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History
The main building of this museum was originally built in 1932 as the Alva General Hospital.
The hospital operated until 1972.
In 1976 it was converted over to a historical museum. Both the Surgery Room and the Nursery Room in the hospital are both restored to how they were when it was an operational hospital.
Paranormal Activity
As with most hospitals said to be haunted there are stories of botched surgeries, accidental deaths and fatal mistakes in this one.
The second and third floors of the former hospital are bricked off and inaccessible. Despite that, shadows and apparitions are seen moving through the rooms and unexplained lights are often reported on these empty floors.
Disembodied voices have been heard. Cold spots are frequently experienced by museum staff and patrons. There is also a piano in the reception area which occasionally will play by itself.
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By Kristina Maldonado - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28638432
History
Built between March and December 1907 by John Melville Bayless for his wife and family. He also built the Sequoyah Hotel, Windsor Opera House and the Claremore Athletic Association building.
Only the Belvidere Mansion remains standing today.
Tragically, Mr Bayless died from an appendix attack 6 months before the house was completed.
His wife, Mary Melissa, and their 7 kids did move into the house in December and lived in it until 1919. The interior of the house is much more designed to Mrs Bayless’ taste rather than her former husband.
The children did quite well as they grew to adults becoming a bank president, postmasters and the youngest even served on the Oklahoma Supreme Court.
In the late 1920’s the mansion was bought by the Bell family and divided up into 12 apartments.
By the 1980’s the house was all but falling apart causing it simply be abandoned in 1990’s.
Later in the 90’s the mansion was bought by the Roger’s County Historical Society.
They have now restored the house to it’s Victorian grandeur and can be booked for self-guided tours.
Paranormal Activity
Most people agree it is the Bayless family that haunts the house - for the most part – but; based on my experiences with other heritage properties; that were sub-divided I don’t think the multiple tenants over the decades should not be ruled out.
The majority of recorded and witnessed paranormal activity is on the second floor.
The 2 most common apparitions – both of whom have communicated with the living – are a very stressed out John Bayless and a female who says she ended her own life in the house in the 1940’s.
The apparitions of children are also seen playing in the house. They may be the Bayless children or from past tenants or perhaps a combination of both.
Other Reported Activity: shadow figures; unexplained noises; disembodied voices; touches, tugs and pulls by unseen entities; light anomalies; hot and cold spots; toilets flushing on their own; electrical disturbances and feelings of not being alone and being watc
HAVE YOU HAD A PARANORMAL EXPERIENCE AT THIS LOCATION?
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All Photos Courtersy of Paranormal Wasteland
THE HISTORY
It has been said that there is beauty in the breakdown.
If this is true, Lindley Hospital in Duncan, Oklahoma is certainly beautiful. The building stands idly by, watching cars drive by, children riding their bikes, folks walking their dogs. It hears the whispers of passersby who tell anyone who will listen that they are sure, even positive, that they saw a face in that window- yes, that one right there.
So is it true? Is Lindley Hospital really haunted? According to those who have stepped foot inside, it is.
Not much is known about the history. It seems the original building was built at some point in 1937, serving the community of Duncan until it was burnt down in a fire in 1957. A new building was erected in its place and served as a hospital until the 1980s. It seems there is not much to find and everything gleaned from research is incredibly vague.
The building was sold in 1999 and was essentially used as a storage unit and left to rot until 2020, when the current owner purchased it.
One can still see a gigantic pile of paint buckets outside from the previous owner.
THE PARANORMAL
Leilani Kohles, the current owner of Lindley Hospital has witnessed activity herself whilst cleaning out the building.
People who were assisting the cleanup efforts all had walkie-talkies and claimed that a little child’s voice came through multiple different channels, to multiple different people. Objects tend to move on their own, and tea cups have even been smashed by unseen forces. Disembodied growls are heard in the Clinic area, where a spirit who dislikes men is said to reside.
Hope from the team Haunted Oklahoma experienced the sensation and sounds of someone running up to her. Due to the activity we (Paranormal Wasteland) experienced, I believe Lindley Hospital is extremely haunted.
Leilani says the activity has calmed down since she cleaned out much of the hospital, but that doesn’t mean it stopped.
While investigating the “Little Boy’s Room”, my co-investigator Adam set down a REM-Pod for the boy to play with. Immediately upon setting it down on the floor, the REM-Pod started flashing and beeping, and the lights went all the way around. Simultaneously the Maglite started flashing and answering questions intelligently.
