Ghost Stories Some More?

November 2014 at the Oysterville Store - Photo by Tucker

October 2014 at the Oysterville Store – Photo by Tucker Wachsmuth

Back in October of 2014, when I did an evening book-signing at the Oysterville Store, proprietor Greg ‘set the stage’ with candlelight and his mother’s magnificent sculpture of a raven perched nearby. The thought was that I’d tell some of the circumstances surrounding the tales in Ghost Stories of the Long Beach Peninsula and then audience members could share stories of their own.

In the back of my mind, of course, was thought that maybe, just maybe, there would be enough new information to provide a sequel. I did, in fact, learn about some interesting ghosts – in particular one called “The Lady of the Bay” who apparently appears now and then to travelers as they drive the road from the Peninsula to Johnson’s Landing. It was intriguing, but a snippet only, and I’ve not been able to find any substantial (or even corroborating) information about this ‘lady.’ I’m still on the lookout.

Signing October 17th at CostCo

Author with Ghost Stories of the Long Beach Peninsula

My purpose in writing the first ghost story book was to talk about the history of the buildings and/or the areas where people have experienced ghostly doings and, in some cases, to tell something of the early inhabitants who might be associated with those places. I wasn’t sure how “The Lady of the Bay” might fit those parameters, but you never know.

Meanwhile, I’m still listening for ideas. Two come up over and over – the ghost(s) at the Lamplighter restaurant and at the old PACE building in Ilwaco. I’m not sure I have enough about either for meaningful stories. Yet. And, besides, two stories a book do not make.

But the other day I learned that there are accounts of ghosts – apparently four of them! – at the Taylor Hotel in Ocean Park. I am all ears! For one thing, there isn’t a building at the beach with a more colorful history than that one. Nor with more revered builders. Will Taylor was one of the early Loomis stage drivers on the Ilwaco-Oysterville run. His wife, Adelaide, was a mid-wife in Oysterville. Their hotel, built in 1887 in anticipation of the completion of the IR&N, became the hub of Ocean Park for more than half a century. History galore!

So… once again the sequel to Ghost Stories of the Long Beach Peninsula becomes a tantalizing possibility. If the spirit moves me, you might say… and if more substantive stories present themselves. Or is it an oxymoron to think ‘substantive’ and ‘ghosts’ in the same breath?

2 Responses to “Ghost Stories Some More?”

  1. Cyndy Hayward says:

    Colleen Smith (who will be taking over the Taylor Hotel building) conducted a ghost-busting and blessing ceremony at the building last week. When she related to Jeremy Baker, the builder and carpenter doing the extensive renovations there, about the 4 ghosts identified, he exclaimed how that explains a number of odd movements, sounds, and mischievous doings that he has experienced. Colleen mentioned that one of the ghosts is related to a shooting in the 1880’s on the front porch of the hotel, by a woman using a ladies handgun. Jeremy said that when he was tearing off the front of the building and the decking, he and his worker found bullet casings from what would be a small handgun (Jeremy kept one of these) AND a hole in the wall that they thought at the time might have been made by a random bullet. Yikes!

  2. sydney says:

    Great information! Since the hotel was built in the late 1880s, it shouldn’t be too hard to research…

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