Those of you who are regular visitors to the JQ’s blog may have noticed that I’ve been a bit scarce around here of late. Fear not. My absence hasn’t been for naught. Armed with a flashlight and aided by my intrepid (Snicker) porcupine sidekick, I have spent the past several days scouting out some of the most well known haunted locations in my area for your consideration. Yes, it’s time once again for Kim’s annual Halloween tour of haunted places! Are these spots actually occupied by the restless spirits of those who have passed on, or can it all be chalked up to imagination? You be the judge…

Our first stop is the Willard Library in Evansville, Indiana. More than 110 years old, this Victorian Gothic structure is the oldest public library in Indiana and the home of the Gray Lady ghost. (It has also played host to the cast and crew of one of my favorite shows, The Sci-Fi Channel’s Ghost Hunters). Stories of the strange happenings that take place here have been circulating for years. Books allegedly fly off shelves, strange footsteps and whispers are heard at night, and weird shadows walk among the stacks. You can visit this website for info on the haunting and see actual pictures taken with the building’s “ghost cam.” Now, if I can just get that darn porcupine to quit sneaking off into a corner to read romance novels, we might actually get around to investigating…

We venture a bit further afield for our next stop, the Hannah House in Indianapolis, Indiana. Built in 1858, this historic home is said to house several different ghosts, though no one seems to be able to agree on exactly who these spirits once were. Here, apparitions have been sighted, objects move about, and unpleasant odors pervade the rooms. Having visited the home once back in the 1980′s on a weekend trip to Indy with the family, I can attest to feeling a bit uncomfortable there, though I never experienced any of the above phenomena. And that was before I had ever heard the tales of the spectral residents. Fact or fiction? Check out this website and decide for yourself.

Our last stop on the tour is the supposedly haunted Colgate Palmolive Factory in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Once the home of the southern branch of the Indiana State prison system, workers here have seen strange lights, heard men’s voices whispering, and seen doors open and close by themselves. And what is that? Just up ahead, I think I see a strange shadow. (At this point, Jaunty runs off screaming and the investigation breaks down. Have you ever heard a porcupine scream? Very disturbing.)

So, do you have any local haunted places to tell us about or a paranormal experience of your own to relate? Or are you an avowed skeptic? Please feel free to share. It’s that time of year for a spooky tale.