I began to leave, I saw the old rocking chair tip forward slightly, roll backward, and then halt in a stationary position. My blood ran cold and an overwhelming sense of dread washed over me. Without thinking, I charged out of the room and joined the rest of the group in the next room. The experience shook me terribly and I shared what I had witnessed with my parents and the tour guide. The guide explained that the ‘rocking chair movement’ was a regularly reported phenomenon and that he had witnessed it many times himself.

Whether you believe in ghosts or not, a trip to Souter Lighthouse is highly recommended. You will enjoy an important part of Northern England’s maritime history that has been wonderfully preserved. If you do happen to see the spectral lighthouse keeper, remember to thank him for his hard work!

Ghosts In The House Are Your HVAC System!

Ghosts in your house are your HVAC system!

Are there a ghosts in the house going ‘Whooooooeeeeeeee’ in your home? Can you hear a ‘pitter and patter’ and a ‘clatter and clang’ when you’re trying to sleep at night? Don’t move out just yet: you may want to consider the fact that it’s something else making all the noise! While these are the sounds that are most associated with ghosts in the house, here’s the thing: they could also mean your HVAC system is the ghost in your house!

Old houses usually have draft currents that can really give you the chills and break out the goosebumps. Add to this the constant settling noises that an old house usually. So what happens when your HVAC system is also old and adds to the litany? You’ve got a primetime ghost story, that’s what!

Let’s see how your HVAC System can be your ghost.

Air Flow Causes The Noise Of Ghosts In The House

Ghosts In The House

When the compressor of your air conditioning system is at fault, you might find the air conditioner making some wheezy noises. Also, a compressor which isn’t working at full efficiency may lead to inconsistent temperatures throughout the house, which helps create a paranormal effect with pockets of hot and cold air.

When it comes to air flow, you may also find some doors slamming easily while another room is quite drafty. This tends to happen when the indoor air pressure is varying, which is also another effect of having an HVAC system that doesn’t work efficiently! Big houses are more susceptible to this paranormal effect. To get rid of it, all you need to do is fix your air conditioner stat!

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

There have been quite a few stories out there of people who have been seeing ghosts and other supernatural activity in their homes, only to be informed that these are the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide poisoning normally happens when fossil fuels are burned for heat in furnaces and release the gas, but this gas has nowhere to escape: your chimney may be blocked and all windows closed to keep the cold out.

When this happens, there is a build-up of carbon monoxide in the house, which can lead to all impressions of supernatural activity: hallucinations of ghost-like figures moving around the house, people calling out but there’s no one there, noises when there should be none, extreme lethargy and high probability of accidents in the house which can easily be attributed to ghosts, such as falling down flights of stairs!

Effects of carbon monoxide poisoning are not only hallucinations, but also headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, chest pains, severe paralysis and eventually death. This is why you need to have CO monitors around your house to tell you if CO levels are high. If they are, you need to fix your HVAC system.

Sorting out your HVAC system so that such gases can be released outside the house will do marvels to get rid of all your ghostly problems. You can do this by calling in an HVAC system technician to help you change your furnace air filter, open up any blocked ducts and vents around the house and clean up any outside debris on your outdoor HVAC unit.

Blocked Condensate Pipe

When something goes ‘drip drip’ all the time, you may think there’s a ghost in the house! Air conditioners shouldn’t leak water in the house but when they do, the sound the water makes as it hits the floors is quite, quite eerie – especially in the middle of the night. Every creak and groan in the night added to the constant dripping noise is enough to have anyone thinking someone’s being killed by a ghost and their blood’s dripping all over the house!

Ghosts in the house

In ninety percent of most paranormal situations, it’s the HVAC at fault. An old HVAC system has its fair share of issues – so if yours is acting up, don’t call in the paranormal guys to help you make head or tail of your ghostly observances. Call an HVAC technician instead to fix your HVAC system and see if all the supernatural activity around your house comes to a halt.

If not, you’re living in a haunted house. Move out before the resident ghost decides to take your life!

The Hanover Haunting Podcast With Tom And DeAnna

Sometimes in our life, things happen that we never expected to happen. These experiences create lasting wounds that will follow you for the rest of your life. It's easy to dismiss the idea of ghosts until you become a victim. The same thing occurred to a lovely couple who wanted to live their life to the fullest but fell victim to a haunted home that ruined their lives, albeit — temporarily. Let's dive into the famous Hanover haunting.

