August 13th: Spirits with Spirits at the HMS Bounty

GHOULA meets for cocktails in haunted places on the 13th of each month. Spirits with Spirits is a casual gathering of regional ghost hunters. Open to all, from the curious skeptic to the passionate phantom pursuer. Make friends, find ghosts! Come see the “hot spots” with “cold spots.”

All those who attend will receive a complimentary limited edition square shaped G.H.O.U.L.A. button. If you have already received your button, please wear it so others can find you. G.H.O.U.L.A t-shirts will be available for sale ($10.00 each). Online for $13.00.

Since we have not had much luck with the “Haunted Mirrors” at our last two outings, let’s give it one more shot with a lesser known haunted mirror in the Wilshire Corridor.

THE DATE: August 13th, 2008 (Wednesday)
THE PLACE: H.M.S. Bounty (located on the ground floor of the Gaylord Bldg.) map
THE TIME: 9pm to the Witching Hour

THE GHOSTS: The H.M.S. Bounty is one of the last of a dying breed – the nautical themed bar. Decorated with boating regalia, this old watering-hole resembles the interior of a ship’s galley complete with low ceilings and portholes. This famous location is just one part of a bigger haunted site.

The H.M.S. Bounty (originally called “the Gay Room”) is on the ground floor of the Gaylord Apartments which was built in 1921 by the eccentric millionaire Gaylord Wilshire. Upton Sinclair, noted author, once said that Mr. Wilshire was “for all the world, the incarnation of Mephistopheles.” And true to form, later in life, Gaylord Wilshire claimed to have “mystical powers.”Mr. Wilshire purchased the original city dump (and surrounding swampy area) at a cheap price and converted it into the “Miracle Mile” we know today. It is said that before Mr. Wilshire gentrified this then remote section of the city, it was a popular spot to hide murder victims.
Tenants of this historic apartment building have complained of strange knocks on their windows and phantom footsteps in the empty halls. Most notably, there is a ghost that haunts the ladies’ room in the lobby. Women claim to feel an invisible hand pinch their posterior, as well as see the reflection of a leering man in the mirror, only to turn around and discover they’re alone. The identity this paranormal pervert is currently unknown.

The HMS Bounty is located at 3357 Wilshire BlvdLos Angeles, CA 90010. For restaurant and bar info, call (213) 385-7275.

(to see more stories of this location...)
(to see last month's SPIRITS with SPIRITS location...)

Ghost of the Week: The Woman in the Tower

G.H.O.U.L.A. EXCLUSIVE!

The Beverly Wilshire Hotel is easily the most iconic piece of architecture in Beverly Hills. Its exterior is even used in movies such as Pretty Woman and Beverly Hills Cop as a symbol for the city itself, much like the Eiffel Tower is to Paris or Big Ben is to London. This Historic Hotel’s reputation is built on that very perception.

But, is it haunted? If you ask the management, they will tell you it’s definitely not. However, if you can talk privately with any member of their housekeeping staff, you will get the truth. The Beverly Wilshire has two very prominent ghosts occupying different ends of the hotel.

Residing on the eighth floor of the Wilshire Tower section, you’ll find a female apparition with long flowing blond hair. She has been seen on numerous occasions gracefully gliding about with her white gown billowing behind her. Some witnesses have even spotted her peeking out from around corners or poking her head out through open doors as if curious about her surroundings.


While the hotel was built in 1928, it appears this blond ghost is a very recent addition. It is because of this, many of the employees believe she is the spirit of a woman who died a few years ago, but lived most of her life in a posh suite on the eighth floor. Since her passing, that suite has been closed to the general public, and is currently only available for private VIVIP (very important VIP) parties. Is it these disturbances to her tranquil domain that cause the spiritual disturbance on the eighth floor? Again, don’t ask the management.

The Beverly Wilshire Hotel is located at 9500 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills. As for the other prominent ghost… stay tuned. It will be featured in a future “Ghost of the Week.”