Haunted Boston

Reviews

Boston Globe, Sidekick
By: Meredith Goldstein
October 25, 2006

The Haunted

There’s something strange in our neighborhood. Actually, there are
quite a few sites that could use some ghostbusting in this city.l
Boston, like many locales in New England, is supposedly filled
with haunted spots. This comes in handy during Halloween when
we’re looking for magic and mystery – and to scare the bejeezus
out of our friends. l
In honor of the season, we asked a group of experts on the supernatural to tell us about their favorite creepy places. Notice that none of them mention Fenway Park – because they’re not crazy. We just had a bad team this year. Stop blaming the ghosts, people.l

Site of the Hanging Tree on Boston Common
Expert: Hillary Kidd, owner of Haunted Boston Ghost Tours
Back when it was OK to hang people (in the 17th century), the accused were put to death on the Hanging Tree. The tree, which no longer exists, was on the Tremont Street side of the Common by the intersection of Park Street. Apparently, ghosts of people executed at the site (including Quaker Mary Dyer) still linger in that area. According to Kidd, “The homeless won’t even go near the spot.” She adds, “I’ve pretty much become comfortable taking the walk, but I’m used to it. I have a lot of visitors who are creeped out at that part of the tour.”l

Photos by Robert Spencer for the Boston Globe

Beacon Hill apartment
Expert: Holly Nadler, author of “Ghosts of Boston Town”l
Nadler can’t get too specific about which Beacon Hill unit is haunted (she doesn’t want to upset the owner), but she says one of them is possessed by a female ghost who may have ruined a marriage. Nadler tells this story: In the early 1990s, a young man rented the top floor of a Pinckney Street building from a friend. The subletter noticed that a former tenant had left some vintage ‘50s dresses in a closet, and soon he began hearing high-pitched moans and screams. After doing some research, he discovered that a woman who once lived in the building had committed suicide. It didn’t faze him much – until his own girlfriend began to behave strangely. The man decided his girlfriend was possessed,l somehow, by the ghost in the apartment. He proposed, assuming commitment would fix their problems, but it was no use. Nadler says the man filed for an annulment as soon as he returned from the honeymoon, blaming the jealous ghost for ruining the relationship. We think it was serious cold feet, but we’re no expert.l

Central Burial Ground on Boston Common
Expert: Evan O’Brien, guide with Ghosts & Gravestones tour
O’Brien likes to visit this popular spot for Halloween tours,l conveniently located near the Hanging Tree. O’Brien tells the story that many haunted experts do, about a young girl in a white dress holding a bouquet of flowers who has tried to prevent folks from leaving (she apparently tried to trap a Boston dentist inside the gates in the 1970s). Even if you don’t see the ghost, O’Brien says the place is bleak enough at night to give you the chills.l

Cutler Majestic Theatre
Expert: Christopher Balzano, founder and director of Massachusetts Paranormal Crossroads.l
No list would be complete without a theater, right? Balzano says the Emerson College venue is haunted by multiple ghosts. One is the spirit of a janitor, who hangs out onstage. Another is the ghost of an older woman who spends her time in the dressing room. Most of the spirits reside on the closed third-floor balcony, where they have reportedly been spotted by theater crews. Balzano says what’s notable about these ghosts is that they seem to want to be a part of the action. Sometimes the spirits pull the seats down.l Other times they turn the lights on and off during productions. “It’s almost as if the ghosts don’t like the play,” Balzano says.l

The fountain on Hanover Street in the North End
Expert: Laurie Cabot, known as the official witch of Salem
Let’s be clear – this spot isn’t as much haunted as it is magical.l Halloween is a grand affair for witches, says Cabot, and while Salem is the real place for them to be on Tuesday night, the North End fountain is a bewitching spot for the cauldron set. Cabot says you’re supposed to leave an offering at the fountain – a pebble,l coin, or “magic stone” – as a token for a wish. “It reflects the sky and the light and therefore it’s a magical place. It’s sacred,l basically,” she says, adding that you shouldn’t wear a silly costume when you visit: “It’s witches’ New Year. It’s a time to make resolutions. You dress up in your finest.”l

