Friday, September 6, 2013

Phantom Horse Thief of Scaponia Park - Veronia, OR

Long ago in the late 19th century there was a man who as many drifters back in the day did, made a living by stealing horses and selling them.  The stranger who's name remains unknown, had a small dog as his companion.  After a while, locals caught onto what the man and his dog were up to.

The banks of the Nehalem River area where the ghost of a horse thief and his dog are said to haunt near Veronia, Oregon
The banks of the Nehalem River area where the ghost of a horse thief and his dog are said to haunt near Veronia, Oregon.


About 12 miles west of St Helens, Oregon near the town of Veronia, the horse thief met his end along the banks of the Nehalem River just East of town.  For some reason, the lynch mob were so overcome with anger, they shot the man's dog as well.  They buried both of them together there on the banks of the river under an oak tree.

It is said that on certain nights, a shadowy figure of a man and his dog can be seen wandering along the banks of the Nehalem River in an area what is now known as Scaponia Park located along the Scappoose-Veronia Road.  Many campers have claimed to have seen the ghostly duo in the campground there, perhaps looking for a horse or two to steal in the afterlife.

Scaponia County Park
Scappoose-Vernonia Road
Vernonia, Oregon
(503) 397-2353

Park website:
http://www.co.columbia.or.us/departments/county-parks/scaponia


Sunday, October 28, 2012

The Hennessy Mansion in Butte, Montana

Just after the turn of the century in the early 1900s, wealthy and prominent businessman Daniel Hennessy built a grand home for his family in northwest Butte, Montana.  Over thirteen thousand square feet, it was a well known landmark in Butte.  It would become even more well known over the years s Daniel Hennessy seems to have never left his beloved home, even in death.

The Hennessy Mansion in Butte, Montana is reportedly haunted by it's original owner
The Hennessy Mansion in Butte, Montana is reportedly haunted by it's original owner

Daniel Hennessy owned a chain of department stores and built a fortune, prospering in the Butte area. He later also became a senator, serving his district for the state of Montana.  He constructed a granite brick mansion where he moved his wife Mary and their three children.


The grave marker of Daniel Hennessy and his wife Mary
The grave marker of Daniel Hennessy and his wife Mary

After Daniel and his wife passed away, and their children moved on, the property eventually changed hands and at some point served as a fraternity house and then again, a private residence.  It is said that over the years a ghostly apparition believed to be that of Daniel Hennessy, has been seen roaming throughout the stone mansion.  Most commonly his spirit is seen in the basement area as well as the other parts of the house.  Occasionally footsteps have been heard on the basement stairs. Most often he is seen standing on the stairway to the lower level of the mansion.  Perhaps this was Daniel's favorite place to hang out when he lived in the home...  and in death, his favorite haunt.


The house still stands today as a private residence.


  

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Blue Girl of Ammon Park - Pocatello, Idaho

In the town of Pocatello, Idaho there is a small park that is very typical looking in every way.  People come and go, walk their dogs, and children play on the playground.  There is one child in particular though that has been seen on the playground that is most unlike the others.  She is a ghost!


A little girl in blue has been swinging on the playground at Ammon Park in Pocatello, Idaho.  However, she disappears in the blink of an eye.
A little girl in blue has been swinging on the playground at Ammon Park in Pocatello, Idaho.  However, she disappears in the blink of an eye.

Many visitors to Ammon Park have reported seeing what to them appears to be a little girl in a blue dress swinging on the swings.  However, this girl seems to disappear into thin air.  There are others who say they simply saw a quick flash of blue near the swings and then when they looked again, there was nothing but an empty swing.

There also seems to be some strange activity related to a tool shed that is on the park grounds.  There are those who speculate that this may be the spot where this young girl perished, leaving her spirit behind.  The latched shed door has been known to open on it's own accord, with no wind blowing whatsoever.  One visitor to the park reported being locked in this shed by unseen hands with her friend when they were young. 



Sightings of the ghost of Ammon Park also have been centered around a particular tree that phantom girl in the blue dress likes to hide behind.  Sort of like she is playing hide and seek. Some who enter the park only sense her presence, feeling watched by unseen eyes,  perhaps from behind this tree.

Others have been to Ammon Park and have heard voices and even children's laughter when he park was seemingly empty.  There have also reports of energy drain phenomenon on cameras and other devices within a short time of being within the park grounds.


Ammon Park in Pocatello, Idaho is haunted by the spirit of a little girl.  Photo from Google Earth.
Ammon Park in Pocatello, Idaho is haunted by the spirit of a little girl.  Photo from Google Earth.

Ammon Park is at the intersection of Homer Drive And Ammon St. in Pocatello, Idaho in Bannock Count just next to route 15. Take a visit to this little getaway and see if you see or feel The Blue Girl of Ammon Park.