CUSTER COUNTY

Custer County, a Cheyenne-Arapaho Reservation was ironically named in honor of George Armstrong Custer (1839-1876), a United States Army cavalry commander.

DEAD WOMAN'S CROSSING
THE STORY: In Weatherford, the spirit of a murdered woman separated from her baby has reportedly returned in search of her child. The bridge near the site of her murder is known as “Dead Woman’s Crossing,” and it is believed by many that her ghost haunts the area. Katy James disappeared in July 1905, after filing for divorce from her husband and leaving to stay with relatives in another town. Her father hired a detective to find her, and while he could find no trace of Katy, he did find a woman who had seen her after she left. Katy met Fannie Norton, a prostitute, on the train, and went to stay with Fannie and her relatives. They left in a buggy the next morning, saying they would be back in a few hours, but only Fannie returned. Fannie left Katy’s baby at a nearby farm and fled the area. The detective tracked Fannie down, but she claimed she had no responsibility in Katy’s disappearance. Katy, she said, had met a man and left with him. Fannie died, reportedly by poisoning herself, and a few weeks later Katy’s body was found. It was determined that Fannie had murdered Katy during their buggy ride in order to rob her, and Katy’s husband received custody of their child and Katy’s estate. Many people, however, believe Katy’s husband hired Fannie to kill her. It is rumored that Katy’s spirit still lingers at the site where she was murdered, searching for her child. This location has become a very popular party place for college students. Reportedly, at midnight one can hear the sound of a woman crying for her child, as well as the sound of wagon wheels. EVIDENCE: This story was originally researched by Susan Woolf Brenner, a student in Weatherford. She wrote an article on Katy James that appeared in the Chronicles of Oklahoma: Volume LX (Fall 1982) titled "Dead Woman's Crossing: The Legacy of a Territorial Murder". While there is confirmation on historical events, stories of the haunting remain anecdotal. LINK: http://www.prairieghosts.com/dwoman.html

LOGAN COUNTY

MASON'S CHILDRENS HOME

HISTORY: Located at 602 East College in Guthrie, Oklahoma the Mason's Guthrie Children's Home (Dominion House) served as a children's home in the 1920's providing a place of refuge, warm meals, warm beds, a religious education and even an indoor swimming pool, with the added opportunity of being educated by the public schools. It gave many children a new chance at life, during the years it was up and running. In 1978, the state of Oklahoma voted to have a foster care system using small family units, to give the children a more personal home life. In 1978, the home closed, and was vacant until 2000, when it was rescued from its deplorable condition by a man and his family, and renovated to have a new purpose in the community. THE LEGEND: When the building was abandoned, people reported seeing apparitions appearing and disappearing in the rooms as the people peeked in the windows of the building. Construction workers hired to renovate the building, reported hearing unexplained footsteps, the feeling of being watched and hearing strange noises and crying. Throughout the years, this home was blessed with many fine caregivers and staff, however there are rumors about caregivers who didn't have the patience or wisdom to deal with hard to handle children. Acts of abuse and cruelty occured. Some report that there was a nurse who killed herself in the belltower. A dark shadow has been seen in the bell tower, and as been known to hover around people who had broken in the building when it was abandoned. Another tale describes a cruel headmistress who beat a 6 year old girl to death. Several eye witnesses have seen an apparition of a little girl who appears and pleads for protection. The headmistress was also said to have buried four boys in the basement. It was reported by some that there were some graves in the backyard, seen there when the property was abandoned. There are also stories of dedicated staff members who remain in the afterlive still looking after the children. Sounds of crying and screaming children in emotional pain have been heard, perhaps an impression of the negative feelings felt so long ago. EVIDENCE: Anecdotal. LINK: dominionhouseguthrie.com

THE STONE LION INN
HISTORY: Located at 1016 W. Warner, Guthrie, Oklahoma this three story Greek Revival Victorian style mansion was built in 1907. The third floor housed the main ballroom and a play area, with a closet used as a storage place for toys. It was built by F.E. Houghton, a wealthy man with a family of 12 children. In the 1920's, the mansion was transformed into a boarding house. It later became a funeral home. In 1986, the Luker family bought the mansion, renovated it into charming bed and breakfast. This location also hosts murder-mystery weekends. THE LEGEND: The story goes that Little Augusta Houghton died at the age of 8 when the maid gave her the wrong medication to combat the child's whooping cough. She is said to haunt the mansion. But diligent research revealed that Augusta was found to have lived a full life. Nevertheless, witnesses have reported hearing footsteps of a child that can be heard pattering up and down the stairways. Around 10:00 pm, a child's footsteps could be heard on the back staircase leading to the third floor playroom. The Lukers would find the children's toys strewn all over the playroom floor, even when Mrs. Luker put a lock on the closet. Guests in one room on the second floor report feeling their faces patted and tugs on their feet. Others report sounds like a bowling ball moving across the ceiling of the second story. Maids have seen a male entity in a tall top hat, dressed in an old-fashioned black suit, hanging out behind the heating system in the basement. Although the owners have established a no-smoking policy, guests report the smell of cigar smoke and say that they can see it in the air as well. One guest reported that when she went to bed, she left the ceiling fan light on because she couldn't turn it off, then felt a heavy presence climb up on the foot of her bed and turn off the light for her. EVIDENCE: The Oklahoma Ghost Patrol reports that they found photographic evidence of orbs, but warned that they had information suggesting the manifestations may be staged. The OGP also reported that the owners have been charging large sums of money to paranormal investigation teams going there to investigate as well as seeking a lot of media attention for their "paranormal" business. LINK: Oklahoma Ghost Patrol

LOGAN COUNTY JAIL
THE STORY: The Logan County Sheriff's Office at 216 S Broad in Guthrie, Oklahoma has maintained a detention center since 1898. During the early 1890s, noted lawman and gunman James Masterson served as a county Deputy Sheriff for Logan County. Suicides by inmates, generally hangings in the kitchen or inside the jail cells are on record. On May 14, 1903 Jailer Jerry Emerson was shot and killed by a prisoner making his escape from the jail aftera woman who was infatuated with the suspect had smuggled him the gun he used to make his escape. Odd noises have been reported at night. One witness reports seeing apparitions appear in the cameras faced into the cells. Witnesses have reported also seeing apparitions walking into the kitchen, a man hanging from a rope in the kitchen, objects moving by themselves, and a door and locking on its own behind workers. EVIDENCE: Anecdotal.

