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Haunted Magazine - The Frights of Spring

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MORe On TGG

Whether she sought it out or not, the macabre and the paranormal have been a constant in her life since childhood. However, it wasn't until 2020 that Courtney decided to lean into the world of weird and share her love for adventures and the paranormal with everyone!

Since creating her social media platforms as 'The Ghoul Guide', Courtney has captivated millions through her various media, inspiring others to dive into the unknown for themselves. Alongside her online presence, Courtney has shared her experiences further on multiple podcasts such as Ghost Magnet with Bridget Marquardt, The Lunatics Hour Podcast, History Goes Bump, & more. She's also had her work published in Haunted Magazine and The Feminine Macabre Volumes I and III!

Whether you're a fan of the paranormal, ghost stories, or the high strangeness within the world, there's always something for curious minds to dive into in the adventurous world of The Ghoul Guide!

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Did you know Buffalo, New York had a connection to the Titanic?

Edward A. Kent had been born in Maine in 1854 and just ten years later traveled to Buffalo, New York with his family where his father would become a partner for a larger department store. With a duel education from Yale and École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, France, Kent became an architect who would showcase his signature style of buildings throughout Syracuse, Buffalo, and even Toronto!

It’s said that after spending two months overseas, Kent was on his final work trip and his voyage on the Titanic would bring him home to retirement. Unaware of the grim future, he boarded the ship and spent his time socializing with other first class passengers and writers that often sat at his dinner table. Sadly, just three days into the journey, Edward Kent would find himself saving lives in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean while awaiting his own grim fate.

In the early hours of the morning on April 15, Kent jumped into the frigid water and watched the ship sink beneath him before falling victim to the cold.

Being No. 258 recovered from the water nearly a week after the tragic sinking of the ship, he was found with the same trinket a friend asked him to keep safe.

Being brought back to the docks in New York City, his brother claimed his remains and brought him back home to Buffalo, New York where he’d find enteral rest near the Mirror Lake section in the Forest Lawn Cemetery.
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#buffalony #titanic #hauntedhistory #forgottenhistory #atlasobscura

The Watcher of Bihl Manor sends shivers down your spine with this story, and don’t be fooled because those brave enough to step inside for a tour or spent the night inside have also witnessed the man— and then some!

From the inside of the home, the closet that’s been dubbed as The Watcher’s Room has an eerie sensation to it. It’s heavy, it’s off putting, and if anything it feels like you’re invading on someone’s space for a moment. When the lights go off and the door to the closet is wide open, many run past and refuse to glance inside.

But what or who exactly is behind all of these paranormal claims? It’s hard to say given the amount of energy that has been inside the home throughout its eras in the past 130 years it’s stood.

Is it from the past families that once called the space home? Is it residual energy from someone, or is it just the energy left over from the years that takes shape as the man in the window?

I guess we’ll never know…

What do you think?
Have you ever visited Bihl Manor? Would you spend the night?

Have you ever seen a ghost in a window?

#haunted #paranormal #ghoststory #hauntedhouse #urbanlegend

Road Trip Rules: Always brake for those eerie looking small town cemeteries, you never know the beauty you’ll find in them until you do. 🪦🥀

And you know what, it’s some of the most fun you can have— and I’ll stand on that! 👏🏻

Besides, who knows what ghosts we’re talking with or if any activity will happen! There’s so many possibilities that s ghost hunt can bring; It could be us from other timelines that just happen to overlap for a brief moment, or it could be real spirits, or it could be all in our head. 👀

Guess we’ll never know unless you try it for yourself!

#haunted #abandoned #ghosthunter #haunted #ghoststory

The Legend of The Cora Tree has been speculated by curious minds over the 300 years it’s been haunting Hatteras Island, as many try to find the truth behind the story. While many have ran with the story of Cora and her vanishing trick passing the story down for generations to keep the sense of curiosity alive, there’s been a few others who wonder if this old oak tree could have ties to the Lost Colony and the Croatoan carvings found just north near the Fort Raleigh National Site.

