Category Uncategorized

Jan 27 2023

A Haunted Hospital

Most, if not all, hospitals are haunted and why wouldn’t they be? There are so many emotions that happen there something is bound to stick around, This energy could be residual or intelligent, but regardless of its origin – it is still around.

This “country hospital”, as many call it, is well-equipped to take care of any problem and have top notch people to do the job! The personnel are terrific. They really care about the people who come in and need their help. Both doctors and nurses are caring, responsible people who do their best to do whatever they can for every patient that comes through their doors. I applaud them.

But, this place is strange and has an eerie feeling – especially at night when all patients should be asleep and snug in their beds. Night time here has a different vibe. It takes on a life of its own. There are all kinds of noises coming from the third floor. It sounds like things being dragged. Bangs, sounds like things being thrown around. There are heavy footfalls back and forth along the floors. And – it sounds like heavy footfalls up and down the stairs. Maybe the third floor isn’t used because it’s already occupied by something other than the staff can handle.

And – you know how quiet the nurse’s station usually always is? Well, not here at night. That whole area sounds like there’s a party of some sort going on every night. People are talking loudly and laughing frequently. There’s always activity there and time passes quickly. Even children can be heard having fun. There are shadows and orbs at night, also. All I can tell you is – they are not there to help you get up to go potty!!! They are there for other reasons and they don’t want to share why. But, they don’t go away easily.

I thought it odd that while this facility has three floors only two are used. I asked why and was told that they needed the third floor for storage. Storage for what? Wouldn’t taking care of more patients produce more income for the business and be more important than a receptacle for extra equipment and old paperwork?

I had to spend just under a week there and have to say it was one of the most unnerving and freaky places I’ve ever had to stay. I don’t sleep well and refuse meds to help do that. I also refuse pain meds and all the other kinds of ‘let’s just get through this and get it over with’ aids available to anyone who wants them. Medications don’t explain these experiences. But – the care and attention of the personnel were top rate.

Morning always comes, and in this place you might have to wait for the first flicker of light to come through the windows before the quiet resumes…and the slow passage of time that occurs during the day takes over again.

-ashanta

Sep 5 2021

My Reincarnation Experiences

I felt that I would like to share some of my personal experiences regarding reincarnation. In one I find myself as a young child at a mausoleum with the people that were my parents at that time. People were gathered to say goodbye to the deceased and many including my mother were very sad. Slowly people started to leave getting in their mid thirties, early forties cars and driving away. I looked around trying to find my parents but saw them leaving with the others. I thought they somehow forgot I was there and became fearful they would leave without me. I called out to them raising my voice when there was no acknowledgment. As they pulled away I became very sad and that was the end of this vision.

This vision occurred several times and felt different from any dream I ever had before. Are there other possible explanations, of course there are but deep down I know what I had experienced.

Another experience happened during meditation. In this experience it was the eighteen hundreds, around the civil war period I believe. I had a neighbor that shot and killed me. It all came about due to a small piece of land that was disputed between us. I didn’t think of it as being such a big deal but obviously he did. From what I remember he was a stubborn angry man. I never would have thought it would turn out the way it did. I was in my wagon going somewhere when he came stomping up to me and just shot. I felt numb but somehow knew I wouldn’t survive. I don’t know if I closed my eyes but things got darker and that’s all I remember of it.

In another experience I found myself in a place at least a few thousand years ago and I believe far further back than that. The reason I believe further is that I could smell everything quite sharply unlike modern people do. That includes the mud, all the vegetation, etc. The dwellings were made from what appears to be reed or something similar. I was a woman that was what I would call a shaman or wise woman. All of the men were hunting and the women and children went along as everyone had a part to do. As strange as it seems she knew I was there and acknowledged me. That was it for that experience.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

I want to let our readers know that if they would like to share any of their own experiences with reincarnation please do.

-Bran

<br>All things paranormal.

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Aug 11 2021

An Egregore — A What??

