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Truckee Mayor Mark Brown, popped out from a Truckee Jail cell and gave tour guide Cindy Maciel a good fright. |
CommentsOut and About: Haunted Truckee
Published: November 18, 2009by Kira Yannetta
Jibboom Street was a hotbed of drinking, gambling, and “ladies boarding houses.”
photo by Kira Yannetta
Click on images for slideshow
Floating torsos, phantom prostitutes, and flying pillows are just a few of the paranormal phenomena that make Truckee so fantastic. Trails and Vistas and the Truckee Donner Historical Society joined forces to create the First Annual Historic Haunted Tour of Truckee just in time for Halloween, but this sold-out event was not for the kids or people easily spooked.
The nearly two-hour tour began in the basement of the Kruger White House where an apparition of Mary, wife of William Kruger, told stories of her family who haunt the house. Stories were also told of the “Celestials” whose bones were tossed into China Cove at Donner Lake.
At the Truckee Jail Museum, Mayor Mark Brown scared the bejesus out of tour guests and talked about the 601 militia and their doings. At The Pour House they told tales of infamous Jibboom Street (then Main Street) and the brothels, gaming parlors, and shootouts that increased the number of restless souls lurking in the shadows of Truckee’s sordid past.
The tour continued into the Truckee Hotel, known for the Lady in Red who has been seen in the second floor hallway; the inexplicable swinging chandelier; the fourth floor bathroom; and the boiler room, where no hotel employee except General Manager Tim Tomachella will venture.
The Pharmacy was originally called Hurd’s Saloon and Opera House and was Truckee’s foremost gathering spot for social events.
It is said to now house the spirits of performers and socialites. Apparently, they enjoy having pillow fights upstairs and keeping the Pharmacy staff on their toes by rearranging perfume bottles and other trinkets.
The successful fundraiser, coordinated by Christina Stoever Young, Trails and Vistas Board Member and Truckee Donner Historical Society Jail Museum volunteer, benefited both organizations, and judging by the enthusiasm of parting guests, is sure to become a Truckee favorite event.
Trails and Vistas: trailsandvistas.org; Truckee Donner Historical Society: truckeehistory.org, 530-582-0893.
~ Kira Yannetta
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