Tom and DeAnna

This is the narrative of Tom, Deanna, and their children. After they got married, the small apartment was not adequate for this big family. They chose to move into a large house to live their dreams and create lasting memories. They finally discovered the house of their dreams after a long and difficult search. Deanna became increasingly drawn to the house as she recalled childhood memories. Tom wasn't a big fan of the house, but he couldn't say no to Deanna, the love of his life. She pleaded with Tom to finalize the purchase of the home, and Tom eventually agreed. Finally, the day arrived when they moved into the house, but no one knew what was in store for them.

Moving Into the Haunted Home

Not wanting to waste time, they moved into the new house the following Monday. Sometimes the things that bring you happiness, can be a terrible omen. The couple noticed something was off on the first day. While DeAnna was unpacking, she felt as if something was watching her from the shadows. She looked around, in vain, and then went back to work. Everything appeared to be normal, but their sixth sense warned them that something was wrong. It is a natural rule that haunted locations gradually reveal themselves. On a typical day, Tom was in the kitchen when he saw a large scar on his palm that was not there a second before. It caused him to view everyday happenings with increased skepticism. Strange things were happening to both of them, but they felt it was an illusion and were hesitant to tell each other about it.

A Fateful Night

Tom and Dee were both watching TV in the living room one night. Dee became exhausted and needed to relax, so she began heading to her bedroom. Neither of them was prepared for what occurred next. On her way to the bedroom, Dee felt as if someone was following her, and the next thing she knew, she was being dragged onto the kitchen floor, and smashed her head on the kitchen table. She began weeping because she felt so defenseless. Tom dashed into the kitchen and discovered Dee sobbing on the floor. He attempted to question her, but she couldn't say anything. She shook with dread, sweating profusely. There were no words to convey what had happened; all he could do was console her. Dee clutched Tom like a scared kid and they both sat on the floor, struggling to process what had happened.

The Deer Sounds Off During The Hanover Haunting

The number of hauntings grew by the day. There were constantly new catastrophes to deal with. Amber, DeAnna's daughter, also complained of strange voices. She told her mother that she frequently heard the chattering of glasses in the kitchen and that the most astounding thing she heard was someone calling her name. But when she went to investigate, she found nothing.

One night, Tom and Dee were out, and Amber was busy reading a novel. Somewhere around 3 a.m., she became terrified after hearing sounds coming from Tom's room, which was locked. When Dee and Tom arrived home, they opened the room to check. Nobody was prepared for what they witnessed; the stag head was on the floor in the middle of the room. The previously mounted head had been pulled off the wall and placed on the floor by someone or something. But the room was locked, so how was that even possible?

Wavy Dreams

It is said that lost spirits communicate with you in your dreams. Dee was visiting her neighbor's house one day when she stumbled upon a photograph of two men. She froze as a chilly wave ran down her spine. She stated the names of the men, even though she had never met in her life. Dee’s neighbor was perplexed as to how she knew them. Dee told her that she had seen them in her nightmares and that they had advised her to leave her house. When Tom and DeAnna looked into it, they discovered that the house belonged to those abusive guys who had died a long time ago. It became clear that these two restless souls were haunting their home.

The Hanover Haunting Continued

Normally, people get frightened when they see a shadow of something strange or they might experience horrible things when they are alone on a scary night. But Tom, DeAnna and their children had terrifying experiences at their home during the day. They were even assaulted physically, which is unusual. When people are tormented to such an extent, their world is turned upside down. These kinds of tragedies must be examined to the point where victims can relate their stories in a safe atmosphere. Listen to Tom and Dee share their narrative if you want to experience the depth of their story.

Why Are We Fascinated by Haunting Love Stories ?

Haunted Stories instill a sense of fear. They stop us in our tracks and make us think twice about everything we think we know and understand. Yet, it holds an element of fantastic mystery. No matter how hard we avoid it, the mere mention of the word sparks curiosity. Even if we refuse to entertain the idea, there is still that moment of contemplation. Curiosity and wonder take over, and for a few moments, our hearts quicken and flutter.

