RE-POST-MCPIKE MANSION-THE SPIRITS HERE LOVE TO BE SEEN!!! DARK PAST...CREEPY FUTURE

   This is McPike Mansion in Alton, Il.  I had a great time here.  For a small town, it is covered with haunted history.  So much to do here.  

 

OMG!!!  It's time of year when I head up to Alton, Illinois for the Annual Haunted American Conference!!!!  I have made so many good friends that I only get to see once a year at this conference!  I CAN'T WAIT!!!!

One of my FAVORITE haunted "hot spots" in Alton is the VERY HAUNTED McPike Mansion.  I go to McPike every year and it has yet to disappoint me!

So, let me tell you how I first met...will "visited"  McPike Mansion.....

It was one of the very first times I went up to Alton.    I went up for one of the annual American Ghost Society's Conferences (that's what it used to be called).  At the conferences you can register for "after hours" events which is usually an investigation at a haunted location.  Well I registered late, and therefore, I missed out on an investigation of the famous "McPikes" mansion.  I was soooooo bummed!!!  So, on my way to the airport, returning from my trip, and I was talking to the cab driver.  He asked me if I got to do everything I wanted and I said "no".  I missed out on an investigation at the old McPikes Mansion.  He said, well no problem.  I know where it is,  and if you would like to go there before catching your flight I'll take you.   ARE YOU KIDDING!!!!! YESSSS I would love to go!!!!!!!!!!!! 

So, off we went. After a short drive, we pulled up in the driveway of the McPikes Mansion.  This is an abandon mansion so no one was there. It sits quietly just a little ways back from the street and I can honestly say that even just passing it or pulling up to the house.....you definitely feel this house is NOT EMPTY!!!!  When we pulled up in the driveway I noticed the cab driver didn't pull up very far.  He turned and looked back at me and said "this is as far as I go".  The funny thing is that he said it sooooo seriously that I just died laughing.  As I started to open the door his eyes got so big and he said "your NOT getting out are you"???????  I said "of course I'm getting out".  Are you CRAZY!!!  I got out of the cab and could not take my eyes off the mansion!!!!  It was almost as if IT was staring back at me or "wondering" who was in "their" front yard.  Now there are NO TRESPASSING signs posted everywhere.  So I respected that and just kinda walked around the front yard taking pictures.  I could hardly pull myself away.....but I knew if I didn't I would be late for my flight so I got back in the cab and said my goodbyes to the McPikes and off I went.  Needless to say......THAT cab driver got a GREAT tip!!!!!

When I got home I downloaded my pics and my last pics were of the mansion.  My first thought was, wow what a beautiful old mansion and what it must have been like to live here.  THEN.... I looked at my pictures again and couldn't believe my eyes!  I believe there are two people, well one man and a young girl in the window on the second floor.  I could see them clearly!!! So the feeing that someone was staring back at me......well you tell me!!! I was sooo excited!!!

If you look close, (may have to enlarge) you can see a little girl's face and to me, appears to be screaming... or with her mouth open.  And right behind her, standing up, looks like a man, maybe with a beard, one of those that goes around the sides of a mans face up to his sideburns.  I don't know.  What do you think?  Mr. McPike or another resident ghost?

I have included below some information about the McPikes Mansion.  And a video of one of the best EVP's I have ever heard!!! Get ready to feel that "chill run down your back" as you can plainly hear in the CREEPIEST voice ever say the word HENRY after the guy ask "what is your name?".  Don't miss it.

 The house was built in 1869 by architect Lucas Pfeiffenberger.  Original owner of the Mansion was Henry Guest McPike.  The McPike family owned 15 acres of land, then known as Mount Lookout Park.  Here McPike, a horticulturist, perfected his McPike Grape.  The family lived in this, their country home, until 1936.

Original photo of faces

The house has changed hands several times since its original owner Henry McPike.  The building has been home to Browns Business College and was later owned by Paul Laichinger, who rented rooms in the house to other occupants.  The house has not been occupied since the 1950's.  Before weather and vandals brought extensive damage to the structure, it was a regal addition to the Illinois town of Alton.  There is even two small tombstones that are located at the back of the house .  Who they belong to or who may call them "home" is unknown.