Having both phenomena happen at the same time validated that the activity we were witnessing was indeed unexplainable. Earlier in the night the entire group heard a door slam and could find no cause-we searched the whole building.
Overall, Lindley Hospital is not disappointing by any stretch of the imagination. You will be left with more questions than answers... and isn’t that part of the fun?
HAVE YOU HAD A PARANORMAL EXPERIENCE AT THIS LOCATION?
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By flickr user strph - https://www.flickr.com/photos/strph/112316958/, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1620912
History
Built in 1924 by Tate Brady this building has been a garage, a pay per dance hall, a dancing academy and finally a legend of Tulsa.
Between 1935 to 1942 this was the home of Bob Willis and The Texas Playboys who popularized a new form of music called Western Swing. In fact, the ballroom is known as the Carnegie Hall of Western Swing.
There’s even a Walk of Fame on the Sidewalk outside of the club and posters of some of the most famous acts in the music industry – with a focus on Country and Western of course - who have played here adorn the walls.
Cain’s was recently ranked as the #22 most popular club worldwide based on ticket sales.
So, forget NYC, LA, Paris and London come to Tulsa.
Paranormal Activity
The ghost of Bob Willis himself is still seen wandering the building that made him famous.
A transparent lady in a red ball room gown is often seen on the dance floor after hours. Rumor has it she even dances with the paying customers but is rarely noticed in the bustle.
A man in 1900’s era cowboy attire has appeared at the bar and asked for 10 cent popcorn. The last time that was offered was about 1900.
In old washrooms behind the stage, one investigator heard a woman crying and moaning in pain. When she asked if they were ok and took a look around, she realized she was all alone.
Other Reported Activity: apparitions; disembodied voices and whispers; cold spots; light anomalies and feelings of not being alone.
HAVE YOU HAD A PARANORMAL EXPERIENCE AT THIS LOCATION?
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History
Built in 1923 by the Freemasons to take care of the children in the area who had no one else to care for them.
It housed more than 100 children and despite its name took in both boys and girls. There was a huge gym and dining hall on site and even an indoor swimming pool. Sounds like paradise on Earth for an orphaned child, doesn’t it?
And there are plenty of stories published in a book by the Freemasons that declare it as just that. Not that happy places can’t become haunted. Horror stories aren’t needed to create ghosts, are they?
Well in a word no. We don’t really know what ghosts are other than some form of energy that we don’t truly understand yet. That being said who wants hear a ghost story where everyone was treated well and – well – accidents happen right?
All that’s really needed is an unexpected death or someone with unfinished business dying before they could finish it. Or perhaps a place they loved so much they returned after their death.
That this location is haunted – populated by ghosts – most people agree on. Its when we ask why that the issues start to get sticky.
There are horror stories appearing in the past of this building but most people would agree they fall into the realm of Urban Legends. Once again, we hit those 2 words and, once again, we need to acknowledge there’s some truth somewhere in all Urban Legends.
Either way the orphanage closed in 1977 or 78; not due to anything nefarious but because State adoption laws changed. The building remained closed and abandoned until 2000 – plenty of time for those horror stories to grow - when it was restored and turned into an events venue and hotel.
Paranormal Activity
And what are these Urban Legends? You say.
An evil priest or headmistress who beat the children – some to a degree that they died. What to do with the body of a murdered child – putting aside the whole distasteful side of it as any psychopath would – well you bury said body in the basement. Now we have the makings of a real ghost story to chill your spine.
Oh yes, and this priest or headmistress didn’t spare their staff either. One nurse was so horrified by her treatment and the treatment of the children she hung herself in the belltower.
The actual recorded paranormal activity includes:
At midnight, and perhaps any time after dark, the shadow of a woman hanging from a noose in the belltower will pass over you.
The apparition of a woman who walks the main hallway eternally.
The ghost of a little girl who begs you to protect her from an unseen evil.
The apparition of a small boy running around seemingly oblivious to the living.
The phantom sounds of children screaming and crying – oh and laughing but that one usually gets skipped over.
One comment about a bathroom being quite chilly but the staff have confirmed there is air conditioning pumped directly into the bathrooms.
Other Activity: disembodied voices; light anomalies; electrical disturbances and feelings of not being alone.
For reference the former children’s dormitory is now hotel rooms and the massive dining hall is now the grand ballroom.
