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Halloween
Moe Fwacky
Right Here, Right NowDrives a BuickModerator mod
Right Here, Right NowDrives a BuickModerator mod
Halloween is fast approaching. What kind of plans do people have? I will be going to Cedar Point the Sunday preceding--more for the coasters than the haunted setting--and possibly to my cousin's party in Columbus the Friday after (although I would need to figure out a costume). Unfortunately, I have to work on Halloween, so that's all I'll be doing that night.
Alternatively, discuss the decline of Halloween as a children's holiday (I blame the pedos) or other points of interest on the topic of the holiday.
Edit: An afterthought, also talk about haunted locations in your area. We've got Franklin Castle here in Cleveland which has been called "the most haunted spot in Ohio."
http://www.deadohio.com/franklincastle.htm
deadohio.com wrote:Strange voices coming from empty rooms and behind the walls, sounds of crying children, faces that suddenly materialize in the woodwork, spinning chandeliers, cold spots, and mysterious ectoplasm...these are but a few of the bizarre occurrences witnessed by those who have entered Franklin Castle, one of Ohio's most notorious haunted places. Built in 1865, this Gothic mansion located on Franklin Avenue in Ohio City was home to German immigrant Hannes Tiedemann, his wife, mother, and several children.
Hannes Tiedemann was a grocer and investment banker who had a reputation as a loud, harsh man. Because of his personality, many in the community believed that he was also abusive toward his family and ran his household like a tyrant. These rumors only intensified following the deaths of his children, wife and mother, who all died within a short period of time under "mysterious" circumstances. Many believe that Hannes also murdered his niece and a young servant girl.
Hannes Tiedemann left the castle in 1895 shortly after his wife died.
Yet, the legends and legacy of the castle continued, leading some to conclude that the castle itself is cursed.
Mysterious Deaths
The Tiedemann deaths began with Hannes' 15 year-old daughter, Emma. Although her official cause of death was diabetes, legend has it that Emma was actually found hanging from the rafters in the attic. A few weeks after her death, Hannes' elderly mother died. Her cause of death is not known.
Then, between 1886 and 1888, at least 3 more Tiedemann children died in the castle. Again, their cause of death was not known, although some suspicious eyes fell upon Hannes. More babies were believed to have been born inside the castle, but that Hannes hid their death from the public.
According to legend, Hannes also murdered his young niece by hanging her from the rafters of a secret tunnel. He is also said to have killed a young servant girl on her wedding day in a fit of jealous rage, and strangled one of his mistresses.
Hannes' wife died in 1895. Officially, she died from liver disease, although many quietly suspected that Hannes was responsible for her death.
Then, between 1886 and 1888, at least 3 more Tiedemann children died in the castle. Again, their cause of death was not known, although some suspicious eyes fell upon Hannes. More babies were believed to have been born inside the castle, but that Hannes hid their death from the public.
According to legend, Hannes also murdered his young niece by hanging her from the rafters of a secret tunnel. He is also said to have killed a young servant girl on her wedding day in a fit of jealous rage, and strangled one of his mistresses.
Hannes' wife died in 1895. Officially, she died from liver disease, although many quietly suspected that Hannes was responsible for her death.
Nazi Spies
In 1913, Franklin Castle was sold to the German Socialist Party. The group owned the castle for the next 55 years. During this time, not much is known about the goings on inside the castle, although many speculate that the party held secret meetings and engaged in espionage.
The wildest rumor involves the mass political assassination of about 20 members.
The party later rented out rooms of the castle to boarders. One of those persons was believed to be a doctor who performed "strange" experiments using human specimens.
The wildest rumor involves the mass political assassination of about 20 members.
The party later rented out rooms of the castle to boarders. One of those persons was believed to be a doctor who performed "strange" experiments using human specimens.
Hidden Rooms and Secret Passages
Secret rooms and passages do exist inside the castle, although it is not known how many. Hannes Tiedemann supposedly used a secret room to store the bodies of his dead babies, and killed his niece in a hidden passage by the ballroom. His wife is said to have used a passage to safely gain access to her children, away from the prying eyes of her tyrannical husband.
The German Socialist party is said to have used the rooms and passages to their own advantage, even hiding the bullet-ridden bodies of its members in a secret room in the basement.
It is also believed that there is an underground tunnel that extends to Lake Erie. However, those who say they have been in the tunnel note that it ends at some point before the lake. An old still was found in one secret room by a later homeowner, giving rise to speculation that the house was also used as a speakeasy during Prohibition and that the tunnel was used to run booze out of the castle.
Inside the carriage house (pictured on the left), the current homeowner did find a "mysterious cemented-over area in the floor."
The German Socialist party is said to have used the rooms and passages to their own advantage, even hiding the bullet-ridden bodies of its members in a secret room in the basement.