An egregore, (eg-ree-gore), is an autonomous energy created by a repeated or often talked about concept or belief shared by a number of like-minded people. It’s a thoughtform that takes on a persona.

The concept of an egregore has been around for a long time. There are references to them in the Book of Enoch I believed to have been written in the 2nd Century BCE Enoch referred to them as, “angel-like spirits”.

Eliphas Levy, noted ceremonial magician and occultist, also mentions egregori in his work Le Grand Arcan, written around 1868. In that work Levi suggests an egregore doesn’t pay us any attention because they don’t know about our existence.

Both the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and the Rosicrucians were believed to have more fully developed the idea of an egregore.

It seems an egregore needs to consistently be fed with energy such as acknowledgment, belief in, discussion, and anything else others may do to give it strength.

This persona can behave according to the feelings that brought it into existence or it can take on its own personality – it’s up to the entity. It’s said some people attempt to create an egregore to do their bidding. That isn’t necessarily how it turns out, however. Ultimately, an egregore will do what it wants to do…just like people.

There are most likely a number of them all around us. There doesn’t have to be an intention to make one. Most are unintentionally formed just by gathering with the same people and being avidly involved in something or discussing something they are really ‘into’. There is no conjuring, desire, or magick involved. It just happens. These days Big Foot could have an egregore…

So, can they be seen? Mostly they are just sensed, but an older one with plenty of energy given to them by others, can be glimpsed – usually as a misty shape. They form themselves. Without a regular flow of energy geared to them they will just dissipate.

If you think you have one hanging around and don’t want it, you can forget using salt or sage to get rid of it. The only way they can be changed or made to leave is by those who created it. If you think it’s an old sort of energy and has been around longer than those who gave it form then it must have gained some sentience on its own. And, if people continue to talk about it – its not going anywhere, it will stay. If ian egregore is ignored and not mentioned any more it will disappear on its own. If there’s no energy to give it a construct it won’t last. You also cannot re-create it,or re-develop it, or change it in any way. It is what it is and when it’s gone – it’s done.

– ashanta

Jun 17 2021

Sacred Number 12 – Paranormal Synchronicy

In 2003 a theory was hypothesized, with substantial foundation, that the universe is a dodecahedron. Dodecahedrons are 12-sided structures and are based on the theory of phi. Therefore, we have a universe shaped by 12 sides. Each side is shaped in the form of a pentagon. Yes, pentagrams. for those afraid of them for whatever erroneous reasons. (Please see our 17 Dec. 2019 post White or Black Magick)

If this is so, then it makes a lot of sense that the ancients considered 12 as an important sacred number. There’s a lot of evidence for that thought in all aspects of life. In Christianity Jesus had 12 deciples, in Judaism there are 12 Tribes, in Islam there are 12 Imams, and in some pagan religions there are 12 Titans and 12 Olympians.

In other aspects of life there are 12 months in a year and it’s interesting that within that are four seasons with three months each. 4 x 3 = 12. There are 12 signs of the Zodiac, the Sumerian number system was based on 12 & 60, there are 12 months in the Jewish calendar, 12 in a dozen, 12 inches in a foot, most people have 12 ribs, there are 12 systems in the body if you count the circulatory system that augments the cardiovascular system, and the list goes on.

So, how does this sacred number integrate with us? Well, everything that we know is in a constant state of vibration. All things are in constant motion. The Universe vibrates at 432 Hz. The Earth at 7.83 Hz and people mostly at 7.5Hz although the range is 3 – 17 Hz. Some theorize that in the last few years human Hz rates have increased up to 25 Hz. And, wouldn’t it figure that the most dangerous vibration for mankind is 7Hz. Every thing around us, whether it seems solid and immobile or not has vibration. And, vibration is energy. Whether we realize it or not, we interact with the Universe and everything within it through the energy of vibration.

Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras determined that each planet in our solar system has it’s own vibration and therefore sound. He referenced this sound to music with each planet’s motion sounding like one of the 12 notes in music, (the white notes: C, D, E, F, G, A, B & the black notes: C-sharp, D-sharp, F-sharp, G-sharp, A-sharp if ascending the scale. If one is descending the scale the black notes become: B-flat, A-flat, G-flat, E-flat, and D-flat).