Love resonates deeply with humans. Unlike other emotions, where people might react differently, love is a constant. It's the excitement that quickens our hearts, the warmth that floods our bodies, the hope that blooms, and the sparks that ignite. But what happens when these two collide? What is our fascination with haunted love stories?

Grief Leads To Obsession In These Haunted Stories

A woman who lost her husband and every close relative in the span of one year, and her infant daughter only a month after birth, believes that spirits have cursed her and are seeking karmic revenge. The story of Sarah Winchester may be one of the most famous real-life, tragic love stories ever told. Her life was that of a typical socialite. She was married to the love of her life, and they were wealthy. But a series of events would turn her entire world upside down. One that would go down hauntingly in history.

Mediums and Grief

It’s no surprise that Sarah sought guidance from a spiritual medium after the death of her husband, William Winchester in 1881. It was common for grief stricken family members to attempt to contact the deceased in the late 19th century. However, Sarah received more than a loving message from her husband.

The medium advised Sarah to leave Connecticut and build a mansion of epic proportions. During this time, Sarah herself became an expert at contacting the spirit world. She believed wholeheartedly that the spirits killed by the Winchester rifle (the weapons named for her husband's family and the item that contributed to Mrs. Winchester’s ample inheritance) were responsible for her loss. Sarah spent the rest of her days in almost complete seclusion. For 38 years, she took refuge behind the walls of a home built to the specifications she received from spirits during her séances.

Séances and Our Haunted Stories

It’s not known if Mrs. Winchester ever attempted to contact her husband in these séances, as she only conducted them alone. But I hope she spent the final decades of her life not only trying to appease what she believed were angry spirits but also seeking the comfort of her loved ones on the other side.

Some historians believe that the idea of Mrs. Winchester’s continuous building had nothing to do with her communicating with the dead. But rather, she wanted to feel as she did when her husband was alive and the two of them built their home in Connecticut. It is known that once Sarah arrived in California, she purchased not only the land that the Winchester Mystery House now sits on but also property in Southern California, as well as a houseboat that was kept in Burlingame, CA. Perhaps the elaborate building brought her comfort and reminded her of her life before her entire world crumbled.

Image: Canva

Love Leads To Heartbreak

In Sudbury, Massachusetts, in the idyllic countryside sits the 300-year-old Wayside Inn. It’s not only the expanse of its age, though impressive, that beckons visitors, but the tales of love, loss and death that are so compelling.

Jerusha Howe was the daughter of one of the families who has cared for the inn. She was known as the “Belle of Sudbury,” a talented pianist, singer, and very intelligent. It’s said that she turned down every suitor that approached her, except for one, an Englishman, whose name is not known. But according to legend, Jerusha fell deeply in love and accepted his proposal. He returned to England to make wedding plans, but he never sent for Jerusha, and he never returned.

Devastated, Jerusha spent the rest of her days caring for the inn at her brother's side. She never married, and she passed away at 45, presumably from a broken heart.

Guests who stay in Jerusha’s old bedroom, room 9, often report that they feel someone curl up next to them in bed, or see her in the room in the darkness of night. Interestingly, these encounters don’t seem to be too frightful. They are more comforting and curious.

Jersusha can be heard playing the piano, her citrus perfume can be smelled, and there are reports of her sweeping past guests on the stairs. Over the years, people have taken to leaving notes of their encounters in room 9 and have stuffed hand-written letters in the crevices of the ceiling, where the old beams are still visible. They are left in any crack and drawer, intentionally in view for future visitors to find.

Does Love Transcend The Spiritual Veil?

Is it only the potential to experience ghostly activity that lures visitors to these historical locations? What keeps us enamored by haunted stories of love and loss?

The possibility of life beyond this one has captivated human civilization since the beginning of time. Attempts to contact the spirit world goes back hundreds of years. Our longing to once again see our loved ones who have passed, to hear their voice, feel their presence, prove to ourselves that there is nothing to fear once we leave this life, drives our pursuit. Did Mrs. Winchester believe that her husband would come through at some point while conducting her seances? Some say she thought that once work on the house was done, it would be the time that she would die. Did William come through and tell her it was time to finally join him on the other side? Or was she at the mercy of the angry spirits, and at last, she was free of their wrath and could finally join her beloved.

What Keeps Us Seeking?

