Things That Go Bump in the Night

By John Tucker Rowan Public Library

            Do you like tales of things that “go bump in the night?”  What about investigations of historical people who appear to have a paranormal presence?  With Halloween just around the corner, come and see what Rowan Public Library has in its non-fiction Ghost story collection.  For starters, you will want to pick up the book “Dark World” by Zac Bagans.  Mr. Bagans is the former lead investigator of the Ghost Adventures Crew and his book includes “behind the scene” information on some of the most haunted places visited on the television show.  In the name of time allocation, some of the film footage is left on the cutting room floor, so this story fills in the details.  Every good ghost story requires details.  Zac Bagans wants the reader to experience each haunting through his eyes; to feel what it’s like to be scared, pushed, cold, sluggish, whispered-to, creped-out…and more.  Be sure to return it because books like this might just have more frights in store than a mere late fee.  

            A personal favorite of ghostly haunting is the text “Ghosts and their Haunts: The Legends and Lore of the Yadkin River Valley” by Frances H. Casstevens.  The book traces the river valley county by county and shares several tales from each            community.  The chapter on Yadkin County reveals several tales that one might wish to investigate with their own camera and recorder applications on a cell phone.  There are things to see and electronic voices to record during the day light hours.

            On the local front, the book titled “The Wettest and Wickedest Town” by Karen C. Lilly-Bowyer presents a collection of legends and ghost stories from right here in Salisbury, North Carolina.  The book is the result of historical research and paranormal investigations with groups from Charlotte, Greensboro and Lexington.  Local haunted sites include: the Wren House, Hall House, County Administration building and many more.  This collection of haunted tales comprises the Downtown Ghost Walk which began in 2010.   

            Should you prefer to travel to Ashville, North Carolina for your ghostly tales, check out the book “Haunted Ashville” by Joshua P. Warren.  Here you can read about the haunted past of the Grove Park Inn, Reed House which is now the Biltmore Village Inn and let us not forget Zealandia Estate featuring Helen’s Bridge.  The stories are captivating and the historic photos add to the eeriness of each tale.  These phantoms and specters would be fun to investigate on site, but not for the weak of heart.

            Whether your inspiration for ghost hunting stories is to supplement your television viewing, your need for scientific proof, or a walk in the dark where ghost stories come to life; your next step should be directed to Rowan Public Library where many spirited books can haunt your curiosity.