Ghosts in the Old School House

The Fourth Ward School in Virginia City is haunted. The old school was built in 1876 when the Comstock was booming. It was a modern marvel complete with running water and indoor plumbing. Still, shortly after the Fourth Ward School opened its doors, attendance dropped as families left the area in search of new opportunities.

Today the three-story schoolhouse is a museum. Within its walls are old classrooms, chalkboards, potbellied stoves, maps, desks, books and a few ghosts. Last week I took my oldest son and his wife on a ghost investigation of the old building. Both are skeptics. As we drove up the winding road to Virginia City my daughter law laughingly remarked that she doubted the place was haunted. Naturally, her husband agreed with her.

We met with the Loose Cannon televison production crew headed by Bryon and Dawn Smith. Television stars, Laura and Kristy were busy filming a upcoming Virginia City segment for the paranormal show Spooky Places, and started our search on the first floor. I knew there was something on the first floor. I'd been told this by a sensitive and had confirmed it one morning as I showed a people around the school. We'd stopped in the room dedicated to former students. All was silent in the old building, then we'd clearly heard the sounds of unseen children running up and down these stairs. Today I hoped the group would be able to capture them on film.

We climbed the stairs to the third floor and the EMF meters indicated there was strong activity. The photos confirmed it. At one point a window began to rattle ominously. Both Laura and Kristy were getting some interesting orbs.

"The wind." My son said bravely.

"No!" Said his wife. "Look at the flag it's not even moving."

He stepped further from the window. "I'm sure there's an explanation."

"Maybe it was just a quick gust of wind. One of those Washoe Zephyrs." Someone suggested.

The meters suggest otherwise so we take a few photos.

A few of those who've worked late in the old building have told of hearing children laughing and running in the building. Indeed the spirits of at two students who drowned in a makeshift swimming pool nearby are supposed to haunt the old school. But the ghost that people see most often in that of a pretty young schoolteacher who stands outside the building on stormy nights. The story is that she is hoping for a ride down to the Silver Terrace Cemetery.

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