Forepaugh's-Haunted by Molly, the Maid

While dining at lovely Forepaugh's French restaurant, I wonder how many patrons know that the place is haunted?  It is an historic home with an interesting history.

HISTORY:

Entrepreneur Joseph Lybrandt Forepaugh made his fortune in the dry-goods business and was Senior Partner in the J.L. Forepaugh and Company. In 1870, Joseph bought 5 lots of land and in the center of his land, he built a ten thousand dollar Victorian mansion with a basement, three floors and beautifully landscaped grounds and gardens for his family. His wife Mary and their two daughters moved into a mansion filled with the highest quality, finely crafted room furnishings. 

Along with the fine living, Joseph hired servants as well. He made the mistake of having an affair with a young maid, Molly. When Mary, Joseph's wife, caught them in bed, she asked Joseph to end it and he did. Molly, realizing she was pregnant, hanged herself in a third floor room by tying the rope to a chandelier and throwing herself out the window, probably around 1865.

Molly - (Maid who killed herself so long ago)

* Molly has been seen and heard near the area where she killed herself. 

* During a reception, where all the waitresses were dressed in 19th century dresses, a woman, dressed in a 19th century dress, unlike the other employees, was seen gliding down the hall by staff before she melted into the wall. 

* Employees opening up the restaurant, heard distinct tromping on the third floor. The police were called, who brought a K-9 dog to investigate. The dog refused at first to go up to the third floor, but finally did after some persuasive coaxing. The tromping stopped and no one living was found.

* Molly is a sociable ghost. She likes to sometimes attend weddings and receptions. The restaurant has a wedding picture which captured her image as well.

* In the basement, lights turn on and off by themselves, the living feel cold chills and hear strange noises.

Credit and more information, go here.

The Chauncey Griggs Haunted House

HISTORY:

In 1883, a wealthy wholesale grocery businessman, Chauncey Griggs, built this lovely mansion, but lived in it for only four years, before moving onto greener pastures on the West coast, where he expanded his business interests to include the lumber and transportation markets. Over its 100+ years, the mansion has been a private residence, and at one time was divided into apartment units as well. Many families/individuals, who moved in, spent a lot of money on upkeep, furnishings, servants, etc., but wound up leaving after only a few years.

The mansion became an art school in 1939, and stayed there for 25 years, until the new Arts and Sciences Center was built. Many students and teachers were glad that the new building was built, because now they didn't have to share their school with seen and unseen presences.

MANIFESTATIONS:

While a lot of "supernatural activity" seems to be centered around the fourth floor, many parts of the house have been visited by entities as well. Six or seven entities have been felt, heard, made their existence known by various means and have actually been seen throughout the years. The mansion's spiritual occupants are a young maid, a gardener, a child apparition, a thin man in a black suit, a teenager, Amy, and a Civil War general, perhaps Chauncey Griggs himself. The 7th sighting could've been any of the male apparitions, because only the head of an unclear, male apparition appeared.

 One of the most strongly felt presences is that of a young maid, who in 1915, hanged herself off the fourth floor landing, suffering from depression over an ended romance. Earlier in the 20th century, she appeared to a young servant and a butler in the fourth floor hallway. Her presence has been felt strongly by many people throughout the years. She perhaps is one of the entities that climbs the stairs to the fourth floor, to her unseen rope on the landing there. While climbing this staircase, and standing in the hall as well, people during the day have felt a "sense of foreboding," anxiety, and feelings of distress, that could be quite strong, as three newsmen found out one night, when they came to gather information for a series on ghosts. After setting up camp in the big room on the top floor, and armed with two cameras; one regular and one with infra-red aimed at the well-lighted, top of the stairs and fourth floor hall, and a tape recorder, the men each went out to the hall, but scooted back to the room when they were filled with an overwhelming sense of fear. They heard heavy footsteps coming up those stairs. One brave newsman went though the hall to the stairway, and though he saw nothing, he felt a strong presence on the stairs. They left in a hurried manner together down the stairs, feeling nothing was worth staying a night there.

