#50: A Haunted Place

Could that be a ghost standing behind A? Most of the ghosts at Fort Reno are from long ago, probably before people wore flip-flops. While we didn't see any ghosts, we did hear many ghost stories on our Ghosts of Fort Reno Tour. For three hours, our tour guide, Jessica, told us about the history of the fort, the people who lived there, and the ghosts who still haunt the fort. Jessica has been an employee of Fort Reno for several years and claims to be a "sensitive". She said that from a young age, she would refuse to go into certain buildings because she could feel that something bad had happened there. She also claims to have seen and interacted with many of the ghosts on site.

Once the sun had set, our group of about 30 people walked from building to building at the fort, while Jessica told us which ghosts haunted each one. This building is a schoolhouse. Like most of the buildings at the fort, it is closed to the public because of disrepair. But when it was open, Jessica said she didn't like going inside or even near the school because the ghost who haunts it is not very nice.

This is a window at the Quartermaster's Commissary. Jessica encouraged us to look in the windows and take lots of pictures, hoping that someone would see something then or once we reviewed the pictures at home. I got nothin'. Apparently, several ghosts haunt this building, including a small girl who used to play Hide and Seek inside and the "Peekaboo Ghost", who likes to run past doorways from room to room, often waving or peeking his head out at you. Paranormal investigators once visited many of the buildings after dark and supposedly collected evidence of the ghosts' existence. The investigations discontinued when someone new came to oversee operations at the facility.

The chapel is one of two buildings which are open to the public. (If you are looking for a location for your wedding, they will rent it out for $250, which includes use of the basement for a reception.) Inside, Jessica told us she had once been decorating the chapel for Christmas, when she heard women's voices, laughing. No one else was on site at the time. Jessica asked the group if we would like to participate in a "Knock Test", and most everyone else agreed. She implored us to take it seriously, as some people on the tour truly believed that something might happen. We were told to be absolutely still, owning up to any noise we might make, so it wouldn't be construed as a ghost. So, the kids and I sat in the dark while Jessica invited friendly ghosts to interact with us. "...This is Jessica, knocking, now. KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK." Nothing. And nothing more. Except me, almost bursting out laughing! My heart was racing, preparing for someone to scare us from the basement! Of course, "90% of the time nothing happens, but it's the 10% that investigators hope for."

The other tour guide, Lindsey, is a paranormal investigator who had investigated the fort several years ago. She claims to have been walking along the sidewalk near the chapel when her equipment in her hand began showing signs of activity. She thought one of her team members was walking toward her on the sidewalk, so she began to excitedly tell him about the equipment. But when she looked up to talk to him, he walked right through her, continued for a few seconds, and disappeared! Of course, no one else had witnessed the event. Others claim that this ghostly figure is one of a soldier who often walks the sidewalk, dragging his rifle behind him.

Even now, I can't help but laugh. It was a highly entertaining evening, well worth the $16 we spent, as our money is matched by a donor to help repair the buildings at the fort.

A:

This trip was hilarious!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't believe in ghosts and neither does my family. So we got a kick out of this one. There were 2 ladies that were telling us stories about the ghosts that live in the different houses in Fort Reno, and what they like to do, and what they said to the paranormal investigators. It was sooooo funny!!!!! Around 9pm we went walking around the grounds and they told us more ghost stories. Later on, we arrived at this chapel were this one lady did a knock test. A knock test is where they invite higher realm spirits to come into the chapel and make noises after she knocks on the wall to let us know they're there. She knocked on the wall, we waited for about 2 minutes, and nothing happened. She said that happens a lot. I thought the ghost tour was really funny. I enjoyed it a lot!

C:

We went to a haunted fort. At Fort Reno, the people said that there were ghosts. It was really funny! We got to do a "knock test." It was really funny, too! The lady said they would welcome the higher spirits but not the lower spirits. If Dad had been there, he would have been tempted to yell, "Boo!" She said if you farted, burped, or made any noice, you had to own it so she could know if it was a real spirit or not. It was real quiet because the people were wondering if ghosts were real or not.