GHOSTS AMONG US

Very Few People Know What Happened at this Haunted Lighthouse

Credit: Rythik

Fear lurks around every corner, even where you least expect it. While we have all squirmed in our seats watching movies about ghostly, possessed houses, nothing beats the thrill of exploring real-life haunted places. And our planet hosts sites that could send even the bravest souls running for cover!

Come with us to visit the 10 most haunted locations in the world, where many venture, but few dare to return. Are you ready? Join us if you are brave enough!

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The majestic Stanley Hotel opened its doors in Colorado in 1909. With its colonial style, large spaces and facilities, 140 rooms, and proximity to Rocky Mountain National Park, the hotel's picturesque setting is ideal for supernatural tales.

Both guests and staff members have reported objects inexplicably moving, voices or screams echoing through the halls, and ephemeral apparitions that vanish into thin air.

In the 1970s, American famous writer Stephen King and his wife Tabitha spent a night at the hotel. This visit served as the inspiration for King's novel "The Shining." You can imagine the spooky experiences that may have fueled the author’s mind.

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Picture an island full of tall trees from which hundreds of old dolls hang, damaged by the passage of time and inclement weather.

Well, this place exists in real life. The Island of the Dead Dolls in Mexico (in Spanish, La Isla de las Muñecas) is one of the creepiest places on Earth. Legend has it that the ghost of a little girl roams the island, and numerous visitors have reported hearing the dolls speaking or giggling.

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Besides its pleasant atmosphere and diverse menu, this renowned New York restaurant holds a mysterious attraction: the presence of ghosts.

Or at least that's what the legends say. According to them, the spirits of the site's former owners, Aaron Burr and his daughter Theodosia, still haunt the place. Rumors abound of employees encountering various paranormal phenomena, from whistling noises to disembodied voices, flickering lights, and unexplained cold spots.

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Poveglia is an island near Venice, Italy. But this island stands in stark contrast to the romantic and picturesque image associated with Venice. Once inhabited, the island was abandoned in the 14th century. From the 18th century onwards, it served as a quarantine site for those afflicted with the plague. Later, in the 20th century, it became a mental health facility, which shut its doors in 1968. Since then, it has been empty.

Some people who were able to enter the island claim that all kinds of screams and paranormal occurrences take place at this site. Today, visits to Poveglia are forbidden, adding a touch of suspicion and intrigue to its already ominous history.

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The St. Augustine Lighthouse, erected at the end of the 19th century, holds a couple of tales that will give you chills.

Like many lighthouses, it is veiled in mystery. Among its well-known legends is the tragic tale of the keeper who fell from the tower while painting it. Locals and visitors claim to have witnessed his spectral figure, and some even speak of encountering his wife's ghost wandering within the lighthouse's confines.

Today, the site houses a museum that delves into its history since its inception. Are you brave enough to explore it?

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Built atop Castle Rock, Edinburgh Castle's exact origins remain a mystery, with some experts tracing its construction to the 11th century. Over its extensive history, this fortress has accumulated countless ghost tales and myths.

With its beginnings as a royal residence and later mutation into a prison in the 17th century, this dark and gloomy castle's history has influenced its atmosphere.

Stories from guests say that the souls of those who perished within its walls, including former prisoners, linger within Edinburgh Castle, making their presence known to visitors.

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Abandoned sites often carry a weird aura, but few match the chilling reputation of Bhangarh Fort in India. Built in the 17th century, this huge complex served as both a royal residence and fortress, and it now stands as one of the most haunted places in the world.

According to local legends, Bhangarh Fort was cursed centuries ago by a powerful sorcerer, sealing its fate and prompting its abandonment. To this day, many people who visit it claim to feel, hear, and see paranormal events triggered by the ancient spell.

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Operating from 1829 to 1971, this former prison housed some of the world's most notorious criminals, including Al Capone. Left abandoned for over 20 years after its closure, the penitentiary's towering walls and dim interiors contribute to its creepy aura.