While we many never be sure what truth lies behind The Cora Tree and all it’s possible stories that have been gathered over the years, there’s one thing everyone can settle on and it’s the strangeness that lurks within the shores of Hatteras Island.

Have you ever heard of The Cora Tree before?
Did you ever visit it in your travels?

Let me know if you’d like a longer version of this legend someday, it’s quite interesting! 👀
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#northcarolina #urbanlegend #ghoststories #obx #atlasobscura

Not sure about you, but one more sunset spent running around exploring the grounds of an abandoned prison in the mountains would cure me.

I’m a believer that a good yap session around the Elizabethan Gardens might just get this mystery solved— and what better than going back to the scene!🔎👀

Just past the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site sits the Elizabethan Garden, a ten acre garden along the shores of the Roanoke Sound that’s just a stones throw away from the original site of the infamous disappearance of the Lost Colony!

Opened since 1960 under the care of the Garden Club of North Carolina, the garden has attracted thousands of visitors over the last 65 years with its unique beauty, haunting charm, and impressive displays of native plants and flowers.

Highly recommended adding the Elizabethan Garden to your list of things to do on your next trip to the Outer Banks! Consider it the perfect way to spend your morning.

On this day, 177 years ago, Kate & Maggie Fox would be credited with founding Mordern Spiritualism after contacting the ghost of a peddler named “Mr.Splitfoot” inside their Hydesville, NY home through a series of tappings.

While they denounced themselves as hoaxes years after their rise to fame and tried to take back their surprising revelation, the Fox Sisters still find a way to captivate all of us who’s a part of the paranormal field. Whether you believe in the two’s paranormal experiences or not, you have to admit they paved the way to bring us the field and spiritualism that we know today.

Today, the house no longer stands as it caught fire after being moved to Lilydale, the WNY psychic community. However the foundation is still here just outside of Rochester, NY, which you can visit it and get a tour the next time you’re in town— and who knows, you might just have a little paranormal experience for yourself!

So, do you believe them or do you think it was all a hoax?

Have you had a chance to stop by this unique road side attraction that was almost lost to time?
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#onthisday #rochesterny #folklore #paranormal #hauntedhistory

Not going to lie, I had my doubts about this little farmhouse, but man, it’s a weird one!

Almost year ago now, a weekend spent on the grounds of the village left me with a few experiences I still catch myself thinking about— like the cloud of smoke I had blown in my face that I saw swirling in the ambient moonlight, or the shadowed silhouette that walked by the front window.

Though what still throws me for a loop is the story of our friends seeing that weird disappearing campfire, especially since as they saw that we smelt the smoke in the house. 👀

Is there something sinister here? I don’t think so, but you can’t deny there’s something definitely eerie about that old little house.

Would you dare to spend the night here?

Well, they may not my haunts just yet, but I have to say that very grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to learn my way around these places in the dead of night—

and hey, at least I’ll be well traveled within the paranormal world to know my way around one or two spots in the afterlife because who said traveling has to stop just because the physical body isn’t there?!

What about you? Have any of these mentioned locations become a little haunt of yours in this lifetime?
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Locations Mentioned:

📍Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum - Weston, WV
👻 Lizzie Borden House - Fall River, MA
📍Waverly Hills Sanatorium - Louisville, KY
👻 Old Burying Point Cemetery - Salem, MA
📍Madison Seminary - Madison, OH
👻 Old Hospital on College Hill - Williamson, WV
📍 West Virginia State Penitentiary- Moundsville, WV
👻 Bobby Mackey’s Music World - Wilder, KY
📍Indiana State Sanatorium- Rockville, IN
👻 The Haunted Museum - Las Vegas, NV

As someone who grew up watching Viva La Bam/ Jackass in my middle school years, I had to stop by and share a little coffee break with one of the best dudes of the crew while passing through the area.
🪦💐

And fun fact, he even grew up in Western New York for a bit before finding roots in Pennsylvania!
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#mtv #atlasobscura #ohio #famousgraves #storytime

Leave it to Ohio to have a moving witch’s grave! 👀

While the original headstone has since been moved to the Lake County Historical Society for safe keeping, that hasn’t stopped the curious minds from pulling over in the side of the road to check out this local legend— myself included!

