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Type:
Ghost
Location:
Wausau, Wisconsin
Source: Todd Roll of the
Wausau Paranormal Research Society
Grand Theater Investigation
Wausau, WI
July, November, December 2001
Built in 1927 to replace the old Grand Opera House, the
Grand Theater has been a Wausau, WI landmark for decades. Originally a
vaudeville and silent movie house the Grand has changed functions over
the years showing motion pictures from 1932-1985, and, after a
renovation project in 1986, the Grand became the feature performing
arts theater for north central Wisconsin.
Over the years the Grand has been host to numerous plays, movies,
musical performances and, if the tales are to be believed, one or more
ghosts.
The earliest reports of ghostly activity at the Grand are from the
1950's when workers reported movie canisters being moved from the
upstairs projection room to the lobby. Over the years other
manifestations have been reported including phantom footsteps,
apparitions, electrical malfunctions, cold spots, and areas that are
just creepy to be in.
The Wausau Paranormal Research Society
launched an investigation of the Grand Theater in July of 2001. At that
time the theater was undergoing a major renovation project, the theater
will receive an addition and be linked to two other buildings as part
of the "Arts Block" project, making conditions less than ideal for an
investigation, but our hope was that the project might "stir up" the
spirits of the building.
During our initial research we collected reports of the following paranormal phenomena at the Grand.
Many stagehands reported the sound of footsteps walking across the
empty stage. When they would investigate the source of the footsteps
could not be located.
A worker closing up the theater for the evening saw an apparition of a
man appear along the back wall of the balcony. The apparition was seen
in the exact spot where the door to the projection room had been
located.
An apparition, again of a man, was seen in the lighting rack above the
stage by a number of people over the years. In one case the apparition
walked down the spiral staircase from the lighting rack and crossed the
stage directly in front of two witnesses.
Lights in the projection area are often turned on when no one is around.
Various areas of the theater are reported to be "cold spots."
During the most recent construction project power would mysteriously
shut off in one area of the basement. Electricians would test a wire
and find it live, but when they tried to power equipment off of it the
same line would be dead, only to become live again moments later.
A puddle would form in another area of the basement, when no source of water for it could be found.
Two staff members reported hearing "voices" coming out of a room behind
the balcony. A search revealed no other people in the building.
The Wausau Paranormal Research Society decided to concentrate our
investigation in two areas, the balcony and third floor offices, and
the stage and lighting rack.
While taking background photos of the balcony I snapped a photo of an
anomalous blob. I was using standard 35mm 400 speed film and did not
see the blob at the time the photo was taken. A photo taken seconds
later did not show the blob. When checking the negative the blob does
appear on it. The photo does have some other development flaws on it,
but the blob is something different. It should be noted that there was
a renovation project going on at the time and the blob could very well
be a dust particle.
The blob is in the center of photo and "appears" to be wrapped around
the railing. (Photo is property of Todd Roll and cannot be reproduced
without express written consent of Todd Roll.)
During our third visit we recorded some EVP in one of the spotlight
rooms in the third floor office area. While setting up equipment in the
room two members reported hear "whispering" coming from the far corner
of the room. After playing back the tape a voice can be heard saying
"Don't come back over here." The origin of the voice could not be
determined at this time.
The Wausau Paranormal Research Society plans to visit the Grand Theater
early this year (2002) to conduct a further investigation of the
phenomena reported.
Todd Roll
Wausau Paranormal Research Society
Wausau, WI
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