LOGAN COUNTY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
THE STORY: The Logan County Memorial Hospital located at the intersection of 19th street and Warner avenue in Guthrie, Oklahoma was built in 1946 and shut down in the late 1960's. Residents say this abandoned building is rumored to be haunted. An apparition has been seen in third-floor windows. A general, very strong feeling of fear, doom and terror is present at the hospital, and according to witnesses becomes incredibly strong when photographs are taken. Mary Roberts, a Guthrie resident said, "My nephew who was 16 went inside once, and saw a pentagram on the basement floor, and they heard some scary thing. He came home crying, he swore he'd never go there." Guthrie resident April Barnett said, "We've seen a few things, and sometimes I've heard a few things but that could just be me. We've seen lights on upstairs." Guthrie Police Chief Damon Devereaux warned that the building is structurally unsafe and that trespassers would be prosecuted. Devereaux stated that there are live cameras set up inside the building that dispatchers watch from time to time, and many people do watch the web-cams. EVIDENCE: Basically all paranormal activities that have been reported are limited to figures and shadows. This building has been investigated by many of the Oklahoma paranormal teams and has even used this site as an ongoing research site. Due to many break-ins and upcoming renovations no teams will be allowed to enter anymore. LINK: If you want to view the web-cams inside the hospital go to: http://researchwebcam.net/chatframes.html

SANTA FE DEPOT
HISTORY: The two story red brick depot was built in 1903 in Guthrie, Oklahoma and stayed in operation until 1979 when Amtrak's lone star from Chicago to Houston being dropped from the timetable. In 1998 the northern portion of the building that once housed the Harvey House Restaurant was restored and now houses another restaurant. Soon after the rest of the building would start to be restored and most has been finished. They are still working on the upstairs rooms above the Southern section of the depot, these are the rooms that the Harvey Girls would stay in. Today the Depot can be rented out for weddings and other special events. THE STORY: The most famous of it's hauntings is a woman in Victorian dress who has been seen looking longingly out of one of the upstairs windows as trains pass. It is believed that she is Pearl Harvey, the wife of the famous Fred Harvey who was responsible for the "Harvey House Restaurant". These were well ran and very clean restaurants that were housed in railroad stations. At that time these restaurants were very unsanitary at railroad stations, making the Harvey House Restaurants very popular. "Pearl" is said to have really enjoyed her time at the Guthrie Depot and even thinking of it almost as a home away from home. The room she is spotted in was most likely the room she would have stayed in when spending time at the Depot. EVIDENCE: Anecdotal.

BLACK JAIL
THE STORY: This Federal Prison was built in 1892 in Guthrie, Oklahoma and was the first in the Midwest. Labeled the “Black Jail” by inmates, the eighteen inch thick walls of dark limestone and brick was a penitentiary that was rumored to be non-escapable back in the days of the Wild West. These would be the rough and wild bandits of the West. The two-story structure housed no more than ninety prisoners at a time, two levels assembled including the complete basement where the unruly convicts were held in solitary confinement. Some it's most famous inmates include The Dalton Gang and Bill Doolin. After the prison would close in the early 1900s the Samaritan Foundation would house their activists and radicals along with their families in the building. The jail was shut down in the late 1990's by the Department of Human Services. A figure has been seen in the hallway and is believed to be the spirit of James Phillips. On June 1907, Phillips was the first white man sentenced to be hanged at the prison for the murder of a local man. According to the State Capital News Paper and prison records, Phillips was to die on a mid-June morning across the street of Noble Avenue. Reported by guards, Phillips was observing the construction with a deal of great dread and angst, and then all of a sudden he abruptly fell backwards onto his bunk, dying instantly without a sound or even a word of warning. According to witness accounts a young woman’s voice can be heard singing throughout the main level of the building. She has been reported to wear a long printed dress and sports a large brimmed hat with gloves. The woman has only been seen by a select few in the town. The woman has been noticed outside of the prison walking the grounds and on occasion attempting to cross the street of Noble Avenue. The woman appears on occasion, usually at dusk, and alone. EVIDENCE: The jail was investigated by G.H.O.U.L.I. (Ghosts, Haunts of Oklahoma and Urban Legend Investigations). Two EVP's were collected by Tonya Hacker during their investigation. Click here for EVP #1 & Click here for EVP #2.

MAYES COUNTY

CRYBABY BRIDGE

THE STORY: One day long ago a baby had drowned while parents were picnicking. It is said that if you drive over Crybaby Bridge in Pryor, Oklahoma at night you can hear a baby crying. The bridge has since been torn down, but some residents claim that a faint noise of a baby crying can be heard either coming from the woods near the site of the former bridge or below where the bridge once stood. There are a number of other quaint old bridges in the area. The 9th Street Bridge in Pryor is also rumored to be haunted by a ghost that will let few unsuspecting people see it. EVIDENCE: Anecdotal. There are multiple instances of the urban legend of the Crybaby Bridge across the United States. Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crybaby_Bridge

SIDE POCKETS POOLHALL

THE STORY: Located in Pryor, Oklahoma, where more that 50 people were killed during the tornado that struck on April 27, 1942. The tornado ranks as the fifth deadliest in Oklahoma history. Originally named "Coo-Y-Yah", Cherokee for "huckleberry", the city was later renamed Pryor Creek, then shortened by the US Postal Service to "Pryor". Local folklore holds that pool balls flying off tables, balls and tables found rearranged in the morning. One resident reports that the paranormal activity occurs at the location of the original pool hall, now a diner, and not at the current location of Side Pockets Poolhall. EVIDENCE: Photographic evidence.

