Category Archives: Talbot County

Avalon Theater Easton MD

Elevator Ghost in Easton

Who Haunts Easton’s Elevators?

There are five properties within two square blocks in downtown Easton that have paranormal occurrences associated with their elevators or an elevator ghost.

Haunted Elevator at the Avalon

A previous owner of the Avalon Theater explained how one evening in the 1980s he and his assistant were taking inventory. He was still trying to get the theater renovated and in shape to open in the next few months. The doors were locked an only he and the assistant were in the building. As he explains it, he was on the second floor and the assistant was on the first floor over in what is now Bannings Tavern. The owner started to descend the stairs. As he reached the bottom few steps, his assistant came into the theater lobby from the bar and they both heard the elevator “ding” and heard the doors open. A woman stepped out. They were dumbfounded. She looked at them, then she turned around and walked straight through the theater doors – without opening them. The owner and his assistant ran into the theater. They saw no trace of the woman, but they would never forget her face. The owner started to research everything he could about the theater. He asked all the old folks who knew the old stories Easton and he found out that there had been a murder at the Avalon Theater – many years ago. It seemed a young actress was murdered and her dead body was found in the Avalon elevator.

The owner started to descend the stairs. As he reached the bottom few steps, his assistant came into the theater lobby from the bar and they both heard the elevator “ding” and heard the doors open. A woman stepped out. They were dumbfounded. She looked at them, then she turned around and walked straight through the theater doors – without opening them. The owner and his assistant ran into the theater. They saw no trace of the woman, but they would never forget her face. The owner started to research everything he could about the theater. He asked all the old folks who knew the old stories Easton and he found out that there had been a murder at the Avalon Theater – many years ago. It seemed a young actress was murdered and her dead body was found in the Avalon elevator. Continue reading Elevator Ghost in Easton

My Scary Night at the Robert Morris Inn in Oxford

The Robert Morris Inn in Oxford, MD

I knew the Robert Morris Inn was haunted, but I never expected to have my own ghostly experience there. Out of the 140 + ghost stories I’ve collected on the Eastern Shore, I’ve only had a handful of personal experiences at these sites.  The Robert Morris Inn is one of those places.

The Robert Morris Inn in Oxford, Maryland has been an anchor for the town since 1710 when it was built – and Oxford was one of the largest ports in Maryland. The building was always an inn or tavern, and  was there long before Robert Morris ever set foot in the place. It only  took on his name once the wealthy developer moved into it.

In my post Robert Morris Inn – Guest Flees in the NightI tell the story of a guest who fled Room 1 in the middle of the night because of the ghostly happenings that went on in the room.  She left a note that described some of what happened.  What a great story that was!  I figured the guest was some kind of psychic medium who was in touch with spirits.  Those kinds of things rarely happen to me. Continue reading My Scary Night at the Robert Morris Inn in Oxford

Robert E. Lee in St. Michaels – Who Knew?

Col. Joseph Kemp built this Georgian home around 1805 on this prominent spot on Talbot Street in St. Michaels. Kemp was a war hero, famous for his role in the Battle of St. Michaels where he commanded a cavalry near San Domingo Creek.

Years later, Oliver Sparks, a Confederate sympathizer occupied the house with his wife. During the Civil War, Sparks entertained General Robert E. Lee and tradition states that General Lee spent two nights at Kemp House.

The house has been a popular Bed & Breakfast for several years and both staff and guests have had encounters with something – or someone in the house. Some believe that the spirit of General Lee comes forward from time to time.   Continue reading Robert E. Lee in St. Michaels – Who Knew?

The Elevator Riding Ghosts of Easton

Easton - Courthouse

Probably one of the weirdest things about the Easton Ghost Walk is the elevator riding ghosts of Easton.  Within two square blocks in the downtown there are five historic buildings whose occupants report strange occurrences with the elevators. Continue reading The Elevator Riding Ghosts of Easton

The Odd Fellows (IOOF) – Skeletons in Their Closets

Easton and Berlin are two of the towns on the Chesapeake Ghost Walks that have lodges built by the Independent Order of the Odd Fellows (IOOF) and both are reportedly haunted.  Maybe “haunted” is the wrong word.  Mystical better describes these buildings.

Berlin Odd Fellow Hall
Berlin Odd Fellows Hall

The Odd Fellows (IOOF) is a fraternal organization that was founded in England in the 1600s.  At that time people in society were class conscious and few helped their neighbors.  When people got sick or their loved ones died, they were left to fend for themselves.  Many didn’t have enough money to bury their own dead.  Continue reading The Odd Fellows (IOOF) – Skeletons in Their Closets

The Witches of Plain Dealing Creek – Valliant Brothers Murder

Plain Dealing Creek near the old Chamberlain plantation.
Plain Dealing Creek near the old Chamberlain plantation.

There have only ever been 5 witch trials recorded in Maryland’s history and two them were alleged witches who lived and practiced on Plain Dealing Creek in Talbot County.  The creek was also the site of the Valliant brothers legend where one brother murdered the other over buried treasure.  Continue reading The Witches of Plain Dealing Creek – Valliant Brothers Murder