Spanish Governor's Palace (Downtown San Antonio)

"Soon after the Spanish viceroy founded the city of San Antonio in 1718, Martín de Alarcón, governor of Coahuila and Texas, established the Presidio San Antonio de Bexar. This fortress served as the center of Spanish military power in Texas and as defense for the San Antonio de Valero Mission (known later as the Alamo) ... Plans for the house that became known as the Spanish Governor’s Palace originated as early as 1722 and, upon its completion in 1749 — the date given on the keystone above the front entrance bearing a carved, double-headed eagle — it served as the commandancia, the office and residence for the captain of the presidio. ... In 1772, the importance of the presidio grew when the capital of Spanish Texas moved from the presidio at Los Adaes, east of Nacogdoches, Texas, to the settlement at what is now San Antonio. From this point onward the Spanish governors stayed in the commandancia and it was thereafter referred to as the Spanish Governor’s Palace." 

That excerpt is from the chapter on the Spanish Governor's Palace in San Antonio that I wrote for Ghosthunting San Antonio, Austin, and Texas Hill Country," the travel guide on haunted sites in the title area that I am working on for Clerisy Press's America's Haunted Road Trip series. Pictured above is Allison Schiess of Sisters Grimm Ghost Tours. 

James Kiehl River Bend Park/SA&AP Bridge (Comfort/Kendall County)

"Anyone conducting an investigation in or right around James Kiehl River Bend Park may very well record any of the anomalies typically associated with reputedly haunted places, such as orbs, inexplicable mists, or even EVPs. They are not likely, however, to get much of a sense for whether they are detecting the spiritual presence of Paleo-Indians, Apaches, Comanches, conquistadores, settlers, the shingle-makers who had a camp nearby, or soldiers from the 19th or 21st centuries. There are also at least four small cemeteries dating at least as far back as the 1800s in the vicinity of the park. It is the old railroad bridge a short distance from the recreational area, however, that most ghosthunters will intuitively be drawn to." 

That is one of the paragraphs in my chapter on James Kiehl River Ben Park and the nearby SA&AP Bridge, located just east of the village of Comfort in Kendall County, Texas. This chapter explores the possibility that this might be the famous and elusive "Tro Bridge" that is frequently mentioned in ghostly lore about the San Antonio area. Veteran James Kiehl was part of the 507th Engineering Company and a colleague of soldier Jessica Lynch, famed for her rescue from Iraqi forces by U.S. military special operations troops. 

Treue der Union Monument (Comfort/Kendall County)

"One of the strangest, bloodiest, and most heartbreaking episodes in the saga of a violent state took place during the Civil War and has been known since among most people as the Nueces Massacre (a dissenting minority of people who applaud or are indifferent to this tragedy somewhat disingenuously refer to it instead as the Battle of the Nueces). A memorial to this terrible event, known as the Treue der Union or 'Loyalty to the Union' monument, can be found in the historic Hill Country village of Comfort. There is every reason to think it might be haunted by the spirits of those whose deaths it commemorates and whose remains it marks." 

That is the first paragraph of my chapter on the Treue der Union monument that will appear in Ghosthunting San Antonio, Austin, and Texas Hill Country. It is one of about 30 sites that receives feature treatment in the book, along with about 40 that are more briefly covered in an appendix of Additional Haunted Sites. 

Enchanted Rock (Gillespie County, Llano County)

"For as long as anyone can remember, and perhaps even longer, Enchanted Rock has been a special place, from the earliest human inhabitants of the region as much as twelve millennia ago right up to the people who visit it today. Native Americans believed it was a portal to the otherworld and there are countless legends, ghost stories, and paranormal phenomena associated with this wondrous natural site, whose name is not arbitrary or just meant to be colorful." 

Those are the opening words I wrote to the chapter on Enchanted Rock that will be appearing in Ghosthunting San Antonio, Austin, and Texas Hill Country. It is just one of about 30 sites that will receive feature treatment in the book, along with about 40 that will be more briefly covered in an appendix of Additional Haunted Sites. 