THUNDERBIRD YOUTH ACADEMY

THE STORY: According to locals, many years before it was a military school it was a orphanage. A tornado hit the orphanage on April 27, 1942 and killed many of the children who lived there. The Thunderbird Youth Academy in Pryor, Oklahoma was launched in September of 1993 under the National Guard Bureau, as a three-year federally funded pilot program. Permanent funding was obtained in September 1996 when the state of Oklahoma allocated funds to support the program. The cuirriculum draws upon a "quasi-military" approach. Two quiet friendly spirits are said to have been observed wandering the campus. The third platoon building is reported to be haunted by a child named Hector. Other residents have reported paranormal activity in a storage room near the nurses station. Other TYA residents have reported lights going on an off, a ball rolling across the floor, shadowy figures moving across hallways, etc. According to one witness if you are awake at night you can here the talking and laughing of children. The witness reported being awakened at night to see a small girl standing next to his bunk. There are different legends about Hector told by residents, including that he was killed by the cook at the orphage and fed to the other children, and that he was hung by the custodian. In all accounts Hector was reported to have been a "difficult" child. EVIDENCE: Numerous first hand eye witness accounts reported by former TYA residents.

OSAGE COUNTY

CONSTANTINE THEATRE

THE STORY: There is another reportedly haunted theater located at 110 W. Main, in the city of Pawhuska, in Osage County. This building is said to be haunted by the ghost of Sappho Constantine Brown, the beautiful daughter of the theater owner. The theater was closed in 1970, after many profitable years. In 1987, a group of concerned citizens led by Eileen Monger, began a long, tedious renovation. It is now complete, with a live stage in Greek Revival Style and a seating capacity of 589 and outstanding accoustics. The theatre is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the National League of Historic Theatres. When restoration began in 1987 some 100 years after it was built, workmen claimed to hear phantom footsteps and saw an apparition of the girl. The theater was built as a hotel, The Pawhuska House, but underwent a transformation after C.C. Constantine purchased it in 1911 and embarked on a dream to turn it into the finest opera house in the Southwest. The beautiful theater has remarkable acoustics. According to witnesses, sounds of a barroom brawl can be heard in the historic theater. EVIDENCE: Anecdotal.

PAYNE COUNTY

Payne County was opened to settlement in the Oklahoma land run of 1889. The land run took place April 22, 1889; overnight businesses sprang up, schools and churches were built, and farmers began planting crops. In December of 1890, the state's land grant university, Oklahoma A&M, was established in Stillwater. Oklahoma A&M is now Oklahoma State University, which is the county's largest industry.


GHOST HOLLOW
THE STORY: Near the city of Cushing in Payne County, this haunted location that has been dubbed Ghost Hollow. Located about a mile north of the Cimarron River, in the late 1800's Ghost Hollow was an ideal spot for hanging outlaws. According to legend there was an old elm tree and a sycamore there where lawbreakers were often strung up. The elm tree is said to still stand today. According to legend, an innocent man was hanged there in 1887 and the next day, all of the bark mysteriously fell off of the tree. From that night on, at the time of the full moon, the tree is said to glow an eerie, white color. The natural effects of having no bark in the light of the moon. EVIDENCE: Anecdotal.

NORFOLK SCHOOL

THE FACTS: Although the final graduating class at Norfolk High had only 5 graduates, the 11 room brick school closed its doors in 1958. The school grew up in wealth surrounded by a panorama of glistening oil tanks near Cushing. The school was built in 1922 in Payne County. The school has enjoyed a colorful record, heavily fringed in oil boom wealth of the early 1920’s. Oil strikes and an upsurge in rural population in the area created a need for a high school, and in 1922 a small, frame building went up. In 1925 a fire reduced the school to rubble, and caused the school to rebuild with a more up-to-date building. In 1926 they constructed the still standing brick structure with 11 rooms, gymnasium, auditorium, workshops and dressing rooms. The teaching staff was increased to seven, with a full time superintendent. A full fledged athletic program also was inaugurated and special classroom equipment was installed. Norfolk soon became a school to be envied by its city cousins. Then with the passing of the oil play subsided, and the round-bellied oil tanks ringing the school echoed fading dreams and was closed due to financial problems and low enrollment. The building remains abandoned. THE STORY: According to local legend two children were trapped in the basement during the fire in 1925. It is said that the voices of children calling out for help can be heard in the basement today. EVIDENCE: Anecdotal

PITTSBURG COUNTY

CRYBABY BRIDGE

THE STORY: One of several bridges in Oklahoma possessing very similar haunting stories, this Crybaby Bridge is located in Alderson, Oklahoma. The population of Alderson was 261 during the 2000 census. Locals have told the story of hearing a baby's cry from beneath what once was a single lane ironwork bridge late at night and even some sightings of what appears to be a faintly glowing image of a woman hovering just above the rocky floor of the creek. A variation of the story maintains that in the late 1940's a backwoods man raped his daughter several times and instead of keeping the babies she threw them over the bridge into the North Boggy Creek. Legend Has it that if you go to this bridge and stand at the edge of it you can hear the babies crying. DOCUMENTATION: Anecdotal. There are numerous instances of this urban legend which may be found in multiple locations across North America: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crybaby_Bridge

PONTOTOC COUNTY

GLENWOOD PARK

THE STORY: The ghost of a female having a cross engraved into her nose has on several occasions been seen in Glenwood Park at midnight reading a book. According to Ada residents, this ghost is the tormented soul of a long gone local person. EVIDENCE: Anecdotal.

