GHOULA meets for cocktails in haunted places on the 13th of each month. “SPIRITS with SPIRITS” is a casual gathering of regional ghost hunters and those that just like ghost stories. Open to all, from the curious skeptic to the passionate phantom pursuer. Make friends, and toast a ghost! Let's put the “Boo!” back into “booze.”
All those who attend will receive a free (square) G.H.O.U.L.A. button. If you already have one, please wear it so others can find you, without asking the staff.
THE DATE: September 13th, 2011 (Tuesday)
THE PLACE: Plum Tree Inn
913 N. Broadway, Chinatown (Map)
THE TIME: 7:00pm to 9:30pm (closing time)
THE GHOSTS:
Is there a better place to dine on 9/13 than at 913 N. Broadway? (Incidentally, in decades past the street address of this same building was advertised as 911, which also seems appropriate since we just had the tenth anniversary of 9/11).
Since the very beginning of "SPIRITS with SPIRITS," we at GHOULA have always wanted to go to a haunted bar/restaurant in Chinatown. Given, this area's dark history, and its many non-ghost legends (opium dens, brothels, lizard people, etc.), it always seemed like a perfect (super)natural fit for us. But, we were never able to get a ghost story out of any of the employees or patrons of these local restaurants. It seemed to be one part of town, we just couldn't crack... until a few days ago... (which was lucky for us since our other venue dropped out).
The Chinese culture has a rich history of spirit lore. It is said that their distinctive style of architecture uses curved, swooping roofs to keep the evil spirits on the outside. Such is also said to be the purpose of the stone "foo dog" statues flanking an entrance. Even in Los Angeles' Chinatown, the citizens used to organize a now forgotten large-scale "ghost festival" to appease and entertain the spirits.
However, in the the heart of Chinatown, the Plum Tree Inn does not have a curved, swooping roof. It does not have "foo dogs" protecting its entrance, and there has not been a "ghost festival" in this area for decades. There is however a three-piece tile mural (said to be the largest of its kind outside of China) featuring the "Palace in Heaven," a depiction of the after-life.
Do these ingredients form a recipe for evil spirits. Although, the management will deny (or ignore) such accusations, a source who wishes to remain anonymous says that the locals believe it is so.
How else can you explain the allegation that every change of ownership at this address is the result of one restaurant failing, vacating, and another starting from scratch in its wake. There have been so many unsuccessful owners and ideas here, from Club Brazil to New Grand East to Golden Palace to Ming's Pavilion to Gourmet Carousel to Plum Tree Inn, just to name a few. Some of these places were even very successful in another location, before or after they came here.
This concept of a "cursed" eatery, even extends to stories of a gang war that erupted here, and/or a workman who accidentally died in one of the past renovations as possible contenders for who haunts this place. Could those events create a darkness on the premises? Or, does the darkness create the events?
Although, GHOULA could not find any proof of either of those incidents (which doesn't mean they are not true), and the gang war story might have its roots in the fact that a former owner also owned the Golden Dragon, which became infamous because of the "Golden Dragon Massacre." Such a tale is possible since gang wars seem to be historically a popular pastime in Chinatown. We did however find other curious incidents in this address' history...
Back when it was Club Brazil in the 1940's ("The place everyone is talking about in Old Los Angeles"), a burglar who stole $8,000 from another club, on his way home broke into this establishment and mysteriously ransacked the interior, destroyed everything, and then left without stealing anything, as if he was just moved to do so.
When, the club became the New Grand East, one night in 1963 (at midnight) while the bar was full, the restaurant burst into flames, and burned to the ground. Luckily, no one was injured, but the puzzle of the origin of that sudden fire was never solved.
The most bizarre story connected to this location involves the former co-owner of the New Grand East, who in 1974, at 81 and nearly blind, was murdered on Halloween night in his home by three men wearing monster masks, who were 4 feet tall (yes, 4 feet tall). The "Trick-or-Treat Terrorists" as they where called by the newspapers, killed another man that night after forcing him to dig his own grave. The pint-sized psychos were caught the following year, when they attempted this sick ritual again, but their victim managed to escape.
Are there certain places that just seem to attract strange activity? Certain places that just seem to have a weird energy where business' can't take root. Come to the Plum Tree Inn, have a drink, sample their famous roast duck, soak up the atmosphere, join our betting pool as to how long this current incarnation will last at 913 N. Broadway, and decide for yourself.
By the way, 9+1+3=13
http://www.plumtreeinn.com/
(to read more about Plum Tree Inn's ghosts...)
(to read about the ghosts of last month's location...)
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