Highlights from October's SWS at Philippe's the Original

On the second floor of Philippe's The Original French Dip restaurant in Downtown Los Angeles, a small but strong group of GHOULA members tapped into the ether, and their beers, to discover a startlingly chilling cold spot adjacent to the brick wall on the North side of the building. In this area, dowsing rods were propelling like helicopter blades and ghost orbs were captured on digital film.

By channeling the paranormal energy, comic book artist Rafael Navarro was able to produce an automatic sketch of the entity which circulates the area. The image which came through was that of a towering and intense blue woman which matched an eyewitness account later in the evening by new GHOULA member William.

An improptu tarot reading by psychic specialist Amy H. revealed that the nature of the ghost was that of a former Madam of the brothel (and not a prostitute as previously thought) who paces the hallways in search of lost or stolen finances. One theory suggests that the money is still hidden with the recesses of the brick walls, possibly in the cold zone. Could the Madam be protecting her stash, or seeking revenge for lifted loot?

A good time was had by all, including the hoardes of unsuspecting Dodger fans who stopped in for a late night snack after the playoff game.

(to read about the SPIRITS of this location...)

October 13th: Spirits with Spirits at Philippes the Original...

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 free G.H.O.U.L.A. button. If you have already received your button, please wear it so others can find you. Also, G.H.O.U.L.A t-shirts will be available for sale. ($10.00 each).

THE DATE: October 13th, 2008 (Monday)
THE PLACE: Philippes the Original (1001 N. Alameda St.) map
THE TIME: 8pm to 10pm (Meet on Haunted 2nd Floor)

THE GHOST: This Month, Philippes celebrates its 100th Birthday. For a century, this landmark restaurant, located in the heart of Los Angeles, has been serving up great food at reasonable prices. In that life-span, this historic eatery has also been the subject of many rumors and legends. Most of these tall tales concern the restaurant’s most famous creation, the “French Dipped Sandwich.” How exactly it was invented (or even if Philippes actually invented it) is still up for debate.

But, there is another set of stories that people don’t talk about in public, and these stories concern the building’s upstairs dining area.
Although, Philippes (as a business) has been around since 1908, it has only been at this location since 1951. So, what was at 1001 N. Alameda Street before Philippes moved in, and took over this building? The restaurant‘s website diplomatically referred to it as a “hotel,” though it was more likely a run-down boarding house. Furthermore, given that it was placed in the center of the area’s “red-light” district, it was most likely a brothel. Whatever the truth may be, the racy history is the one that employees repeat when talking about the other legend connected with the upstairs.

It is said that there is the ghost of a “lady of the evening” that haunts the 2nd floor. Many people, over the years, have seen her white form strolling down the hall only to vanish as she steps into one of the adjoining rooms. This prostituting phantasm is also said to be the source of a strong perfume that seems to invade the upstairs when no one else is present.
So, the next time you're enjoying the pleasures of their “French Dipped Sandwich” and a cold beer, take a look at the upstairs where women used to sell pleasures of another kind, you just might come face-to-face with something scarier than the jar of purple, pickled eggs downstairs.

For Questions: Leave message at GHOULA HQ at (323) 782 - 0616
(to see last month's SPIRITS with SPIRITS location...)

Highlights from the September 13th “Spirits with Spirits” at the Haunted Culver Hotel

Earlier in the evening, before arriving at the Culver Hotel, two of the guests informed GHOULA that they conducted a tarot reading to forecast the evening’s events. The “Temperance” card, featuring a bartender, strangely enough was the prominent card of their session. For the record, neither member drank very much, heeding the advice of the great beyond.

As always the Culver Hotel delivered great service, good food, and a warm atmosphere, providing the perfect, casual place to soak up the glamour of old Hollywood.

Unfortunately, no ghosts were spotted that night, but two psychics in attendance picked up other-worldly energy from another era. One psychic felt the sad presence of a suicide victim near the John Wayne Suite, while the other psychic (Psychic Lee Barron from “Ghosts Wanted”) felt the presence of a man eternally walking down the stairs behind the bar. Could that have been the ghost of Harry Culver coming from his office?

The management of the Culver Hotel was kind enough to point out to us the second floor offices of Harry Culver, where most of the spiritual activity takes place.

The ghost enthusiasts present were also treated to an impromptu tour of the basement level, which was used as an “air raid shelter” for Culver City during WWII. The Management claimed the stories of a secret tunnel connecting to the Culver Studios are not true, or at least they haven’t found any evidence of it.

Another member of the hotel staff shared an experience with us she had in the lobby’s restroom. One night, as she was stepping out the ladies’ room, she turned around to witness the faucets turning on with the handles moving by themselves.

Also, two employees were overheard talking about a corner of the lobby where the lights from the lamps and sconces would occasionally, and mysteriously, flicker. The isolated flickering continued long into the night, just like the ghostly conversation at our table.

Thank you all who came out to our spectral soiree.

(to read about the SPIRITS of this location...)

Spirits with Spirits: Sept 13th at the Culver Hotel

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 free G.H.O.U.L.A. button. If you have already received your button, please wear it so others can find you. Also, G.H.O.U.L.A t-shirts will be available for sale. ($10.00 each).

THE DATE: September 13th, 2008 (Saturday)
THE PLACE: Culver Hotel Lobby bar at 9400 Culver Boulevard, Culver City, CA 90232 map
THE TIME: 9pm to the Witching Hour
THE GHOSTS:

The Culver Hotel opened its doors as the “Hotel Hunt” this month 84 years ago (September 4^th, 1924). At the time, people came from miles around to gaze upon the area’s only skyscraper. Past owners include iconic film stars Charlie Chaplin, Red Skelton and John Wayne (who according to legend won the hotel in a game of poker).

As Culver City grew to become the true motion picture capital of the world, so did the hotels connections with the film world. Not only did it provide lodging for some of the most famous people to ever grace the silver screen, it too graced the silver screen being used as a frequent location for many movies shot in the area. The hotel also has a very literal connection with the film world. There is a secret underground tunnel that connects the hotel to the nearby Culver Studios, which is said to been used over the years to smuggle all sorts of things including famous actors, mistresses, booze during prohibition, and most famously “Munchkins.”

Locally, the “Munchkin” connection is the hotel’s biggest claim to fame. During the making of the classic film “The Wizard of Oz,” over one hundred of the little people who played the “Munchkins” stayed in this hotel. The stories of the nightly exploits have become legendary. Over the years, this famous group of tiny actors has been accused of participating in everything from drunken debauchery to all-out orgies. They also have been blamed for much of the mischievous ghostly activity that happens in the hotel, including the disembodied conspiratorial whispers that get hushed as you approach.

The most prominant ghost of the hotel however, and very fittingly, is the spirit of Harry Culver himself, the namesake of the building (and the city). Harry culver maintained offices on the second floor for over a decade as his “base of operations” for city affairs. Members of the hotel staff occasionally see his ghostly form wandering the hotel. Many believe that even in death, he still keeps watch over the hotel and city that bear his name.

(to read about more SPIRITS at this location...)