It is also believed that there is an underground tunnel that extends to Lake Erie. However, those who say they have been in the tunnel note that it ends at some point before the lake. An old still was found in one secret room by a later homeowner, giving rise to speculation that the house was also used as a speakeasy during Prohibition and that the tunnel was used to run booze out of the castle.
Inside the carriage house (pictured on the left), the current homeowner did find a "mysterious cemented-over area in the floor."
The Woman in Black
In the windows of the turret, many have claimed seeing a woman dressed in black. She is believed to be the ghost of Rachel, the young servant girl Hannes murdered. According to legend, it was in front of one of these windows that Hannes hacked her to death with an axe.
In another variation of the tale, the black-clothed Rachel is actually one of the mistresses that Hannes strangled in one of the bedrooms.
In another variation of the tale, the black-clothed Rachel is actually one of the mistresses that Hannes strangled in one of the bedrooms.
Skeletons and Bones
In the 1970's, one of the owners found the skeletons of at least a dozen babies inside a small sealed room. They were later examined by the county coroner, who could make no definitive determination other than stating that the bones were very old. These skeletons could have simply been harmless medical specimens, although some say they are the bones of the missing Tiedemann children.
In the late 1970's, owner Sam Muscatello discovered a hidden panel in one of the walls in the tower room. Inside, he found a skeleton. No other information is known, although the current owner has suggested that Muscatello himself placed the skeleton there as a way to attract publicity.
In the late 1970's, owner Sam Muscatello discovered a hidden panel in one of the walls in the tower room. Inside, he found a skeleton. No other information is known, although the current owner has suggested that Muscatello himself placed the skeleton there as a way to attract publicity.
More Ghost Stories
A young girl haunts the 4th floor ballroom. She may be the ghost of young Rachel, or Tiedemann's niece. In the ballroom, it is said that a large blood stain still appears on the marble floor, even though it was replaced about 30 years ago. In 1999, the ballroom was damaged in a fire and is being renovated. One wonders if this bloodstain will come back after the work is done.
The Romano family, who owned the home from 1968 to 1976, claimed it was visited by the ghost of a young girl, who interacted with the Romano children. The family later moved out of the house after receiving warnings by the ghost of a future death.
Muscatello, who found the skeleton, became physically ill while at the house and invited a local news crew to investigate. They reported strange events, including spinning chandeliers and equipment that moved on their own accord.
A newspaper boy claimed that when he knocked on the door, a voice told him to "come in." Once inside the foyer, he saw an apparition of a woman in white, who glided down the staircase and disappeared through a closed door.
Many have heard voices of children (often crying), and have seen faces that seem to suddenly materialize in the woodwork. Others say that doors open and shut on their own, and have seen fog or ectoplasm form inside the rooms. Voices coming from the walls, and "cold spots", have also been reported.
Others say the ghost of Tiedemann himself can sometimes be seen at the park where he died, looking to hitch a ride back home to his castle.
While many aspects of the stories are true--including the deaths of the Tiedemann children and wife, and the discovery of the baby skeletons--most could not be verified. There is no reason to believe that the deaths of the Tiedemann children, wife, and mother were anything other than natural.
The fact that Hannes may not have been the warmest person in public does not lead to the conclusion that he was a murderer. If anything, his reputation has more to do with cultural perceptions than fact. Cultural stereotypes most probably led to the same legends involving the German Socialist party's occupation of the castle.
Perhaps part of the appeal of the castle has to do with its secrecy. Very few people have actually been inside the castle, leaving only one's imagination to guide them.
Perhaps this will change soon, as a new owner announced that he is purchasing the property and will open the castle as a private club in Spring 2004. While our most recent review of real estate records fail to show any transfer of the property to the new owner, we are hopeful that the castle's renovations will be completed, restoring this historic landmark to its former "glory."
The Romano family, who owned the home from 1968 to 1976, claimed it was visited by the ghost of a young girl, who interacted with the Romano children. The family later moved out of the house after receiving warnings by the ghost of a future death.
Muscatello, who found the skeleton, became physically ill while at the house and invited a local news crew to investigate. They reported strange events, including spinning chandeliers and equipment that moved on their own accord.
A newspaper boy claimed that when he knocked on the door, a voice told him to "come in." Once inside the foyer, he saw an apparition of a woman in white, who glided down the staircase and disappeared through a closed door.
Many have heard voices of children (often crying), and have seen faces that seem to suddenly materialize in the woodwork. Others say that doors open and shut on their own, and have seen fog or ectoplasm form inside the rooms. Voices coming from the walls, and "cold spots", have also been reported.
Others say the ghost of Tiedemann himself can sometimes be seen at the park where he died, looking to hitch a ride back home to his castle.
