WHY FEAR IS STILL HERE, HOW THE DEAD AREN’T QUITE DEAD
AND
WHERE YOU CAN FIND THEM
(IN BUFFALO NO LESS)
There’s a sort of sweet anticipation that is almost tangible in the wind the moment the leaves turn crimson and the air turns cool. Pumpkins and tombstones and witches decorate the walkways of houses, while kids make excited plans on how to score the most candy on that magical night.
Halloween.
It comes every year, and, to many, it’s their favorite holiday. After all, rare is the person who does not like the free candy, the costume fun, nor all the decorations and pumpkin-themed delicacies. But, with minds so absorbed in candy corn this time of the year, the darker side of this holiday is often forgotten. It’s probably not entirely accidental; thoughts of pumpkin spice lattes are indeed much more cheery than ones of the ghosts, ghouls, witches, werewolves and the like who are supposedly coming out to haunt the town.
Still, there are those who fear that the “scary” factor of Halloween is now all but missing. Haunted houses might provide a little thrill, but they’re not real. Halloween seems to leave some people wondering exactly where the spooky spirit of the holiday has gone. Where are the actual ghosts? The haunted houses? Where’s the scare?
Fear not! The fear is still here. (So….fear.) Sufficient research seems to prove (to this reporter at least) that there are indeed plenty of haunted places in Buffalo, and those with a penchant for scary things might be very interested in walking around and them more investigating .
So, without further ado, the top 4 most haunted places in Buffalo:
4- The Lancaster Opera House:
The opera house is one of the oldest buildings in Buffalo. Built in 1897, it has seen its fair share of history. During the Great Depression in the 1930’s, it was used to distribute food and shelter and during WWII, it was used as a base to fold parachutes for the army. Eventually it fell into disrepair, but was restored and reopened in 1981. Since then, it has been used for various things including plays, dances, craft shows, and exhibits.
But, there is reason to believe that the Opera House is haunted. Lights turn themselves on and off. There have been many reports of a woman wearing a lavender dress from the 1940’s standing in the balcony, looking down at the stage. Employees have reported feeling an unseen entity following them around at night, usually when they’re locking up. Men in WWII uniforms have been seen walking across the hall. Voices echo from the stage when there’s no one there, and actors have heard footsteps above their basement dressing rooms hours before the performances.
However, this hasn’t been enough to scare people away. The ghosts have yet to do anything that might endanger people or make it unsafe and so it now simply seems to add to the Lancaster Opera House’s charm.
3-Buffalo Naval and Military Park:
Large, dark navy blue ships create a grandiose and intimidating figure as a passerby walks by, slurping on some ice cream from the nearby Perry’s store. The Buffalo Naval and Military Park, while beautiful and scenic, is said to have haunted ships.
USS The Sullivans, named after the five Sullivan brothers who died tragically in the Battle of the Solomon Islands, is said to be haunted by one of the brothers, George Sullivan. Though none of the brothers ever served on the ship, visitors and employees alike have claimed to encounter the spirit. Reports say there is an angry spirit that pulls on people’s hair, blocks their way through the submarine, and breaths down their necks. There have been further reports of paranormal investigations that found lights in the forward berthing room, tapping sounds in the radio room, and whispers and knocks throughout the ship.
However, many paranormal investigators claim that it is the USS Little Rock that is the most haunted. Though it never served in the war, it served as a hospital for wounded soldiers in the Mediterranean and many of those men died. Their bodies were stored in the meat freezer until they could be buried. Most likely due to this, there have been many reports of moving shadows, feelings of being watched, whispered conversations, the sound of footsteps, and many apparitions. There is a sink in the galley that turns itself on. A sad, tearful sailor is said to follow women around, trying to find someone to sympathize with him and to comfort him. Another sailor pulls practical jokes on the visitors.
Many paranormal investigators have successfully communicated with these ghosts. Though the thought of it’s is scary, it seems like the ghosts don’t mean any harm and want only to serve on their ship.
2-Shea’s Performing Arts Theater:
Shea’s Performing Arts Theater is the main draw to the Buffalo Theater District. It touts many famous musicals and shows and it’s influence of Spanish and French Baroque and Rococo styles make it a gorgeous theater to be in and going to Shea’s is quite the experience.
However, Buffalo’s favourite theater seems to be a favourite of the undead too. The most famous reports are of a man with a mustache who meets patrons in the balcony and simply remarks “Isn’t it beautiful?”. When the patrons look down to survey the lobby under them and look back up, the man is gone. Many claim that it is the ghost of Michael Shea, Shea’s founder, confirming it by saying that his portrait is the exact likeness of the apparition they meet.
There are many other reports of suspicious activity as well. Crew have heard footsteps in the lobby and theater many hours before a show opens. Crews have complained that their equipment has been tampered with and laughter and conversations are often heard from coming down to the lobby from the balcony. Actors have reported that they have heard their musical cues long before the orchestra is set up and playing their cues.
Are these reports really true? Do Michael Shea and his friends still haunt their theater, laughing and talking?
The answers are in Act 2, after a fifteen minute intermission. There are snacks in the lobby.
1-HH Richardson Building:
Also known as the Buffalo State Asylum, this building is one of the most haunted in Buffalo. Commissioned in the 19th century and opened in 1895, this building has many theories and conspiracies surrounding it. It is said to be one of the most haunted in Buffalo.
Opened as a psychiatric hospital for the insane, there are many theories that the ghosts and haunting are caused by the level of spiritual and emotional trauma done to the patients. Keep in mind that one of the more popular treatment options at the time was electric shock therapy.
There have been more than one reporters of people passing by hearing screams and yells of pain coming from the building. Objects have been known to move on their own and there are many claims of people moving through the building despite it being abandoned in the 1970’s.
Another spooky theory that surrounds this building is something called “The Haunted Film”. A photographer was hired to shoot the building as it was known for it’s architecture, but something happened that immediately caused him to abandon his project. The photographer refuses to identify himself, so the mysterious happening is unidentified also.
The footage (both photos and a video) was turned over to the FOEH (Friends of Endangered History) who, when trying to make a documentary on the architecture of the building, came across several anomalies in the footage.
The photo film (which is available for viewing on thehauntedfilm.com) shows a crumbling building with paint peeling and machines that hint at its brutal past. It is creepy and scary as it is with simply just the rusting wheelchairs and overall abandoned look, but several things that seem out of place add to the peculiarity of the story.
An image of the buildings abandoned elevator shaft show spots that look like lens flare, but the there is no other light other than the camera’s flash. Though they could be dust, in a later photo that includes the elevator, they appear in a different position entirely. And a photo of a staircase seems to show the outline of a cloaked figure standing in front of a curtain.
The video itself is stranger. The photographer seems unaware of large orbs moving about around him. The FOEH went to some video experts, but even they were unable to explain the strange happenings.
However, this is not a building open for exploration. Heavily guarded and surrounded by a fence, it is currently going through restoration. Exploring for this particular haunted site might just be limited to internet searches.
But if almost every website seems to say the same thing, they can’t all be conspiracies, can they?
So this Halloween, definitely dress up and make sure you get your candy. But in keeping with the tradition of thrills and chills, be sure to look up these spooky places. Who knows? You might just discover something new.
