The Haunting of Ball Cemetery

Ball Cemetery – Sarpy County, Springfield, Nebraska

Photograph ©P.R.I.S.M.

Frequent reports of paranormal activity have made Ball Cemetery a subject of interest. In 2005, the Paranormal Research and Investigative Studies Midwest (P.R.I.S.M.) conducted an investigation, unearthing compelling evidence that lends credence to the haunting claims—details of which can be found in the link provided at the conclusion of this article.

While the cemetery's historical background may not be particularly captivating, its grounds boast a myriad of intriguing phenomena. Accounts range from apparitions and physical assaults to the presence of glowing orbs, presenting a diverse spectrum of eerie occurrences. It is essential to note that the surrounding neighbors exhibit a protective stance towards the cemetery, reportedly brandishing shotguns at night for trespassers. As a precaution, obtaining permission and exploring during daylight hours are strongly advised.

Among the reported apparitions, a male figure has been witnessed wandering among the tombstones, exhibiting a propensity for violence towards certain visitors. This phantom is also associated with unexplained bruises that materialize unexpectedly on the arms and legs of those who venture into the cemetery.

Additionally, a spectral woman is said to roam the grounds, implicated in incidents of tugging at people's clothing, disembodied laughter, and a faint, almost imperceptible female voice frequently reported by visitors.

Various other paranormal phenomena include sightings of orbs and mists, phantom footsteps, unaccountable noises, disembodied voices, sensations of being observed or pursued, and even accounts of tombstones inexplicably toppling over and repositioning themselves. The range of supernatural encounters at Ball Cemetery contributes to its mystique, making it a site worth approaching with caution and respect.

Address:
20999 South 176th Street
Springfield, Nebraska 68059

The Haunting of the Argo Hotel & Steakhouse

Argo Hotel – Knox County, Crofton, Nebraska

Photograph ©Nebraska State Historical Society

Built in 1911, the Argo Hotel has had reports of paranormal activity for some time and today, claims are still rolling in. Current owners renovated after purchasing the building in 1994. It was during these restorations that the bones of an infant were found inside a burlap bag, sealed up in a concrete wall.

Some of the claims made by Argo employees and patrons include: unexplainable and inconsistent cold spots in various parts of the building, flickering lights despite the fact that the place was rewired, the unexpected and bizarre shattering of drinking glasses.

One apparitions has been observed in the business; a female specter that is said to call for her child. This apparition has been, not only seen and heard, but also felt; as some have claimed they were touched.

A second apparition who has only been heard is that of a baby. Many have reported hearing this phantom baby crying during the night and after the discovery of infant bones, I’d say an infant spirit is definitely fathomable.

Address:
211 West Kansas Street
Crofton, Nebraska 68730
(402) 388-2400
Website

The Haunting of the Wesleyan University of Nebraska

Wesleyan University – Lancaster County, Lincoln, Nebraska

Photograph ©StateUniversity.Com

Address:
5000 Saint Paul Avenue
Lincoln, Nebraska 68504
(402) 466-2371
Website

The activity that occurred at the Wesleyan University seemed to be confined to the C.C. White building. This building has been torn down since that time and normally I wouldn’t write about something as such, however this story is very odd and I found it quite intriguing.

The story begins with a woman named, Urania Clara Mills. Miss Mills came to work for the university in 1912 as a music teacher and spent her entire teaching career there. In April of 1940, Miss Mills was found dead in her classroom; she was about sixty years old at the time.

A little more than two decades passed before any activity began in the C.C. White building, the reason for this are unknown. However, the story of how the strange events began is rather strange in itself.

In October of 1963, a school employee, Mrs. Coleen Buterbaugh, went in search of the school’s Scottish guest speaker. The guest speaker, Professor Thomas McCourt, had been using the old music room since his arrival at the university; the same room where the late Miss Mills had passed away in 1940.

Mrs. Buterbaugh walked through the hallway and to the door, surrounded by noisy students on their way to class. Mrs. Buterbaugh said she took two steps into the old music room and the entire world around her changed! Suddenly everything was dead still; the sounds of the students in the hallway were suddenly gone! At the same time, she was hit with an odd odor that she later described as the smell of a gas jet being opened with the smell of gas leaking out. Mrs. Buterbaugh said that she then felt a presence in the room with her; she turned and saw an older woman with her hair pulled back into a bun. The woman was standing with her back to Mrs. Buterbaugh and she was reaching into an older-style filing cabinet.

Mrs. Buterbaugh then looked out of the classroom window and saw that everything outside had changed! She later recalled that outside there were no streets and that the Willard Sorority Hall had just disappeared!

Extremely frightened and disoriented, Mrs. Buterbaugh ran from the room, straight to the Dean’s office where she told her story. The Dean, Sam Dahl, took her story very seriously; apparently Mrs. Buterbaugh was in complete control of all of her faculties and she wasn’t the type to make up stories.

It’s reported that Mrs. Buterbaugh was never the same after the incident and soon afterward she quit her job with the university and moved to the state of Colorado.

Over the ten years that followed, disembodied footsteps, lights turning on and off and a phantom piano playing were reported frequently. Then, in 1973, the C.C. White building was torn down. No reports have been made here since then.

The experience that Mrs. Buterbaugh had in 1963 interested me because this is not the only time that I’ve heard of this sort of thing. In Juneau Alaska this same type of experience happed to a woman who worked for the Alaskan Hotel, you can find that story on my site, “True Hauntings of America”.

The Haunting of the Nebraska State Capitol Building

Nebraska State Capitol Building – Lancaster County, Lincoln, Nebraska

Photograph ©Mawhamba

Several tragedies have taken place in this building. One of these tragedies involved a man visiting the building that climbed the stairwell to the dome and leaned over the railing to look down to the bottom. The man became dizzy and fell over the railing to his death.

Many who have visited here have claimed they saw a black mass on the stairs. Other have reported hearing a scream or crying. Some of the other activity reported here includes: loud footsteps in the stairwell (which is now blocked off), disembodied voices, loud and unexplainable banging noises and the feeling of not being alone.

Address:
1445 K Street
Lincoln, Nebraska 68508
(402) 471-0448
Website