Haunted Businesses That Have Spirits - and Serve Spirits

Spirits Lounge – Alton, Illinois

It’s October and all this month we’ll explore haunted drinking establishments - restaurants, taverns, wineries, anyplace that serves spirits, and has “spirits.” 

So let’s hit the road and discover who or what it is that makes these places so dark and brooding…

Today’s stop is in Alton, Illinois, which claims to be “one of the most haunted small towns in America,” and after visiting, I can believe it.

The place has an odd, expectant feeling, like the proverbial "waiting for the other shoe to drop." A friend who has lived there described it as “being in a fog.”

Mississippi River

Pere Marquette

Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, the place evoked feelings of trepidation when Pere Marquette arrived in 1673. While exploring the Mississippi River, he found two monsters images painted upon the cliffs. 

Illiniwek Indians

The Illiniwek Indians called these monsters the Piasa, “The bird which devours men.” According to legend this monster could fly like a bird and had a taste for human flesh. It appeared one morning to the Illiniwek and began carrying away a tribe member each day. After several days, the Illiniwek were able to trick the bird and send it to its death over the edge of the cliff and into the great river. As a tribute to their success, the Illiniwek painted the image of the creature high on the cliff walls.

Piasa

Marquette described these paintings of the Piasa “as large as a calf; they have horns on their heads like those of a deer, a horrible look, red eyes, a beard like a tiger’s, a face somewhat like a man’s, a body covered with scales. And so long a tail that winds all around the body, passing above the head and going back between the legs, ending in a fishes tail.”

When Alton was founded in 1818, it was a river town. Slowly over the years, it

River Confluence

grew into an industrial city, but its past has remained dark and full of tragedy. Many claim this is due to the confluence of the Mississippi River and the fact that the city is built over limestone. (Paranormal studies indicate that limestone emits high EMF – electromagnetic field levels, which can contribute to hauntings.)

Alton was home to the first penitentiary in Illinois, built in the 1830s. But being the first did not make it a state-of-the art facility. Conditions and treatment at the penitentiary were horrible and many died there.

Confederate Prison

During the Civil War the penitentiary was turned into a Confederate prison. Almost 12,000 prisoners passed through the gates. Smallpox broke out in the prison and soon spread throughout the town reaching epidemic proportions. Bodies were taken to an island in the middle of the Mississippi to be buried. Although the island has disappeared, many buried there are said to linger on, looking for their remains around the city.

Underground Railroad

Grave of Elijah Lovejoy

Alton was also home to several stops on the Underground Railroad. This was an extremely dangerous stop since St Louis was pro-slavery and Alton was anti-slavery. Many of those seeking freedom were killed or captured before ever leaving Alton. Abolitionist printer Elijah Lovejoy was murdered here by a pro-slavery mob while trying to protect his printing press.

Even in the 21^st century, the spirits still seem restless. For a small town with a population of 27,000, Alton can boast to having well over a dozen documented haunted buildings downtown. Ghosts are big business in Alton. Several paranormal and ghost hunter shows have traveled here to conduct investigations, and there are up to a half dozen haunted tours offered throughout downtown on weekend nights.

Former Masonic Temple

To Spirits Lounge

That's why Alton seemed to be the perfect place to search for a haunted location that serves spirits – with spirits. And I found, what else but Spirits Lounge http://www.templeentertainmentinc.com/  located at 300 State Street in downtown Alton. Spirits is housed in the former Masonic Temple known as the Piasa Lodge, along with a restaurant and banquet center.

Masonic Temple - Piasa Lodge

Built in 1900, the building has been steeped in mystery for over a century. Psychics have toured the facility over the years and have reported that up to 150 ghosts “reside” there. Almost all are unidentified, but believed to be former masons and their families.

Three such ghosts have been identified. The first and most famous is Frank E. Harris. Harris was a Master Mason at the lodge in 1927, and served as secretary for 39 years. Frank always enjoyed attending the society’s meetings, and apparently still does. In the unused third floor ballroom, once the site for Masonic meetings, Frank’s presence has been noted when he sits upon the dust-covered benches and leaves behind a seat impression.

Nelson Edwards

Another Master Mason who tends to stay around is Nelson G. Edwards. Edwards’ family founded the town of Edwardsville in Illinois and his father was a Mason.  Nelson was a Master Mason from 1849-1850 and always enjoyed sitting in the rocking chairs in the lounge. Even today, you can find a rocker drawn up in front of the TV in the men’s lounge, when no one is there.

Ruth Smalley

The spirits also include a female masonic ghost, Ruth Smalley. Ruth was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and the Matron of the group in 1927. She is said to remain today, keeping an eye on things, appearing in the ladies lounge, and slamming doors when she disapproves of something.

Two children have been seen in the kitchen and dining areas of the building. The girl is thought to be named Rachel, and some say she died next door, at the hotel, in 1838. Nothing is known about the young boy who plays with her. They may be the cause of the malfunctioning automatic hand dryers and toilets, which go off when no one is in the restrooms, or even on that floor.

Confederate Soldiers

It is also said that the basement still houses four Confederate soldiers who died of smallpox during the Civil War. All four men were Masons so they tend to feel “more at home” at the Lodge. While somewhat shy, they have been known to touch people who pass through the basement.