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THE HISTORY
In a tiny town in central Oklahoma lies a beautiful Victorian mansion. She stands out amidst the sleepy town, and her all-white exterior and double wraparound porches boast of elegance. Built in 1907, The Stone Lion Inn in Guthrie hides something much darker underneath her stately exterior.
The inn was originally built as a residence for Frederick Ernest Houghton and his family, consisting of his wife and their twelve children. Unfortunately, one of their many children perished, with rumors swirling that the daughter was poisoned by the maid.This can’t be verified and the name of the girl seems to change depending on who you talk to. The Houghtons, however, faced financial difficulties and moved, leaving the house to be leased to a mortuary business. There is not much to be found about the business itself. In 1986, Becky Luker purchased the home, and said it felt like the home was calling to her. She soon opened up a bed and breakfast. When she moved in, there was an embalming table original to the mortuary business that still sits in the front hall to this day.
ELMER MCCURDY
There is another, more strange element to the story of the Stone Lion Inn. It involves an American outlaw, his death, and his burial almost 80 years later. Elmer McCurdy was a bank and train robber who was shot by police at a mere 31 years old. McCurdy’s story doesn’t end in his death, though. McCurdy’s body was placed on display in a funeral home in Pawhuska. His body was embalmed with a particularly strong solution which was used for bodies that may be sitting awhile as they were unclaimed. Two men finally stepped up to claim the deceased criminal and said they were his brothers. James and Charles Patterson were indeed not McCurdy’s brothers, but were actually owners of a traveling carnival and side shows. They used McCurdy’s now mummified body in the carnival. After years of being used as a prop for shows, Elmer McCurdy sat in a warehouse. He was once again found and used as a prop in a television show. A prop man moved the corpse, and to his shock and horror, a finger with a human bone fell off. McCurdy died in 1911, and was officially buried in 1977. He was buried in the Boot Hill section of a Guthrie cemetery. Concrete was actually poured over the casket so McCurdy would always be at rest, never to be moved again.
So how does this tie in with the Stone Lion Inn? Becky Luker, the current owner of the inn, hosts dinner murder mysteries in the home. People from all around the country flock to this event. Becky’s favorite murder mystery to play out is the death and discovery of Elmer McCurdy. Some folks have claimed that Becky herself performs satanic rituals to contact McCurdy and to keep his spirit trapped in the Inn. Ms. Luker, however, finds these claims ridiculous and unfounded.
THE PARANORMAL
Reports of the paranormal include music playing with no source, general feelings of unease, footsteps with no living being around, slamming doors, cold touches from unseen hands, and more. The owner’s son has even had multiple experiences, including a door slamming and moving in front of his very eyes. EVPs have also been captured, the most interesting one caught by OKPRI seeming to say, “Sarah… Good sister…” Some say Elmer McCurdy’s spirit also frequents the inn, also though he has no official ties to it.There are some YouTube channels who have visited, and even Ghost Adventures ran an episode about the inn. Whatever the history, someone or something is not willing to check out.
Are you brave enough to stay a night at the Stone Lion Inn?
HAVE YOU HAD A PARANORMAL EXPERIENCE AT THIS LOCATION?
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All Photos Courtesy of T Shapiro
Oklahoma City is a city of shadows, secrets and whispers of paranormal activity. Join me as we explore the most historically haunted locations in the city of mysteries and supernatural events.
Step back in time to the year 1903, a time of prosperity and envy for Mr. Henry Overholser. Henry commissioned the creation of this enchanting 11,700 square-foot Chateau style Victorian mansion for his wife, Anna. This magnificent structure is known as Oklahoma’s first mansion, a testament to the grandeur and elegance of the era. Every intricate detail of this mystical masterpiece was meticulously crafted by the talented London-trained architect W. S. Matthews, with no expense spared. The magnificent mansion is a true symbol of opulence and splendor.
Mr. Overholser envisioned a legacy of grandeur, aiming to inspire the creation of exceptional mansions in Oklahoma City. His dream has blossomed into reality, as the Overholser Mansion now stands proudly withing the illustrious “Heritage Hills” Community. Each estate encircling the mansion is a stunning testament to architectural magnificence, contributing to a breathtaking tapestry of sophistication and luxury.
As with many historical sites, the Overholser Mansion holds a wealth of memories from years of life-changing events, both positive and negative. It is believed that the inclusion of personal items, such as Mrs. Overholser’s personal scrapbook, that have been preserved within the walls of this elegant mansion may increase the likelihood of paranormal activity.
