Today, we’re diving deep into the eerie world of haunted hotels, ghost tours, and paranormal activity. Our guest, Adra Johnson, runs the famous Haunted Blennerhassett tours, taking visitors on spine-chilling adventures through one of West Virginia’s most notorious haunted locations. From the “Bowler Hat Man” to ghostly sightings and mysterious occurrences, there’s no shortage of stories that will leave you questioning the line between the living and the dead.

Meet Adra Johnson: Ghost Hunter Extraordinaire

Adra’s journey into the world of ghost tours began long before she became the mastermind behind the Haunted Blennerhassett tours. As a child, she was already fascinated by the paranormal. But it wasn’t until she visited the Blennerhassett Hotel in Parkersburg, West Virginia in 2017 that she felt a deeper connection to the spirits there.

Adra explains, “I came to Blennerhassett and thought, ‘This place is really haunted.’” After feeling the presence of something unexplainable, she was inspired to bring ghost tours to the area, highlighting the history and the eerie encounters that have haunted the building for years.

“I wanted to do it professionally because it helps historic buildings and brings in revenue for the town,” she adds. What started as a passion project has since become a key part of Parkersburg’s local tourism, drawing in both the curious and the brave.

The Haunted Blennerhassett Hotel

The Blennerhassett Hotel is steeped in history, and not all of it is peaceful. Built on the site of what was once a serial killer’s apartment, the hotel has become a hotspot for paranormal activity. Its eerie reputation is tied to the Blennerhassett Island—a site rich with dark secrets. Adra explains that the island is named after Harmon and Margaret Blennerhassett, Irish immigrants who have their own intriguing connection to West Virginia’s past.

However, it is not just the island’s tragic history that haunts the hotel. The site of the hotel was also once home to a serial killer, Joseph Isil, who was known as the “Hatchet Slayer.” He committed gruesome murders in the area before his execution, and it’s believed that his spirit still roams the building.

As Adra says, “The Blennerhassett Hotel is Grand Central Station for spirits.”

The Bowler Hat Man: The Hotel’s Most Infamous Ghost

One of the most famous (or infamous) spirits at the hotel is the “Bowler Hat Man”. This ghostly figure, first reported after the hotel’s renovation in the 1980s, has become a regular fixture during ghost tours. Adra shares, “The Bowler Hat Man’s appearance started increasing after we started offering tours, and we believe it’s tied to the history of the hotel and its dark past.”

Interestingly, the Bowler Hat Man’s physical description matches that of Joseph Isil, the serial killer who once lived on the very site where the hotel now stands. The connection between the two is uncanny, with Adra noting, “The description of the Bowler Hat Man fits exactly the physical description of Isil from his confession.”

The Bowler Hat Man has become notorious among those who frequent the hotel. He’s been known to manipulate electronics and show up uninvited, especially in the 409 suite, one of the hotel’s most haunted rooms.

The Bride and the Phantom 911 Calls

One of the most chilling stories to come from the hotel involves a bride staying in room 409. After charging her phone and stepping out for lunch, she returned to find she had received 100 missed calls from 911. Confused and worried, she called back, only to learn that the calls were made during a mysterious “breathing” sound that had triggered the 911 system.

“That’s not your typical EVP or orb,” Adra points out. “We’ve had the exact same activity happen during a ghost tour, and I think it’s tied to the murders in the area.” The connection to Isil’s history and the building’s past is further confirmed when Adra connects the calls to the government building across the street, once a saloon where Isil’s first murder took place.

What Makes the Blennerhassett Hotel So Active?

Adra believes the hotel’s haunting activity is not just tied to its age or the murders that took place there. The spirits seem drawn to the attention that ghost tours bring to the building. As she says, “When we first started, it was already a haunted building, but once we started offering tours, the spirits became more active. They seem to like the attention.”

Ghosts, Electronics, and Paranormal Investigations

While the Bowler Hat Man is certainly the most famous ghost to haunt the Blennerhassett Hotel, it’s not the only one. Spirits often interact with electronics during tours, causing equipment to malfunction, batteries to drain, or even causing things to move on their own.

Adra shares, “The spirits seem to love electronics. We’ve had some very strange things happen during investigations, and it’s clear that they manipulate the equipment to communicate.”

“The spirits seem to love electronics. We’ve had some very strange things happen during investigations, and it’s clear that they manipulate the equipment to communicate.”

One of the most compelling stories from a paranormal investigation occurred during a March convention, where visitors in room 409 heard a choking and gargling sound—a noise that seemed to suggest someone was being hung.

Final Thoughts

Adra’s work with the Haunted Blennerhassett tours has brought her face-to-face with some of the most chilling spirits in West Virginia. But as she points out, it’s not just about fear—it’s about curiosity, respect, and understanding. As she says, “If you’re not afraid and you have good intentions, you’re a lot safer. That’s the key to surviving a paranormal investigation.”

“If you’re not afraid and you have good intentions, you’re a lot safer. That’s the key to surviving a paranormal investigation.”

For those intrigued by the world of ghosts, history, and the supernatural, the Blennerhassett Hotel offers an experience unlike any other. But be warned—if you’re looking for a thrill, you might just get more than you bargained for.

Join Adra and her team for a spine-tingling adventure that brings West Virginia’s most haunted tales to life!

Tune In Now!

If you’re intrigued by stories of perseverance, adventure, and the wonders of the unknown, you won’t want to miss this episode of Creepalachia. Join us as we explore the world through Dave Green’s lens—both underground and among the stars.

Listen now and let us know what you think! Have your own Appalachian stories? We’d love to hear them.