If you happen to be in Alton, Illinois take a ghost tour of the town and make time to visit Spirits Lounge in the former Masonic Temple building. You can enjoy something from the full menu, but be careful where you sit - you never know who might already be there…

~ Joy

October’s Haunted Establishments with “Spirits” Series - Jan’s Village Pizza – Westfield, Indiana

Jan’s Village Pizza – Westfield, Indiana

It’s October and all during this month we’ll explore haunted drinking establishments - restaurants, taverns, wineries, anyplace that serves spirits, and has “spirits.” 

So let’s hit the road and discover who or what it is that makes these places so dark and brooding…

Our first stop is Westfield, a small town in Indiana, about 20 minutes from Indianapolis. This small village played a big role in helping slaves escape via the Underground Railroad. Today, located at the corner of U.S. 32 and South Union Streets, you will find Jan’s Village Pizza. This quaint restaurant is the only pizza place in town, but since it just won “Best Pizza in the Midwest” in August, I don’t think you will be disappointed.

Jan's Village Pizza

Jan Miller, with her husband Steve, opened this restaurant about 13 years ago. It is the second pizza restaurant they own, the first is in Sheridan, Indiana.

The Adjoined Buildings

The building that the restaurant is housed in is old and cobbled together. What is now Erika's Place adjoins the Party Room of Jan’s which connects to the main restaurant on down the block.

Funderburgh's Grocery

Before this was Jan’s Village Pizza it was Pickett’s Cafeteria, owned by Bernie Pickett. Other businesses have also been housed here, including Funderburgh’s Grocery Store.

Historic Indiana Ghost Walks & Tours

Michael Kobrowski

The founders of the Historic Indiana Ghost Walks and Tours http://www.unseenpress.com, Michael and Nicole Kobrowski have investigated the buildings and found some interesting areas. According to Michael, the building on the corner is very haunted. At one time it was used only for storage because of the strange and uncomfortable feelings people would experience upstairs.

Haunted Upstairs

Kobrowski explained that a few years ago when a local television photographer was upstairs shooting a segment for a haunted feature, she became immobilized. Later when she was pulling cables down the stairs, she felt something press her against the wall of the stairway, almost causing her to slip and fall. The woman refused to return upstairs.

Bank

Underground Railroad 

Kobrowski said that the basement it also creepy. The exact age of the basement is unknown but the rafters in it predate the Civil War. There is a doorway on the north side of the basement that leads to a tunnel connecting with another basement doorway across the street. This doorway comes out into what was once the local bank. Today, that basement doorway is also closed over.  With Westfield's history as a stop on the Indiana Underground Railroad, it's speculated that this could be one of the many Underground Railroad tunnels in town.

Jan's Dining Room

But who is haunting Jan’s Village Pizza? Some believe that it is the former owner of Pickett’s Cafeteria, Bernie Pickett. It seems that Pickett was always a bit of a rebel. During some remodeling, a half bottle of liquor was found hidden in a small space in the kitchen. Hamilton County was a dry county until the 1960’s and the bottle was attributed to belonging to Bernie; some say he didn't like his hooch messed with.

Doing Dishes

Preparing a Meal

During the time the Millers have owned the buildings, the kitchen staff have continued to report strange occurrences. Dishes stack themselves and move around the kitchen. Employees working in the kitchen hear the voices of other workers in another kitchen that was once part of Pickett’s Cafeteria but is no longer used.

In the Kitchen

A woman working in the kitchen commented one day that she did not believe Bernie Pickett was haunting the building. No sooner had she uttered the words than a pitcher tilted off the shelf across from her and flew at her head. She ducked and it missed her.

Cleaning Up

In the restaurant’s party room female servers sometime have to deal with unwanted ghostly advances when they clean up for the night. The young female wait staff report that someone whispers in their ear, but the girls can’t understand what is being said. Some have also reported someone lightly blowing or touching them on the neck.

Preparing for the Day

Even the owner has seen odd things. Early one rainy morning she arrived to find the cook already there preparing for the day. She stepped outside to retrieve something from her car and noticed a man standing at the corner of the building. When she turned around to see who he was, there was no one near the building – he had simply disappeared.

Muddy Paw Prints

When she went back inside there were muddy footprints tracked across the kitchen floor. Only she and the cook were there and neither had left the man-sized prints. She reported seeing the muddy footprints two more times, but on the third time not only were a man's muddy prints crossing the kitchen and walking through the restaurant, there were also the muddy paw prints of a dog walking beside him…

Another Winner

Dine with Wine

Jan's Village Pizza offers 20 kinds of pizza, all are freshly made, and over half a dozen have won awards! And now you can enjoy a glass of wine or cold beer with your meal. (Jan's received a liquor license last month.) The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday. Visit http://www.jansvillagepizzas.com for hours and specials, or check out their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/JansVillagePizza

Jan's Village Pizza

If you are looking for the "Best Pizza in the Midwest", served
 with a side of supernatural, plan a visit to Jan’s. With their great food, attentive staff, and historical vibe, maybe that’s why Bernie Pickett is still hanging around…

~ Joy

A Haunting Look Back at Ghost Wineries

Autumn is a spirited season – in more ways than one. And in keeping with this time of year, a look at ghost wineries seems fitting.