Legend has it that the spirit of Anna Overholser, the queen of Oklahoma City Society, still roams the halls of her beloved home.
Some guests who have toured the mansion claim to have caught a fleeting glimpse of a petite woman in a white gown, her hair elegantly styled. This ethereal figure can easily be identified as Anna Overholser herself. Her image is captured in haunting photographs, as she wears the same attire she donned during a prestigious 1900 reception for President and Mrs. William McKinley.
The ominous mansion with its gables and rose stone pillars have long been a source of intrigue and mystery. Curious neighbors and passersby have shared tales of witnessing curtains mysteriously opening and closing on the third-floor windows, although no one has lived in the mansion for several decades. In the 1950’s and 1960’s, US Senator Mike Maroney and his wife Mary Ellen were invited to stay at the magnificent estate. Their host was the only child to the Overholser’s, a daughter, Henry Ione and her husband, David Perry. It is said that Mrs. Maroney, descending the stairs one evening, caught a glimpse of a woman in a white gown gracefully moving from the front parlor to the music room. Many believe it to be none other than Mrs. Overholser herself.
Those who have encountered the spirits of the Overholser Mansion describe them as more benevolent than malevolent. One guest at a wedding held at the mansion shared that her photographs of the wedding party had a mysterious black cloud floating in them. Initially, she attributed it to a problem with her camera lens, but the cloud seemed only to follow in photos with the groom. Many of the guests who attended the wedding were not pleased with the match, and the photographer believed that Mrs. Overholser was expressing her disapproval as well.
While it was once discouraged to speak about these hauntings, the growing interest in the paranormal has actually helped raise funds to restore and maintain this magnificent mansion. Beginning in the 1970’s, the mansion was opened as a museum with daily tours to the public. The tours have been temporally suspended for renovations and maintenance, but once they begin again, we will be sure to visit.
Mr. Henry Overholser died August 25, 1915, and Anna Ione Overholser died April 29, 1940, leaving their entire estate to their daughter, Henry Ione.
Henry Ione Overholser-Perry died in 1959. Her husband David Jay Perry was left as the sole heir to the Overholser estate.
The Overholser family was laid to rest at Fairlawn Cemetery, Oklahoma City.
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Photo Courtesy of Paranormal Wasteland
THE HISTORY
As you cross the bridge into the Oklahoma City Stockyards, you will feel as though you have been transported to a different time. A time of outlaws, ranchers, and cowboys. Beautiful brick and wooden buildings line the main street. There are storefronts for western wear, and it is here you can also find the oldest continually operating restaurant in Oklahoma City.
Nestled between these old buildings lies a hidden gem. Though the building may seem quiet and unassuming, do not be fooled. This is the home of Rodeo Cinema, a nonprofit movie theater that features wonderfully unique independent films and is available for private rentals. Established in 1924, Rodeo Theatre has provided decades of entertainment to Okies and visitors alike, originally showing silent films and vaudeville acts. It is currently the longest-running cinema in the city according to their website.
You are welcomed by beautiful original tile flooring, a fully stocked concessions area to your left, and a small lounge area to your right. Straight ahead through two pairs of doors lies the theater. Beautiful wooden beams and details will convince you that you have stepped into the past. Spacious seating and comfortable chairs await you, making your viewing experience even more enjoyable. As you watch a film, however, keep in mind that the friendly face sitting next to you may not be a living person at all.
THE PARANORMAL
Not much seems to be known about who may be lingering behind. Some believe former employees reside here, choosing to stay in the place that made them happiest. Others still believe perhaps the spirits of the stockyards roam from store to store, enjoying the city exactly as they did in the past.
Per employees, the routine at closing is folding all of the seats and armrests up. One employee in particular claims that when he left to check the doors, he came back into the theater to find every armrest down-there are 170 chairs. He thought someone may have been pranking him, but said himself that it is practically impossible to do that so quickly.
Another employee felt a ghostly hug from behind. One manager, who is somewhat of a skeptic, said he hears odd noises often, and one particular light in the upstairs storage area likes to turn on by itself.
When Paranormal Wasteland investigated, we experienced some interesting responses with the SB7 Spirit Box, including ‘movie’ and ‘film’. As lead investigator Adam was sitting on the stage, we heard a loud footstep directly behind him- we couldn’t find any normal source. I was standing in one of the upper levels of seats and heard the railing directly next to me squeak like something had leaned against it. I tried to recreate it but was unable to.