It’s hard to say how exactly this legend began and what drew attention to the unique gravesite, but the stories that have evolved over the years had kept curiosity alive.

Though my visit wasn’t anything out of the ordinary and my attempt didn’t work, it was still a fun stop to make as I passed through the area. I mean how could I not stop to give it a try, you never know when something paranormal will strike— or when a grave will move. 👀

Have you ever been? Have you heard of this legend before?

If you do make a visit to this memorial in your travels, please remember to be respectful— of the ghosts will really getcha.

If I were to own a haunted house, I’d hope it’s as beautiful and eerie as the Bihl Manor!

Residing on the corner of the historic neighborhood since the 1890s, the Manor has gathered its fair share of history through the 130 years it’s been standing! From starting out as a family residence that once held a few funeral viewings in the parlor of the home, it was later converted into a group home for the special needs population for 30 years before closing sometime in the 1990s. After its closure, the home had been sold to a couple with the hopes of turning the manor into a bed and breakfast, but would fall back into the hands of another family in 2009, who only stayed in the house for a year.

While it’s unknown why the last family only stayed for a year, many believe it could have something to do with the paranormal experiences the family had while they were there..

Currently, the home is under the amazing care of a fellow paranormal enthusiast, Karlo, who has now opened the home to curious minds who wish to see what goes bump in the night— and let’s just say, it doesn’t disappoint!

While the night started off quiet, we had a few weird instances of the music box and other equipment turning on when we were giggling, leaving rooms, and not even investigating. Though around the 2 AM hour, we decided to head to the basement and do an Estes session and that’s when things got eerie— and I got called out by the “mean man” who hangs out down there for having fun with the ‘children’ spirits. 👀

Let’s just say a one night stay at Bihl Manor wasn’t enough, and I’m already wanting to plan a longer weekend inside the manor to see what else we can find! Who’s with me!? 👀

Have you ever been here? Got any ghost stories from here to share?

Nothing to see here, just day dreaming about the hauntingly beautiful Greene Co Almshouse. You know, the usual.

It’s been a few years since my last late night visit with the spirits inside the old almshouse, and I can’t help but to wonder what they’ve up to! Last time we found ourselves exploring, the museum was quite active and I’m sure someone’s trying to cause a little mischief for us.

The unexplained sounds of a chair rolling across the hardwood floors while we were all down in the basement, the quick glimpses of shadow figures moving across the moonlight, and some strange EVP’s were just a highlight of what we were left to ponder on until our next return.

Perhaps, I should head back down there and see what’s been going on— what do you think?

Have you ever been to this Pennsylvania haunt?
Have any weird stories to share from it?

The Great Dismal Swamp of North Carolina has a deeply rooted history with sorrow, loss and refuge, making it a perfect ground for legends and lore to circulate.

Perhaps one of the eeriest stories to come from the Swamp lands is that of the ‘Traveling Cemetery’ that appears to lost explorers, warning them to turn back around before danger of some kind strikes.

While many assume it’s just an old story passed through generations, others say they’ve come face to face with the cemetery and took its warning seriously.

What would you do if you came across a vanishing cemetery?

Have you heard of this legend before?
Want me to do a whole story time on it?

Oh, what I’d give to be one of those ghosts lingering within the hallways of the Madison Seminary as dusk slowly settles over the old building, bringing out the high-strangeness that lurks within the shadows with it.

It’s almost like the last hour of sunlight within this space is the calm before the (paranormal) storm.

I guess we’ll see for ourselves sooner than later… 👻☘️

Have you had any weird experiences or ghost stories of your own from the Madison Seminary? Feel any weird vibes from the photos above?

