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Texas
| Haunted Places
Haunted Places
in Austin, Texas
The Texas Governor's
Mansion,
Buffalo Billiards on Sixth Street,
St. Edward's University-America's Spookiest Catholic Campus
By Anthony Gilbert |
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Austin,
Texas — The state capital of Texas is known for incredible
music, exceptional breakfast tacos and friendly people. However,
there are also some friendly-and some not so friendly-spirits that
call Austin, Texas 'home.'
Here are three spectacularly spooky stories hailing from places
that can easily be visited today.
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The Texas
Governor's Mansion
Politics can be
a haunting career, but those who have lived in or spent time within
the Texas Governor's Mansion have experienced a wide range of hauntings
over the years. Constructed in 1856, this is one of the oldest executive
residences in the US and is a national historic landmark. However,
according to occupants over the years, a few visitors and residents
here refuse to let go of history and remain here long after dying.
One of the most famous spirits said to make appearances in the mansion
is former governor and president of Texas, Sam
Houston. After his passing in 1863, he is believed to have decided
to stick around and can be seen within his old bedroom lurking in
a corner. Houston is also said to turn the lights off and on, but
apparently he's not trying to send along a message, as his apparition
disappears when spoken to.
Another house guest from beyond includes a young man who transitioned
at age 19 due to suicide. The man's tragic ending came shortly after
his marriage proposal to the niece of former Governor Pendleton Murrah
was rejected. In his distress, he retreated to his guest room and
took his own life. Since then, this particular room had been a hot
spot for ghostly activity. Individuals report hearing rattling and
groans, feeling cold temperatures and seeing turning doorknobs. It
seems as though the paranormal activity within the room peaks on Sundays,
the same day the man transitioned--or sort of did. |
Buffalo Billiards
on Austin's Sixth Street
Within one of Austin's
oldest buildings along the famous Sixth Street corridor, Buffalo Billiards
has more on the menu today than great food and games-they also have
ghosts. After it's construction in 1861, the structure opened as the
Missouri Hotel and was rumored to also feature a brothel-type environment.
Still a popular pub today, there are several spirits said to accompany
the sprits within the bar.
Of the most famous of these otherworldly residents is a spirit that
has been dubbed as Fred by staff and patrons. While his real name
or back story is unknown, Fred seems to be a mischievous but friendly
spirit. His pranks noted by staff include breaking pool cues and other
objects and moving barstools around. However, staff aren't afraid
of him, and some bartenders leave a draft beer out at the beginning
of shifts to keep Fred settled and content during business hours.
While the majority of the strange activities within Buffalo Billiards
is credited to Fred, there are other sightings that have occurred
inside that have propelled the bar to its status as one of the most
haunted places in Austin.
There are also reports of unexplained footsteps and random appearances
of a woman in Victorian era dress taking place near the base of the
pub's ascending staircase. Interestingly, even though children don't
make appearances within the establishment, children's hand prints
occasionally appear on pool table tops. |
St. Edward's
University-America's Spookiest Catholic Campus
St. Edward's University
is a great educational institution with a twist of paranormal activity.
There are multiple reports of as many as three spirits that reported
haunt the campus. Within the Mary Moody Northern Theater, many have
reported seeing the body of an apparition hanging from a noose where
he took his own life. Others only report being able to hear the sounds
of the rope device creaking back and forth.
Another ghostly figure can be found in Doyle Hall, which appears to
be a nun that has a predisposition to turn showers on and off at random.
Another spirit is believed to be a former resident advisor that met
their demise within the showers at Premont Hall. This ghost turns
on all of the showers simultaneously and slams windows and doors to
make their presence known. Seems like the haunts on this campus are
eerily into cleanliness. |
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© Anthony
Gilbert
October
16, 2018 guest column
Anthony Gilbert is the owner of The
RealFX Group
https://tspb.texas.gov/prop/tgm/tgm/mansion.html
https://legacy.lib.utexas.edu/taro/tslac/40012/tsl-40012.html
https://buffalobilliardsaustin.com/
https://www.stedwards.edu/
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