Our cat toys lit up and we couldn’t find an explanation for it. All around, the spirits seemed friendly. In my personal opinion, the spirits at Rodeo Cinema may be more residual than intelligent- perhaps they are happy going about their normal routine in the theater.
I highly recommend enjoying a movie at Rodeo Cinema-just don’t be alarmed if you feel like you are not alone.
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History
The history on this site is notorious hard to come by with a lot of articles just plagiarizing each other.
These are the stories we’ve found.
This location was built either in 1945 or 1953 by the Brothers of Mercy; a nursing order of the Catholic Church. The facility took only men although it is unclear why these men were housed here. The common reason is that they were developmentally disabled and/or suffering from a mental illness.
In 1963 a nurse on site suffocated 2 patients but was found not guilty by reason of insanity. Apparently, he had undiagnosed schizophrenia. A case of the inmates running the asylum
At some point in the late 1980’s the Reverend Richard Frank took over the property and converted it into an alcoholic rehabilitation center. The Reverend was found dead in his own apartment shortly thereafter. His murder remains unsolved to this day.
The good Reverend, though, was far from a pious figure. He had been arrested for solicitation for asking a male undercover police officer for sex. He also got caught for running some kind of scam involving Bingo. It was found that the Reverend had a number of enemies and this wasn’t the first time someone tried to kill him.
A patient living in this facility was also shot to death. It is unclear whether he was still a patient or had moved on.
The facility was abandoned sometime in the early 1990’s and has remained so.
Paranormal Activity
Many people believe the facility was/is under the control of a dark entity or demon depending on your beliefs. This creature is said to have driven the patients and staff mad making sure no good ever came of the work that was done here.
Other Activity: disembodied voices; touches by unseen presences; doors open and closing on their own and other poltergeist activity; unexplained noises; feelings of being watched and of not being wanted.
HAVE YOU HAD A PARANORMAL EXPERIENCE AT THIS LOCATION?
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By rutlo - https://www.flickr.com/photos/rutlo/3859817221/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9713430
History
This is the oldest hotel in the city.
This Art Deco hotel originally opened in 1911 with two 10 story towers containing a total of 225 rooms. In 1925 a third tower with 12 stories was added and then in 1929-30 all three wings were brought up to 14 floors giving the building a total of 525 rooms.
The hotel was named after its founder William “Bill” Skirvin.
In 1988 the hotel was closed and completely abandoned for a number of years. In 1999 the mayor of Oklahoma City set up committee to discover if the hotel was capable of being saved. In 2000 it was recommended to re-open the hotel and the 42-million-dollar renovation began in 2004.
The hotel was re-opened in 2007 – with 225 rooms - as a Hilton Hotel managed by Marcus Hotels and Resorts.
Paranormal Activity
While the hotel is not open about the ghostly phenomena, they don’t completely deny it either. When pressed they have confirmed they’ve heard reports of strange occurrences.
The most famous ghost in this hotel is “Effie”.
The stories say Effie was a maid that the original owner of the hotel – Bill Skirvin – had an affair with her. Effie became pregnant and Skirvin locked her in a room on the 10th floor to avoid a scandal.
Understandably, she became quite depressed which deepened after the baby was born. Soon after the birth Effie climbed into the 10 floor window with her baby and jumped to both their deaths.
Effie is portrayed as a loose woman with questionable morals, although being as she was characterized by a rich white man who got her pregnant this portrayal is dubious to say the least. In the early 20th century, a young woman with a healthy libido would have been seen as someone little better than a prostitute.
Skirvin had a reputation as a notorious drinker, gambler and womanizer which is much more believable.
Effie’s ghost has a reputation for propositioning men who are alone in their rooms. Reports indicate a disembodied female voice is heard making questionable suggestions. Her apparition is sometimes seen by men in showers – she often is seen naked.
There is even a report by one man that he was sexually assaulted by a female unseen presence.
This haunting became nationally famous when the NBA team the New York Knicks blamed their loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on having a bad night’s rest in this hotel due to ghostly activity. The Chicago Bulls also said they unable to rest properly in this hotel due to strange noises and hearing doors slam throughout the night.
People have also reported lights flickering in their rooms and writing on fogged up bathroom mirrors – most commonly Help Me.
There are also reports of a woman in a red dress wandering the halls of the hotel.
In the Venetian Room – a ballroom on the top floor – objects have been moved while the room was locked and empty.