Today, the site serves as a museum, and during visits, tourists learn about the terrible stories that happened within its walls and the paranormal events they unleashed. It's said that the lingering spirits of past convicts may still roam the premises, scaring those who dare to enter the place.

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Himeji Castle is one of the most famous castles in the world and one of the best preserved in Japan, boasting a rich history dating back to its origins as a 14th-century fort. Over the centuries, its design and construction evolved into the magnificent structure you can see today. Situated on a hilltop, the imposing castle boasts grandeur and complexity with over 80 rooms and intricate defensive features.

Local folklore tells that inside the castle, a worker was unjustly accused and condemned to death. His restless spirit is said to linger, manifesting in mysterious sounds of clinking dishes and glasses.

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Originally built in the 18th century and further enhanced in the 19th century, the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site is a fortress located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, which covers an area of about 16 acres.

Throughout its long history, this site has witnessed numerous conflicts and military engagements, leaving an indelible mark on the nation's past. But, in addition to its rich historical significance, the Halifax Citadel is renowned for its intriguing tales of ghostly sightings, purportedly of soldiers from bygone eras.

Are you brave enough to embark on a visit? You'd better go with your best armor.

TALES OF THE BULL MOOSE

Discover the amazing life of America’s 26th President, Teddy Roosevelt!

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In 2016, a fake photo of Teddy Roosevelt riding a moose through a lake completely baffled the internet. While the photo was certainly weird, what was so confusing about it was that the one U.S. president we could have expected to ride a wild animal with ease was Theodore Roosevelt. Besides, wasn’t he known as the "Bull Moose" candidate in 1912?

While the moose photo was definitely photoshopped, few American presidents have amassed as many fun and quirky anecdotes as Teddy Roosevelt. We have decided to pay tribute to our 26th president with a small biography that showcases ten moments that show both his fun side, as well as his unbreakable work ethic. Like Teddy Roosevelt once said: "When you play, play hard; when you work, don't play at all."

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We’ll start at the very beginning, in President Roosevelt’s childhood. Born on October 27, 1858, young Teddy was completely different from the image of toughness and resilience his future self would give: he was a frail kid, often troubled by asthma and illness. He was, however, an avid outdoors fan, and would often test the limits of his physical strength outside.

According to a popular myth, President Roosevelt cured his asthma by enduring vigorous exercise. While this isn’t completely true, since he suffered a few asthmatic episodes as an adult, Teddy did go through an intense routine in his teenage years, becoming proficient in boxing, judo, and weightlifting.

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By the fall of 1876, a 17-year-old Teddy started attending Harvard University, where he showed a particular interest in biology, science, and rhetoric. He also participated in rowing and boxing and became an editor for The Harvard Advocate, the university’s art and literary magazine.

If the numerous anecdotes about his time in Harvard are to be believed, Teddy was an energetic and boisterous debater, often striking his hand into his palm to highlight a point. He was also a member of the Porcellian Club, one of the country’s most prestigious final clubs.

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In 1883, while hunting bison in the Dakotas, Teddy became intrigued with the idea of becoming a rancher, since cattle ranching was becoming a booming industry in the territory. He invested $14,000 (over $400,000 by today’s standards), and spent the following years traveling between New York and his ranch in North Dakota, which he named "Elkhorn Ranch".

During his time in North Dakota, Roosevelt published three books on frontier life and helped organize ranchers to address shared issues. The site on which Elkhorn Ranch is still standing, and is a protected unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

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During his time in North Dakota, Roosevelt didn’t settle with just being a rancher: In 1886, he became a deputy sheriff in Billings County. It was during this time that one of the most action-packed anecdotes of his life took place: the time he helped chase down a gang of boat thieves.

After his beloved boat was stolen, Roosevelt enlisted two of his ranch hands and trailed these thieves through the freezing waters of the Little Missouri River. After three days of bravely coursing through the icy and treacherous river, Roosevelt's group tracked down the thieves and apprehended them. Victorious, Teddy spent the long way back home reading Leon Tolstoi’s classic novel "Anna Karenina."

