When Ghost Hunting Gets Seriously Wild
For Appalachian Ghost Tours, investigating paranormal hotspots is serious business, but it’s not without its highly unusual and sometimes scary moments. Skye, who describes herself as very sensitive to the paranormal world, noted that she initially ignored her abilities because she felt like she was “going crazy,” but connecting with others in the group confirmed her experiences. Skye’s sensitivity means she often hears sounds and has had conversations with spirits who have passed. She has even had to set boundaries with a spirit on her own property, telling it, “You’re already gone, I’m the one who’s paying the bills here now. So you’re going to have to behave”.
During an investigation at Coalfield Manor, a former funeral home in Mullins, the energy levels reached a dangerous peak. Skye recounted that 10 to 15 minutes into the investigation, a friend who had surprised them by showing up slumped over and started having a seizure right there upstairs. Skye helped pull her down and keep her safe, and luckily, medical professionals were present among the guests that night. Pam noted that the group’s dedication to paranormal investigation goes deeper than just finding a ghost; it’s about finding the answer to the question of whether there is life after death.
“I set my boundaries where I’m at. Like, even with investigations, I take precautions to protect myself with like crystals, oils, prayer. I believe in God, I pray no matter where I’m at”
From Coal Towns to Cults: Creepy Appalachian Hotspots
AGT has been busy hitting some seriously active spots this past summer, including the town of Thurman in July, Coalfield Manor in August, and the Hinton Hauntfest in September. Thurman, an old coal town that shut down in the 1950s, only has a population of three people, but it is packed with paranormal activity. While investigating Thurman, Skye picked up a vision of a lady who was killed at the depot after arguing with a man because she was pregnant. They also encountered “very dark” energy at the only church there, where Skye got the name Evelyn.
The team has even run into some bizarre modern-day claims of the strange and macabre in Hinton, which Pam noted is highly active, believing there is nowhere in that town you can go that doesn’t have activity. One coordinator who ran a workshop for AGT, Amber from Amber’s Paraworld, even posted a TikTok claiming she had found a cult of vampires in Hinton. Pam noted that Amber, who is a psychic medium, said most of the vision was psychic, and the group consisted of energy vampires rather than blood-feasting ones.
The historic Campbell Flanigan Mural House and Museum in Hinton is also a paranormal hotspot. The house was eventually gifted to John Flanigan and his wife Alice, but John was gravely injured when a boiler fell on him in a train accident and was boiled alive. He was brought back to the home where he passed away hours later, and AGT gets tons of activity there, even capturing an apparition in a mirror during a previous hauntfest.
“I think that your energy and your soul is sent back until you learn the lessons that you were supposed to learn.”
Economic Development Through the Paranormal
The core mission of Appalachian Ghost Tours extends beyond finding spirits; it actively contributes to the local economy. The group aims for economic development through paranormal tourism, which helps with the restoration and upkeep of historic venues while sharing both the regular and haunted histories of the area.
Upcoming events highlight this blend of history and haunting, such as the investigation at the Litz Mansion in Tazewell, Virginia, scheduled for January 10th. This pre-Civil War Antebellum mansion has never been investigated publicly by a team before. There is big history there, as the mansion was built by Colonel Maize, a Civil War Colonel, and troops were even encamped on the lawn. While there, Pam and a colleague experienced footsteps going up the stairs when no one else was present. AGT is offering a VIP package for the event that, for an additional fee, allows parties of up to four to stay overnight in one of the mansion’s 10 bedrooms, get early arrival, and participate in a late-night after hunt.
AGT also ensures their events are accessible, often charging $20 per person, which includes food, the investigation, and the use of their equipment, such as dowsing rods, EMF meters, and thermal cameras. They even have plans to host a Bigfoot hunt during a Hauntfest in Sutton, West Virginia, utilizing an area by the dam known for frequent Bigfoot sightings.
“The idea is economic development through paranormal tourism. It’s to help with restoration upkeep for these historic venues as well as to share the regular history along with the haunted history”
Want to hear Pam and Skye tell these stories themselves, including the tale of a ghost wedding and an investigation at a house built by Abraham Lincoln’s cousin? Be sure to watch the original video and subscribe to Creepalachia!
