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The Queen Mary and the Scorpion, a Soviet Submarine,

Kathy Weiser, December, 2005.

This image available for photographic prints  and downloads HERE!

The Queen Mary, Long Beach, California - Resting in Long Beach Harbor is the HMS Queen Mary, a colossal ship that was bigger, faster and more powerful than the Titanic. The 1,000-foot ship began her life when the first keel plate was laid in 1930 at the John Brown shipyard in Clyde, Scotland. The depression held up her construction between 1931 and 1934, but she was finally completed, making her maiden voyage on May 27, 1936. After 1,001 successful Atlantic crossings, she was permanently docked and soon became the luxury hotel that she is today. Today, the museum-hotel ocean liner is said to be called home to a number of ghosts including ghostly children playing by the pool and the spirit of a seventeen-year-old sailor killed while escaping a fire. More odd occurrences have been made in a number of first-class staterooms. Here, reports have been made of a tall dark haired man appearing in a 1930’s style suit, as well as water running and lights turning on in the middle of the night, and phones ringing in the early morning hours with no one on the other end of the line.

In the third class children’s playroom, a baby’s cry has often been heard, which is thought to be the infant boy who died shortly after his birth. Other phenomenon occurring throughout the ship, are the sounds of distinct knocks, doors slamming and high pitched squeals, drastic temperature changes, and the aromas of smells long past.

Saint Augustine Lighthouse, St. Augustine, Florida - First build by Spanish settlers during the 1600's, ghost stories about the lighthouse intrigued visitors for decades. The present lighthouse was built in 1874, replacing the first one, which was about 1/4 mile away, that was lost due to tidal erosion. In 1824, it became an official U.S. lighthouse. Today it serves as a museum preserving and interpreting Northeast Florida's rich maritime history. Several ghosts are said to haunt the historic lighthouse including three young girls who died while playing in a rail car used to bring supplies up the hillside during construction of the new lighthouse. While five children riding in the car, something happened and all of them fell into the water. Two were saved but three drowned. Visitors today often report hearing a female crying, "Help me!" Several other people died at the lighthouse over the years and a number of strange events occur today that suggests some of them might remain. These include mysterious light, footsteps from unseen people, the apparition of a man, and cigar smoke.

Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado - This old hotel was built in the early 1900's by F.O. Stanley, who created the Stanley Steam Engine -- a steam powered horseless carriage. The majestic Georgian style hotel opened in 1909, catering to the rich and famous. In addition to its regular guests, the hotel is also said to play host to a number of other worldly visitors. The most notable is F.O. Stanley himself who is most often seen in the lobby and the Billiard Room, which was his favorite room when he was still alive. Not to be left out, his wife, Flora Stanley also haunts the hotel, continuing to entertain guests with her piano playing in the ballroom. Employees and guests have reported hearing music coming from the room, and when they take a peek in there, they can see the piano keys moving. However, as soon as someone walks across the thresh-hold to investigate further, the music stops and no more movement can be seen upon the keys of the piano. There are tales of other ghosts as well including that of a small child, who reportedly Stephen King saw when he stayed at the hotel and wrote The Shining.

Waverly Hills Sanatorium, Louisville, Kentucky - The Waverly Hills Sanatorium opened in 1910 as a two-story hospital to accommodate 40 to 50 tuberculosis patients. Though considered the best site at the time for treating the disease, the procedures were primitive, doctors experimented, and used illegal drugs. Tuberculosis sometimes ravaged the mind, causing patients to go insane. More than 6,000 patients died during the time that the Sanatorium was open. It closed in 1962. Currently, there are plans to turn the historic building into a hotel even though it is said to be one of the most haunted hospitals in the United States. Visitors experience cold spots, disembodied voices, and ghosts roaming the halls. The spirit of a little girl has been seen on the third floor solarium playing hide and seek with visitors, a small boy has been spied playing with a ball, and an old woman has shown herself  running from the front door with her wrists bleeding screaming: “Help me. Somebody save me!”  Other phenomenon includes rooms lighting up when there is no power in the building, doors slamming of their own accord, cries and screams, and at least one report of a ghostly hearse driving up to drop off coffins.