 

A cave entrance can be found a little ways down the far side of the slope. Initially it is well lit during the day because of gaps between the rocks but then drops off into a darkened chamber that can be entered, allowing visitors to travel 20-30 minutes and emerge further down on the rock. This feature brings to mind stories of a Spanish priest who took refuge from Indians on Enchanted Rock and spent two days wandering a labyrinth below it and encountering the spirits residing there ...

Haunted Oak Valley Vineyards

Even when I am not looking for haunted places I seem to discover them! Last Sunday my wife and I had dinner for the first time at Oak Valley Vineyards (aka "The Vineyards"), a place at the northern edge of San Antonio that we have had our eye one and been planning on going to for about five years. We had a wonderful meal there and, in the course of it, had the opportunity to chat with proprietor Beth Colley. When I told her I was a writer working on a book about haunted places in and around San Antonio and Texas Hill Country, she mentioned that her establishment had caught the eye of a number of local ghosthunting groups and that they had detected various paranormal phenomena at it. As things stand now I will therefore be including an entry for the Vineyards in the "Additional Haunted Sites" of Ghosthunting San Antonio, Austin, and Texas Hill Country and am looking into whether or not to devote an entire chapter to it. 

Comicpalooza 2014 Paranormal Track Events

Following are the dozen events that America's Haunted Road Trip series editor Michael O. Varhola has organized for the Comicpalooza fan convention being held in Houston, Texas, during Memorial Day Weekend, May 23-26. Our program is even bigger and better than it was last year and we very much hope you will be able to make it out to the convention, whether it is just for one day or all four! 

FRIDAY

Paranormal 101: Introduction to Ghosthunting

Join author Michael Varhola, editor of the “America’s Haunted Road Trip” series of travel guides, and a panel of experts for an interactive introduction to the subject of ghosthunting that will examine the basics of this popular phenomena and answer questions from attendees.
            Time: Friday 2 p.m. (2 hours)

            Requirements: Microphones

            Credited As: Michael O. Varhola/America's Haunted Road Trip

            Panelist Names: Michael O. Varhola, Ken Gerhard, Donna Stewart, Christy Briones, Kristen Stout

Paranormal 101: Encounters with Flying Humanoids

Join world-renowned author and cryptozoologist Ken Gerhard of Monsterquest for an examination of flying humanoids, including the Mothman, Manbirds, Gargoyles, and other winged beasts.

            Time: Friday 4 p.m. (1 hour)

            Requirements: Microphones, projector and screen for PowerPoint

            Credited As: Michael O. Varhola/America's Haunted Road Trip

            Presenter Name: Ken Gerhard

Paranormal 101: Haunted Pub Crawl

Hear about spirits while imbibing spirits in some of the most haunted and historic watering holes in downtown Houston! This walking tour will depart from the George R. Brown Convention Center.

            Time: Friday 8 p.m. (2-3 hours)

            Requirements: —

            Credited As: Michael O. Varhola/America's Haunted Road Trip

            Panelist Names: Michael O. Varhola

            Additional Fee: $12

SATURDAY

Paranormal 102: Investigative Equipment

Experts from the local Pasadena Paranormal Research Team and other investigative groups will conduct this hands-on workshop that introduces attendees to the various sorts of equipment used by ghosthunters and other paranormal investigators, including cameras, recorders, EMF meters, digital thermometers, laser grids, and night-vision devices.

            Time: Saturday Noon (2 hours)

            Requirements: Microphones, projector and screen for PowerPoint

            Credited As: Michael O. Varhola/America's Haunted Road Trip

            Panelist Names: Michael O. Varhola, Ken Gerhard, Donna Stewart, Christy Briones, Kristen Stout

Paranormal 102: Cryptozoology in the Lone Star State

Join world-renowned cryptozoologist and author Ken Gerhard of Monsterquest for an examination of real "X creatures" in Texas, including Bigfoot, the Chupacabra, and many more. 
            Time: Saturday 2 p.m. (1 hour)

            Requirements: Microphones, projector and screen for PowerPoint

            Credited As: Michael O. Varhola/America's Haunted Road Trip

            Presenter Name: Ken Gerhard

Paranormal 102: Ghosthunting Houston

Join experts from the local Dawn Paranormal investigative group and other organizations for this seminar on some of the most interesting haunted sites in and around Houston — along with things that some of the participants have experienced at them!