Want to know more about the other apparitions?  Go here

Alexander Ramsey House

On a very chilly and rainy morning while looking to photograph a few of St Paul's haunted houses for a Halloween post, I saw this historic home.  Even in the grim weather, I noted how lovely it looks.  It is not one of the haunted houses I discovered, but  if you come back tomorrow I will show you not only an historic home but one that is haunted as well!!

The Alexander Ramsey House is a historic house museum in Saint Paul, Minnesota; the former residence of Alexander Ramsey, who served as the first governor of Minnesota Territory and the second governor of the state of Minnesota. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Placesin 1969. It is also a contributing property to the Irvine Park Historic District.

The Best Holiday!

Halloween Again
Best Holiday of the Year
Ghosts, Goblins and Kids

Colorful Mural

Cafe Latte on Grand Avenue in St. Paul rotates art of local artists in the restaurant.  High above the entrance is this colorful mural.  I found no information about the artist, but I enjoyed it for its images and fluid movement of the dancing females. 

Linking to Monday Murals

REMINDER:  Do not forget to find an image for November 1st theme day: ephemeral 

One Perfect Tree

In an ordinary year, by now the leaves on our trees here in Minnesota would be long gone and swept up by the city's street machines. Even the wind has not blown them down. Our uncharacteristic warm fall has changed the normal pattern. Despite all the beautiful trees I have seen this year, this one struck me as being quite outstanding.

There's a new dog in town!

After our sweet Maggi died we decided to foster for awhile rather than go out and get another.  Oliver  was neutered yesterday and had 10 teeth pulled.  I wondered what we had gotten into until we picked him up from the vet clinic Friday morning.  He's a sweet dog, sat on my lap all the way home and is happy to be with us.  He was picked up by a policeman whose family wants to adopt him after we are sure that he is healthy and recovered. We will have him until  the first week of November.  Lucky he is committed already or we just might have adopted him ourselves. Will I feel that way about all the dogs we foster?  Could get pretty crowded in here!

Linking to Saturday Critters and Camera  Critters

Autumn basket

Our neighbor's tree

Decorated for autumn

Basket swinging free

Let there be light!

 Light plays a big role

A different time of day

The very same tree 

Talk About Planning Ahead!!

You are looking at the main entrance to the sprawling location of the Minnesota State Fair on Snelling Avenue in St Paul, Minnesota.  I have passed this location dozens of times but today was the first time I got a good look at the date.  Because of illness (vertigo, which has returned again) I missed the Fair this year.  Now I can plan ahead and look forward to next August!!

Linking to Signs, Signs

Title?

While leaving the inner courtyard at the MIA, I was attracted to this huge sculpture affixed to a wall. A spot where an identifying plaque should have been was blank so I know nothing about the artist or the piece of art.  I researched the museum's website but didn't find anything; I guess I'll have to call them to get the information. I hope that you enjoy it anyway!

The Great Pumpkin?!

 Could one of these be Linus' Great Pumpkin in disguise?!

New House on Summit Avenue

Modern Summit house

Among historical homes

New kid on the block

Week-end Reflections

Circles, lines, and Squares

Windows and tiles and lamps

A Passing Street Scene

Linking to Weekend Reflections

Before Snow Arrives

Sunny autumn day

Museum's inner courtyard

Before snow arrives

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Four friends from New York and Denver flew into the Twin Cities to view the Mary Griggs-Burke exhibit of Japanese art at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.  Jim and I had a wonderful dinner with them at Vincent A's restaurant in downtown Minneapolis on Tuesday night after their arrival and went to the museum Wednesday morning for several hours to see just a small part of the 700 pieces of art that were recently donated to the museum. It is an extraordinary collection and puts the MIA into the forefront of Japanese art.  Read about it here:

Newly remodeled

Highland Grill in St. Paul has had a new face lift.  The interior is lighter and brighter than it has been in the past, which makes it very cheerful. The best part were the quotes added to one of the walls. It has been a neighborhood favorite over the years and the new interior will be enjoyed by both old and new patrons.

