The Best Haunted Places in Omaha

I believe Freddy Krueger said it best; “Every town has an Elm Street.” Wherever you live in this country, or indeed the world at large, you’re probably never more than a day-trip away from several known haunted places. The phenomenon seems to be more prevalent in older communities. Those that have been around for, say, a hundred years or more and Omaha is no exception. Founded in 1854 on the fourth of July, this bustling mid-western metropolis can boast its fair share of supernaturally active spots many of them open to the public.

One such haunted place in Omaha is actually a well-know local eatery. Brother Sebastian’s Steakhouse and Winery (1350 S 119th St.) has seen plenty of paranormal activity. Doors have been witnessed by staff to open and close themselves and candles that were snuffed out before closing have been found re-lit in the morning. Most of these happenings are attributed to the spirit of a Mr. Bill Wolcott who dined at Brother Sebastian’s nearly every night for years. Even after being diagnosed with cancer and having to undergo painful treatments, Wolcott would even leave his hospital bed to dine at his favorite restaurant in his favorite seat in the lounge. When he became too weak to consume solid food the staff would puree his meals for him. It’s believed that Bill loved Brother Sebastian’s so much that he continues to dine there even after having passed on.

Downtown at Central High School (124 N 20th St.) the ghost of a former custodian is said to haunt the main floor hallways near the deans office. Amateur ghost hunters have reported feeling cold spots even with the heat turned on, as well as the sound of a push broom when no one was around to be sweeping and other assorted creaks and rattles. Perhaps most chilling of all in this haunted place is the shadowy figure that waves from the window of the office while it’s locked with no one inside and the phantom voice that can be heard to say “I know you’re here.” Spirit seekers are encouraged to be patient as “they are sure to show up.

Not too far from those haunted high-school halls you’ll find Hummel Park (3033 Hummel Rd.) It’s history rife with macabre tales, Hummel is a quintessential haunted place. Satanic animal sacrifices, apparitions and mists, Indian drums and wolves howling in the night. The ubiquitous “Indian burial grounds” somewhere on the sight and my personal favorite, the cultish group of albinos who live in the park. In the 1900’s lynch mobs would ride through and hang black people from the trees lining the road to the park. These trees are bent over the road even now as though the still hold the weight of those lost lives. Young, newly planted trees and even the grass in the park supposedly bend towards this road. Also of note is the so-called “Stairway to Hell.” A long set of approximately 200 steps which apparently morphs so that there are more steps when you walk down them than up them.

Those looking for a more mainstream sort of experience can check out Omaha’s own Mystery Manor (716 N 18th St.) A respectable Halloween attraction, this genuinely haunted place has been providing chills and thrills (to the staff as well as the customers) for twenty four years now. Visitors to Mystery Manor’s Haunted Theater are treated to a creepy tale of murder and revenge before being escorted into the rooms full of skeleton props and ghoul-makeup smeared teenagers, but the real story is somewhat different, though no less haunting. Used as a brothel during the turn of the century, the house was the scene of at least one grisly double murder of a madam and her son. Visitors have reported seeing a ‘lady in a blue dress’ near the end of the tour who is not part of the staff. Owners and staff have also reported strange happenings year-round on the property. You can check out their website for more information. www.mysterymanoromaha.org

These haunted places and more await the intrepid adventurers who would brave the heebie jeebies to experience Omahas own haunted hot spots. There’s more to be found at http://theshadowlands.net/places/ where you can search for haunted places by state and city. A great online resource. So whether you decide to wait for Halloween or if you prefer to hunt poltergeists all year-round, remember to think of Omahas Best Haunted Places when planning your next supernatural outing.

Reference:

• theshadowlands.net/places/