Story By: Chad Alan

 

"Distillery of Spirits"

 

Buffalo Trace Distillery - Frankfort, Kentucky

 

Buffalo Trace started producing the good stuff back in 1787, remained opened during prohibition, and now is the oldest functioning distillery in the United States.  Buildings, warehouses, and a few residences, make up a good portion of the 190 acres of land that the business sits on.  Paranormal activity has been going on for at least 50 years and most believe it is the former President, Colonel Blanton, watching over his proud company.   There have been many reports of an apparition resembling that of Blanton. As with other factories, many deaths due to accidents have become part of the history that entrenches the distillery but many local residents refuse to talk about some of its deadly history.  People hear whispers, see ghostly apparitions, hear strange footsteps, and report random cold spots in the whiskey warehouse.  TAPS would enter the property on an apparent day off for the workers and it almost creates a deserted town atmosphere.  Years of service and weather has taken its toll on the grounds and buildings of the property, giving it the perfect setting for paranormal activity.

 

TAPS co-founders Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson started their investigation in Warehouse C where voices, apparitions, and cold spots have been reported.  It seems to be considered the most haunted building.  One famous story is that, before a wall fell down, something told one of the workers to "Get out now." The workers did and their lives were saved.   Not long after entering the warehouse, both reported hearing voices followed by footsteps.  They did pick up a voice on their recorder that was very inaudible but creepy nonetheless.  This would later be followed by both Jason and Grant getting "goosed" by some horny spirit. Another very strange voice phenomenon was picked up on their recorders after this goosing but it was more on the comical side, still couldn't understand what was being said.

 

Steve Gonsalves and Dave Tango headed to the old house of Colonel Blanton where he is said to appear to workers who now use the house as an office.  He died in the sunroom of the house and that is where he has been seen the most.  A few footsteps got their attention but not enough to keep them from heading out over to Warehouse C.  As they were up on the second level they were absolutely freaked by a dark mass that went flying past them.  They eventually left, unsettled.

 

Amy Bruni and Adam Berry were the next ones to investigate Warehouse C.  As they walked past the wall that had collapsed in the past, they heard someone say "Get out now!"  Maybe a residual haunting is occurring in that spot.

 

Britt Griffith was the last to investigate Colonel Blanton's old house.  From the minute he entered he was chasing strange noises around the house as if somebody was playing a game with him.  No one was around and he eventually gave up the chase.

 

Jason and Grant were impressed with activity at Buffalo Trace, enough to warrant a trip back to investigate the distillery again and maybe making contact with Colonel Blanton

 

Bobby Mackey's Music World - Wilder, Kentucky

 

Once used as a slaughter house in the late 1800's, Bobby Mackey's has had a long history of murders and suicides that all seem to revolve around women who were five months pregnant.  One young woman named Pearl was decapitated by her boyfriend and had her head thrown down a, now sealed, well on the property.  A young singer named Johanna committed suicide after finding her boyfriend murdered in her dressing room.  In 1978, the owner of the bars wife felt she was thrown down a flight of stairs.  All women were five months pregnant. Apparitions of both men and women have been seen and people just do not feel comfortable in the building, especially when there are footsteps in areas where people are simply not around.  One bartender reported hearing a woman crying which was then followed by a cold wind of air that blew through the bar.  Another bar tender saw a ghostly spirit sitting at table who he described as having a blacked out face with white glowing eyes.  Check, please.

 

The team noticed very high K2 and EMF readings in the building, which can not only help spirits show themselves, but make people feel a bit uneasy.  Jason and Grant heard a women's voice a few times and their ghosting hunting dog Mattie was very intrigued by one particular area of the bar and would not leave the spot.  A few growls by Mattie was a sign that she may be experiencing something that no one else could see.  Their audio recorder would pick up a voice saying "dog sees."  Britt and Amy were greeted a few times by strange noises that they could not track down in the basement area. 

 

The team did catch a few other interesting voices on their audio recorders.  In one instance Grant asked "Does anyone mind if we go backstage?"  His answer was "No!"  As they were down by the sealed off well investigating, a very clear voice appeared on their recorder saying "Dark."  Was this the spirit of Pearl saying that it was dark in the well?  The team felt pretty confident that paranormal activity was occurring at Bobby Mackey's. 

 

Ghost Hunters airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on Syfy.  Check your local listings.  HD channels offer different times for the show.

 

Be sure to check out our exclusive interview with Barry FitzGerald, Amy Bruni, Kris Williams, and Adam Berry at this year's Reality Rocks Expo!

 

(Image courtesy of Syfy)

 

Contact Chad Alan at [email protected]