Ghosts at the Grand

Tonight, we're on a ghost hunt at the most haunted place in town.

Pretty scary, huh?

The Grand Opera House opened in 1883 and is the oldest operating theatre building in the state. During the early years it hosted traveling companies from Broadway musicals to the Ballet Russe as well as performers like Harry Houdini and Vincent Price. Then in the 1980's, while being operated as an X-rated movie theatre, the building became so deteriorated it was almost demolished. Fortunately, a referendum passed and the city was able to save the structure and begin a complete restoration. It was after these renovations that the spirits became active. 

This is a narrow balcony above the original lobby where the ghost of a former stage manager and several theatre loving manifestations have been seen watching the audience leave after the performances. Wouldn't you expect an area full of spectral beings to be very dark and moody instead of a cheerful riot of colors?

On either side of the lobby are warming rooms. Apparently, the opera house was pretty chilly in the days before central heating and audience members crowded into these rooms to warm up at intermission. They weren't part of the tour but I was so impressed with the color coordinated trash can I had to include it. 

There are three ghosts as well as an orange mist that have been identified as being supernatural elements of The Grand. The only named one is Percy Keene. He served as stage manager for a number of years and stayed involved with the theater from its opening until his death in 1967. The tour guides described him as benevolent and said he is most often seen standing in the wings. His ghost is also credited with saving the life of one of the tech crew.

Wait! Is that the ghost of Mr. Keene . . . or His Madness walking into my shot?

The second spectral being is a small dog. It was supposedly owned by one of the managers back when it was remodeled into a movie theatre. He has been reportedly been seen on stage, disrupting rehearsals and tugging on the trains of period costumes.  

Below stage (aka the basement) this dressing room was described as the most active paranormal area in the building. Apparently, it's just jam packed with the ghosts of former actors. 

The third ghost, a teenage boy, is said to inhabit this hallway. He is reportedly mischievous, laughs a lot and really likes the ladies. I wish I would've asked the tour guide to explain that, ha! Maybe it's better not to know. Here's HM, showing off his AV geekiness.

The tour was about half an hour long and ended up in the bar lounge. I don't know who to feel the most sorry for, the skeleton or the piano.  

At last, we finally found some spirits we could communicate with!

We didn't see any ghosts or orange mist, so I'm still a skeptic but it's always fun to go on haunted tours and listen to a spooky story or two. I heard there's a haunted coffee house just down the street. We may have to check that out sometime soon. 

Thanks for stopping by, see you tomorrow!

Haunted Happenings is taking place throughout the month of October.