The mansion featured 11 marble fireplaces and beautifully carved stairway banisters, all of which have been stolen during its abandonment. Intricate carved trim still border the ceiling in one of the front rooms.  McPike Mansion today is owned by Sharyn and George Luedke who have been trying to nurture this great house back to its regal state.  It is readily known today for its hauntings in paranormal circles. The grounds are often visited by ghost hunters and haunted tour groups in the area.  It is not uncommon to find in photos of the mansion, orbs, balls of light, even figures appearing in the windows that were not seen by the human eye when the photo was taken.

This Grand Ole House is thought to still house many of the spirits that once lived here.  Many Psychics and Mediums have felt the presence of what they believe to be McPike family, servants, as well as some of those who resided in and owned the house since 1936.

Can't wait to get back and write about my next trip!!!!  See you next week HENRY!!!!!!

HAUNTED MCPIKE MANSION EVP'S

I'm not going to write a lot about the McPike Mansion because last week I wrote a book!!!LOL  Below are some of the EVP's we collected in the cellar of the mansion.  These are not the BEST EVP's I have ever gotten but they are good.  One of my recorders messed up so I could not get all my EVP's downloaded.  The ones in the video are a little hard to hear so you may want to use external speakers or a headset to listen to them.

Like I said last week, McPike Mansion did not disappoint me in any way!!!  Voices, cold spots, touching, footsteps and tons more.  If you are ever up in Alton, Illinois be sure and check it out. Alton is a wonderful haunted town!  There are soooo many things to do here related to the paranormal I can't wait to go back and get into something else. lol

Enjoy the video....

 

Also, get ready!  I am working on Ghost Hunters Bloopers!!!!  And yes....yours truly is in some of them.  

 

HAUNTED MCPIKE MANSION-AND THAT'S NOT ALL!!!

OMG!!!  I am soooo glad to be back with you guys!!!!  These last couple of weeks have been CRAZY busy for me so thank you guys for hanging in there!!!  I have soooo much to tell you.....so I'm not going to waste anymore time and get going...

First, between the Ghost Conference in Alton, the overnight in the VERY HAUNTED MCPIKE MANSION, staying with a friend who has paranormal activity in her apartment, and experiencing a phone app that was crazy.....I am ALMOST(but not yet) "GHOSTED OUT"!!!!!( I just made that word up, so know need to look it up)

I want to start out by telling you about something that happened at the American Ghost Society Conference that just goes to shows......ALWAYS expect the UNEXPECTED when you are a ghost hunter. A couple years ago, my good friend and founder of White Dog Paranormal, Michele Pellegrino and her nephew, Anthony Pellegrino went to the AGS Conference.  At the conference, they offer different tours to show you haunted places in the area.  Michele and Anthony took a tour that I did not.  I'm sorry, but I forget the name of the place but it was an old cemetery in Decatur, Illinois.  Just as any ghost hunter would do, Michele started taking photos at the cemetery.  She noticed an older gentlemen that started to walk across the burial grounds.  Without thinking twice.....Michele snapped a picture of the man.

Anthony, Becky and Michele.
No comments.  We were cold and tired!!!

Later, when she was reviewing her photos, she noticed something she couldn't believe!!!  Behind the older man, there was a dark shadow that seemed to be ATTACHED to him!!!!!!!!! Michele showed me the photo and was REALLY torn as to whether or not to tell the man about what she had captured in her picture..........if she tells him....will it "scare" him........will he think it is the "Grim Reaper" or did she just keep it to herself???  Long story short......she made a decision NOT to tell him about it and I totally agreed with her decision.

Now, fast forward two years from then to now.......the AGS Conference in Alton, Illinois.  We are sitting in on one of the classes with Troy Taylor, along with a panel of guest of paranormal investigators and mediums, etc.  Michele raises her hand and ask a question about "shadow people"........ especially ones that seem to ATTACH themselves to people.  Rosemary Guiley, an expert on ghosts and spirits, proceeded to give her opinion on why "shadow people" are here and why they may become attached to someone. FYI she says...."it's not always a bad thing".