KALIHOMA INDIAN RESERVATION
THE STORY: According to local legend, between 1:00 am and 2:00 am it is said that headlights will follow you after you turn off of Highway 48 to Kalihoma Indian Reservation road. Traveling west on this road heading towards Highway 1, if you speed up, headlights will speed up, if you slow down, the follower will slow down. As you turn onto Highway 1, the car will stop, and then turn back to Kalihoma Indian Reservation.

EVIDENCE: Anecdotal Update. Jeremy Haddenham submitted this account which he said occurred in the summer of 1998: "My best friend Dave and I were just driving around late at night (12 am - 1 am) out of boredom. As were heading down this old highway, we noticed a car behind us that was coming up fast. We never noticed it before because its a long straight shot for a good distance. Soon it was right behind us and we thought we were going to get pulled over. All of the sudden the headlights started flashing from dim to bright. It was as if someone wanted us to pull over.. I even turned around to look to see if it was a county sheriff. The headlights were round on this car. Not rectangular like a more modern vehicle. We decided not to stop because it was clear it was not law enforcement. As we approached the main highway, the car backed off, turned around, and went the opposite direction.I never really thought much about this... Until I read stories from others describing exactly what happened to us that night. It still sends chills up my spine. There IS a ghost car out there! It's a black car and it's old. I'd say it's a late 50's early 60's Ford Fairlane or something very close to that body style. I could tell by the front grill, placement of the headlights, and the shape of the front fenders."

KULLIHOMA
THE STORY: Kullihoma is located east of Ada, the county seat of Pontotoc County. Kullihoma is not a reservation. It is a 1500 acre tribal reserve that at one time was actively used as a stomp ground, school and community. Located about 10 miles east of Ada, Kullihoma has become a favorite gathering place for reuniting Chickasaws. It is said that one can see bouncing balls of bright light floating around the tribal reserve. Locals claim these balls of light are actually little people, about two or three feet tall, usually seen by young Indian children if they were called to help these little fellows. They never die even when the children grow old---they simply seek out another person to train to doctor or just be obnoxious to anyone around! EVIDENCE: Anecdotal.

PETRIFIED TREE
HISTORY: In the years between 1913 and 1936, East Central University (ECU) and the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. were vying for a 250,000,000 year-old petrified tree. The Callixylon Tree, discovered on nearby Ada farmland, was the largest example of a petrified tree at the time of discovery. Dr. David White, head of the U.S. Geological Survey examined the fossil and decided it should be displayed at the Smithsonian. ECU supporters raised money for erecting the tree fragments into a tree shape and moving it to the ECU campus. Dr. White died before enough funds had been raised to move the tree to the Smithsonian and as a result the tree was given to East Central University. The Callixylon tree was formally accepted by President Linscheid in March, 1936. THE STORY: It is rumored that many years ago, members of an occult group would meet at the tree and sacrifice animals and humans. Late at night, it is still said that you can hear odd sounds, and see abnormal lights and shadowy figures. EVIDENCE: Anecdotal. One witness gives a variation of the legend, telling of a little girl was taken to the tree, beaten and sacrificed. He maintains that there is a little girl who wanders that area, and that there are little footprints in the cement on the sidewalk. He claims that late at night as you go up the trail, you can hear and feel her.

WINTERSMITH PARK

Perhaps the most haunted location in Ada, Wintersmith Park is associated with several hauntings. (1) The ghost of a man is reported to haunt the area below the dam in Wintersmith Park. According to witnesses, he is not malignent, but would rather be left alone. The spirit is reported to be very powerful and has been there many years. (2) According to one internet source this park was once home to a few monkeys. They were kept in a below ground enclosure with a chainlink fence over the top. A few other animals remain, such as deer and peacocks. It is rumored that "devil worshippers" broke into the enclosure and "sacrificed" the monkeys. (3) The ghost of a tied up woman is frequently witnessed weeping at Ada City Dam late at night. EVIDENCE: (1) There is only anecdotal evidence regarding the "ghost". However one witness maintained that the best way to view the ghost is to take a spot up on the bridge using night vision goggles. A former employee of the park stated that during his work along the dam and creek he witnessed no paranormal activity. (2) There is evidence that monkeys once resided in the park based on statements by local residents; however, there is no evidence that devil worshippers sacrificed them. One resident of Ada stated that people were shooting the monkeys with air soft guns so the monkeys were moved, not sacrificed.

TULSA COUNTY

Tulsa County draws it's name from "Tallasi", meaning "old town" in the Creek language. "Tulsey Town", as it was called by settlers, began as an old Creek settlement in Oklahoma. The City of Tulsa is lucky enough to be the home of many hauntings according to local tradition, including two of Oklahoma's most famous ghosts.