Linked to signs, signs

Economic independence

Recently I saw these items in a store that specializes in arts and crafts created by women in developing countries. By displaying and selling their work, it's a wonderful way to give economic assistance and independence to these women.  Although the bedspread is not my style,  I have to appreciate and admire the work that went into this piece.  I hope it sells quickly.

More Autumn Colors

More Autumn Colors

Where are the Halloween Ghosts?

Goblins are Absent

Church or the Game?

Whoever hung this sign must have been a little cock-eyed or had been inside Tiffany's bar for sometime waiting for the bus to shuttle to the game. Since the Vikings have a "by" today, perhaps the Green Bay Packers will be televised instead. so I can finally watch my favorite team that is currently 4-0!! I haven't been inside the TCF Stadium yet so I don't know how it compares with Lambeau Stadium, which is great. I deplore the current practice of naming stadiums after big business rather than athletic heroes or notable members of the community. Perhaps I should attend some University of Minnesota games to see if I approve of the stadium, even though I abhor its name. I doubt that it can compare with Lambeau!!

An Old-fashioned Theatre

Last Wednesday, Birdman described a theatre he had recently visited in Texas that provided luxury seats, food plus blankets.  Sounds very modern and comfortable.  Yet, I think I prefer our neighborhood Art Deco building.  Every once in awhile we are threaten by its closure, but so far we are lucky to have this theatre still with us.

Two-toned Tree

Two-toned Maple tree

Chilly weather on target

Bright spot on the block

Autumn Decorations

Pumpkins and Corn Husks

Bright Autumn Decorations

Neighbors Love to Play

Signs Encouraging Runners

Encourage runners

We want them to "Power Up!"

The signs for the day

Linking to Signs, signs

2015 Twin Cities Marathon-ABC WEDNESDAY "M"

 I arrived at the corner of Fairview and Summit Avenues in St Paul at 7:30 a.m to watch the runners and to cheer them on.  With cowbell to ring and camera in hand, I watched an amazing number of people of all ages compete.  The air was cool in the 40's but the sun was warm.  Spectators also ranged in age from infants and toddlers all the way up into the 80's. In previous years I waited until much later in the morning to cheer and encourage those who were not as fleet afoot. Despite enjoying seeing the front runners, I think that  next year I will wait until later in the morning as I had previously.  At that time there are more older runners, and I like to see that!  Gotta love all people who train long hours before the race and who give it their all during the marathon!

Linking to ABC Wednesday

And the Winner Is......

While at the Farmers Market on Saturday I was drawn to an area where a group of white clad men were gathered around a table.  I learned that the American Culinary Federation was having a contest-of-sorts to determine quality and preparation of food samples.  I had to elbow my way into the area to take some photos, but I wasn't able to stick around and remain unobtrusive. I don't know who was judged the best, but here are some samples.

Capital City Sewer.

On occasion in the past, one of the CDP bloggers will post a manhole cover that is unique to their area.  Without much luck I have actively looked for a long time for a cover to represent my city. I finally gave up because the ones I saw around town were ordinary at best.  Today I just happened to set down a heavy bag of vegetables that I had just bought at the Farmers Market right next to this one.  It isn't terribly old, but it reflects St Paul.  Serendipity!

Spinning a Yarn!

There isn't a yarn display or store that I can resist because I love the colors and the variety of wool. While browsing in the newly remodeled Norway House gift shop last week, I thought about the differences in colors and shades of yarn I saw there (photo below) and those that I had photographed in New Mexico (top picture). I also wondered if the colors indicated differences in culture.  If I thought about it long enough, I suppose I could spin a yarn to justify any interpretation. What do you think?