Posts by Derrick Smith
Anchorage Mansion – History
Currently surrounded by a parking lot and a few close buildings, the original Anchorage (Putnam Villa) was secluded and sat overlooking the entire town of Marietta, Ohio and the two intersecting rivers of Ohio River and Muskingum River. This mansion was to be the perfect homestead for the wealthy Putnam family but the dream home…
Read MoreHillview Manor – Investigation – The Return
August 11, 2018 New Castle, PA Investigation Our first visit to Hillview Manor was quite the success. This second investigation was a hit right off the bat. No more than ten minutes into our walk through we heard doors slam and footsteps. We decided to set up shop as quickly as we could. Similar to…
Read MoreNemacolin Castle – History
Seated above the Monongahela River in the small town of Brownsville, PA, Nemacolin Castle overlooks the small, bustling town. It was a perfect location to act as both a trading post and a family home. The structure has been added to over the years since its’ original construction, and perhaps that’s part of the appeal for living…
Read MoreBenton Family Farms – The Investigation
May 12, 2018 Walton, KY Investigation Middle of nowhere Kentucky is putting in lightly. Walton, and Benton Family Farms in particular, is a paradise for anyone who wants to live off the land and stay far from anyone with a heartbeat. This was one of the most unique areas that we’ve ventured to for the simple fact…
Read MoreBenton Family Farms – History
Hidden away in the outskirts of Walton, KY, past the notorious Bobby Mackey’s Music World, exists a small farming compound comprised of numerous generations of families. Houses in this small area range from current modern-day architecture and new buildings, to old dilapidated wood and stick frame barns, and houses from the early 1900’s. Inside of this compound…
Read MoreTrans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum – The Investigation
Weston, WV October 9, 2017 Investigation Since this was more of a public investigation, the evening began with an overview and a large group meeting. We were then broken up into smaller groups in order to have more individual time away from one another. Upon entering, the staff actually gave each of us an envelope giving us…
Read MoreTrans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum – History
Through the weaving roads, rolling mountains and wild wilderness lays a small town of Weston, WV. Looming over the entire town sits the centerpiece to pre Civil War era community, the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum – originally named the Weston State Hospital. The Past Construction of this behemoth hand cut stone castle began in 1858 on 269…
Read MoreHillview Manor – The Investigation Recordings
Hill View Manor, Pennsylvania May 7, 2017 As with most investigations, our night started with a tour of the building, and we had been shown more of the hot spots. Our tour guides also had a little fun at our expense trying to scare us using an old nursing station call whistle (which did work…
Read MoreHillview Manor – History
Tucked quietly in the small town of New Castle, PA, Hillview Manor is quite possibly one of the most haunted locations in western PA, but remains fairly unknown, aside from Pittsburgh locals. As a matter of fact, our small band of paranormal investigators had never even heard of the location until my bachelor party (yes,…
Read MoreA little fiction…or is it? Part 4: Finale
—-2005—- This leads me to my story: It was a brisk autumn evening. I ventured to the dilapidated, worn, blood red brick building with two of my friends; Scott and Don, and Don’s then girlfriend Mindi. We were skeptics, so naturally we decided to test our luck at Dixmont. Before Dixmont, we’d been to a…
Read More