Ghosts Wanted

Episode 18: Putt-Putt Poltergiests

ghostswanted@sbcglobal.net (Richard Carradine) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:33:00 +0000

FOR A MAP OF THIS HAUNTED LOCATION PRESS HERE

This miniaturized merry-land, originally called GOLF LAND II, first dropped its draw-bridge for the public in July of 1975 at a cost of $705,000, and covered five acres of land owned by the city of Los Angeles, but never developed because of its “undesirable nature” (pictured at the bottom). Due to its highly visible site at the north-west corner of the intersection of the 405 and 101 freeway (the busiest interchange in the world), most Angelinos know this place even if they have never set foot inside the fanciful oasis. For the uninitiated, this miniature golf kingdom consists of a mighty castle surrounded by three royal courses designed by the putt-putt savant, William Rameson, who not only figured out each hole, but also designed all the fanciful structures. Over the years, it has been the home to various celebrity miniature golf tournaments.

It may be a place for family fun during the daytime, but late at night, after the park closes, golfers of another kind appear. According to the night shift, all the paranormal activity occurs in the middle section of Course 3, along the northern border of the property, parallel with the southern bank of the Los Angeles River. One encounter involved a giggling little boy, peeking up from behind the bushes (on the hill at the northern most point of the property) who vanished when told that the park was closed. Also, a woman has been seen near the fake "haunted house" on the 6th hole (pictured above) walking along the fence who disappears when a flashlight is shined on her.

The origin of these ghosts (as past down through the decades) is that one night, while playing a round of mini-golf, a mother and her child met with an unfortunate end. The next morning, both were found at the bottom of the adjacent river below course 3 with head injuries. Whether these deaths were the result of a tragic accident or foul play is still a mystery. Although no one has ever verified this story, the legend still persists to this day.

It is also interesting to note that this tale is not unlike the legend of La Llorona , the ghost of a weeping Mexican mother (usually dressed in black), who wanders the banks of rivers and other bodies of water in the South-Western United States and Mexico, grieving for her own drowned children. Could there be a connection? (for more info)

Episode 17: The Glowing Lady

ghostswanted@sbcglobal.net (Richard Carradine) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:38:00 +0000

FOR A MAP OF THIS HAUNTED LOCATION PRESS HERE

In episode 17, Ghosts Wanted went out in search of a glowing lady, but found dead "Native Americans" instead. Though, there is always the possibility that this ghost has been mistakenly reported as a "woman" when it might be a Native American man with long hair and tribal garb.

Then again, given the buildings checkered past, the restless spirit is most likely is that of a tormented female. Regardless, if anyone has info on the burial practices of this local tribe, please contact us.

episode 17

Episode 15: Dead Man's Curve

ghostswanted@sbcglobal.net (Richard Carradine) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:40:00 +0000

FOR A MAP OF THE HAUNTED LOCATION PRESS HERE

Although the Jan and Dean song "Dead Man's Curve" is based on a section of Sunset Blvd. (near UCLA), Mulholland Drive is the street that comes to mind to most locals when the term "Dead Man's Curve" is used in conversation, due to its hair-pin turn that has claimed many lives. The majority of "curve related" deaths occured back in the days of illegal street racing along this stretch of highway (between Laurel Canyon and Coldwater Canyon) as seen in the the movie "King of the Mountain."

The Friday and Saturday night racing rituals are said to have started sometime in the 1950's and extended all the way into the 1980's, until a minor (who was a passenger of a racing car) died in a fatal collision. The tragic event caught the attention of the public, and in turn, pressured the police to crack down with road blocks, curfews, and an increased presence. Thus, the racing moved out of the hills and into the valley. When filming episode 15, it was discovered that the cameraman had a personal connection to this location. He was a friend and classmate of the young man, whose death sparked the end of this deadly curve's reign of terror.

(Ground-breaking ceremony for Mulholland Drive)

TO SEE THE "MISSION SPIRITS" EPISODE PRESS HERE

TO SEE THE "VIDEO STORE" EPISODE PRESS HERE

Episode 14: The Phantom Low-Rider

ghostswanted@sbcglobal.net (Richard Carradine) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:50:00 +0000

FOR A MAP OF THIS HAUNTED LOCATION PRESS HERE

Episode 14 joins Psychic Lee Barron on a late night road trip as he travels down historic Highway 99 as he does his best to sense the ghastly presence of the elusive haunted low-rider that eternally cruises the San Fernando Valley.

