Is Your Haunt Haunted?
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Ask Downtown is an occasional series in which we put a reader's Downtown question to you, the real Downtown experts. Help a reader out and share your knowledge.
While Downtown's haunted houses were either razed or moved to places like Heritage Square or Angelino Heights long ago, ghost sightings and reported paranormal activity continue to this day.
The Black Dahlia has been seen walking through the lobby of the Biltmore Hotel, the spirit of a madame reportedly haunts the second floor of Philippe's The Original which was once a brothel, and at the Alexandria Hotel, residents have reported strange sounds and an unusual energy emanating from the "Valentino Suite" on the 12th floor.
The Million Dollar Theatre is even allegedly so haunted that on Halloween day it will host "The World's Biggest Ghost Hunt." For a $5 donation, paranormal investigators will be able to explore the nooks and crannies of the 93 year old building.
Not that everyone needs, or even wants, to hunt for ghosts. Sometimes they're already where you live and work.
Tell us, Downtown Angelenos, are you troubled by strange noises in the middle of the night? Do you experience feelings of dread in your basement or attic? Have you or your family ever seen a spook, spectre or ghost? (does this sound familiar?)
We'd love to hear about Downtown's haunted bars, lofts, or streets. Especially if you've seen or experienced something yourself.
Let us know in the comments. We're ready to believe you.
Have your own Downtown question? Send it our way via Twitter (@blogdowntown). We'll either answer it ourselves or, if we think it's particularly relevant, make it the subject of an Ask Downtown.
Guest on October 15, 2010, at 12:07PM – #1
This is my FAVORITE time of the year!!! I can't wait to hear the stories!!
Guest on October 15, 2010, at 01:38PM – #2
As a location scout, I work downtown all the time, the creepiest place I know is Werdin Place, the dead-end alley off 7th street is directly behind Hotel Cecil and Main Mercantile Lofts. It's rumored that the "Night Stalker" attacked some of his victims in that alley. In the past three years, I've seen several dead bodies in that alley. The security guards have some spine tingling stories. I get goose bumps just typing about it!
Guest on October 15, 2010, at 01:45PM – #3
I worked in the Oviatt Building on Olive in downtown for about 4 years. A lot of us that worked there thought it might be haunted, especially creepy in the Cicada Restaurant. Feelings of being watched or not alone in a room, strange noises, one of my co-workers was pushed and she fell flat on her face. I saw it happen and it looked so bizarre, like she was shoved-hard. I had experiences where it seemed like someone was following me closely down a hallway and when I turned around, no one was there.
I have never heard of anyone doing a paranormal investigation there. Maybe someone should. The building has a very interesting history.
Guest on October 15, 2010, at 01:55PM – #4
http://laist.com/2010/10/01/ghosts_of_haunted_los_angeles.php
Downtown LA
Mobster tales, prohibition-era folklore and Great Depression suicides have lead to rumors of underground tunnels and major spookings at the historic Alexandria Hotel. LAist operatives went to investigate a while back and spoke with residents who reported chills in front of the Rudolph Valentino suite and someone touching their hair in the middle of the night... could be a mouse?
Addressing these allegations, the team spoke with a security guard and several employees who confirmed supernatural sightings of a little girl walking around in a white gown, as well as access to said tunnels (our not-so-fearless ghost hunters found only blocked access when they tried to get downstairs).
Continuing their shadow quest, the team found a room closed for construction and was quietly let in by their newly befriended security guard. Inside, they heard phantom footsteps from a room upstairs that was said to be empty and closed off. Then, "in the dark corner, we all saw this white glowing mist. We thought it was a trick so we shut the door and it was still there. OF COURSE I ran out screaming."
The energy in the ballroom was also deemed unsettling, with several explorers reporting unusual headaches. They were told the ballroom mirrors are known to show an unexplained image of a lady and were slanted oddly as not to reflect each other.
Similar sights and sounds, doors and elevators inexplicably opening and closing, spectral apparitions, and decidedly creepy vibes were also reported at the PE Lofts, Mercantile Lofts and the Cecil Hotel (where the Night Stalker serial killer, Richard Ramirez, once lived).
The Forever 21 offices downtown also appear to be a portal to the dark side. According to an employee, the building was formerly some variety of a mental facility as evidenced by the marketing department occupying the padded rooms. Insert joke here. We were told that stylists and reps keep clothes for photo shoots in the floor to ceiling padded chamber with a single, thick window and a giant lock. Employees reported seeing a vanishing girl inside late night and for some reason they don't like to stay there after dark anymore.
Seven Bar Lounge (@sevenbarlounge) on October 16, 2010, at 07:35PM – #5
My name is Raffi, owner of Seven Bar Lounge. Ive had a few haunting experiences here where wine glass would go flying across the bar, doors randomly swinging open and different sounds around opening and closing time where its the most quiet.
One experinece was when I was moving a chair and taking it through the expo area and the two doors opened in front of me in a consistent slow motion manner as if something was there giving me a hand. And mind you, these are cattywompus doors.
Again, these kind of things happen when your alone so dont fear if your here.
Guest on October 17, 2010, at 08:57AM – #6
Ok, not Downtown related...but there's a ghost girl that runs screaming from the Laemmle Royal Theatre (11523 Santa Monica Blvd) if you're alone.
Guest on October 17, 2010, at 11:01PM – #7
I'd bet the Alexandria residents have stories to tell. Also, the old subway tunnel under Metro 417. You can't have so many people using a space for so long, then close it off and not have spirits.
Vero Queero on October 18, 2010, at 10:11PM – #8
My building is only 3 years old--I wonder what was here before. I had a couple of weird events. One night I was awoken to the sensation of a cat jumping up on my bed--I have no pets. Another morning I came out of the shower to find one of my barstools laying on the floor--I live alone.
Guest on October 29, 2010, at 02:34PM – #9
@Vero, if you're at Luma, then it was the ghost of my cat:-)