            Time: Saturday 4 p.m. (1 hour)

            Requirements: Microphones, projector and screen for PowerPoint

            Credited As: Michael O. Varhola/America's Haunted Road Trip

            Panelist Names: Christy Briones

SUNDAY

Paranormal 103: Open Forum Q&A

Anything goes at this open forum with a panel of professional paranormal investigators! Our experts will address questions about anything related to ghosthunting and other aspects of paranormal investigation.

            Time: Sunday 2 p.m. (2 hours)

            Requirements: Microphones

            Credited As: Michael O. Varhola/America's Haunted Road Trip

            Panelist Names: Michael O. Varhola, Christy Briones, Donna Stewart, Kristen Stout, Laurie Olerich

Paranormal 103: Ghosthunting Oregon

Join author Donna Stewart for an exploration of some of the most fascinating haunted sites throughout the state of Oregeon, from hotels and theaters in Portland to cemeteries and lighthouses along the coast. She will also give attendees a sneak peak at some of the things that will be appearing in her upcoming book on the subject!

            Time: Sunday 4 p.m. (1 hour)

            Requirements: Microphones, projector and screen for PowerPoint

            Credited As: Michael O. Varhola/America's Haunted Road Trip

            Presenter Name: Donna Stewart

Paranormal 103: Haunted Hermann Park

Surrounded by hospitals, the zoo, and museums, Hermann Park has become Houston’s epicenter for paranormal mystery. Join us for a tour where we will recall the history of the Civil War cemetery that lays beneath the park, hear the story of an opera singer who died in Miller Outdoor Theater and still haunts it today, and roll down a hill where many have died — including children who still happily invite you to join them! With animal spirits, history, superstitions, and mysterious and unexplained deaths, it is no wonder Hermann Park is haunted.

            Time: Sunday 7 p.m. (2-3 hours)

            Requirements: —

            Credited As: Michael O. Varhola/America's Haunted Road Trip

            Panelist Names: Michael O. Varhola

            Additional Fee: $15

Paranormal 103: Psi-Fi Radio Live!

Join host Donna Stewart, author Michael O. Varhola, and other expert guests for the first-ever live broadcast of the Psi_Fi Para Radio show! As usual, they will be covering a lot of ground on all things paranormal, and will be taking questions from members of the audience throughout the course of the show.

            Time: Sunday 10 p.m. (2 hours)

            Requirements: Microphones

            Credited As: Michael O. Varhola/America's Haunted Road Trip

            Panelist Names: Michael O. Varhola, Donna Stewart, Sharon Kincaid, Laura Schier

MONDAY

Paranormal 104: Investigative Techniques

There are almost as many ways of ghosthunting as there are ghosthunters! In this panel discussion paranormal researcher Michael Varhola and members of the Pasadena Paranormal Research Team, Dawn Paranormal, and other groups looks at everything from “naturalistic” means of ghosthunting, to ones heavily dependent on equipment, to those based on psychic ability.

            Time: Monday Noon (2 hours)

            Requirements: Microphones

            Credited As: Michael O. Varhola/America's Haunted Road Trip

            Panelist Names: Michael O. Varhola, Donna Stewart, Laura Schier, Christy Briones, Kristen Stout

Paranormal 104: Ghosthunting San Antonio, Austin, and Texas Hill Country

Join author Michael O. Varhola for an exploration of some of the most fascinating haunted sites in San Antonio, Austin, and the Texas Hill Country and get a first-look preview of some of the things that will be appearing in his upcoming book on the subject.

            Time: Monday 3 p.m. (1 hour)

            Requirements: Microphones, projector and screen for PowerPoint

            Credited As: Michael O. Varhola/America's Haunted Road Trip

            Panelist Names: Michael O. Varhola

Dallas Comic & Pop Expo