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We are now entering the period that separates young Teddy from President Roosevelt. However, we can still consider these his juvenile years: After all, Teddy is the youngest president in U.S. history.

After William McKinley was assassinated in 1901, Vice President Roosevelt became the 26th American president, at 42 years of age. While Presidents Kennedy and Clinton were pretty close at taking the title (Kennedy was 43 when he was sworn in, and Clinton was 46), Teddy still remains America’s youngest president (for now, at least).

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In 1905, President Roosevelt summoned representatives from Harvard, Columbia, and Yale universities to take on a challenge in sports: the increasing number of injuries and deaths in football. Approximately 45 players died between 1900 and 1905 as a result of collisions, so naturally, Teddy sought to make this beloved sport of his safer.

The changes that Roosevelt added to football include making first down at 10 yards instead of 5, adding a forward pass that would add distance between players, and authorizing a neutral zone between defense and offense. While football is still far from completely safe, these reforms helped reduce the number of casualties and serious injuries.

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Did you have a favorite teddy bear as a child? A little huggable companion called "Buttons" or "Snickerdoodle"? Well, you might be surprised to know that, no matter what you called that fuzzy friend, the name "Teddy Bear" itself pays homage to Teddy Roosevelt.

In 1902, President Roosevelt was invited by Mississippi Governor Andrew H. Longino to a hunting trip on "the Magnolia State.'' Since Teddy hadn’t been able to hunt any animal, a group of hunters on the group cornered and tied a black bear to a tree for him to shoot. However, President Roosevelt refused, since he considered it unsportsmanlike. After this anecdote was featured in a Washington Post cartoon, it sparked so much national interest that a Brooklyn-based businessman designed a toy bear and placed him on the window of his shop with the caption "Teddy’s Bear."

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They say the pen is mightier than the sword, but thanks to this story, we at least know that words are sturdy enough to stop a bullet. In 1912, Teddy Roosevelt was giving a speech in Milwaukee when he suffered an assassination attempt by a man named John Schrank. The would-be assassin shot at the former president, but luckily the bullet was stopped by a stack of papers that contained Roosevelt’s speech.

Determined to prove his "Bull Moose" endurance, Teddy announced to a shocked crowd that he had been shot, only to continue immediately after with his speech. He continued to speak for approximately 90 minutes before finally allowing his staff to take him to a hospital. Roosevelt survived the attempt without any serious injuries, except for the bullet lodged in his ribs that stayed there until his death.

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In 1914, Teddy Roosevelt met the world’s most famous illusionist aboard the SS Imperator. Houdini was returning from a tour through the United Kingdom, while the former president was returning from a European trip that culminated in his son Kermit’s wedding in Madrid. This odd couple became friends quickly and exercised together every morning.

When Houdini was asked by an officer to perform an impromptu show, the illusionist performed a séance on which he correctly conjectured that Roosevelt had recently been on a trip through Brazil. A flabbergasted Teddy (who didn’t know that Houdini already knew that he would be on the ship) then allegedly asked the magician if he dealt with the dark arts.

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We’ll end this article with another time in which President Roosevelt met a famous person, although at a time at which he hadn’t gained notoriety yet. In 1918, a young Theodor Geisel, later known as Dr. Seuss, sold war bonds as part of his Boy Scouts troop. Theodor became one of Springfield’s top bond salesmen, so he was recognized alongside other scouts with an award given by former President Roosevelt.

However, at the ceremony, Teddy accidentally received only nine medals for the ten recipients, and, as luck would have it, young Dr. Seuss was the only one without a medal. Since Roosevelt thought that only nine children had been commended, when Theodor crossed the stage the president asked "What’s this kid doing here?" According to the beloved author, this event was the reason he developed a phobia of speaking in front of large crowds.