Vicksburg, Miss. – On a recent September evening, the McRaven House, a historic ante‑bellum home built in 1797, opened its doors for a monthly late‑night ghost hunt. The event, which draws locals and tourists alike, blends the city’s Civil War heritage with a growing interest in the paranormal.
History and Hauntings
The house played a role in the 1863 siege that ended with Confederate forces surrendering to Union troops. It also served as a makeshift hospital for wounded Confederates, and a mass grave is believed to lie just 50 feet from the front door. In 1864, owner John H. Bobb was killed by Union occupiers, a tragedy that fuels many of the stories told during tours.
Guides and Guests Share Experiences
Tour guide Grace Bailey, a longtime employee, recalled spotting a man in period attire on the brick pathway just before the hunt began. “His hair matched the portrait of Mr. Bobb,” she said, noting the eerie coincidence.
Journalist Jim Beaugez, who identifies as a skeptic, joined 13 other participants, including repeat visitors. The group used EMF meters, a spirit box and a REM‑pod – devices that record temperature changes and electromagnetic fluctuations – to detect any activity.
“Did you hear that?” asked guest Jon Williams after a faint thump sounded on the second floor. The group, including Williams’ wife Cassie, reported a series of unexplained noises, an armoire that opened and closed on its own, and a sensation of something brushing against Cassie’s hair while she held her three‑year‑old son.
Personal Encounters
Bailey described a gentle ankle grab and a brush against her cheek, which she attributes to the spirit of Andrew Glass, a notorious highwayman who built the original section of the house. Staff members say Glass’s ghost tends to appear near women.
Riley, a veteran paranormal researcher, recounted seeing shadowy figures among the azaleas and being knocked down by an unseen force. He also claimed to have locked eyes with a woman in a brown‑dressed 1830s outfit on the second‑floor balcony, a figure that vanished without a trace.
Electronic Evidence
During the hunt, the spirit box emitted a string of obscenities, while the REM‑pod flashed intermittently. In the parlor, a small LED cat toy lit up after Cassie asked if the spirits were “having a party.” Another guest’s phone displayed the name “Ida,” matching a woman who died in the house in 1946.
Bailey concluded, “For sure, there was something there,” noting that the McRaven House continues to be a hotspot for paranormal activity year‑round, not just on the anniversary of the siege.
Community Response
Local residents view the ghost hunts as both a tourism draw and a way to keep Vicksburg’s history alive. The events are scheduled monthly and are open to the public, offering a unique blend of education and entertainment for families, history buffs and those curious about the unseen.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