In a feat never before attempted by any psychic, Lee will attempt to sense these paranormal entities from a moving vehicle. Episode 14 also introduces the new and improved Psychic Lee Barron cam.

WATER LEVEL: HIGH (NEXT TO CAR WASH)

Episode 13: The Haunted Hanging Tree

ghostswanted@sbcglobal.net (Richard Carradine) — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 15:27:00 +0000

FOR A MAP OF THIS HAUNTED LOCATION PRESS HERE

Episode 13 brings Psychic Lee Barron to the foot of an old Sycamore tree, the last remaining in a row of trees that were used to hang vagrants and ne'er do well's that were kicking up too much dust. Sycamore Ave. eventually repaced this grusome grove, leaving only one troubled tree behind to tell the tale.

The craggy branches still sway in their slow and menacing dance of death, yet instead of overlooking a rag-tag crowd of blood thirsty ranchers and prospectors, the Sycamore tree now casts a shadow upon wealthy Hollywood neighborhood known as the "Outpost Estates." (The area photographed below in 1928, same area photographed above in 1853)

WATER LEVEL: LOW (POSSIBLE WATER LINES AND SEWER UNDER STREET)

Episode 12: The Invisible Vaudevillian

ghostswanted@sbcglobal.net (Richard Carradine) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 01:38:00 +0000

FOR A MAP OF THIS HAUNTED LOCATION PRESS HERE

Triggered by overwhelming response to our "haunted statue" of Carthay Circle episode, Ghosts Wanted has received information from a loyal viewer whose aunt used to work at the Fox Carthay Circle Theatre before it was demolished and replaced by a contemporary nondescript office building. The woman claimed that the popular theatre was haunted by the ghost of a vaudeville actor who died on stage. GW takes Psychic Lee Barron on a midnight journey to see if that ghost remains, despite his new surroundings.

The GW research department is currently trying to confirm the validity of this death claim. Recent developments suggest that a woman perished during a performance sometime during the fifties when the Fox Theatre was still host to both live drama alongside its cinema. If anyone has any information regarding the vaudeville history of the Fox Carthay Theatre, please contact GW immediately.

TO SEE THE "HAUNTED STATUE" EPISODE PRESS HERE

WATER LEVEL: MEDIUM (ACTIVE SPRINKLERS)

Episode 11: Pasadena's Suicide Bridge

ghostswanted@sbcglobal.net (Richard Carradine) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 19:34:00 +0000

FOR A MAP OF THIS HAUNTED LOCATION PRESS HERE

Welcome to Pasadena. Familiar home of quaint antique shops, the Rose Bowl Flea Market, and the bustle of corporate shops and gourmet restaurants of the revitalized Old Town. Yet the beautiful historic Colorado street bridge that welcomes college football fans and Art Center freshman each year, is in fact, swamped with death. This bridge is one of the most famous suicide spots in the world, earning it the most appropriate title of "Suicide Bridge".In perhaps the scariest Ghost Wanted Episode to date, Lee Barron walks the path of the forlorn and revisits the memories of their last moments...some intentional...others accidental. Journey with GW underneath the bridge where the crew experiences a rise in paranormal activity, and witness the near death of an all to daring cyclist who breaks the rules of the road. See it...and believe!

WATER LEVEL: HIGH (BRIDGE DIRECTLY OVER RIVER)

Episode 10: The Ghost of Orson Welles

ghostswanted@sbcglobal.net (Richard Carradine) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 20:59:00 +0000

FOR A MAP OF THIS HAUNTED LOCATION PRESS HERE

For years, rumors have circulated about the spirit of Orson Welles lingering at his favorite restaurant, Ma Maison, which is now home to the well known gourmet bakery Sweet Lady Jane, a place which resonates with a sort of "tea and crumpets" kind of atmosphere. Small, quaint and crowded as it is, there is always room for ghosts...but does this little cafe truly entertain such great company as the hungry ghost of Orson Welles?

The Ghosts Wanted Crew begs to differ. Research has led GW to the discovery that this cafe is NOT on the original spot of the famed Ma Maison restaurant, whose original glory has faded. There is a contemporary version of Ma Maison located across the street from Cedars-Sinai Hospital, but this is approximately one mile away from the scene of the ghost. Watch Episode 10 now to find out where Mr. Welles spirit is eating now!

