Deena West Budd

The historic Elmwood Farm located on Route C a few miles outside of Palmyra is said by the current owner to be haunted by numerous spirits. Fortunately, owner Janice Dyer has conducted extensive research on the history of her property and has been able to identify several of the ghosts.

In the year 1884, just west of the town of Mexico, Missouri, was an area designated as the “Ghost District” due to the frequent sightings of paranormal activity on the hill of the main county road.

Although Christmas is usually a time of joy and good cheer, in the year 1900, for the small neighborhood community of Woodland, Missouri, the happiest of holidays were marred by a terrifying and noisy creature. Five miles southwest of Palmyra, at the intersection of Highways F and E, are a few houses - the remains of the small unincorporated community of Woodland, Missouri...

According to the 29 November 1934 issue of the Jefferson City Post-Tribune, the “Ghost of Paris” had been “stalking” the little town every October beginning in 1864. However, in 1934, the ghost didn’t make its annual visit until November, and it had acquired the trait of peeping in windows...

A fire on the night of last December 17 that destroyed the vacant duplex located at 326/328 S. Arch brought to my mind a time years ago, when my friends lived in the home. The year was 1980, and the group of five or six friends lived in the 326 side of the duplex for a very short period of time...

In the early part of the year 1900, Palmyra was plagued with an apparition that was witnessed by many of the town’s most distinguished citizens. In early February of 1900, the city marshal of Palmyra, W.B. Markell, was forced to post a notice requesting that the reckless shooting that had “been indulged in, on account of the ghost scare in town” stop, or the offenders would be arrested... Read Mor

With a new year on the horizon, this is often the time when we take a look back at events and memories from past years. In the 1930s, renowned folklorist and Quincy native Harry Hyatt returned home from New York City to visit his sister, Minnie Hyatt Small...

Halloween is the time of year when those of us who enjoy being scared are happiest. We have many opportunities to be “frightened” all month long by visiting “haunted” houses, mazes and corn fields set up around the area. There are, however, places all around Hannibal that are haunted all year long by apparitions and entities...

Most of us who have grown up in Hannibal have had an opportunity to tour our beloved historical Rockcliffe Mansion at least once over the years. Tourists to our hometown usually include a visit to Rockclilffe Mansion as well. I have talked with many people over the years who are adamant that the historical home is haunted.

Villa Kathrine, the lovely Moorish-like castle built on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River in Quincy, has such an interesting history that I am not surprised to find a few spirits involved in the legend as well. Although I found quite a few articles about William George Metz, the man who built Villa Kathrine, at www...