The Universe is known to be a musical production of vibration. Theoretical physicist Michio Kaku based his String Theory on the harmony of vibrating strings. Albert Einstein said, “Cosmic music resonating through space is the mind of God.”

Regardless if we realize it or not, everything and everyone around us affects us emotionally, physically, and spiritually throughout our daily lives. Just as all of us don’t like the same music, same colors, same clothing, same people, etc. it’s more likely than not because everyone of us needs to be ‘in-sync’ with things surrounding us to feel good on all levels. The more we understand how things around us can make a difference in our lives the better chance we have to change them.

  • ashanta
Apr 3 2021

Thinking About Creating A Home Altar?

I recently relocated my home altar because space became limited for various reasons. As I was going through that process it occurred to me that someone may find it useful if I share the steps I personally take to make a smaller area just as effective as a larger one.

The most important thing is to find a spot where you won’t be disturbed. If you have a small room that’s great. If you don’t, you can section off part of a room with a curtain or anything that gives you a personal area to work your Magick.

To set up your altar a small table, a stand, or something similar will work good well. Set the table in the center of your space. A straight-backed chair is also useful if it will fit. It will provide comfort and you will be able to more easily concentrate on your workings.

It’s very important to thoroughly clean the entire area you will be working within. I then burn sage and sprinkle salt around the perimeter of the alter space to keep out unwanted energies or beings.

In my estimation it’s a personal choice how you set up your altar. If you need more assistance you could read up on your particular magickal path and follow the examples of others.

Myself, I practice Chaos Magick and set up by instinct which I have honed over the years.

I hope this is useful to some of you,

Bran

Mar 24 2021

The Eyrie House – A Haunted Mountaintop Hotel and Resort

William Street of Holyoke MA always had a dream and at the age of 22 he started building it on Mt. Nonotuck, which is now part of the Mt. Tom State Reservation. The year was 1861.

The Eyrie House, (pronounced eh-ree), was a wooden-framed structure that started out with five guest rooms, but over the years transformed into a popular resort. In the ‘70’s and ‘80’s the hotel had grown to incorporate 30 guest rooms, two promenades, a pavilion, a picnic grove, a croquet area, an overhang swing for children, stables, and a new look-out tower that replaced the old observation deck. Business was thriving. Both locals and visitors to the area made Eyrie House their go-to destination. And William Street’s dream had come true. The place he loved and built with his own hands was appreciated by many.

By the 1890’s Eyrie House had started showing signs of wear. And many people stopped coming to the former grand hotel. So, in 1893 William decided to build a new one with an incline railroad that would bring people right to the front door.

In 1901, on 13 April, William Street lost everything to a blazing fire. Earlier that day he had discovered two of his horses had died. Not being able to get them off the mountain easily. he decided to build a pyre and cremate them. Thinking the flames were out, he went to bed. Later that evening he noticed smoke and flames. The fire had reignited and set the top of the mountain in a blaze that many said could be seen for 20 miles around. William didn’t have the money to re-build and he didn’t have adequate insurance. He was devastated.

The state offered William $5000 for his property. He thought it was worth more and wouldn’t sell. So, wanting to create the Mt. Tom State Reservation and wanting to get rid of Mr. Street, the state deposited a check for $5000 in a trust for William and took his property by eminent domain.

William never took the money. And, William never left his beloved Eyrie House.

Today, sitting atop Mt. Nonotuck, near Goat Peak, are what remains of a once grand resort. Mother Nature has reclaimed a lot of the area, but wonderful vistas and the peace of nature still abound. Remembrances of the Eyrie House still remain – and so does William.

There is a trail in Mt. Tom Reservation that leads to the Eyrie House. It’s well marked and it’s all up hill. Old stone foundations abound, some built into the sides of hills. There are outer walls still standing, telling the story of how much work and thought that went into their creation. Many trees and a lot of vegetation thickly invade the area. There’s evidence of wildlife. And, there are plenty of snakes to keep a good distance from. A few of them wedge themselves between the old foundation stones to take in any sunlight they can find.