WATER LEVEL: MEDIUM (NEXT TO LARGE KITCHEN)

Episode 9: The Video Store Poltergeist

ghostswanted@sbcglobal.net (Richard Carradine) — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 18:16:00 +0000

FOR A MAP OF THIS HAUNTED LOCATION PRESS HERE

In one of the last video rental stores in the United States, nestled deep in the Valley, there is a dark and strange presence ... without a face, without a name. Amid the dusty shelves of video cassettes and glossy dvds there lingers a "strange energy", making the employees and clients unreasonably uncomfortable. Something has always been off kilter, but what?

In Episode 10, Ghosts Wanted makes an after-hours midnight journey to confront this evil energy. What Psychic Lee Barron discovers is that there are infact two different sources of evil, which is not uncommon in highly negative energy zones that can act as a magnet for dark energy.

The greater question to ask: Long after the shelves have been cleared of these cumbersome cinematic remnants, and we sit safe in our homes with cinema downloaded comfortably into our home computers, will the poltergeist remain a lonely ghost or leave this locale in search of darker pastures? WATER LEVEL: LOW (OVERHEAD SPRINKLERS)

Episode 8: The Vanishing Hitchhiker

ghostswanted@sbcglobal.net (Richard Carradine) — Thu, 22 May 2008 01:02:00 +0000

FOR A MAP OF THIS HAUNTED LOCATION PRESS HERE

A strange force drew me to the graveyard...I stood in the dark...I saw the shadows wave...And then I looked and saw my sweater...Lying there upon her grave...Strange things happen in this world. So closes the song, "Strange Things Happen" by Dickey Lee, recorded in 1965 for the album Laurie and the Girl from Peyton Place. This popular ghost ballad has become a part of the folklore tradition of the Vanishing Hitchhiker, the tale of a young woman at the side of the road forever trying to catch a ride home. In most versions, the demure and quiet passenger disappears before arriving at her destination.

This mythic moll has been spotted in San Fernando Valley (on the "Camino Real") just beyond the doors of the old mission, and Ghosts Wanted is on the scene to put the legend to test. Neighborhood gossip circulates tales of a woman in white as well as an apparition of a cat lady with a host of feline followers. Add a splash of neighborhood mortuary and we have a recipe for Ghosts! Watch Episode 8 to see if our fearless Psyhic Lee Barron gets more than he bargained for.

TO SEE THE "MISSION SPIRITS" EPISODE PRESS HERE

WATER LEVEL: HIGH (ACTIVE FOUNTAIN)

Episode 7: Victor Kilian's Ghost

ghostswanted@sbcglobal.net (Richard Carradine) — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 15:15:00 +0000

FOR A MAP OF THIS HAUNTED LOCATION PRESS HERE

Amid the bustling touristas and grimy costumed hustlers that create the evening frenzy in front of Grauman's Chinese Theater walks a troubled ghost, the lost spirit of murdered actor Victor Killian, who travels his path of death each night on the Walk of Fame. At the time of his death on March 11, 1979, the Chinese Theatre had most recently honored George Burns with a hand and footprints ceremony, and the biggest film opening that year would be Star Trek.

Active in Hollywood since 1932, this spectacled bald man was most recently famed for his role as the Fernwood Flasher on the seventies television series Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. But earlier in his life he mastered macabre roles such as Dr. Cyclops (1940) and Esmerelda's hangman in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939).

A life in Hollywood often leads to a death in Hollywood, and in Victor's case, it was literal. He was murdered in his residence at 6500 Yucca Street in the Lido Apartments, steps away from his beloved Hollywood Boulevard. Kilian was known to enjoy cocktails nightly at a local bar and then walk home in a tipsy reverie. Unfortunately, one night he made the wrong kind of friends, and now, for Victor, the dream never ends. WATER LEVEL: LOW (POSSIBLE WATER MAIN OR SEWER UNDER STREET)

Episode 6: The Los Feliz Bathroom

ghostswanted@sbcglobal.net (Richard Carradine) — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 04:28:00 +0000

FOR A MAP TO THIS HAUNTED LOCATION PRESS HERE

In our first residential investigation, the GW crew feels the presence of a very active apartment ghost in the hipster enclave known as Los Feliz. Tucked away in a first floor unit in a mid-century modern building, Jackie and her roommate(s) have been sharing a desirable two bedroom, two bathroom charmer.

Unfortunately, the primary restroom is hopping with unrest, and Jackie is ready to confront this unlikely invasion of privacy. Watch as Psychic Lee Barron uncovers the mystery behind...THE HAUNTED BATHROOM.

