Highlights from August's SWS

(an early photo of the Derby)

Thank you to all who came out to the Derby. There was such a large turn-out, at first the restaurant had nowhere to put all of us. That was quickly solved for those that didn't leave because of the initial crowds. Thus, a special thank you also goes out to the staff of the Derby for not only accommodating our large numbers, but for also walking around and sharing their personal encounters with the old tavern's ghosts.

Some of the stories told that night included...

A woman (working late) saw a man walking down the hall to the bar on one of her surveillance TV monitors. Knowing that she was alone, and that the restaurant was locked, she called the police. After a thorough search of the empty restaurant, they consulted the video tape. The "man" is seen walking down the hall, and into the bar, where he sits on the last stool at the end of the bar (the stool even swiveled as he sat), and then he disappears into thin air. Apparently, that stool was where George Woolf sat (and still sits?) when he used to visit the restaurant.

A man painting the walls of the bar (after hours) kept hearing footsteps and knocking sounds in other parts of the restaurant. Knowing that he should be the only one there, he would investigate, but obviously never found anyone else in the locked restaurant. The sounds and searches went on all night. The next day, when talking to the bartenders, they told him of the ghost stories. They purposefully did not mentioned any of this the night before, because they wanted to see if he would have his own encounter. From that night on, when the painter worked in the restaurant, he would shout out a greeting to George Woolf, with an assurance that he was beautifying the restaurant. He never had another problem with the ghost.

A waiter told a story that one night (after closing time), he went around blowing out the candles on the tables. He went clockwise around the perimeter of the large dining room, blowing out each candle. However when he circled back to his first candle, the flame was still there. He then looked around the room, and each candle had re-lit itself.

The current owner of the Derby even confided to our group that he doesn't like to be alone in the restaurant. Thus, he always makes another employee close, and lock up, the restaurant after he leaves.

(to read more ghost stories from the Derby...)

August's SPIRITS with SPIRITS

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 G.H.O.U.L.A. button. If you already have one, please wear it so others can find you.

THE DATE: August 13th, 2010 (Friday the 13th!)
THE PLACE: The Bar Room @ The Derby Restaurant
(233 East Huntington Dr., Arcadia) Map
THE TIME: 8:00pm to 11:00pm (closing time)

THE GHOST(S):

It is hard to imagine now what a little horse named Seabiscuit meant to the American public during the depression. This unlikely beaten-down equine hero showed the world what he was made of when given a second chance (he won race after race), and thus became a symbol of the untapped potential we all have inside us. It was an ideal that the poor, unemployed masses grasped a hold of to get them through our country's worst economic time. When Seabiscuit was finally granted permission to race (one on one) War Admiral, the "best" horse in the nation, it was an event that everyone listened to on radio. Not only did all business stop in America for the length of the race, the gears of government also came to a halt, as President Roosevelt joined the millions of listeners. If Seabiscuit's jockey, George Woolf, felt the pressure, you would have never known it to look at him. Because of this trait, Woolf, the greatest jockey at that time, was said to have ice water in his veins, and was nick-named the "Iceman."

The same year that Seabiscuit won that historic race (1938), George Woolf purchased a gambler's hang-out called "Proctor Tavern" (also know as "Proctor Chicken House"), and turned it into "The Derby Restaurant," a gathering place for local jockeys and race fans. Sadly, in less than a decade of that purchase, Woolf died from a fatal brain injury caused by a fall from a horse at nearby Santa Anita Race Track (its said that the accident was the only time in his career when he wasn't using his "lucky" saddle). Over 1,500 people attended the funeral, where Gene Autry sang "Empty Saddle" to the mourners.

George Woolf may have died in 1946, but his spirit seems to have never left this Arcadian neighborhood. Stories of George's ghost haunting the Derby go back at least to the 1960's when a reporter for the L.A. Times mentioned it in an article. In addition, this ghost might be the only athletic apparition to be featured in the pages of Sports Illustrated. Although, never seen outright, his spirit makes his presence known by moving the oil paintings of famous horses, as well as turning the lights on and off, including the chandelier that legend has it came from "Lucky" Baldwin's (haunted) home a few miles away. There is even a portrait of George Woolf that past employees have claimed has piercing eyes that follow you as you walk around the room. Although most witnesses can shrug off the eyes as an optical illusion caused by the artist's skill, the distinct patter of horse hoofs racing past the front of the building (and coming from the direction of Santa Anita Race Track) late at night is more difficult for them to explain, especially since that same phenomena occurs a couple of blocks away (or 7 furlongs) at the historic race track, itself, where Woolf died. Is it possible that the investment George hoped would provide security in his retirement years has in fact become a place where he feels secure in his after-life? Come to the world famous Derby in Arcadia and find out for yourself.

http://www.thederbyarcadia.com/

(to see last month's location...)

(to read more stories about this location...)

Marilyn Monroe Annual Memorial Service

Note: This event is not hosted by GHOULA. This is just a local (ghost related) event that exists independently that GHOULA wants its members to know about. As such, docents and staff at this event may not wish to discuss this landmark's haunted history.

Date: August 5, 2009 (Thursday)
Time: 11:00 am
Place: Westwood Memorial Park,
1218 Glendon Avenue, Westwood, CA 90024 (map)

Tucked away in a small cemetery, which in itself, is fittingly tucked away behind a movie theater, sits the crypt of Marilyn Monroe. Since this blonde bombshell is one of the most ubiquitous ghosts in Hollywood (along side the ghost of silent screen star Rudolf Valentino), it makes perfect sense that her final resting place would also be counted as one of the many places said to be haunted by the spirit of this larger than life sex symbol. Although, her famous form (said to be the inspiration for the Coke's trademarked bottle) has never been seen at this location, witnesses have claimed that a strange fog sometimes appears around her pink-stained marble marker.

So, come out and celebrate the life (and after-life) of one of the silver screen's most unique stars.

REAL GHOSTS with REEL GHOSTS

THE DATE: Friday & Saturday, July 16 & 17

THE TIME: Fri: 7:30; Sat: 3:15 & 7:30 (The Uninvited)

Fri: 9:30; Sat: 5:15 & 9:30 (The Haunting)

THE PLACE: The New Beverly Cinema

(7165 W. Beverly Blvd.) map

THE MOVIE: The Uninvited (1944)

plus second feature The Haunting (1963)

THE ADMISSION PRICE: $7.00

Your chance to see this movie about ghosts in an actual haunted theater!
(Note: this event is not hosted by GHOULA)

The New Beverly Cinema is said to be the home of a phantom projectionist, and an audience member apparition... (read more)

The Uninvited Not Available On DVD - New 35mm Print! 1944, USA, 99 minutes dir. Lewis Allen, starring Ray Milland, Ruth Hussey, Donald Crisp, Cornelia Otis Skinner. Nominated for the Best Black & White Cinematography Academy Award #3 on Martin Scorsese's 11 Scariest Horror Films Of All Time! #6 on TCM's list of most requested classic movies not available on DVD.

The Haunting 1963, USA / UK, 112 minutes dir. Robert Wise, starring Julie Harris, Claire Bloom, Richard Johnson, Russ Tamblyn, Fay Compton #1 on Martin Scorsese's 11 Scariest Horror Films Of All Time!

Plus -The Haunting's "stretching doors" inspired Disneyland's Haunted Mansion attraction. (for more info...)