Anyway, later that afternoon.....we sat in on another class.  And can I just add.....we DID not sit in the same seats as before.  The room probably held 200-250 people.  Michele is sitting on one side of me and Anthony on the other.  As we are listening to the speaker....Anthony leans over and taps me on the shoulder.  I quietly bend down to hear him and he whispers......"look behind you........the guy that Michele took that picture of with the shadow is sitting RIGHT BEHIND HER"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I kinda of look at Anthony like.....NO WAY.....what are the chances of that???????????  But trying to be sneaky....I glanced over my shoulder and almost fell out of my chair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  IT WAS HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Of all the people he sits RIGHT BEHIND MICHELE!!!!!!!!!!!!!  And let me be clear.......other than taking a picture of the man.....Michele does not know this man....nor has even seen him since the moment she took the picture.  

Well..............one thing you need to know about me is ........I get EXCITED easily!!!!!  It was all I could do not to stand up and yell......."Michele......look at that GUY seating right behind you 

OMG"!!!!!

 Ok...take a DEEP BREATH and be COOL about this Beck....and tell Michele to look behind her.  So, I tapped Michele on the shoulder...and said "don't look now (isn't that what we always say when we WANT people to LOOK.LOL) but I am going to point to something over your shoulder and you look behind you at the man sitting in the chair".  She nods....and looks over her shoulder.....just like me and Anthony SHE CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Her jaw dropped !!!  So as we all sat there....not hearing a WORD the speaker was saying...all the sudden we hear the applause and realize the class is over.  As we stand up and start to walk between the isles.....SOMEONE says...."excuse me..........are you the lady that took the picture of the older man with a shadow figure following him"? I almost choked as did Michele. She was so startled at the question she just stood there for a minute then said "yes, that was me". The young man (I'm guessing around 20) said "can you tell me WHO it was"?  DID HE REALLY JUST ASK THAT QUESTION WITH THE OLDER MAN STANDING RIGHT BESIDE HIM????  How does Michele handle this?  She looks at the older man and back at the younger man and hesitates.......but then says " do you REALLY want to know......it was him" and she pointed at the older gentlemen.  OMG!  Now what???  Would this man freak out....would it scare him.....how was he going to react!!!  But much to our surprise........the young man says......"that EXPLAINS it!  Ever since we went to that cemetery bad things have been happening to us"!  He said he was the man's grandson and was with him that night in the cemetery.  The older man did not seem to be to "phased" by the news that it was HIM in the picture.  His grandson went on to say that they had been in bad car wrecks, had a couple of big fires, been sick, family problems and on and on.  And that they felt something had followed his grandfather home from there.   Michele offered to show him the picture if he wanted to see it.  Of course, he said yes.

Photo by Michele Pellegrino.

Later that evening, Michele showed him the picture and they exchanged information to keep in touch.  Now....you tell me....WHAT ARE THE ODDS this man.....first would be at the SAME conference.....TWO YEARS LATER......at a DIFFERENT location....KNOW that Michele's question MIGHT pertain to him...........and then not knowing anything about Michele SIT right behind her in a room full of people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  AMAZING!!!!

I do want to say that Michele has a REAL gift with the paranormal.  She is an excellent investigator and really has a great ability for communicating with the spirits.  I believe she was meant to take that picture and I also believe that she was meant to be at THAT conference to cross paths with that gentlemen and to offer him some kind of explanation for his misfortune.  I hope this man is able to "shake" his bad luck and I know Michele is the perfect person to help him if she can.

Ok........now, because I talked soooo long above, I will cut my story on the McPike Mansion investigation short.  Let me just say.............it was just like in the SCARY MOVIES.  As we started to walk around the back of the Mansion, to where the old well and two unknown graves where.......all the sudden the wind starts BLOWING really HARD.......the trees start to bend and.......then comes the lightening and thunder.  What the heck?  It was suppose to be a very clear night.  Anyway, as the owner, Sharyn Luedke hurries everyone into the cellar and begins telling us about the history of the place.  There was about 20 people at first for about an hour and half then only the professional investigators stayed for to do a real investigation....about 6 of us total.

The old well at the back of the McPike Mansion

Two graves at the back of the house that
know one really knows who they are.  They
are believed to be that of  two young children
of  Henry McPike.