Our innate curiosity to understand the truth and find a reason for our existence and beyond feeds our desire to search deeper for answers. Do we continue living on a different plane of existence with ones who have passed? If so, why did Jerusha choose to stay behind? Does she know she has passed on? Does she feel so betrayed by the Englishman who captured her heart that she can't bear to move on and face him? Perhaps she believes that he was lost at sea, and she’s staying behind, hoping that they will cross paths again one day?

It’s this lack of concrete evidence that propels us to seek out tales to fulfill our imaginations —desperately hoping that someday, we’ll have proof that we will once again re-connect with those who we’ve loved and lost.

Who Haunts The Shambles York?

Shambles York

The Shambles in York attracts many visitors. Other cities claim streets with the same name (such as Manchester and Worcester), although I biasedly believe ours is the best! This ancient, cobbled lane is a museum, if you will, where tourists can step back in time. It’s easy to see why Anna and I want to film ‘Anna and Amy Investigate’ here

Shambles York Is Haunted

It’s not unreasonable to assume the Shambles York is haunted when considering it's long, unbroken history. Visitors may hope to see a spectral butcher or two still trying to sell their wares, or perhaps get an unexpected whiff of rotting meat as they dodge other tourists along the lane, but accounts of paranormal activity are surprisingly few. A well-dressed man wearing a bowler hat haunted the Shambles up until the 1940s when, for reasons unknown, he retired from such sport. More recently, an incident was caught on camera in the York Shambles Tavern when boxes and glasses fell off a shelf with some force. Anna and I would love to investigate there!

York Shambles and Apparitions

I heard an account of another apparition while indulging in a glass of vino at the Golden Fleece one day. This pub is across the road from the Shambles. An elderly chap struck up conversation and asked what I did for a living. I was awarded a wry smile when I told him I write about ghosts.

‘Appen you’ll know about our Margaret then,’ he said.

‘Our Margaret’ turned out to be Margaret Clitherow. This former Shambles resident married a wealthy butcher in 1571 before converting to Roman Catholicism three years later. The authorities little cared who she married, but they did take issue with her newfound faith. Margaret’s refusal to attend Protestant services saw her imprisoned for periods of time. She was arrested for the last time when they heard she was hosting Mass above the shop on the Shambles. Margaret refused to plead for fear of implicating friends and family in a trial and was executed in 1586. She was beatified in 1929 and canonized in 1970.

Bar Convent in York claims to have Margaret’s hand, but her body has never been found. The man told me she haunts the Shambles, searching for her earthly remains for he had encountered the spectre one morning while out buying a paper.

His determination to believe it was Margaret Clitherow inspired me to include her in my Porter Biggleswade series. Porter Biggleswade is a paranormal investigator who lives on the Shambles. She often sees Margaret’s ghostly form sidling up to unsuspecting visitors, wanting to know if they’ve seen her body. Well, there’s nothing wrong with a little artistic license. Perhaps Anna will be able to verify the man’s account when we film there.

Shambles York Ghosts are not well documented

I find it interesting so few ghosts are documented from the Shambles, yet the Golden Fleece is apparently brimming with them. With over five hundred years in the bag, this former coaching inn has had plenty of time to acquire spectres. Talk of figures disappearing through walls, rattling keys, disembodied footsteps, and people being touched are but a few of the things said to plague this ancient hostelry.

Haunted Shambles York

Specifics include a ghostly figure alleged to be that of Lady Alice Peckett (wife of a former Lord Mayor of York,) who roams the corridors in the early hours. A Canadian Airman who fell from an upper window also makes his presence felt along with ‘One Eyed Jack’, bearing his 16th century red coat and pistol. Roman soldiers aren’t exclusive to the Treasurer’s House cellar it turns out, for their ghostly forms prowl the pub’s basement. They are presumably walking the original ground level of Romano-British York, rather than showing a preference to haunt dark, dank places.

So, while some of the shops on the Shambles maybe haunted, accounts are sadly lacking. Perhaps proprietors feel uncomfortable advertising the fact for fear of scaring people away, or they’re so used to the antics of their ghostly squatters they simply accept it as part of Shambles living. Whatever the reason I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has experienced paranormal activity along the cobbles. And, you never know, ‘Anna and Amy Investigate’ may expose a few secrets too!

