The Paranormal in Fort Collins, CO

Porter

Dillon

This cute little guy, Porter (left), may have broken a record for the being the youngest Haunted History After Dark tours enthusiast. He was so adorable he also broke a few hearts when he had to leave. This very young ghost buster joined our tour this last Saturday with mom Kathy and equally adorable brother Dillon . Porter and Dillon are the youngest of the proprietors of the new and very popular Pateros Creek Brewing Company located at the corner of Pine and College Avenue. When I first saw this brewery going up I was excited to see the name. I knew this group had done their history. Even before Antoine Janis’ (pronounced Janeey) family had hidden their cache on the banks of the now Poudre river in the late 1830’s, another Frenchman had already traveled this route searching for the most opportune locations to place beaver traps. His name was Pateros. Hence, the original name of the Cache La Poudre River long ago was, Pateros Creek. That name in these waters runs deep. All of Pateros Creek Brewing Company beers are named after early residents, some that we even talk about on our tours. Local historians love this stuff! Definitely check this brewery out. They have done a phenomenal job connecting early Fort Collins history with their involvement in the community while providing an inviting environment to enjoy their many original brews.

Look at this awesome and courageous crowd! Dillon center with caretaker, Lauren, above. Thanks so much you very brave Haunted History After Dark guest!

The location of Pateros Creek Brewing Company was the site of an early corral and stable before the turn of the century. Many folks looking for horses and/or wagons to purchase would have accumulated in this spot to barter. Early writer, Isabella Bird, arrived in Fort Collins in 1879 on her way to see the Rocky Mountains with explorer, Mountain Jim Nugent. Her adventures from early Fort Collins to her travels as the first woman to climb Longs Peak, which she chronicled in “A Lady’s Life in the Rocky Mountains” most likely could have begun at or near this location.

A newly formed Northern Colorado Ghost Hunters Meet-Up Group also joined us this week for a ghostly adventure on the streets of Old Town. We were so honored to have this group on our tour. Coordinator, Rose, said that, “They had looked at other ghost tours and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be guided by a ghost whisperer.” Haunted History After Dark tour guide and medium, Grace Cooley, provided this group with intimate information regarding many spirits on our tour including a top-hatted ladies’ man that appears to people on an elevator (he has also been known to shove and play with the hair of guests on our tour), to a victim of a horrendous and early tragedy who altered the future of Fort Collins forever.

Guests to this tour included Tim and Teresa from Masonville, Colorado. This couple related that in the past they have had family and visitors relate paranormal experiences in their historical circa 1890’s home, which was once a stage stop. On this night Teresa did say that while on our tour she saw a figure peering at us from a window at one of our most haunted locations.

While conducting our tours for Haunted History After Dark we have had the wonderful opportunity to talk to so many residents and visitors that have experienced the paranormal in Fort Collins. The tales are fascinating and endless. One of the most often asked question we get is, “Why is Fort Collins SO haunted?” On our tours we have heard so many accounts of apparitions, unexplained growling sounds in both homes and businesses, channeling, and possessions. Why is Fort Collins so haunted?

Grace and I have discussed comprising a book of the stories and experiences of the paranormal from the many tales of our guests. If you have a story you would like to share about a haunted or paranormal experience please contact us at  hauntedhistoryafterdark@yahoo.com.

 Come walk with the spirits who are dying to meet you…

Take the Haunted History After Dark tour to learn more about Old Town Fort Collins haunted and historical past.

Contact Hauntedhistoryafterdark@yahoo.com for more information. Cost is 10 big ones per courageous ghost buster or 35 clams for an extra brave group of four. Cash only please.

 Stephen Stills begged Suite Judy Blue Eyes long ago, “Will you come see me…Thursdays and Saturdays…” What a coincidence! That’s when our tours are.  Will you come see us…Thursdays and Saturdays.  Or by reservation. 7:30 p.m.  Tours start at 136 W. Mountain Avenue home of Boutique Bravo and Mother Lode Gallery where owner Kate has been in business for a whopping 33 years! Check her out. And remember...YOUR HAUNTED JOURNEY STARTS AT DUSK!

A newly formed Northern Colorado Ghost Hunters Meet-Up Group also joined us this week for a ghostly adventure on the streets of Old Town. We were so honored to have this group on our tour. Coordinator, Rose, said that, “They had looked at other ghost tours and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be guided by a ghost whisperer.” Haunted History After Dark tour guide and medium, Grace Cooley, provided this group with intimate information regarding many spirits on our tour including a top-hatted ladies’ man that appears to people on an elevator (he has also been known to shove and play with the hair of guests on our tour), to a victim of a horrendous and early tragedy who altered the future of Fort Collins forever.