GILCREASE MUSEUM
THE STORY: The first spirit is reported to haunt the Gilcrease Museum, which was established a number of years ago thanks to Thomas Gilcrease. The Gilcrease Museum houses one of the world's most extensive and renowned collections of Native American and Western art and artifacts. After his death in 1962, the philanthropist's ghost has been seen and heard haunting the museum. Perhaps he just loved the place so much that he never wanted to leave. Seen all over the estate, the philanthropist ghost often spends time in the gardens, which was his favorite place during his life time. Other reports tell of ghostly children that continue to roam upon these historic grounds. Ghost investigators have obtained electronic voice recordings of a woman singing, the sounds of men arguing, and strange whispers. Other phenomena reported by staff and guests include loud banging noises coming from the second floor of the museum, major temperature fluctuations, doors slamming by themselves, unexplainable technical malfunctions, and items that mysteriously disappear only to show up later in a strange place that it obviously does not belong. Some estimate that there as many as seven different spirits remaining on the property, all of which are reportedly harmless and linger only because they like it. It has been reported that the museum has an unsually high turnover among night security personnel, who have reported most of the sightings. Not surprisingly, Gilcrease has also been spotted lingering at the Tulsa Historical Society, which was once his home. EVIDENCE: Anecdotal. LINK: History and Haunting of the Gilcrease Museum

BRADY THEATRE
THE STORY: The second spirit who is said to linger in Tulsa is that of the famed opera singer, Enrico Caruso (born Naples, February 25, 1873 – died Naples, August 2, 1921). Caruso was was an Italian opera tenor of tremendous international renown and a key pioneer in the field of recorded music. According to local legend, the tenor died of pleurisy just one year after an open-air carriage ride on a cold and wet Oklahoma day. According to Caruso's wife Dorothy, his state of health began a distinct downward spiral in late 1920 while on a lengthy North American tour. Caruso's manager Edward Bernays blamed his illness on the unlucky stop in Tulsa and it is said that his ghost still haunts the Brady Theater in retribution for causing his demise. The Brady Theatre is reportedly home to a second spirit, that of a workman who fell off a ladder and died. People have heard noises, footsteps, and employees have found ladders and other objects displaced. The Brady Theater, located at 105 W. Brady St., Tulsa, Oklahoma, is also known as The Old Lady on Brady. Originally named the Tulsa Convention Hall, the theatre was Tulsa'a first large auditorium. Detained African-Americans were brought here during the Tulsa Race Riot. One story is that the theatre was a holding area to keep African-American refugees safe, but instead it was a trap. According to the story some victims were tortured, burned and buried in the walls and floors of the Brady Theatre. Built in 1914. It is listed on National Register of Historic Places. EVIDENCE: Anecdotal. While there is photographic evidence of African-Americans being escorted in the theatre, there is no evidence that anyone was tortured, killed or buried in the theatre.

TRAIN TRACKS
THE STORY: Four children died playing chicken on these tracks. Some believe that if you park your car in this location, the ghosts of the children will push your car off the tracks. They’ll leave dirty handprints on your car. EVIDENCE: Anecdotal. This story is likely a local import of another urban legend.

SPOTLIGHT THEATRE
THE STORY: Footsteps are heard coming from the costume room. There are strange scratch marks on the wall in the basement. EVIDENCE: Since Spotlight Theatre faces the Arkansas River, it’s probably river rats.

SOUTH TULSA RESIDENCE

THE STORY: Family members (names with-held at request of family) in this South Tulsa residence located off 81st Street claim to have experienced various paranormal activities including unexplainable sounds, doors closing on their own (but not opening), knocking on door to upstairs room. Most unexplained activity occurs on the second floor. The unexplained activity have no predictable pattern. Several guests in the home on different occasions have reported seeing a spirit form on the upstairs catwalk. Most spirit activity seems restricted to the stairs and the upper floor. One guest reported seeing a female apparition next to the stairs in old style garments (which would precede the time the house was constructed). Research indicated that the first owner of the home died of a heart attack in the front yard, his wife survived him and remained in the home for many years following. The family dog has been reported to run upstairs and bark subsequent to doors closing. The owner reported a knocking on the bathroom door and opened the door to find no one there. Family members report that sometimes months pass without any observable activity. According to the family the spirit is benign. EVIDENCE: One psychic confirmed the presence of spirit activity, but reported that spirit activity is related to the family and not the residence itself. A second psychic reported no spirit activity in the home during her visit. Research by the current owner indicated the original owner of the home died of a heart attack while in residence.

HIGHWAY 20
THE STORY: There is said to be a stretch of haunted highway in Oklahoma, where Highway 20 runs just east of Claremore, Oklahoma. In the winter of 1965, a woman named Mae Doria offered a ride to a young boy who was hitchhiking along that road. Upon reaching Pryor, Oklahoma the boy asked to be let out of the car in an area where there were no houses around. When Mrs. Doria asked him where he lived, he simply replied "over there". She looked to see where he meant and when she turned back, he was gone! She immediately stopped the car and looked all around, thinking that he might have jumped out, but he was nowhere to be found. Ironically, about 2 years later, she was talking to a man about strange experiences. When she mentioned this phantom hitchhiker, he knew immediately just where she was talking about. He had heard about the phantom boy being picked up along Highway 20 since 1936. EVIDENCE: Anecdotal. The vanishing hitchhiker is an frequently repeated urban legend with local variations throughout the United States. LINK: http://www.snopes.com/horrors/ghosts/vanish.asp

CAMELOT HOTEL

HISTORY: Built in 1965 at Peoria and I-44, the Camelot Inn (later Camelot Hotel, and then Camelot Parkside Hotel) quickly became the "place to be". However, during the 80s, it suffered a swift decline and was abandoned. In 1996, it was condemned for public habitation, although not for structural integrity. This old hotel was demolished in 2007 to make way for a widening of the highway. It is said that Elvis once stayed in it. Locals reported that the hotel had been long used by homeless persons as a residence despite the "no tresspassing" signs. THE STORY: At night area witnesses reporting seeing lights on and strange things going up to the very top floor and people looking through the windows. EVIDENCE: Anecdotal.

PHILBROOK MUSEUM
THE STORY: The eyes of some of the statues will follow you, and some of the heads will actually turn. There are strange lights go up and down the halls, late in the evenings. EVIDENCE: Anecdotal.

