Paranormal Support
David Falcon
October 23, 2009
There have only been two strange instances in my life that cannot be explained and might be considered paranormal. First was in Meridian, Idaho during the 1980´s. My friend and his wife had just purchased a newly build home and they graciously invited me to stay the night. I was sleeping on their couch when around 4:30 in the morning their stereo, positioned directly across from me on an entertainment center turned on and the volume was quite loud. I did not know why my friend would decide to play music at so early an hour and I awoke quite annoyed, so did he. The stereo in question was an old one and had no remote control devices. Unfortunately, we have not spoken to each other since.
Second instance was in Boyertown, Pennsylvania at an old bed and breakfast. While sleeping peacefully in my room the lamp suddenly illuminated with no explanation. I awoke from the annoyance only to find the room empty and the door secured from the inside. These two separate circumstances had one thing in common; electricity. A similar phenomenon was to happen again during my paranormal investigation in Georgia.
Friday, October 16th 2009
It was late, around 10:00 p.m. when I pulled off the interstate and slowly moved through the stop lights of Columbus. There, on the corner of 10th street was the building to be investigated, Springer Opera House. The streets were empty when I opened the car window to view the upper wrought iron balcony for any sign of apparitions; a chill was in the air but nothing was visible. The only sound came from the wind rustling in nearby trees.
A trip around the block however showed signs of activity, human activity, entering the Players Saloon of the Opera House. Quickly I checked into the Gates House Bed & Breakfast located just a few blocks away on Broadway and briskly walked through the frigid evening air to find out why so many people were congregating in the theater this late on a Friday night. When I was within a few yards of the front door to the saloon I spotted something never seen before. There on the sidewalk stood a life size gold manikin, clothed with nothing but a few blinking lights holding a black and white sign with the words No Shame.
With apprehension I entered expecting to find some cult gathering. Instead, I was entertained for the next hour with original, witty, fun and poetic acts all presented in 5 minutes or less. Afterward, as I walked back to the Gates House I felt practically giddy from the positive energy released by the performers and supportive audience. That night I slept peacefully surrounded by Victorian décor and went to bed contemplating that if my fate was to spend eternity walking the earth, the Springer would at least provide perpetual entertainment. Maybe that is why people claim the building is haunted.
Saturday, October 17th 2009 Springer Opera House
I was lucky to have arranged a private tour of the Springer by a gracious host which I thank again for their kindness and generosity. During this time no one in the building knew of my purpose to record or witness paranormal activity. We entered from the back entrance where massive garage doors open for shipping and receiving of stage props.
The time was about 2:00 in the afternoon and the inside of the building looked like any other. Floors were spotless, exit signs and fire fighting equipment neatly posted. The place reminded me of Fords Theater in Washington D.C. that I visited in April while on vacation. There was no feeling of apparitions during that trip of President Lincoln´s ghost or John Wilkes Booth. Edwin Booth, brother of John Wilkes coincidentally was a regular performer at the Springer and was actually welcomed back after even after his brother´s assassination of a U.S. President. Rumors abound that Edwin Booth (a world renowned Shakespearean actor during his time) allegedly haunts the very building I was now standing in.
After a short flight up the stairs to the second floor my host casually said, "Hello" as we entered empty corridors and rooms. In Columbus practically everyone is courteous; even to ghosts. When I asked about the possible spirits in the building my guide informed me of a little girl who is said to be heard laughing from time to time and enjoys playing with the makeup. When we entered the long dark rows of clothing used for various performances I was told of a helpful apparition said to be able to find a costume that you specifically ask for. One ghost was even said to have assisted a woman with a sprained ankle up the stairs. The paranormal assistance is said to be appreciated by many in the Springer who are gracious for the acts of kindness. While peering into dark corners of the quiet second floor taking pictures that showed nothing out of the ordinary I listened intently for any voices but heard and saw nothing out of the ordinary.