It’s a peaceful sort of place even when you start getting the feeling that you might not be alone. I think William would still like to show you around. The woods make all kinds of noises as you wander through them amid the old hotel. I’m not sure though, some make rhythmic sounds like someone walking near you. They walk when you walk and they stop when you stop.

Sunlight through the trees can also play tricks on your eyes. But, if you feel a friendly presence and if you perhaps feel a little sad, you might have the pleasure of meeting the thwarted hotel owner welcoming you to his venture. It’s possible to catch a glimpse of his faint, translucent figure walking the property he cared for so much. William Street intended to stay close to his property both during life and now after death.

– ashanta

Aug 25 2020

Paranormal Aspects of Sound

Sound itself isn’t paranormal. It appears to be a natural part of life and experiencing sound through one of our senses is something the majority of people do. But,

some of the affects on us from various acoustics could be considered paranormal…at least until science is more able to explain a sound connection, (no pun intended), between why varied frequencies can produce paranormal states in humans.

This is evidenced by the state of altered consciousness many experience while listening to some types of music. Chanting “om” is another. Om is believed to be the sound of the original vibration of the universe. The Pillars of Hinduism at the Vijaya Vittala Temple in Karnataka, India, when touched, are said to vibrate at a specific rate so as to induce a meditative state. In Yucatan, the Mayan pyramid at Chichen Itza emits the trance-producing voice of Kukulcan if you clap your hands in front of it. Sound is also specifically directed by the architectural ceiling construction of some cathedrals in an effort to help the congregation attain higher consciousness. .

We live within a vibrational matrix. Everything vibrates and vibration is energy, and energy produces sound. NASA has proven every planet has a sound and each one is different from the other thus creating “the music of the spheres”. Rocks also emit their own vibrations and have their own sound.. Stonehenge, for example, resonates when people gather within its circle. Other stone structures also do the same. Some believe these sound vibrations are portals to other dimensions. Stone pyramids give off noise as well. Their shape helps focus a beam of energy upward. Could it be true that some pyramids, like the one in Giza, are truly “stargates”?

What happens to us from sounds that are outside of the spectrum that is audible to us? It would seem that even if we don’t hear a specific sound it may still have the abiliity to open us up to altered states or trances. What knowledge can you attain when a vibration can transport you to a different reality? There are three instances I can think of that might serve as examples.

Nikola Tesla, the brilliant engineer and physicist who could have provided free energy for everyone on earth and other marvels, always maintained he got his ideas and knowledge from somewhere and someone else. I’m not sure he necessarily knew who or what, but he didn’t credit himself for them. No wonder right after his death the government broke into his home and stole all his life’s work.

George Washington, when he was still General Washington during the Revolutionary War, came to a point where he was hesitant about his next course of action. He left his tent one night to take a walk and think matters over. According to his journal he was visited by someone or something that showed him a plan. This encounter also gave him a preview vision of the result if he took the suggested strategy. That ensuing battle became the turning point in the war for the colonies.

Nostradamus. What can I say about Nostradamus that you don’t already know. His quatrains record his encounters with sources beyond the present-centered state of mind that roots us to the ordinary. Nostradamus used a bowl of water to skry, but maybe hearing that water pour into the bowl and then watching the sound vibrations move through the liquid were enough to get him to wherever he needed to be. We all have different and varied routes to a different reality..

Our most elemental form of communication is sound. We have developed a vocabulary comprised of specific tones that allows us to more easily interact with one another. Animals definitely communicate with one another. I’m reluctant to say they don’t have a language because when your dog, say, talks to you, you can infer a lot from the sounds he/she makes while communing. But, animals convey information to one another by some method. They haven’t lost the innate ability to sense, from somewhere, what’s happening. People haven’t really lost that innate ability, either, they just stopped paying attention to it at a very tender age.