WILL ROGERS HIGH SCHOOL
THE STORY: According to reports, in the auditorium at the school witnesses have seen a man in a white tux walk around on stage and backstage. Some witnesses also reported seeing a small person also in white in the auditorium. Many sightings at the school have been reported by the school janitor and students that stayed late for events or detention. The reported ghost in the white tux is suppose to be that of Dr. Carl Barnett, the band director who had the heart attack while conducting Bach's "Come, Sweet Death." His death occurred on April 23, 1974. He was 59 years old, and it was his first and last performance of that musical composition. Visitors must arrange in advance for a pass to tour the school. EVIDENCE: Anecdotal. LINK: www.snopes.com/horrors/freakish/onstage.asp

EAST EASTON PLACE
THE STORY: At East Easton Place in Tulsa Oklahoma in the Autumn, between the hours of 2 a.m. and 4 a.m., the spirit of a little boy has been seen running barefoot down this street. According to legend, sometimes you can hear him scream. This street is near a closed Kmart. EVIDENCE: Anecdotal.

TULSA LITTLE THEATRE
THE STORY: The Tulsa Little Theatre, located in an unassuming brick building at 15th and Delaware Streets in Tulsa, Oklahoma is not only steeped in history, but is also said to be home to several unearthly guests. The Tulsa Little Theatre was constructed in 1932 at the intersection of 15th and Delaware in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 2004, Bryce and Sunshine Hill purchased the property and began a massive restoration process that took 14 months to complete. The new owners sought to restore the building to be as close as possible to the point of when it was built in 1932. The Law Office of Bryce A. Hill is now using the Front building as their law office. In addition to having a renovated new look and a brand new owner, the old theatre still retains a part of its past – most notably a couple of spirits that are said to have been hanging around the building for years. Near the curtains on the old stage, a strange ball of light has often been seen bobbing around. Others on stage have reported seeing something standing behind them before mysteriously vanishing. Yet even more report having been touched by unseen hands and hearing strange noises coming from back stage when no one is there. According to the legend, a one time play director during the theatre’s heydays, died during a performance. Are these the signs of a director who has not yet finished his productions? Others allege that the spirit of a little girl is also said to lurk within the confines of the historic theatre. Employees of the law office also tell a number of odd occurrences within the building, including supplies that go missing and lights that turn on and off of their own accord. EVIDENCE: The Tulsa Little Theatre was investigated by the PITT (Paranormal Investigation Team of Tulsa) on October 11, 2002. LINK: Tulsa Little Theatre.

SPARKY'S GRAVEYARD
THE STORY: Sparky's Graveyard is located between Harvard & Yale on 91st right in front of Jenks Middle school in Tulsa. It is a African American graveyard. When Tulsa was first built, the North side of town was wealthy and the South side was poor. The graveyard is said to be haunted by a Headless Indian. The locals have named him "Sparky". Many people have seen him. EVIDENCE: Anecdotal.

MURDOC'S MANSION
THE STORY: According to the legend, Murdoc's Mansion was located in Tulsa near Sheridan & 111th. There was once a mansion located there where many strange happenings occurred. There were rumors of Devil worship. The mansion was eventually destroyed in a fire. All that was left was a empty swimming pool, tennis court, the fireplace & part of the staircase. Rumors of Devil worship at the site drew teenagers and visitors to to the ruins. Subsequently police intervened though tresspassers would continue to visit the site. It was said that was you stepped foot in the property an eerie feeling would come over you. Witnesses who claim to have visited the site said that after only five minutes into the forest and all the sudden they would get spooked and try to go back to the car and would get tunnel vision and be lost for some time. Some reported fainting. It was later the site of an Albertson's (now Food Pyramid). EVIDENCE: Anecdotal. No further reports of haunting have subsequently been reported by store employees.

HEX HOUSE
THE STORY: In 1944 Tulsa Police found two women apparently under some kind of hypnotic spell living in the basement of another woman's home. The home owner, Carolann Smith, 45, subsequently received a short prison term. The two young women, Nell Willetta Horner, 30, and Virginia Evans, 31, who had been forced to live in an unheated basement of the house at 10 E. 21st St. and to turn over their paychecks to Smith. The women were led to believe that they would receive great reward for living in crates and turning over all of their money to Carol Ann Smith, the woman keeping them there. According to legend, during the Depression, Smith lost her husband to suicide (He managed to shoot himself in the back of the head). Smith was living off her husband’s and father’s life insurance. After her husband’s death, she found the two roommates that lived in her basement as “religious slaves” for eight years. They worked for PSO and gave Smith their paychecks. Shortly after the roommates moved in, Smith’s housekeeper wandered into the street and was struck by a car and died. Smith, who took out a life insurance policy on her housekeeper, now had a third insurance policy to live off. The "Hex House" was a favorite site for young Tulsans to visit on Halloween for years after the case was settled. Anecdotal reports of apparitions were rumored. But the house was torn down in 1975 and the site became the parking lot for the Akdar Shrine. The Shrine later moved to 27th Street and Sheridan Road and its old site -- where the Hex House had been -- became the site of apartments. Police and reporters may have believed the house had the makings of a Halloween mystery at one time. But today there are no ghosts or any ties with the occult at the apartment complex. EVIDENCE: No paranormal activity is associated with this location, however there is verification of the historical events related in the story. According to police reports, Smith planned to kill the roommates and collect the insurance money. There was a file on the Hex House at the main Tulsa Library, but it has been stolen. LINK: Tulsa World Police Report.