While many aspects of the stories are true--including the deaths of the Tiedemann children and wife, and the discovery of the baby skeletons--most could not be verified. There is no reason to believe that the deaths of the Tiedemann children, wife, and mother were anything other than natural.
The fact that Hannes may not have been the warmest person in public does not lead to the conclusion that he was a murderer. If anything, his reputation has more to do with cultural perceptions than fact. Cultural stereotypes most probably led to the same legends involving the German Socialist party's occupation of the castle.
Perhaps part of the appeal of the castle has to do with its secrecy. Very few people have actually been inside the castle, leaving only one's imagination to guide them.
Perhaps this will change soon, as a new owner announced that he is purchasing the property and will open the castle as a private club in Spring 2004. While our most recent review of real estate records fail to show any transfer of the property to the new owner, we are hopeful that the castle's renovations will be completed, restoring this historic landmark to its former "glory."
Timeline
1865
Franklin Castle is built by Hannes Tiedemann.
January 16th, 1881
Tiedemanns' 15 year-old daughter, Emma, dies. A few weeks later, Wiebeka, Hannes Tiedemann's elderly mother, dies.
1883
Hannes Tiedemann becomes Founder and Vice-President of Euclid Avenue Savings and Trust.
1886 to 1888
The Tiedemanns lose another three children. Hannes Tiedemann then expands the castle by adding a ballroom, hidden rooms and secret passages.
January 24th, 1895
Luise Tiedemann dies from liver disease at the age of 56. Later that same year, Hannes Tiedemann sells the castle to the Mullhauser family.
1896
Hannes Tiedemann marries a young waitress, but divorces her soon thereafter.
1906
Tiedemann's son, August, dies at the age of 42.
January 19th, 1908
Hannes Tiedemann dies suddenly from a stroke while on a walk in a park at the age of 75. He has no surviving children.
1913
The Mullhausers sell the castle to the German Socialist Party
1968
The German Socialist Party sells the castle to the Romano Family.
May 26, 1976
The Romanos sell the castle to Sam Muscatello. $34,300. Within the same year, Muscatello sells the house to Maryon W. Ruchelman for $38,000
December 29, 1978
Ruchelman sells the house to George Mircata for $85,000
April 22, 1983
The house goes into foreclosure, and the house is sold by Sheriff's sale to the bank.
September 9, 1983
Richard & Virginia Perez purchase the house from the bank for $73,500
November 22nd, 1985
Mr. & Mrs. Perez sell the house to Michael DeVinko for $93,000.
April 14, 1999
Michelle Heimburger purchases the house for $350,000. Later that year, the house is nearly destroyed by a fire set by homeless vandal. It has been undergoing renovation ever since.
July 2003
Real Estate investor Charles Milsaps announces the launch of the Franklin Castle Club, to be opened in Spring 2004
Franklin Castle is built by Hannes Tiedemann.
January 16th, 1881
Tiedemanns' 15 year-old daughter, Emma, dies. A few weeks later, Wiebeka, Hannes Tiedemann's elderly mother, dies.
1883
Hannes Tiedemann becomes Founder and Vice-President of Euclid Avenue Savings and Trust.
1886 to 1888
The Tiedemanns lose another three children. Hannes Tiedemann then expands the castle by adding a ballroom, hidden rooms and secret passages.
January 24th, 1895
Luise Tiedemann dies from liver disease at the age of 56. Later that same year, Hannes Tiedemann sells the castle to the Mullhauser family.
1896
Hannes Tiedemann marries a young waitress, but divorces her soon thereafter.
1906
Tiedemann's son, August, dies at the age of 42.
January 19th, 1908
Hannes Tiedemann dies suddenly from a stroke while on a walk in a park at the age of 75. He has no surviving children.
1913
The Mullhausers sell the castle to the German Socialist Party
1968
The German Socialist Party sells the castle to the Romano Family.
May 26, 1976
The Romanos sell the castle to Sam Muscatello. $34,300. Within the same year, Muscatello sells the house to Maryon W. Ruchelman for $38,000
December 29, 1978
Ruchelman sells the house to George Mircata for $85,000
April 22, 1983
The house goes into foreclosure, and the house is sold by Sheriff's sale to the bank.
September 9, 1983
Richard & Virginia Perez purchase the house from the bank for $73,500
November 22nd, 1985
Mr. & Mrs. Perez sell the house to Michael DeVinko for $93,000.
April 14, 1999
Michelle Heimburger purchases the house for $350,000. Later that year, the house is nearly destroyed by a fire set by homeless vandal. It has been undergoing renovation ever since.
July 2003
Real Estate investor Charles Milsaps announces the launch of the Franklin Castle Club, to be opened in Spring 2004
Moe Fwacky on
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pleasepaypreacher.net
Oh, and this year I shall be Jack Bauer. I will make DUI's the world over my bitch.