WATER LEVEL: HIGH (SURROUNDED BY WATER PIPES AND NEAR RESERVOIR)

Episode 5: The La Brea Tar Pits of Death

ghostswanted@sbcglobal.net (Richard Carradine) — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:13:00 +0000

FOR A MAP OF THIS HAUNTED LOCATION PRESS HERE

Psychic Lee Barron investigates the ghosts of Miracle mile in Episode 5: The La Brea Tar Pits of Death. Since the dawn of time, this Hancock Park natural pool of viscous tar has led to the demise of many a prehistoric mammal, including large and threatening beasts such as saber-tooth tigresses and wooly mammoths. The tar reaches the surface at several locations in the park, forming pools. Methane gas also seeps up, causing bubbles which makes the asphalt appear to boil like a witch's cauldron.

Because the Ghost Wanted crew only investigates after sundown, Psychic Lee Barron was unable to legally gain access to the park grounds, so the reading was performed at the gated entrance, adjacent to Koo Koo Roo's and the Craft & Folk Art Museum.

Fortunately, Lee was still able to uncover a number of significant human death imprints in the foliage surrounding the park, as well as the strong energy of a recent crime scene shooting and a fatal car accident.

WATER LEVEL: HIGH (NEXT TO LAKE OF WATER?TAR MIXTURE)

UPDATE 3/5/09

A docent form Pit 91 has informed GHOSTS WANTED that the pool of tar that Psychic Lee Barron is standing in front of in this video is a man-made reservoir (and not actually a "pit").

Before the archeological value of these naturally ocurring pits was realized, people used to buy this tar to patch roofs and roads. So, a reservoir was dug next to Whilshire Blvd. to hold the black goo, and make it more accessable for trucks.

Thus, there are no pre-historic remains in this lake of tar shown in the video, which means that once again Psychic Lee Barron was correct when he could not "feel" any animals in that "tar pit."

Episode 4: Mission San Fernando

ghostswanted@sbcglobal.net (Richard Carradine) — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 05:26:00 +0000

FOR A MAP OF THIS HAUNTED LOCATION PRESS HERE

In this exciting GHOSTS WANTED episode, Lee Barron meets the guardians at the gate...the legendary "Indian" at the door...plus five more souls! Our crew also discovers mysterious small blue spirits at the second gate, possibly the souls of children who have found peace and comfort among the walls of the oldest mission in Los Angeles.

The Mission San Fernando, Rey de Espana, was established in 1797 as one of a chain of missions which were built to convert the native peoples (Tongva) to Christianity and to consolidate Spanish power along the coast of California. The establishment of the missions in California was traumatic for the Native Indians, as they were forced to change their lifestyle, beliefs and culture.

The Mission was utilized in a number of ways during the late 1800s; it was a station for the Butterfield Stage Lines; it served as a warehouse for the Porter Land and Water Company; and in 1896, the quadrangle was used as a hog farm. San Fernando's church became a working church again in 1923 when the Oblate priests arrived.

WATER LEVEL: HIGH (ACTIVE FOUNTAIN)

UPDATE 5/21/08

GHOSTS WANTED returned to this location to follow up on another ghost.

TO SEE THE "VANISING HITCHHIKER" EPISODE PRESS HERE

Episode 3: The Haunted Statue

ghostswanted@sbcglobal.net (Richard Carradine) — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 03:09:00 +0000

FOR A MAP OF THIS HAUNTED LOCATION PRESS HERE

Sadly, this historic bronze was witness to the deaths of two young children who played, perhaps too adventurously, amongst the rocks and water at its feet. Psychic Lee Barron was able to sense the death imprint of two separate incidents where young boys met their last day by receiving fatal concussions on the boulders while playing in the fountain. Lee senses that the incidents are twenty five years apart, due to the varying strengths of the "signals".

Here is a photograph from 1927 depicting the statue in its original state as the centerpiece for a peaceful fountain in front of the Fox Carthay Circle theater. The popular cinema palace no longer stands, but was on par with Grauman's Chinese Theater in reputation, and hosted grand premieres and celebrities of the day. Click here to read the amazing history of this cinema palace and to see photos of the modern monstrosity which now takes its place.