What’s one spot in the West Virginia State Penitentiary that’ll send a chill down your spine? I’d say the New Wall section— wanna hear a ghost story about it? 👀

WVP seems to be getting weirder with each visit paid, and the weekend I spent there last year proved just that! On the last night we had been investigating, myself and a few friends snuck off into the far back of the New Wall section. While myself and a friend stayed on the ground level, another friend braved the darkness and walked the other levels of cells, trying to find something we had left behind from earlier in the night.

While we waited for their return, we stared into the ambient light hoping to see a glimpse of him on the catwalk, but instead strange things slowly started happening around us. You’d hear out of place taps, paint chips crunching, and a shuffle here and there. With us assuming it was just our friend, we put our minds at ease, however that was until I heard my name whispered.

Pushing myself off the wall I was leaning on, I whispered his name back, letting him know that I heard him as I went to move closer to the cells— but as I looked and called his name again, I was greeted with silence. I glanced over to the friend that had been with me and asked if he said anything, but they had been lost in their own world they heard absolutely nothing.

With our friend emerging from the darkness some time later with the piece of equipment, I ran over to them and asked if they were ever near our side of the cells or on the floor above us, but they simply replied no, and then hit us with a question of his own regarding an experience he had while he was alone up there.

Perhaps, it was all just a trick of our own minds as we let ourselves get somewhat adjusted to the eeriness that settles over this side of the prison.

Or maybe it was something truly supernatural making itself know & if that’s the case, it could explain the weird shadow figure I saw move in the shower area after this encounter just before 4am when I ran back inside to say goodnight.

Have you had any weird experiences from WVP?

There’s something eerie about that old civil war house on the back property of the Billie Creek Village. Want to hear a ghost story about it? 👀

Almost a year ago, I had the chance to spend a weekend at the haunted village, not expecting much but hoping to see what weird story I could walk away with. Around 2:30am, a group of us ventured inside the Civil War house and gathered in the living room, to slowly settling into the moonlit room for a while. While we sat in the room listening closely in the hopes of something out of the ordinary to happen, we noticed that a friend’s car had been coming up the pathway towards us

The car had pulled in and backed out after a moment, leaving us to assume someone else from the group was dropped off. While we waited to see who was joining us, we saw a silhouette of a person move across the curtains of the front window from the outside heading toward the front door.

However, there was nothing after that.

No one was at that door, no one came through the back door, and there was no way it could have come from a reflection. It was just silence and as the group of us sat in the living room confused, we all noticed that we never heard the sound of the car door closing.

About 10 minutes later, the same car pulled up in the driveway and this time we heard the car doors shut

As we waited to see what would happen this time around, we were greeted by the two arrived while they explained how they had turned back around after forgetting something. Wasting no time, we asked if there was any possibility they started walking up to the front door when they first pulled in and they simply replied, “no, I didn’t even get out of the car.”

That experience mixed with a few others from the inside of this house has stayed with me through this last year, catching me in my moments of stillness as I think back to what or who we encountered in those brief moments of weird that weekend.

Was it a ghost of the home, was it a ghost of ourselves, or was it something else?
I guess we’ll only know if we make a return

Have you ever stopped by the Billie Creek Village? Do you have a ghost story from the Civil War house or another place in the village?

The Haunting of Sarah: A child spirit or something else?

Poasttown’s resident spirit named Sarah has gathered quite the attention over the years as paranormal investigators and curious minds have begun searching for answers inside the former school. While it’s hard to find any records of the story regarding the passing of her at the school, many believe the story to be true as it’s one told through the years by those who’ve attended— and others have said she wasn’t playing or rough housing, she was being bullied.

Since it’s been investigated, the name ‘Sarah’ and ‘Carrie-Ann’ have come up in the stairwell and more frequent sightings of the spirit have been noted. Many have gotten the sound of a child both audibly and on recordings. Others have seen the small figure out of the corner of their eyes and appearing In photographs. While I had been there this past year, we had been hanging out in one of the hallways, not paying anything mind to investigating when we heard what sounded like a “you-who” coming from down the hall by a little kid!

