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[Zephon]

I have one "haunting" story to relate.  Some of you have probably heard of Springfield Little Theater in Springfield, MO.  It has a long history dating back to the period between the World War's and many famous acts have performed there.  The dressing rooms used to be under the stage (still are I think) and I've seen signatures of the likes of the Marx Brothers and Fanny Brice scribbled on the stage floor joists.  Sadly, that history has since been painted over. 

Anyway, like many old theaters, this one has it's own ghost stories.  The theater has a main floor audience seating area and two balconies, the first of which was still in use when I worked there in the late 70's (as the Master Carpenter, building sets), and the second not utilized except that lighting fixtures directed at the stage were hung on the balcony railing.  In it's hay-day, the second balcony was the coloreds only section and they had to access it from an outside fire escape.  Apparently, during that period of time, a murder occurred up there, and there are other stories told as well. 

One night the technical director, Bill, and I were on the stage, working late on a set in preparation for an upcoming production.  Our attention was drawn to the second balcony as a lighting fixture that shouldn't have been on suddenly came on.  We both said "that's strange" and walked over to the lighting control console where every thing was as it should have been, i.e., the fader that should have been controlling that fixture was still at zero.  Still, even though we knew the stories associated with the theater, we weren't overly alarmed and decided to go up to the second balcony to investigate further.  It was when we got to the fixture that the hair on the backs of our necks began to stand up...the fixture was not even plugged in, yet there it glowed just as bright as you please.  We just stood there transfixed, and it faded after a couple of seconds. That's when we decided that enough work had been done on the set for the night and we beat a hasty retreat to an establishment down the street that we knew supplied nerve tonic.  To this day, that is the strangest thing I have ever witnessed.  Still no explanation for it.

[Junior]

I've heard rumors about ghosts around SDC. A few years ago the miller at Sullivan's Mill said some early morning delivery men heard noises in the shop, one was shaken so bad, he refused to go into the building alone. The miller published the story as part of his little booklet on Sullivan's Mill, and I've got a copy. I've also heard Marvel Cave and FITH are haunted spots at SDC, but someone else will have to confirm/deny any stories. During my time working there I did not experience anything on park of a supernatural nature.
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Shepherd of the Hills Homestead has a Confederate soldier that appears around the Old Mill Theater set and up around Inspiration Point. He rides a horse. Apparently during the Civil War there was an outpost there on the property, but don't know much about it. Kelly Trimble, who's dad, Mark, owned Sh. Hills while I lived in Branson, said employees had seen things, but he kind of dismissed it. I think he may have had one or two experiences on the property, but blew 'em off as "just something weird."

[KBCraig]

I grew up in a small town in western Arkansas, the same town my parents are from. When they were young, the "Brushy Ridge ghost light" was well known, and even had a reporter from TIME/LIFE cover it in the '40s. It was over the line in Oklahoma, miles and miles of dirt road from anywhere.

Mom and Dad had both seen the light several times, which burned dull orange like a hay lantern. It would go back and forth across the ridge, then wander down into the valley until it disappeared.

I took my college girlfriend out there once to try to see it. We parked at the "abandoned" farm house just as it was good and dark, shut the truck off, and waited for our eyes to adjust to the dark.

After about 15 minutes, we saw a light, all right -- the porch light of that old shack came on, and did a good job of illuminating the shotgun barrel that was poking out the screen door!

We decided a hasty retreat was in order, and that was certainly the most scared I've ever been when chasing ghosts!

[tiffanylynnt]

I love the stories guy! Keep 'em coming!

[KBCraig]

While it's not really a ghost hunting story, Jason and Grant of Ghost Hunters on SyFy own the Spalding Inn in Whitefield, NH. It's about 7 miles from our house in Lancaster.

It's off on a side road, and I drove past it a couple of weeks ago while taking my daughter to see a friend. It's quite beautiful on a moonlit snowy night at -20. 

Edit: fixed the distance.

[tiffanylynnt]

I love that show!! Never miss an episode, that and GHI (Ghost Hunters International).

[Parson B Ready]

I grew up in Alton, IL and still live near there.  I did a bit of ghost hunting when I was younger.  I had some crazy experiences and decided that was enough for me.  I let my oldest son go on one ghost hunting expedition, but probably no more until he turns 18.  Now I'm into hunting for Bigfoot.  Hey,at least I know I can shoot it, if one comes after me.  You can't do that to a ghost!

[MissinTheGreenTrams]

I no longer watch GH. To me they have gotten to big for their britches. I loved when they went into the normal folk homes and helped people come to terms with stuff going on. I wish they would do more of those. Maybe the first case being a home and the second being a big name place. And I hate GHI. Grrr.