Murder at the Treasurer's House, York

Murder at Treasurers House York

Ghosts aren’t just for Halloween, or at least not in York. A city with over 2000 years in the bag, and many aged properties to boot, well, it’s hardly surprising some former residents refuse to leave! Space is at a premium within the city walls, and the living are forced to share with the dead. Or so the rumors would have us believe.

Reports of ghostly mischief are rife, fueled by the many guides keen to relay York’s darker side, but how many of these rumors really stand up to scrutiny? Death is a certainty, but what comes after is anything but. The paranormal proves provocative, with skeptics on one side and believers on the other, while the rest float somewhere in between. But whose view bears most weight? And why?

I worked in Pompeii and at the British Museum before completing a Master’s in Forensic Archaeological Sciences – clearly, I have a preoccupation with death. Moving to York, a city fixated with ghosts seemed the natural next step; the idea for paranormal investigator Porter Biggleswade was born.

Dubbed ‘the Shadow Reader’ for her ability to see ghosts, Porter investigates paranormal activity for a living. ‘There’s nothing normal about the paranormal,’ as Porter would say! While, I can’t claim to share Porter’s ability, I have had experiences which I struggle to rationalize. One occurred not long after my move to York.

Allow me to set the scene. It was a chilly, dry December afternoon and, having spent the morning immersed in research for my Porter Biggleswade series, I needed air. My walk took me in the direction of York Minster to Chapter House Street, a cobbled lane at the side of the Treasurer’s House. I was nearly upon the door when the temperature plummeted. It was both fleeting and unnerving. I can’t claim to have seen anything, but it felt like someone had passed through me. I didn’t linger.

Photographer: Erik Müller | Source: Unsplash

I was alone, it was cold, and my head was filled with ghostly shenanigans, I assumed I was just jumpier than usual. Perhaps it was a natural phenomenon, infrasound, or a rise in the electromagnetic field, which some argue can induce a sense of unease. I was also walking by the Treasurer’s House, a centuries old property steeped in history.

Numerous ghosts are alleged to haunt this property including former owners George Aislaby and Frank Green (who restored it to its former glory before leaving it to The National Trust). The most chilling encounter involved a league of ghostly Romans who terrified apprentice plumber Harry Martindale in the property’s cellar in 1953. This was all fresh in my mind, so maybe I had fallen foul of my imagination.

Fast forward eight years, and I found myself imparting my odd experience to fellow writer Anna Rogers. Anna is paranormally sensitive; she was understandably curious. We decided to join forces in January under the guise of ‘Anna and Amy Investigate’ to investigate the hauntings of York. We don’t have an arsenal of equipment to document paranormal phenomena, but we film our endeavors in the hope of capturing anything out of the norm (plus it hinders us from embellishing any experiences after the fact!).

Our first film was about an experience Anna had had in 2010 (now infamously known as Anna’s ‘Woman in White’). I filmed and interviewed Anna while she retraced her steps from that terrifying night and was amazed by her reaction to certain buildings years after the fact. It inspired me to make a film about my own experience on Chapter House Street - I was curious to see how Anna would react to the place. I was hoping she would pick up on something I had felt that day, and perhaps offer me a little insight.

Anna agreed, and we arranged to film there one bright, blustery morning. I suggested we start in the Treasurer’s House garden before moving onto Chapter House Street. Anna was in good spirits until she ventured through the gates into the garden when her demeanor inexplicably changed. Her smile slipped, and she suddenly appeared hunched. I hadn’t seen her like this before, and Anna was equally thrown by her reaction.

It quickly became apparent this film wasn’t going to be about my experience. Ghosts are nothing if not unpredictable!

Anna reads buildings by touching them. It sometimes induces a physical reaction with nausea being at the extreme end. Watch our films and you’ll see for yourselves! Anyway, I suggested she touch the Treasurer’s House to see if we could unravel why she was suddenly feeling so troubled, but she found herself drawn to the front steps. She followed her urge to sit down, and what happened next stunned us both.

Anna felt herself falling forwards. It took her a moment to understand what was happening, but when she did, we were horrified. She had been shoved.

Anna struggled to unravel what she was experiencing, but she sensed a young woman standing at the top of the steps. The figure was taking advantage of a quiet moment to admire the view. With York Minster dominating the vista it’s easy to see why. Someone stole upon her while she was distracted and pushed her. Hard. The woman fell and hit her head on the steps.

"It was murder."