The Central Burial Ground on Boston Common gives off an eerie glow at night



Reviews Boston Globe, Sidekick By: Meredith Goldstein October 25, 2006 The Haunted There’s something strange in our neighborhood. Actually, there are quite a few sites that could use some ghostbusting in this city.l Boston, like many locales in New England, is supposedly filled with haunted spots. This comes in handy during Halloween when we’re looking for magic and mystery – and to scare the bejeezus out of our friends. l In honor of the season, we asked a group of experts on the supernatural to tell us about their favorite creepy places. Notice that none of them mention Fenway Park – because they’re not crazy. We just had a bad team this year. Stop blaming the ghosts, people.l Site of the Hanging Tree on Boston Common Expert: Hillary Kidd, owner of Haunted Boston Ghost Tours Back when it was OK to hang people (in the 17th century), the accused were put to death on the Hanging Tree. The tree, which no longer exists, was on the Tremont Street side of the Common by the intersection of Park Street. Apparently, ghosts of people executed at the site (including Quaker Mary Dyer) still linger in that area. According to Kidd, “The homeless won’t even go near the spot.” She adds, “I’ve pretty much become comfortable taking the walk, but I’m used to it. I have a lot of visitors who are creeped out at that part of the tour.”l Photos by Robert Spencer for the Boston Globe Beacon Hill apartment Expert: Holly Nadler, author of “Ghosts of Boston Town”l Nadler can’t get too specific about which Beacon Hill unit is haunted (she doesn’t want to upset the owner), but she says one of them is possessed by a female ghost who may have ruined a marriage. Nadler tells this story: In the early 1990s, a young man rented the top floor of a Pinckney Street building from a friend. The subletter noticed that a former tenant had left some vintage ‘50s dresses in a closet, and soon he began hearing high-pitched moans and screams. After doing some research, he discovered that a woman who once lived in the building had committed suicide. It didn’t faze him much – until his own girlfriend began to behave strangely. The man decided his girlfriend was possessed,l somehow, by the ghost in the apartment. He proposed, assuming commitment would fix their problems, but it was no use. Nadler says the man filed for an annulment as soon as he returned from the honeymoon, blaming the jealous ghost for ruining the relationship. We think it was serious cold feet, but we’re no expert.l Central Burial Ground on Boston Common Expert: Evan O’Brien, guide with Ghosts & Gravestones tour O’Brien likes to visit this popular spot for Halloween tours,l conveniently located near the Hanging Tree. O’Brien tells the story that many haunted experts do, about a young girl in a white dress holding a bouquet of flowers who has tried to prevent folks from leaving (she apparently tried to trap a Boston dentist inside the gates in the 1970s). Even if you don’t see the ghost, O’Brien says the place is bleak enough at night to give you the chills.l Cutler Majestic Theatre Expert: Christopher Balzano, founder and director of Massachusetts Paranormal Crossroads.l No list would be complete without a theater, right? Balzano says the Emerson College venue is haunted by multiple ghosts. One is the spirit of a janitor, who hangs out onstage. Another is the ghost of an older woman who spends her time in the dressing room. Most of the spirits reside on the closed third-floor balcony, where they have reportedly been spotted by theater crews. Balzano says what’s notable about these ghosts is that they seem to want to be a part of the action. Sometimes the spirits pull the seats down.l Other times they turn the lights on and off during productions. “It’s almost as if the ghosts don’t like the play,” Balzano says.l The fountain on Hanover Street in the North End Expert: Laurie Cabot, known as the official witch of Salem Let’s be clear – this spot isn’t as much haunted as it is magical.l Halloween is a grand affair for witches, says Cabot, and while Salem is the real place for them to be on Tuesday night, the North End fountain is a bewitching spot for the cauldron set. Cabot says you’re supposed to leave an offering at the fountain – a pebble,l coin, or “magic stone” – as a token for a wish. “It reflects the sky and the light and therefore it’s a magical place. It’s sacred,l basically,” she says, adding that you shouldn’t wear a silly costume when you visit: “It’s witches’ New Year. It’s a time to make resolutions. You dress up in your finest.”l The Central Burial Ground on Boston Common gives off an eerie glow at night
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