Ghost Winery

You may have heard the term “ghost winery” before, but the meaning has nothing to do with unseen visitors, wine glasses that crash to the floor or things that go bump in the tasting room.

A ghost winery is similar to a ghost town – it is a winery that was built in Napa Valley during the beginning of California’s winemaking boom, from 1860 – 1900, but then abandoned. You might say, its a winery haunted by its past…

Rutherford Maps

There were hundreds of wineries that began during this period, but few managed to make it far into the next century unscathed due to a killing vine disease, the change of public attitudes concerning alcohol, and the unfortunate collision course the country was on. This became a trifecta of disasters for the Napa wine industry.

Phylloxera

Phylloxera is a plant aphid that lives on and eats the grape vine roots. It was during the 1870s that these pests began destroying vines and grapes throughout California, to the point where many wineries had no vineyards left.  It took almost 10 years before a solution was discovered, but even today, phylloxera is still a threat.

Down the Drain

Then in January 1920, Prohibition went into effect. This was the result of the Volstead Act, a federal law that made it illegal to manufacture, transport or sell alcohol in the U.S. Most of the ghost wineries in Napa came about because of the impact of Prohibition, which ended 13 years later, in 1933.

By then the Great Depression had swept through the country. During this long period of economic hardship, few people had any money to spend on such luxuries as alcohol.

Put it all together and these elements forced many wineries to close. Some were simply abandoned by owners who could no longer pay to keep them, leaving buildings, equipment and vineyards to evolve into a state of deterioration.

It was not until the 1970s that the California wine industry, and Napa Valley, was able to get back on its feet.  Some of the old ghost wineries were taken over and the rich histories of the early wineries began to be preserved and enhanced.

V Marketplace

Inside V Marketplace

Today, some of those once forgotten wineries have been revitalized, turned into retail businesses including shops and restaurants. In Yountville, California V Marketplace is located on a 23-acre complex that was once the Groezinger Winery during California’s original heydays. With upscale specialty shops, galleries, restaurants and a wine tasting cellar, the building’s character of yesteryear continues to shine through.

Napa Ghost Winery Rental

Others have been converted into private homes and wine country rentals, complete with amazing cellars where winemaking equipment have been preserved.

And a lucky few are back in business as wineries, renovated and restaged into state-of-the-art winemaking facilities for a new century, and a different world.

A Few Famous Ghosts

Far Niente – Oakville, CA

http://www.farniente.com

Far Niente

Founded in 1885 by San Francisco entrepreneur John

Barrel Room

Benson, Far Niente (meaning “sweet to do nothing”) was one of Napa’s original stone wineries. The winery was prosperous until Prohibition. Benson disappeared in 1919 leaving the winery and buildings to the elements. In 1979, the winery was restored, and the first harvest in over 60 years was celebrated in 1982. Far Niente is now in the National Register of Historic Places.

Charles Krug, St Helena, CA

http://www.charleskrug.com

Charles Krug in 1874

Charles Krug

This is the oldest winery in Napa Valley, dating back to 1861. Founded by 27-year-old Charles Krug, a Prussian immigrant, who was willing to work hard and had the determination to succeed with what was the first winery in Napa. Krug died in 1892 and the winery slowly lost its footing. That is until Cesare and Rosa Mondavi purchased it in 1943. It would be their son Peter Mondavi, Sr. who would make a name for himself, and the wines, in the latter half of the 20^th century.

Charles Krug Winery

Krug Vineyards

This is also one winery that may, indeed, have a few ghosts lingering on. The Charles Krug Winery is supposedly haunted by a lady in white who walks the upper floors of the Redwood Cellar. But how long will she continue to stay? Renovation began last year on the building and is scheduled to be completed this fall. It will be interesting to see if the ghost remains or is contented with the changes and moves on…

Chateau Montelena, Calistoga, CA

http://www.montelena.com

Grapes

Jade Lake

Originally founded in 1882 by Alfred L. Tubbs, Chateau Montelena was a major wine producer during the late 19th and early 20^th centuries – before Prohibition. In 1958, the Tubbs family sold the rundown winery and its overgrown grounds to Yort and Jeanie Frank, who excavated Jade Lake on the property.

Chateau Montelena

1973 Chardonnay

In the early 1970s James Barrett purchased the neglected estate and ended up changing the history of California wine. It was a 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay that beat out the best French white wines in the Paris Wine Tasting of 1976. (See last week’s post for more info on this judging.)

There are many more living legends scattered around Napa Valley. If you’d like to learn more, author Irene W. Haynes wrote a book in 1980 called “Ghost Wineries of Napa Valley: A Photographic Tour of the Last Century”. The book is a pictorial history of more than 65 ghost wineries; some decrepit, or long gone, others rescued and revived.

These ghost wineries offer us a glimpse back at the first dynamic California wine industry of more than 100 years ago, and a chance to experience their rebirth as we link past and present together in order to keep that spirit alive.

~ Joy