Aurora, Mo. – The century‑old structure at the corner of Olive and Madison, now home to Junk Gypsy’s Antique Store, continues to attract curious visitors after its past as a 19th‑century brothel was confirmed by local historian Dalton Harris.
Historical background
Tour guide Dalton Harris, who runs the Show Me Something Spooky tours, uncovered newspaper reports from 1892 that charged two women with operating an “indecent house” in the building. One of those women, Nora Henry, died on the premises, adding a tragic note to the site’s history.
Ghost‑tour investigation
For the ninth year, KY3 reporter Chad Plein joined paranormal investigator David Glidden and his associate John Long for an overnight stay. Glidden, known for his YouTube series Haunting History, set up a series of devices to capture any anomalous activity.
In the basement, the team placed a bell equipped with a static‑field antenna. The bell rang spontaneously a few times before falling silent for the remainder of the night, a phenomenon Glidden described as “the bell generating its own static field that goes up the antenna.”
Moving to the main floor, which once served as a saloon and gambling hall, the investigators played a game of poker while discussing Wild Bill Hickok’s famous “Dead Man’s Hand.” During the game, Plein felt a sudden pressure on his back, which he likened to “something poking my back,” a sensation he said few experience.
Audio recordings from the night captured faint, indistinct voices that did not register on the microphones placed around the room. Later, Glidden used a MicroKom scanner to listen for low‑frequency radio signals that some believe spirits can manipulate. The device produced a distorted male voice that identified itself simply as “Manager.” When Glidden asked, “How many women here during the day?” the voice replied, “Thirteen.” Both Glidden and Plein heard the response clearly, noting the consistent tone of the male voice.
Personal accounts
Store owner Myra Goodson, who has owned the building for a decade, reported ongoing activity. “There’s always activity upstairs, there’s walking,” she said. She also mentioned seeing shadows out of the corner of her eye and finding the top sheet of a bed disturbed after investigators left, with lint scattered across it – an odd detail that she believes cannot be explained by ordinary airflow.
Goodson’s granddaughter, Sophie, captured a photograph on a previous visit that appears to show a man’s face in the darkness of the upstairs rooms. The image was featured in Part 1 of the series, which documented earlier investigations.
Community interest
The nightly investigation has sparked renewed interest in local ghost tours. Residents can sign up for upcoming tours through the Show Me Something Spooky website, and the KY3 station provides links to the full video series for those who prefer to watch online.
While the evidence remains anecdotal, the investigators agree the site possesses a unique charm that draws both skeptics and believers. “I don’t know. I can’t put my finger on it,” Glidden said. “It’s inviting, and I’m definitely interested in learning more.”
Original reporting: KY3 Springfield (local) — read the source article.