WATER LEVEL: MEDIUM (FORMER POIND, PIPES UNDERNEATH)

UPDATE! 3/16/08

In a bizarre GHOSTS WANTED twist of fate, the statue of the miner at Carthay Circle, which was the subject of our last episode, was hijacked by scrap metal thieves and nearly boiled down and shipped to China.

Article reprinted in full from Los Angeles Times, February 16, 2006:
Police strike pay dirt in hunt for stolen statue of miner
The bronze miner who stood for 80 years in a Mid-City park suffered the height of indignities.

He was ripped from his pedestal in the park two blocks from Beverly Hills, cut in half above the knees and trucked to a scrap yard on Alameda Street south of downtown. There he was thrown amid the lumpen metal masses -- common copper plumbing, old radiators, transmissions and beer kegs.

Fortunately, police found the miner before he was crushed in the bailer, sent to China and melted in a foundry forge. And they may have ended a peculiar crime spree as well.

Residents of Carthay Circle were delighted to learn the old miner survived, albeit with amputated legs.

"I'm glad he's only cut in half and not melted down," said Judy Moore, president of the Carthay Circle Neighborhood Assn. "At least he didn't go into the witch's brew to become God knows what." Moore said the neighborhood association is willing to help pay to fix the miner.

UPDATE 7/6/08

GHOSTS WANTED returned to this location to follow up on another ghost.

TO SEE "INVISIBLE VAUDEVILLIAN" EPISODE PRESS HERE

UPDATE 1/8/09

The "cursed" statue returns home! ...But, for how long?

UPDATE 1/8/09

According to an L.A.Times article dated Feb.19, 1939, the intersection where the "cursed" statue resides was infamous for the numerous "terrible smash-ups" that occurred as a result of ten lanes of traffic (and two trolley lines) that at that time converged around the statue's island. (The "accident problem" was later solved by converting some of the streets to "one-way" traffic.)

UPDATE 5/13/09

The "miner of misfortune" has once again been attacked. This time he may have been the target of a hate crime. The word "Jew" was spray-painted across his mining pan.

Episode 2: The Spirit of Bess Houdini

ghostswanted@sbcglobal.net (Richard Carradine) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 19:47:00 +0000

FOR A MAP TO THIS HAUNTED LOCATION PRESS HERE

Ghosts Wanted returns to Laurel Canyon to investigate the ruins of the real Houdini mansion. Contrary to standard Houdini mansion investigations, Lee Barron stations his investigation across the street amongst the foundation of the guest house that was once connected to the estate. At the time of filming, Lee was not informed of the history of the grounds, and was only instructed by crew to contact Houdini. Instead, he was only able to perceive strongly the energy of an older woman who lived alone, but received many guests. GHOSTS WANTED believes that he has detected the residual energy of Bess Houdini.

The Laurel Canyon Association reports as much in their historical record:

By the time Harry Houdini had moved to Laurel Canyon, he was already a rich and famous celebrity. He had come to California to further his fortune in the Hollywood film industry. In actuality, he had spent little time at his lavish estate on Laurel Canyon Boulevard before he died. His wife, Bess, lived out her days at the estate's guest house, using the mansion to conduct seances with her dead husband.

The date of his death was October 31, 1926 -- Halloween, one of three days (October 31-November 2) of Samhain, the Celtic New Year, when the veil between the living and the dead allegedly is at its thinnest and the living can make contact with the dead.

WATER LEVEL: MEDIUM (NEAR UNDERGROUND RIVER)

Episode 1: The Phantom Carriage

ghostswanted@sbcglobal.net (Richard Carradine) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 19:45:00 +0000

FOR A MAP TO THIS HAUNTED LOCATION PRESS HERE

For the premiere webisode of Ghosts Wanted, Psychic Lee Barron investigates the intersection of Laurel Canyon and Lookout Mountain based on a neighborhood tip that a haunted stagecoach arrives every night at midnight. While Frank Zappa lived here in the 1960's, in the 1860's Los Angeles was only 10 years old and the Spaniards and Mexican "Californios" were fighting for control of the land formerly home to the Tongva Native American Tribes.

Yet, is it possible that the sounds of crackling branches could be the residual energy of the First Trackless Trolley in America? The Laurel Canyon Trackless Trolley (technological ancestor to the electric car) was operating briefly after the turn of the century by the Laurel Canyon Utility Company in order to create real estate interest, but failed because the roads were not paved. Trolley transportation did not return to Los Angeles again until 1947.

WATER LEVEL: HIGH (DIRECTLY OVER UNDERGROUND RIVER)