Without getting to detailed (see this is what happens when I don't get to really post good weekly...I talk to much.lol) I will tell you....we had some pretty amazing personal experiences.  I felt completely surrounded by a BLACK MASS in a totally pitch black room but I could STILL see this darkness...so much so that I was leaned back in my chair as far as I could gripping to the sides of my chair because it seemed like SOMETHING or SOMEONE was standing RIGHT over me up in my face....  I began saying "please....just back up a little bit so that I can catch my breath".  And sure enough...it all of the sudden went away.  Michele and Anthony also experienced being touched.  We would all suddenly feel "CHILLS" and within minutes.....it would be gone.  We also got some AMAZING EVP's that indicates that the spirits that haunt the McPike Mansion are intelligent as they were answering DIRECT questions.  Also, we heard footsteps in the hallway, experienced the laser grids being turned off when asked, hearing voices BUT the MOST IMPRESSIVE thing I think I witnessed was our communication with the K-2 meters.  

We all were sitting on one end of the cellar with the equipment and camera's facing the opposite end.  I would say around 1:30 am we started getting hits on the K-2's.  What that means is when a spirit is around the K-2 will light up five little colored lights as a way of communicating.  One light may light up and no others.....and sometimes.....all five lights light up at the same time.  We started asking questions and asking the spirits to light up the K2 so that we might be able to communicate with them.  

Now, here's the BEST part......we had two K2 meters. One sitting on the floor by a chair and other I would guess about 10-15 ft from there.  BOTH the K2's were responding EXACTLY THE SAME!!!! I mean if one lite up three lights at the VERY SAME TIME the other one would light up 3 lights! They were so in unison it blew my mind!  I have been investigating for years and years and have NEVER seen this happen before!!  And it just wasn't once or twice....it was a lot!!!!  They would turn on at the exact same time and turn off at the exact same time and were in different locations!!!!  I have used the K2 for years and have been able to get communication on more than one but NEVER at the exact same time.  AMAZING!!!!  And yes....it was caught on video.

Ok...below I have posted some of the pictures from that night. There are so many EVP's to share with you guys, I am still cropping them after hours and hours of investigating.  I hope to have them completed for next weeks post along with an experience we had with a new app for your phone.  I can tell you.....I WAS TOTALLY CREEPED OUT by it!!!

Anyway, that's it for tonight....hope you guys had a great 4th of July and see you next week.  Don't forget to follow me on Becks Ghost Hunters Facebook page as I post all kinds of thing there all the time. :)

Here is the web address if you would like to experience the paranormal at it's best at the McPike Mansion.                        http://www.mcpikemansion.com/ 

An orb down in the cellar.

Orb by Anthony.

Mist on the outside of the mansion around
2:30 am.

Notice time stamp.  No orb.

Orbs on the side of the mansion.

The guys from another group.  Sorry I
forgot their group name.  Is that something'
in the top window?

Orb.  Notice time stamp.  Just after the
mist.

Inside mansion.

Notice time stamp.  The picture BEFORE
and the picture AFTER DOES NOT
show the figure of a man in them.

Just enlarged.

Is this Henry McPike?

UPDATE ON THE MCPIKE MANSION-ALTON ILLINOIS

OMG!!! Hi everyone!!! Did you guys think I forgot you?  Never!!!  Sorry I have had two back to back trips and just flat have not had the time to sit down and blog.  But I promise I will be posting parts of the McPike Mansion investigation this weekend.

Let me tell you, it did not disappoint!!! This is a very HAUNTED place!!!  We had soooo many experiences I probably will have to post about it in different parts.  Anyway, among some of the personal experiences I had were being touched, hearing real time voices, feeling a very DARK presence around me.....and did I mention that as we are down in an abandon underground cellar, there is a violent thunderstorm going on outside with LOTS of lightening and wind howling through the walls!!!  Anyway, you guys aren't going to want to miss this!

And the American Ghost Society Conference was GREAT as usual and I want to give a special THANK YOU to Michele Pellegrino of White Dog Paranormal for letting stay with her for the week.  I had a BLAST!!!  And thank you Anthony Pellegrino for all the great fun to and from the conference.

Now, before I go.....I want you guys to know I have so MUCH to tell you about my trip to Chicago.  Not only was the investigation great BUT the OTHER THINGS that we experienced with an app called GHOST RADIO was unreal as was the paranormal experiences going on in Michele's apartment!!

Anyway, you guys have a GREAT July 4th, and be safe!!!!!!

Here are just a few pics to give you an idea about what the mansion looked like.  See if you can see in the picture above  of a baby's face in the window.