Our awesome and courageous Halloween guests!

For many of us the end of the Halloween season means hanging up the white sheet and stuffing the "Jason" mask back behind a cobwebbed corner of our garage or crawl space for another 365 days. But, for the spirits of Old Town Fort Collins this is a full-time job. 24/7/365. And on the Haunted History After Dark Halloween tour on Monday the ghosts of Old Town really got into the "spirit". For this tour we conducted our "Old Town" route which visits places such as the old Opera House and the Northern Hotel. Local ghost whisperer and tour guide, Grace Cooley, picked up on many new entities in the Opera House. She even related to us about a beagle who was inhabiting this structure. We have researched atleast one death that occured at the Opera House during its construction in 1881. This was a man who was hired to complete the framing of the interior. He died at the site in September of that year in a very horrific accident involving a makeshift elevator that he was using to haul brick and mortar to the third floor of the building. The elevator collapsed and he was sent plunging to his death. His funeral was held the next day at the old Methodist church. And for those of you who like to enjoy one of many of Coopersmith's Billiards awesome Flight C scotches while attempting to put an "A railer through the Ash", you might want to give a quick homage to this man as this is the location where his funeral took place. In fact, many funerals took place here including that of very famous early resident Joe Mason, who Mason street is named after. His funeral at this location was attended by hundreds of residents

 

in February of 1881 after his fatal accident involving a kick in the head by a young colt.

 While on this Halloween tour I noticed a guest waving to me at one of our most haunted locations. When I approached her she said that something had pushed her and was also playing with the hair of the woman next to her. No doubt! One of the many spirits who inhabits this structure is reportedly a centuries old womanizer. He appears to many in a top hat and, as he did when he was alive, is always on the prowl for a "fresh supply", as Grace says. Although he is benign, he definitely gives some our guests a "goose" or two. He is a favorite on our tour.

One Walt Disney enthusiast said "You made my day. I look at Old Town so different now!", when we talked about the not-so-haunted but very extraordinary history of Old Town Fort Collins and the connections with home town boy Harper Goff and his work creating Main Street USA in Disneyland in the 1950's.



Very brave November 3rd guests. You are amazing!



This courageous group was the first of our November season. We have to give HUGE kuddos to them. They not only braved the many spirits of Old Town but 29 degree weather to take our tour on Thursday November 3rd. You guys rock! For this group we did the "Old Post Cemetery" tour. At our first location a tour participant picked up a mist on his camera while Grace talked about early residents who were the victims of a horrific tragedy at this site. Then at the place of the very first cemetery in Fort Collins in the 1860's, another guest caught strange orbs hovering over the building we were talking about. Most of our guests pick up evidence of paranormal activity at this location. (I have to tell you that as the historian, and not the ghost whisperer, some of the evidence picked up around us still gives me the creeps! It's amazing.)

Happy Cynthia

When we got to our last location tonight, one of our awesome guests who was visiting from Missouri, Cynthia, asked if pets go to the "other side". Grace said that "yes they do", and related the presence of the beagle at the Opera House. Cynthia raised her arms in excitment and said, "Yes,!" She obviously was an owner of a very loved and fortunate pooch. We were excited that Cynthia was very happy at knowing this.

Haunted History After Dark looks forward to many more evenings this year with our awesome guests discovering the haunted and history of Old Town Fort Collins with you. We can't wait to share what we have discovered and hear your stories as well.



Grace Cooley at left connecting to spirits of Old Town



Some of our guests tonight questioned tour guide and medium, Grace, about personal readings. If you would like to book a session with Grace please contact her at hauntedhistoryafterdark@yahoo.com. Grace is increasingly being recognized as one of the most well known psychics in the nation. She has been giving accurate and insightful psychic readings for twenty years and is regarded as one of the most gifted in the area as well as the U.S.

The "other half" of HHAD Stephen and Mark.
  

Thank you so much to all of our very courageous and enthusiastic guest tonight! You were amazing!

If you would like to catch evidence of spirits in Old Town or learn about the haunted history of Fort Collins contact hauntedhistoryafterdark@yahoo.com Cost is 10 big ones per courageous ghost buster or 35 clams for an extra brave group of four. Cash only please. 

 Stephen Stills begged Suite Judy Blue Eyes long ago, “Will you come see me…Thursdays and Saturdays…” What a coincidence! That’s when our tours are.  Will you come see us…Thursdays and Saturdays.  Or by reservation. 7:30 p.m.  Tours start at 136 W. Mountain Avenue home of Boutique Bravo and Mother Lode Gallery where owner Kate has been in business for a whopping 33 years! Check her out.

And remember...YOUR HAUNTED JOURNEY STARTS AT DUSK!