So, what is that method of receiving and sharing information and where does it come from? I don’t know, but do believe it is something within our nature that ties us to everything and everyone else. It’s the ability to sense and know the information we are able to access is more than language and written words. It may be a telepathic connection to the Akashic Records. Perhaps a portal to another dimension? An ability to reconnect to higher consciousness through an altered state? Sounds that we are unable to hear may be the pathway to non-verbal and unwritten communication. We just need to start sensing it and using it as I think was originally intended for all forms of life.

– ashanta

Aug 14 2020

What Is That At Hydeville Pond? Stafford, CT

There’s something about old mills that make you pay attention to them. Like an old cemetery, they stand as a reminder of an earlier time that has moved on. Old mills have stored the energy of hundreds of people who labored hard and spilled their sweat amid conditions that today would be considered hazardous to employees.

Some old mills still stand as home to new thriving businesses within their old walls. Some have been abandoned for years. And some keep on an old worker or two who never left when their earthly shift was done.

The old Hydeville Company mill was built in 1860 around water from the Hydeville Pond in Stafford CT. It has seen a few businesses over its time, but the longest running was the Phoenix Woolen Mill that existed from 1868 through 1939. For most of its life the Phoenix Mill was run by Edwin C. Pinney and his son Charles B. Pinney.

After Phoenix closed a few other businesses popped up in the building, but didn’t last.

Today, this huge place sits in neglect and disrepair – although there is evidence that others are still using a part of it that is somehow still standing. The place is crumbling down around itself. It’s a ghost of what it once was. It makes you wonder why those that still occupy a part of it haven’t tried more to save the building. It’s even beautiful in its neglect and disrespect.

The property consists of two main mill buildings at 104 and 108 Hydeville Road. Included in the original plan for the mill businesses were multi-family employee housing units. One was located on East Street, three on Hydeville Road, and two on Satkowski Drive. Of all the housing, the places on Satkowski Drive most hugged the shores of Hydeville Pond near a small waterfall.

We wanted to check the old mill out and were going to ask anyone there if it would be alright to look around the buildings that are still standing, but the place was locked up and there’s chain link fencing around access to doors. So, instead we walked around the area and stopped to observe Hydeville Pond as it was probably a water power source for the mill. The place seemed like a wonderful area to enjoy nature. But – it wasn’t. The idyllic area soon turned odd. Birds stopped chirping and everything took on a quiet darkness.

As we took a look at what seemed to be a small pond above a little dam and waterfall there was a whitish mist that floated over the area. It moved and started meandering between the trees. The apparition, or whatever it was, floated above the pond, darted to the left and hung over the shore on a property that must abut the pond at that point.

It was weird and the whitish figure didn’t move.

Not really knowing the area, we left and decided to see what else could be seen of the pond. We drove out of what I think is Hydeville Road and went to the left. You could see the pond from the backside of where the water went over the small falls. There was a lot of vegetation both in the water and around the road side area to the water. This place is listed as a ‘reservoir’ – it looks more like a puddle.

All of a sudden a large orb manifested near the shore, at about the same point we had seen it earlier from the waterfall area. It floated a bit more to the right toward what must have been someone’s yard just off shore. We couldn’t believe what we were seeing. After a few minutes, the orb reappeared next to the shore of the pond and again moved into the yard it seemed to have gone into previously.

Maybe something happened to a mill worker or their family in that area. It would be good to delve into old records of that time, but given what world conditions are these days, that investigation is going to have to wait.

     – ashanta

Jun 20 2020

They’re Back – UFO’s in Southern New England

New England isn’t known as a hotbed of UFO activity, but we’ve had our moments. Actually, John Winthrop, governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony reported our country’s first sighting in 1639. And in 1961 America had its first reported abduction case in Exeter, New Hampshire. That’s the famous Betty and Barney Hill encounter. Again, in 1967, Betty Andreasson (now Luca) was abducted from her home in South Ashburnham, MA.