Then, while entering a changing room all the lights were all out save one solitary bulb. Considering they were all connected to one circuit made the anomaly a bit peculiar but I am no electrician and cannot explain why this or any of my other electrifying experiences happened. My guide then told me the lights on the upper floors are usually kept on while the rooms are inhabited for a simple reason; it is easier to explain a bulb going out than one unexpectedly turning on.
When the second floor investigation was complete we took the elevator to the third floor dormitories. The elevator is one place the spirits seem to enjoy and spirits allegedly used the lift on a regular basis; especially late at night. While visiting the main kitchen I was introduced to an actor who has lived in the dormitories on and off for several years now. He was quoted to say that not once did he ever hear, feel or see an unexplained presence. By now I was beginning to believe the theater was just like any other historic building full of myths and legends. I still had not seen the main hall but fortunately was able to acquire tickets to the evening performance of a Star Spangled Girl. Maybe I would see or feel something in the theater during the show.
At 7:00 on the night of the 17th of October I arrived at the Players Saloon located inside the Springer for a drink and a chance to take a few more pictures. It was now nightfall, a time when paranormal activity is supposed to become more active. I walked over to the ancient piano in the saloon that is said to play by itself in the late hours of the night and sat down. I don´t play but I figured if there was an apparition it might not like me near the instrument and possibly give a sign of displeasure. Once again I sensed and felt no presence, finished my drink and went into the theater for the first time.
Just like the Ford Theater in D.C. the opera house was very stunning with its flower shaped lamps, curved tiers and balconies. The uppermost seating was said to be for segregated customers long ago and there amongst the original wooden benches spirits are said to occasionally will disturb stage hands that operate spot lights during events. After looking around I was escorted to my seat by the most congenial usher I have ever encountered. The child was not yet in his teens but possessed a grace and charm typical of true southern gentleman. While seated and awaiting the performance I peered into the balconies and special guest boxes for any signs of ghosts but once again I felt no presence of the supernatural. Then suddenly the lights went dim.
What a performance! The adaptation of Neil Simon´s play to current events was fast paced, amusing and even a little steamy. All three performers are seasoned professionals who did not skip a beat and synergized into a sense of realism that brought the audience to a standing ovation.
Afterward, when the applause died down and the spectators casually exited the building I was kindly allowed to stay (by the gracious permission of the guard on hand) and take a few more photographs. The time now was around 10:30 p.m. and all was quiet and with the exception of a few cast members who spoke to fans just outside Emily Woodruff Hall. I was alone in the theater and listened intently for any sound walking casually about the empty seating. All was quiet and I with a sigh that might have been relief I left the hall feeling no unworldly presence.
Just when I was about to leave the theater I decided to ask my gracious guide if I could take just a few more pictures upstairs to compare with the photographs taken during the day. My guide had a celebration dinner to attend but was willing to allow me a quick visit back upstairs where I quickly made comparison shots. The rooms and corridors felt just as they did during the day and the small LED screen provided no clues of a little girl or other signs of a haunting.
What the cast and crew told me as I left for the night was what I expected to hear. Some people hear, feel or see an unexplained presence but the majority of visitors do not. I found no apparitions, specters or wraiths. In fact nothing incorporeal was noticed during my visit. Columbus however is a delightful city with a beautiful historical landmark known as the Springer Opera House that I urge you all to visit while A Star Spangled Girl is still playing. The last performance ironically is Saturday, October 31st, 2009 on Halloween.
Tampa, Florida October 25th 2009
I arrived home late in the evening and felt restless from sitting in the car for over 8 hours. Since I was wide awake I decided to download the pictures onto the PC and take a closer look. The time was around 1:30 in the morning and a warm Tampa breeze was blowing into my office. It always feels good to be home after a trip and my conclusion was to be that nothing out of the ordinary was found during my investigation….then I started viewing the pictures close up.
The Olympus Stylus has only a small 2" screen and I had taken only a few glances at the pictures while in Columbus. Now, in front of the large computer LED screen and with the assistance of magnification the visions made the hairs on the back of my head stand on end.
To see the pictures for yourself go to www.falconbulletin.com
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