Wii Code: 1040-1320-0724-3613 :!!:
I encourage others to do the same and spread the word.
Oh thank god real comic books and not chick tracts.
pleasepaypreacher.net
I might do it anyway.
After that, a few friends and I are going to wander around some nature trails by candlelight.
Good times.
Edit: Also, can we use this thread to show off old costumes and such?
I really enjoy Halloween as a time for kids to run around and get candy. However, I do believe that one should be frightened on Halloween and you must be brave enough to go up to said house to get candy.
I lost most of my pictures from last year, but here's the "entrance" to my grandparent's sidewalk, up to their house: (NSFW I suppose...fake blood and whatnot.)
That's the only picture I seem to have of the decorations I put up, but there was much more.
Also, once the kids made it through that, they had to contend with me: (NSFW again, fake blood and such.)
I just sat in a chair next to my girlfriend (who handed out the candy) and laughed. All. Night.
I made many a kid cry and many a teenager not even venture up to the house.
Good times.
Each year, we have a fruit seller (as well as farmer) who sets up a giant maze in his corn field:
Also, I head up to Kansas City to check out their badass haunted houses. From what I've read, KC has the best haunted houses in the U.S. -and- they generally take about 1 - 2 hours to walk through. I go every year: http://www.kcbeast.com <- My favorite one. (Check out some videos)
Edit: By "that" I mean egg and teepee houses.
Nothing says "Halloween" like pissing off my Jehovah's witness neighbors
I've offered to be her Dr. Gonzo.
I've offered to give her really bad advice as her lawyer if she'll agree not to look down on me for being Samoan.
You're not prejudiced, are you?
the "no true scotch man" fallacy.
Uncle Fester FTW.
I am thinking of dressing up as Dr. McNinja this year.
3DS: 2852-6809-9411
What would be really amazing, though, would be to have one guy dress up as Waldo, and then a group of ten of his friends dress up as all the other random knights and kids at the beach in the pictures.
I do have a cool little balloon bat, though.
This is one of the best ideas ever.
That being said, I will be going to a Nightwish concert on Halloween itself, dressed up as a porcelain doll. Then as a pirate at our Halloween party, which is not on Halloween. >.> So I get to dress up twice!
That's a pretty cool building, but it's a fair old stretch to call it a castle. Then again, you don't have any real castles over there to compare with.
Personally, I'll be doing fuck all for halloween. I'm too old for trick-or-treating and I'm too mean to buy sweets for kids (and too disorganised to buy them in time). The last time I got some kids trick-or-treating, I gave them a joint I'd just sparked up and they seemed quite pleased.
Disclaimer: By kids I mean 15/16. I'm not handing out reefers to toddlers.
Yeah, it's more of a manor than an actual castle. I think it just earned the name castle from the German Gothic style of the house.
Well aren't you the responsible one.
Wii Code: 1040-1320-0724-3613 :!!:
I had entertained the idea of getting an orange wig, blue jumpsuit, and some aviator glasses, while having one friend hold a video camera and another a microphone boom, and going as the kicked in the nuts guy so I can kick all those teenagers that still trick or treat in the nuts. Somehow my better judgement prevailed on this one though.
And Gorak, I'm stopping by your house this year for candy.
What? When I lived up in Cincinnati, there was this awesome cave that we went to and had to trek around inside it with all sorts of haunted house crap going on.
EDIT Found it!
Better plan on going - Oct. 26/27 are the only days left.
You should go AWOL.
From everything you've described regarding gf and friends, that's worth a dishonorable discharge.
the "no true scotch man" fallacy.
Yes I am. If you allow your kids to go door to door begging for freebies, then don't get pissed when I hand them what I consider to be a "treat". You want me to babysit, start paying.
I'll be staying in and complaining about the tourists.
IOS Game Center ID: Isotope-X
After class I'm going to my regular pub's haloween party.
They had zombie actors and ghost actors and a bunch of really creepy stuff. At one point we were wandering through this chain link fenced in part filled with old cars and props and zombie actors and we get to the end. Some high school kids had caught up with us (they were a bit more screamy and such than I was, my bf of course was Mr. Stoic) and they were all like "OMG WHERE DO WE GO NOW!" Then my boyfriend points to a very narrow, dark opening. "Oh shit!" they say as we step inside...hehe.
Then in the final slaughterhouse my boyfriend decides he needs to break away and run from me since I'd been clutching him the whole time. It felt like I was in a movie, screaming at him to stop and trying to grab him while making sure nobody was behind me.
Good times. I usually get scared by things like that, scary movies, etc, but I wasn't completely scared last night because I knew that none of the zombies/etc could touch me. THANKS LAW SCHOOL.