There have been numerous sightings and close encounters throughout MA, CT, and RI just about every year since records started being kept, but over the last few years those events have been on the increase.

According to NUFORC, in the first five months of 2020 MA has reported 29 sightings, CT comes in with 24, and RI has had 9. NUFORC is the National UFO Reporting Center established by Director Peter Davenport in Davenport WA. There’s a wealth of information at his site: nuforc.org There could also be more people who have witnessed strange things in the skies, but never filed a report.

It’s amazing what you can see if you look up occasionally. And, it doesn’t have to be dark to observe anomalies. It’s like ghosts. If a place is haunted – it’s haunted during the daytime, too.

For instance, on 24 May this year I went out back to check on the chickens. It was about 7 p.m. and sunny. I happened to look up over the barn and saw this large-ish bright white thing that looked like it was floating. It was cigar-shaped and had no wings, no tail, no lights, and didn’t make a sound. It was moving from southwest to northeast and it was taking its time going anywhere. A small plane would have moved faster and I would have heard it.

I watched this thing for three or four minutes when it got to a bunch of trees on the mountain and my view was blocked. I waited for it to re-appear further down the skyline, but it didn’t. For me, it was just gone. I have no idea what it was and have never seen anything like it before. It could have a good explanation, but I don’t know what it is.

More and more people are coming forward with information on aerial phenomena they’ve witnessed. You can find a plethora of videos, stories, and other means of what could be evidence on social media, youtube, and other information outlets. In April of this year the Pentagon released videos of UFOs encountered by our military. They’re unknown. Until recently the government has debunked and denied the existence of anything related to UFOs. Why not now? What’s up?

There’s too much mounting information and perhaps evidence being made public to continue denying the existence of something else, or someone else. Some of these things could be ours. Some could be hoaxes, but this is an issue that affects all people everywhere. An explanation needs to be given. If no one has an answer then it’s time we find out just what and/or who it is. If facts stay obscure and truth isn’t exercised in policies regarding UFOs – no one wins.

– ashanta

“They’re Back” UFO’s in Southern New England

New England isn’t known as a hotbed of UFO activity, but we’ve had our moments. Actually, John Winthrop, governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony reported our country’s first sighting in 1639. And in 1961 America had its first reported abduction case in Exeter, New Hampshire. That’s the famous Betty and Barney Hill encounter. Again, in 1967, Betty Andreasson (now Luca) was abducted from her home in South Ashburnham, MA.

There have been numerous sightings and close encounters throughout MA, CT, and RI just about every year since records started being kept, but over the last few years those events have been on the increase.

According to NUFORC, in the first five months of 2020 MA has reported 29 sightings, CT comes in with 24, and RI has had 9. NUFORC is the National UFO Reporting Center established by Director Peter Davenport in Davenport WA. There’s a wealth of information at his site: nuforc.org There could also be more people who have witnessed strange things in the skies, but never filed a report.

It’s amazing what you can see if you look up occasionally. And, it doesn’t have to be dark to observe anomalies. It’s like ghosts. If a place is haunted – it’s haunted during the daytime, too.

For instance, on 24 May this year I went out back to check on the chickens. It was about 7 p.m. and sunny. I happened to look up over the barn and saw this large-ish bright white thing that looked like it was floating. It was cigar-shaped and had no wings, no tail, no lights, and didn’t make a sound. It was moving from southwest to northeast and it was taking its time going anywhere. A small plane would have moved faster and I would have heard it.

I watched this thing for three or four minutes when it got to a bunch of trees on the mountain and my view was blocked. I waited for it to re-appear further down the skyline, but it didn’t. For me, it was just gone. I have no idea what it was and have never seen anything like it before. It could have a good explanation, but I don’t know what it is.

More and more people are coming forward with information on aerial phenomena they’ve witnessed. You can find a plethora of videos, stories, and other means of what could be evidence on social media, youtube, and other information outlets. In April of this year the Pentagon released videos of UFOs encountered by our military. They’re unknown. Until recently the government has debunked and denied the existence of anything related to UFOs. Why not now? What’s up?