While that chilled me to the bone, it also got me thinking— what if the little girl spirit of Sarah isn’t a child at all. Just another entity or being that takes a form of that name because it’s a name that garnered attention. What if the story of Sarah wasn’t what we know and something created overtime with story told?

Makes you wonder… and now you won’t know unless you pay a visit to ‘Sarah’ for yourself…

#haunted #ghoststory #ohio #paranormal #urbanlegend

What’s your take on this piece of unexpected evidence? Because I think it might be one of my best captures!

Backstory to the whole moment—— in April of ‘23, I had the opportunity to spend a night inside the Old Hospital on College Hill which then turned into a sleepover in the Doctor’s House down the hill. In the morning, I grabbed the keys off the counter and handed wondered inside the building where I LOCKED myself inside to get some B-Roll footage in peace without my friends trying to scare me before we left and headed back home.

While I was on my last walkthrough before letting my friends inside, I stopped at the staircase and filmed the video shown as I stood at the top and hesitated to go down into the basement. At that time, I heard ABSOLUTELY NOTHING and after I recorded this video, I went on with my day.

Flash Forward to Feb ‘24, I saw sitting in my room batching making content when i came across this video— one that I’ve used in multiple videos before this— but there was something different. For some reason, the sound came on when I normally have it off, and that’s when I heard the capture. Only 10 months later!!

I can confirm that when I was inside the hospital there was NO ONE with me and I WAS NOT wearing any sort of heels that day to make the sound you hear!

Perhaps I stumbled upon a nurse making her rounds and I was somehow in the middle of her path?

Perhaps someone had something to tell me as a few have said they heard a male voice whisper.

Who knows, but I’d love your feedback!

Oh, what I’d give to be woken up after an hour of sleep by the sound of a disembodied voice which sent me on an early morning exploration of the empty infirmary wings…

My first and only time getting the opportunity to co-exist with the spirits in the Randolph Co. Infirmary was one for the record books— and one I think back to quite often. I mean how can you not look back to a morning of chaos spent chasing the phantom sounds in my pajamas and trying to be brave!

While my encounter with this building was brief, it still left an impact with the few spurts of activity it did show us throughout the few hours we spent investigating in the early morning. From hearing whistles in different tones sing out in the empty hallways, doors moving, and humming to seeing shadows move in the distance—there’s no denying that something eerie is afoot here!

Have you ever been? Do you have a ghost story from this location?

✨swipe to see the early morning haunted mirror selfie I took during the hunt to find who was talking that morning 🪞✨

Just a girl and the abandoned hospital she unexpectedly bonded with. 🖤
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#abandoned #haunted #explore #ghoststory #hauntedhistory

While it’s still to be determined if the stories about of the angel being modeled after Catherine are true, the story only adds to the stunning that happened to capture everyone’s attention the second they pull into Buffalo’s Forest Lawn Cemetery.

What do you think?

#buffalony #lovestory #ghoststory #valentinesday #cemetery

The vibe lately 💀✨

If you can’t tell, I’m anxiously awaiting the arrival of the warmer spring weather and the new adventures that are calling for me!

What are the vibes for you these days? Any fun plans you have coming up for the warmer weather? 👀

And I only got freaked out once!

To be honest, this was one of my favorite moments from that last weekend on the road before the snow came and trapped me home for the winter. Maybe this spring I’ll get a goodnight from one of the ghosts…

Would you stay the night in a haunted village?
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#haunted #indiana #paranormal #travelblogger #ghoststory

There are things in this museum that we will never fully understand, (understand)
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#haunted #paranormal #ghostadventures #zakbagans #occult

Have you ever heard the phantom knocking on the fireplace at the Bodie Island Lighthouse?

Also, this footage is all unedited— the sunrise i watched on my last day in town was immaculate, so I’d get why the lighthouse keeper is still around.
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#northcarolina #ghoststory #haunted #paranormal #urbanlegend

Don’t know about you, but the urge to quietly vanish into the old fog-ridden cemeteries and become the new local lore that terrifies the community has never been stronger. 🪦👹

What about you? What’s a local cemetery you’d haunt?

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