CAIN'S BALLROOM
THE STORY: Bob Wills (1905-1975), a country and western signer of "Take Me Back To Tulsa" fame, is believed to haunt Cain's Ballroom. Other patrons have claimed to see a lady in red. Cain's janitor, Sharon, reported seeing an apparition of a cowboy. On February 28, 2003 psychic consultants Eric Beese and Jonathan Jett claimed to have encountered a woman named Joan from the 50s, with a drinking problem and also sensed a male energy walking back & forth across the stage. Cold spots and orbs have also been reported during a paranormal investigation. EVIDENCE: While most evidence is anecdotal, with the FOX23 News Team present, a paranormal investigation of Cain's Ballroom was cnducted in 2003. LINK: Paranormal investigation of Cain’s Ballroom.

WOODS COUNTY

CHEROKEE STRIP MUSEUM
HISTORY: The Cherokee Strip Museum, located at 901 14th Street in Alva, Oklahoma, is dedicated to preserving the history of the Cherokee Strip in Oklahoma. Alva is a city in Woods County, Oklahoma, along the Salt Fork Arkansas River. The museum maintains many artifacts of the Cherokee Strip Land Run of 1893 and a history of the area up through the present time. This includes history and artifacts from a local WWII prison of war camp. Established in 1961, the museum is housed in the old hospital building, taking up 2 floors. There is also have an annex building connected to the museum, as well as, a barn, an old school house. Collections include a saloon, a machinery barn, the one room school house, the Dacoma Post Office, medical collections, artifacts from WWII POWs, and old farming equipment on display on the grounds. All of the rooms on the second and third floors have been bricked up, save for the historical surgical suite, on the second floor. THE STORY: Several people have seen something in that room from outside the museum at night, and there have been several accounts of people breaking in at night and seeing something. EVIDENCE: Anecdotal. Today, the city council of Alva is actively soliciting businesses and tourists to keep people in town, as the population of Woods County has been dropping since the 1930s. Alva lost 200 people between 1990 and 2000 according to official census figures.

LIST OF HAUNTED PLACES

It is difficult to discern between urban myth and genuine paranormal experiences. Documentation is key. There is no scientific evidence that proves that ghosts exist. Most "evidence" is anecdotal or "eye-witness" accounts that cannot be proved or disproved. In The Demon Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Darkness by the late Dr. Carl Sagan, the author illuminates the human tendency to self-deception (even among psychotherapists and other medical professionals) that leads humans to believe in the unproven. And although encounters with ghosts do not hold up to scrutiny, we seem to embrace our local folklore. Stories of hauntings abound, resurgent with the release of movies or television shows onthe subject.

Despite the recurring specials on The Sci-Fi Channel, Discovery, The Learning Channel, The History Channel, or the major networks the evidence remains subjective. Urban myths, folklore, and legends are based on a long oral tradition of passing down stories from one generation to another. The process of creating new urban legends has only been sped up with the advent of the internet. Tracking down the origins of these tales is a daunting task. While stories about first hand accounts abound, it generally proves very difficult to locate actual witnesses. There are a great many haunted locations reported in Oklahoma. At least some of the hauntings appear to be local variations of urban legends heard across the nation. As an example, note the number of Crybaby Bridge locations throughout Oklahoma.

Real or fictional. We certainly love our ghosts and haunted houses! Many of us are to be drawn to visit these locations. Businesses benefit from tourists who visit in hopes of experiencing even a glimpse of spirit activity. Bed and breakfast locations are often visited by people only because they are reported to be haunted! Very few of these haunted locations have been the subject of serious investigation. Paranormal investigators, often believers in the paranormal, often lack objectivity in their efforts to prove the reality of paranormal events. Nevertheless, it is doubtful the results of a paranormal investigation, whether confirming or negating local legends, would change the attitude of a community to their beloved haunted location! These urban legends flavor the local character of the area whether they are true or not. Stories about some of the haunted locations have changed over time. Some stories have been repeated, transplanted and grafted into the folklore of other lands and other townships.

This is a working document. Changes and updates have been made to information about these haunted locations, some of which have also been discussed at other internet locations. You are invited to contact me, or to leave comments with any addition information or documentation regarding these places.

