Sunday, March 31, 2013

This Day in Haunted History-March

Happy Easter!  It's Bunny Day today, but its also the last of the month, which means its time for another re-cap of This Day in Haunted History, March Edition!  Unfortunately, March didn't offer a lot of dates that I could work with when it came to the content I have on Theresa's Haunted History, so I've had to supplement in a few places, lol.  Anyway, without further ado, here's this month's This Day in Haunted History:

March 2
On March 2, 1927, fire destroyed the temporary "pasteboard" capitol in Charleston.  The permanent capitol that was built in its place would quickly get a reputation for being haunted, both by a former maintenance man and a mysterious woman in a red dress.  State Capitol Building

March 4
Alexander Campbell, the founder of the Disciples of Christ and Bethany College, died in Bethany on March 4, 1866.  Alexander Campbell's former residence is haunted.  He is seen in his unique study, while his son is seen roaming the grounds.  Alexander Campbell Mansion

The cemetery where Mr. Campbell is buried is ALSO thought to be haunted!  God's Acre Cemetery

(The next three entries are also all from March 4th, but are extras not listed on the official WV This Day in History Page)

On March 4, 1904 a young boy passed away in Arvilla, WV, spawning one of the weirdest cemetery legends I've heard in the state.  Ikie's Tomb

Today marks the anniversary of the Charleston, WV Woolworth Building fire. That fire took the lives of 7 firefighters. Some say that those firefighters are still seen in the old building.  Woolworth Building Fire

14 years ago today, WV suffered another tragic fire. Two homeless gentleman burned to death under the Nitro/St. Albans bridge. Since that day, people have claimed to have seen the ghost of one of these men. With the bridge undergoing extensive rebuilding, do you think that the spirit or spirits have been stirred up once again?  Nitro/St. Albans Bridge

March 6
Industrialist Johnson Newlon Camden, who served as United States senator from 1881 to 1887, and 1893 to 1895, was born in Lewis County on March 6, 1828.  Of interest to the Huntington area natives, Camden was responsible for the Camden Interstate Railway street car line, and thus, Camden Park!  Camden Park is said to be haunted by several entities, including the Native Americans who are buried in the mound, still on the park property, and even a woman who is still riding the roller coaster after all these years.  Camden Park

Camden's widow is responsible for another haunted location in WV history.  She gave the land for the original Camden-Clark Hospital in Parkersburg, haunted by a nurse named Ella.  Camden-Clark Hospital

March 15
West Virginia State Auditor John C. Bond resigned from office on March 15, 1927, after being impeached.  Although this entry isn't paranormal in and of itself, I wanted to include it due to a recent tip we received about a body-shaped stain at the state capitol complex.  The legend goes that a state employee committed suicide after being accused of embezzling money, and during my research, Bond kept popping up.  And while he did NOT commit suicide at the capitol building, I'm still trying to research if maybe someone who worked under him DID.  Suicide Stain at the State Capitol

March 29
On March 29, 1973, African-American educator Fannie Cobb Carter died at the age of 100
.  Fannie Cobb Carter was the first superintendent of the Huntington Industrial School for Colored Girls, a building which has been recently torn down, but was said to be haunted by the young girls who lived, and possibly died, within its hallowed halls.  Rumors of cruel treatment and forced abortions are said to account for the sounds of screaming and crying that emanated throughout the building.  Huntington Industrial School for Colored Girls

March 30
On March 30, 1930, ground was broken at Gauley Junction to begin construction of the Hawks Nest tunnel and dam. During construction of a tunnel intended to divert water for electricity production, over 500 men died from silicosis, a disease acquired by inhaling the high amounts of silica found in the rock. A smaller, but still notable tragedy happened on January 30, 1908 when an explosion at the Bachman Mine killed 9 men.  Today, the Hawks Nest State Park is believed to be haunted, not only from the apparent suicide victims of those who took their lives on park property, but also by what may be known as a Guardian Spirit, responsible for ALL the tragic deaths in the area.  Hawks Nest State Park


January Haunted History
February Haunted History
Official On This Day in West Virginia History Page

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