There’s too much mounting information and perhaps evidence being made public to continue denying the existence of something else, or someone else. Some of these things could be ours. Some could be hoaxes, but this is an issue that affects all people everywhere. An explanation needs to be given. If no one has an answer then it’s time we find out just what and/or who it is. If facts stay obscure and truth isn’t exercised in policies regarding UFOs – no one wins.

     – ashanta

May 29 2020

Abandoned But Still Inhabited Factory Hollow (CT)

Factory Hollow isn’t a high profile place anyone would go to investigate the paranormal, but don’t let that benign facade fool you….. where there are cellar holes and lone standing chimneys – there’s a story.

In 1796 a small village sprang up along the Blackledge River in the towns of Hebron and Bolton CT. It seems Hartford, at the time, was home to a number of both Methodists and Congregationalists who couldn’t get along with one another. The contention was over booze – the Methodist Church members out-drank the Congregational Church members and the latter assumed an ‘holier than thou’ attitude against them. Tired of the dissension, Pastor Elijah Andrus led his people out of Hartford to a secluded spot of their own south of the city in what is now Tolland County.

About 25 families followed Andrus. John Gay was one of the founding fathers of the settlement as were most of his family members. Andrus left the group after about four years for unknown reasons and Pastor Henry Sumner took over ministerial duties. He also brought a lot of family with him.

In an effort to sustain themselves, the group built a sawmill. Lumber was needed for homes and workplaces and contributed to the village’s economy. It was also beneficial in building the distillery that kept residents content. But, that really wasn’t the case.

A large part of daily life in this community consisted in drinking. Even the twice-weekly mandatory church attendance was a venue for imbibing in one’s favorite quaff. Ultimately, as it can turn out, many fights ensued, vulgar language was common, and any culture that had existed soon degenerated.

The little community witnessed two murders, but no one was ever accused of the crimes. A frequent peddler made his last stop in Furnace Hollow. He was relieved of his wares and money. His body was found in a charcoal burning pit – not quite cooked. And although the village charcoal-burner was investigated, no charges were ever brought against him.

Maybe seeing that homicide was tolerated in town, the blacksmith who became overly angry with his quite young apprentice for being a little late one morning decided to slice him up. Not only did the boy die – he was beheaded. This horrendous act also went unpunished.

Having had enough, many people started leaving the hamlet. The Civil War was also on-going and many men and boys from Factory Hollow went off to war and died on the battlefields reducing the population even further.

Over the years, the lumber mill burned down, a woolen mill replaced it which a few years later also went up in smoke. A third mill, a paper factory, wasn’t a charm, either – it also ended in ashes. After about 80 years the small community that could – couldn’t.

Factory Hollow is now known as Gay City State Park and sits along Rt. 85 where Hebron meets Bolton. It’s named after the Gay family who founded the area. Old cellar holes, lonely chimneys, stone foundations, the burned rock structure where so many fires took place, a wheel pit that held the overshot water wheel, and stone walls once used for gardens and pastures all remain to tell the tale of what was. There’s even a small cemetery. And – there are unsettling vibes and hauntings.

While during the day hiking trails, Still Pond swimming beach, and remains of the community seem calm and quiet, once the hint of dusk starts – old residents wake up.

Over the years – and still happening, many people report hearing disembodied voices that sound like townsfolk are still enjoying their inebriation. Orbs have been seen and shadowy wisps of shades meandering through the trees are witnessed. Near the area of the old charcoal pit a ghostly figure has been spotted. Perhaps it’s the old peddler wanting his killer to be brought to justice. Some people have noticed a boy running through the woods holding his head in his hands.

This place has a distinct feeling of heaviness. Wherever you go, you are being watched. You can hear rustling through the brush where no one is walking. Something is moving and you catch a glimpse out the corner of your eye. The breeze seems to murmur. And dark figures definitely walk among the trees.

Furnace Hollow or Gay City, if you prefer, may be abandoned, but it still lives on.

     – ashanta