Get Your Ghost On - The Travel Oracle

While at the airport lounge in Detroit, or “my favorite haunt”, I got an unexpected email. Seems someone came across our “How to Spend the Perfect Day in Boston” article. And they wondered if we’d like to take a tour to write about our experience. I KNOW! I told everyone in the bar area all about it and they were SO excited too! (Looking back, it may have been more “AMUSEMENT” then excitement. Sort of like when you’re at a 4 year old’s birthday party and they open THE toy they’ve been wanting ALL THEIR LIFE.) But never the less, I responded immediately and checked my email ALL weekend for their response. This Saturday we got to go on a tour in Detroit and I can’t WAIT to share it with you. Come on, ya’ll! It’s October and TIME to get your ghost on!!

A Little About US Ghost Adventures

US Ghost Adventures offers tours in more than 150 cities. And they offer over night stays in 4 haunted places – like the Lizzy Borden B&B. If all this was enough to make me want to go, the business is owned by a US Marine veteran. And their mission statement includes the importance of sharing history and making it FUN!

The Detroit Tour

Since we had a few people in our group who were visiting from out to town, the tour started with a quick history lesson about Detroit. During this lesson, I found out that Detroit had completely burned down in 1805. Now I finally understand the motto – From the Ashes, We will Rise! (Talk about a DUH moment!) Have I ever told you that I am from generations of folks living in and around this city?? I am also pretty sure I’ve taken a history class or two in my life time.

Group of people standing outside a building that is painted red at night in Detroit. Must be time to get your ghost on! — Time to get our ghost on!

Site One – Alhambra Flats

Originally constructed in 1895, the Alhambra Flats was made up of 24 large apartments. Their upscale residents include the likes of Harvey Firestone, the founder of the tire company. Around the turn of the century many residents were hospitalized after eating in the building’s cafe. Arsenic poisoning was suspected and the former head chef, Rose Barron, was charged. She had been recently demoted and had the most motive. Two juries later, Rose was acquitted but some believe she still haunts its halls. I would think that Rose would have shaken off the dust from this town long ago. But they are looking to remodel and reopen at some point, so maybe we can ask her about it then.

Looking up at a multiple story building. The top of which is white and the bottom is a brick red. The Alhambra Flats in Detroit. — The Alhambra

Site Two – The Masonic Temple

It’s often reported that the ghost of George Mason, the Temple’s architect, wanders the buildings vast halls. His restlessness, they suppose, was caused by his swan dive from the roof after his wife left him. But it turns out that George Mason lived until he was 91. And that he died in his cozy apartment on Grand Boulevard. So what is the cause of the cold spots and locked doors that open on their own? Maybe George is just checking to make sure the janitors took out the trash.

Large, gothic building made of light colored stone. There is a large tower and a wide wing to the left. It’s the Masonic Temple in Detroit. Must be time to get your ghost on! — The Masonic Temple

Site Three – The James Scott Mansion

Our stop at the James Scott Mansion was more of a history lesson. The original owner was a bit of a nepo-baby, who inherited his wealth from his daddy. James was known for being eccentric, a bachelor, a playboy and spiteful. Apparently the neighbor to the south resisted Scott’s request to sell his property. In response, James built a wall at their property line SO HIGH, it blocked the neighbor’s view of the sun.

Large, light stone mansion in Detroit. In front is a black iron gate with an oval sign that reads “James Scott Mansion”. — The James Scott Mansion

When James passed on, he left $200k to the city to build a fountain on Belle Isle. (If you haven’t ever seen it, check it out!) According to the lore, he also required a statue be built in his honor. It shows him seated, without his hat. Apparently, being outdoors without a hat was a bit of a slam on his status. But never mind, there is a wee, standing statue of Scott, that can be seen in the mansion. And he is wearing QUITE the hat.

Looking through a window, you can see a small statue of a man wearing a cloak and a wide brimmed hat, holding a torch. — The wee James Scott

Site Four – Orchestra Hall

Ossip Gabrilowitsch became the conductor of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and demanded a proper concert venue for the musicians. As a result, Orchestra Hall was built in 1919. Ossip married Clara Clements, Mark Twain’s daughter. According to the legend, Twain died while Clara was expecting and as a result, the author haunts these halls. Although I’m sure he wanted to see his grand child, spending eternity in Michigan’s winters feels like a lot to ask from a Missouri man.

Corner of Orchestra Hall in Detroit. It is a brick building that is painted a cream color. From this view, we can see a fire escape and some of the windows. — Orchestra Hall

Site Five – The Majestic Theater

Our stop at the Majestic was more of a history lesson than a ghost story. In order to make way for Woodward Avenue, the first paved road in the world, 35 feet of the theater was taken off the front of the building. Also, it’s just really cool to look at.

Art deco style red brick building with multi-colored stripes along the front. It’s the Majestic Theater, in Detroit. — The Majestic Theater – or what’s left of it.

Site Six – The Whitney

Now a fancy restaurant, The Whitney Mansion is considered to be one of the most haunted locations in Detroit. Staff reports hearing footsteps in empty rooms, seeing shadowy figures, hearing voices and coughing in empty rooms. Objects like dishes and table settings move or rattle and sometimes doors and the elevator act “oddly”.

Some believe that David’s first wife, Flora, wanders the home in a jealous rage. After all, David married Flora’s sister just a year after she passed. And you KNOW how sisters can be. Others think it could be David himself or even the folks who died when the home was a tuberculosis hospice.

Multi-story rose bricked mansion. The Whitney in Detroit, considered to be one of the the most haunted places in Michigan. — The Whitney

Site Seven – The Parking Garage of the Detroit Medical Center

Okay, so why a parking garage at a hospital? No, it wasn’t a swan dive off the roof from an incredibly high co-pay. This site was once Grace Hospital, where Harry Houdini died as the result of a ruptured appendix.

The Multi-level parking garage of the Detroit Medical Center — DMC Parking Garage

Site Eight – Mike Kelly’s Mobile Homestead

Created as living / performance art piece by Mike Kelly, this is a replica of the artist’s boyhood home. Why is it on a ghost tour? Apparently the work was completed after Kelly’s unfortunate demise in 2012. Also, the porch lights randomly turn on and off – which is also creepy.

White mobile home with a black roof, and a two car garage, sitting on a lot in mid-town Detroit — Mike Kelly’s Mobile Homestead

Site Nine – William Hamilton Funeral Home

What better way to end the night than stopping by an abandoned funeral home? This one just happens to be the one that embalmed Harry Houdini before his trip back to NYC. Of all the locations of the evening, this one had some SERIOUS creep factor.

Exterior of a Victorian Style building that is the abandoned William Hamilton Funeral Home in Detroit — Putting the “fun” in funeral

You Want to See Something REALLY Scary?

Because I was planning this evening’s adventure on my own, I checked parking options near the tour’s meeting site. Though the price was reasonable when I checked the day before, thanks to a concert, the price increased fourfold! Oh well, the tour MORE than made up for it.

Exterior of a parking garage with an LED sign that reads “$55”. — The SCARY parking price

Our tour guide, Vivian, is a student at Schoolcraft College who is studying marketing. She was very knowledgeable and charismatic. US Ghost Adventures was an absolute blast and I’d recommend them whenever you want to get your ghost on!

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