HAUNTED OKLAHOMA LOCATIONS

Ada - Kalihoma Indian Reservation
Ada - Kullihoma
Alva - Cherokee Strip Museum
Ada - Petrified Tree
Anadarko - Jeremiah's Bridge
Alderson - Crybaby Bridge
Anadarko - Riverside Indian School
Ardmore - Lake Murray
Ardmore - Mr. Apples cemetery
Avard - Vina Rae's Grill & Graze
Bartlesville - Haunted Hill
Bartlesville - Jessie Creek Cemetery
Bartlesville - Labady Mansion
Binger - Binger School
Blackwell - Hollopeter
Braggs - Old School House
Broken Arrow - The Devil House
Broken Arrow - Floral Haven Graveyard
Broken Arrow - North Intermediate High School
Broken Bow - Broken Bow Library/Old High School
Buffalo - Duckwalls
Byng - Byng High School
Byng - Byng High School Auditorium
Byng - Byng High School
Calera - Calera High School
Comanche - Black Panther Bridge
Catoosa - Cherokee Elementary
Catoosa - Timberidge Cemetery
Catoosa /Tulsa- Redbud Valley
Choctaw - Choctaw Jr high
Choctaw - library
Claremore - Rogers state college
Clayton - Light House Church
Clinton - old insane asylum
Calera - Calera High School
Concho - Indian reservation elementary school
Cookson - Cookson Church
Coweta - Coweta High School
Coweta - Old Indian Cemetery
Crescent - Indian Springs
Comanche - Tucker Cemetery
Cyril - Butler House
Cyril - Cyril high school
Duncan - Duncan high school
Durant - Fort Washita
Durant - Southeastern Oklahoma State University - Morrison Building
Durant - Southeastern Oklahoma State University - Shear Hall
Edmond - Central Middle School
El Reno - Dead Mans Curb
El Reno - Route 66 to Weatherford
Elk City - Ramada - Room 110
Enid - Briggs Auditorium
Enid - Clay Hall at Phillips University
Enid - Earl Butts Dormitory
Enid - Longfellow Jr high school
Enid - Imo Cemetery
Fort Gibson - The Historical McBride House
Fort Gibson - The Old Fort
Fort Sill - Geronimo Acres Housing
Fort Supply - Western State/WKCC
Fort Washita - Near the old stables and the old barracks
Grace Mont - screaming woman woods
Guthrie - Territorial Governor's Mansion
Hammon - Kiowa Cemetery
Harrah - Harrah bridge
Harrah - Harrah High School
Helena - Sturgeon's corner
Hobart - Short Grass Playhouse/ Fire Dept
Hontubby - Crybaby Bridge - South of Heavener
Idabel - Choctaw Nation Head start
Idabel - Kulli Tukilo Methodist church
Idabel - McDonald'sInola - Public Library
Jefferson City - Jefferson ParkJoy - Joy School
Kelleyville - The real "Cry Baby Bridge"
Kendrick - Kendrick Road
Keys - Keys Elementary School
Reading - St. Ignatuis
Konawa - Sacred Heart Cemetery
Kosoma - Loss Mountain
Lawton - Fort Sill
Lawton - Jed Johnson's Lake
Lawton - Wilson Elementary school
Lone wolf - SOAARRMacomb - Yellow Ranch House
Meridian - Tucker Cemetery
Midwest City - Midwest City High School Performing Arts Center
Midwest city - Rose State College - Student Union
Millerton(West of Idabel) - Wheelock Mission
Moore - Crybaby Bridge (east of Sooner Road)
Moore - Old High SchoolMuskogee - Bacone College
Muskogee - Boulevard AveMuskogee - East Side Boulevard
Muskogee - Thomas-Foreman Historical Home
Noble - East Walnut Rd
Ochelata - Grave
Oklahoma City - Buy For Less grocery store
Oklahoma City - County Line Barbeque Restaurant
Oklahoma City - Kitchen Lake Bridge
Oklahoma City - former theatre (Name unknown)
Oklahoma City - Moore - Berg Anatomy
Oklahoma City - Mount Saint Mary High School
Oklahoma City - Murah BuildingOklahoma City - Scurvin Hotel
Oklahoma City - Young America CorporationOklahoma City - Zoo
Okmulgee - Warehouse Market
Owasso - 7th Grade Band Building
Pawhuska - Constantine TheaterP
Pawhuska - Bird Creek School
Pawhuska - Green Eyes
Pawhuska - Lookout Mountain
Pawhuska - Pizza HutPawnee - Pawnee Bill Ranch Mansion
Pawnee - Pawnee Bill's Ranch
Pawnee - Pawnee Tribe Of Oklahoma
Ponca City - Poncan Theatre
Poteau - Carl Albert State College
Pottawattomie - Sacred Heart Cemetery

Prattville (near Sand Springs) - Discoveryland! Theater

Pryor - Crybaby Bridge
Pryor - Side Pockets Pool Hall
Pryor - Thunderbird Youth Academy

Quawpaw - Spook Light Road
Riply - Ghost Hollow

Salina - Old Salina - the Old Salina court house
Sand Springs - Highway 97 past the golf course
Sand Springs - Postok Cemetery
Schulter - Crybaby Bridge
Seminole - Elm Street
Seminole - Kowana Cemetery
Sentinel - 3 Mile Bridge
Shawnee - St. Gregory's University - Theater/Museum
Shawnee - Wall's Bargain Center
Skiatook - Witch's grave

Skiatook/Tulsa - highway 75
Spencer - Oaklawn Memorial Gardens
Sperry - the school

Stigler - Siloam Springs Cemetery
Stillwater - Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity House
Stillwater - Stillwater high school
Stillwater - Sudent Union Hotel and Conference Center
Stilwell - Beavergap

Sulphur - Veteran's Lake
Summit - Vann Home

Talihina - Kiamichi Kitchen
Tahlequah - Camp Egan
Tahlequah - Cherokee County Courthouse
Tahlequah - Cherokee Nation Complex
Tahlequeh - Gift Shop

Tahlequah - Indian graveyard
Tahlequah - Northeastern State University - Seminary Hall
Tecumseh - Central Oklahoma Juvenile Center
Tecumseh - Ghost Bridge
Thackerville - Brown Springs
Tulsa - Brady Theatre
Tulsa - Camelot Hotel

Tulsa - Cain's Ballroom

Tulsa - Old Central High School
Tulsa - E. Easton Pl.

Tulsa - Gilcrease Museum

Tulsa - Hex House
Tulsa - Memorial Cemetery
Tulsa - Mohawk park

Tulsa - Mohawk park golf course
Tulsa - Philbrook Museum
Tulsa - Sparky's Graveyard

Tulsa - Spotlight Theatre
Tulsa - Train Tracks
Tulsa - Vacant So. Tulsa office bldg
Tulsa - Residential homes
Valley Brook - Town Hall
Vinita - Cry Baby Bridge
Wagoner - True Value Hardware store
New Brunswick - Campbellton - Highway 11
Wagoner - Well House
Warner - Bennett Cemetery
Waurika - Moneka Antiques and Haunted Tea Room
Waynoka - Eastman Hotel
Wetumka - Mission Bottom
Woodward - Leos Coffeehouse
Woodward - the old Woodward Hospital
Woodward - South East of Woodward on highway270 - Richmond High School

Wyandotte - Iris Rd. spook light
Wyandotte - Hoffman Mansion
Wynnewood - The Eskridge Hotel and Museum
Yale - Satan's House

Warning: Many of these locations require permission to visit or investigate. Many of the locations listed in this blog are patrolled by the authorities. Trespassers may be prosecuted.