Anna started to retch. She looked terrified. Moving away from the steps helped, but she seemed to shrink even further. She was freezing, and visibly distressed. I hadn’t seen or felt anything but watching Anna’s reaction threw me yet again. I hadn’t expected any of this. I suggested we go back to my house to discuss what had just happened.

We filmed our post-filming talk to document any detail.

Anna described a woman in her twenties wearing an outfit dating to the Edwardian period. Frank Green didn’t have children, but he was known to be a sociable creature who often threw parties. Was she a guest who had come to a sticky end? Anna felt it was a crime of passion, with someone acting impulsively. Was it a jealous lover or fiancé with an axe to grind?

There was no mention of a death on the steps on the internet, but the woman may have died later from her injuries. Or perhaps ‘the incident’ was covered up. Frank Green was said to be a controlling man who wouldn’t have welcomed bad press. His guests going about murdering each other, well it doesn’t look good, does it! The fact he is rumored to haunt the house suggests he isn’t ready to relinquish the property just yet. Did he pull some strings to keep the murder quiet, or did he really think it was just a devastating accident?

Whatever the truth, I believe something happened there. A ghostly Roman, or even Frank Green himself strolling around the garden smoking a cigar would have been a more likely experience, but the randomness of Anna’s account certainly makes it more intriguing.

"A Murky Path Down Archer Avenue" Short Documentary

Few things make me happier than figuring out how to construct documentary projects through research and shooting plans.  Everything is safely practical during those planning stages but, once the production actually begins, it's an entirely new reality of headaches, revisions, and inevitable screw-ups.

I have an independent horror film coming up later this year.  It involves an updated camera hard drive and constant editing learning curves.  Doing documentary projects can be relaxing experiences in the best scenarios so, I figured, what a better way to try out some new horror-centric content than to do a documentary revolving around real, creepy, pre-existing scenes?  I didn't want this documentary to be too easy since it's a sort of drill for that bigger shoot.  A few years back, I had done a short doc about the spirits of Detroit--it's literally called "The Spirits of Detroit"--and I wanted to do something in a similar vein in my usual home city (I was born and raised in the metropolitan Detroit area and I now live in Chicago).

Chicago has too many ghosts.  Doing a documentary about the spirits of Chicago would encompass too much so I decided to stick to one general area.  Archer Avenue isn't one spot, per se; it's a far-reaching street that begins in the South Loop district and stretches beyond the city limits into the southwestern suburbs.  Slicing through hundreds of years worth of multi-layered, unpleasant history, the road serves as a microcosmic sample of what this American region represents.  A well-worn Native American route collided with European immigrants and the psychospiritual baggage that they dragged along with them.  The result is a very long, appropriated, and renamed boulevard lined with myth-drenched cemeteries and woodlands.  The Archer Avenue area is absolutely beautiful and you can feel the history surrounding you.  

This sinister little project was designed to be speedy so I did the best that I could to rush viewers through a Mr. Toad's Wild Ride-inspired jaunt mixing the archived past with a large helping of urban myths and local pop culture.  Whatever's going on with Archer Avenue has staying power.  These are old tales passed down through generations, constantly being remixed and updated.  

Are there actually haunted places on Archer Avenue?  People swear that there are.  The energy in these places, speaking through firsthand experience, seems to back this up.  Did a couple of weird things happen?  Yes.  But I made this documentary to reflect Archer Avenue's potent mesh of history and paranormal rumors, not to present some kind of video diary.  It's an old-fashioned approach: location cinematography and actors in costumes used as live-action illustrations, fleshing out stories.  The supposed scenarios revolving around Archer Avenue and its various locations read like fragmented scripts from B movie horror films.....so why not offer a glimpse at these scenarios utilizing some custom-made B movie horror film fragments?  It makes perfect sense.  Research, narrative compression, and a little bit of technical exercise for me and a thoroughly unnerving, quick, paranormal history adventure for viewers.  If you enjoy the possibility of running into monsters, dead monks, and cursed damsels, there's a few places in Chicago that you may want to visit.  All that you have to do is take a trip down a specific street.

"A Murky Path Down Archer Avenue" is a short documentary by Derek Quint via Addovolt Productions.  This project is narrated by Michael Marius Massett and features music by Andre Almaraz and Michael Marius Massett.