Haunted Parkersburg

By Betsy Curry
Halloween is right around the corner and instead of the normal haunted houses and costume parties with ghost and goblins, this year why not try a haunted ghost tour of downtown Parkersburg.

The Parkersburg Ghost Tour is a haunted, historical walking tour of downtown Parkersburg. During the Civil War, Parkersburg became known as “the wickedest city along the Ohio River.” Many believe that it is now the most haunted city.

Join the tour of downtown Parkersburg, as it covers the haunted history and famous paranormal tales. The tour consists of stories about the Banshee of Marrtown, the East End Ghoul, tales of the West Virginia Mothman, the Men in Black and the November 2, 1966 appearance of the alien Indrid Cold, which is featured in “The Mothman Prophecies” book and movie.

Also, see actual places possessed by spirits, and haunted houses along the route, and pass by a haunted graveyard. The haunted tour visits the historical district and describes accounts of real hauntings in the mystifying places where they occurred.

Parkersburg is host to the most talked about ghost tours in the nation. The historical ghost walking tour covers many rare stories and other paranormal oddities. The ghost tours are lead by local ghost hunters, psychic mediums and paranormal authors. The tour guides are knowledgeable experts in the field of the unknown and will explain what these hauntings mean, how they occur and why. The guides will tell stories of true hauntings in the actual places they occurred. They will also show sites of real ghost investigations.

The tour takes approximately two hours to complete. If any ghost hunters have trouble walking because of health concerns, they are encouraged to drive the tour. Please call 428-7978 on where to meet up with the tour. Be sure to wear appropriate clothing and comfortable shoes.

Though the walk is only two miles, it will be at a leisure pace so all can enjoy the scenes and atmosphere. Be sure to bring a flashlight and ghost hunters are encouraged to bring their equipment because it is not unusual to have a paranormal experience each night on the ghost tour.

The 2005 Haunted Parkersburg Ghost Tours dates are Sept 30 and Oct 1, Oct 7 and 8, Oct 21 and 22, Oct 28 and 29, Oct 30 and 31, and Nov 4 and 5. The Ghost Tour begins at 7:30 p.m. in the lobby of the Blennerhasset Hotel. The hotel is located at Fourth & Market Streets in downtown Parkersburg. No reservations are required for the regular ghost tour. Information can be found by visiting the website at www.hauntedparkersburg.com or by calling 428-7978.

The Haunted Parkersburg Ghost Tour also offers private ghost tours. Contact Sheppard@wirefire.com for more information. Guides are available anytime, any day, for groups of ten or more people.

There will be a special Halloween Tour on Sunday, Oct 30 and Monday, Oct 31 also beginning at 7:30 p.m. All tours begin in the lobby of the historic Blennerhassett Hotel in downtown Parkersburg. They also have special tours for school, clubs, groups, celebrations, meetings or parties.

The tours are seldom cancelled because of weather, but out-of-town ghost hunters should call before leaving home 428-7978.

Ghost Tour Cost is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and students, $5 for children 13 and under, and small children are free.