Pacesetters... The Ghost Walk . . . . . Return to "Other Neat Stuff" or "Walking"




Presented by the Landmark Society of Western New York

Ghost Walk - 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000


The 2009 Ghost Walk
This year the crowd was smaller and those that chose not to come missed one of the best programs ever presented by the Landmark Society. The six stories presented by "ghosts" in period costume involved the audience at times as if we were part of the event being portrayed. This interactivity made for a more interesting and fun experience.

Our stories started with a "Gatekeeper Ghost" telling us about the stone entrance monuments at both ends of Arnold Park. Once inside we heard about the great fireworks disaster of 1942 which claimed 11 lives. Then we met soldier Lizzie Compton, a woman who disguised herself as a man so she could fight in the civil war. Women were not allowed in combat, but Lizzie’s convictions were very strong, so she went to great lengths to keep her gender a secret. Quite interesting how she did that.

A tragic accident involving an elevator in the old Powers building on the corner of Main and State was the theme of another story. Too gruesome to describe here.

One of the most interesting stories was related to us by a photographer who made extra income photographing dead bodies. His efforts to convince his reluctant son to join him in this macabre business added some humor to the story. Post-mortem photography was popular in the mid-1800’s as families wanted remembrances of their loved ones. It is still done today, but very discreetly and privately.

The final story, also told with a bit of grave humor, spoke of a professional physician who employed the services of a "Resurrectionist". In 1832, Rochesterville doctors needed to advance their anatomical studies and cadavers were not easy to come by. Rochesterians needed to pass a resolution to prevent the occurrence of the "Dissection Riots" that had plagued other cities. This included the formation of a 15-man watch committee for our local graveyards to keep the "residents" in place. And these were the "good ‘ole days?"
- Dave K.

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The 2008 Ghost Walk
A record 26 Huggers and friends came to this annual event held at the Third Presbyterian Church on East Avenue. The Landmark Society presented six scenarios to us on a dark, cool, but pleasant evening. We were once again escorted by a lantern carrying guide down the leaf filled sidewalks of Arnold Park B to visit "ghosts" in period costume who related tales of Rochester’s spookier and darker past.

There was a tale of a gale force wind that brought down a circus tent in 1849, leaving one woman a widow. The show still went on. On the steps of a nearby mansion, we heard the story of Miss Bonney, whose dead body was left untreated for months because her fellow spiritualists believed life would soon return to the decaying body. It didn’t. In those days fears of premature burial ran rampart. On the steps of a old gothic church we heard of an alarm system that could be activated from within a casket, just in case.... The mortician telling this also tried to recruit one of us Huggers to become his assistant. All tools and training provided! There were no takers.

In the mid 1800’s the Rochester Fire Department was formed which had various degrees (no pun intended) of success. The great Sibley fire of 1904 became disastrous because the assisting fire departments from Buffalo and Syracuse found their hoses would not fit Rochester’s hydrants. Today they are all standardized. The Sibley building that stands at Main and East Avenue today is the replacement.

Back inside the church a group of ghosts stood before us and related stories of six Rochester folks with ties to the sinking of the Titantic. Their first person accounts gave a chilling description of their North Atlantic experiences. Our tour ended once again in the church’s basement where we indulged in donuts and coffee, accompanied by conversations with good friends. Hope all come again next year!
- Dave K.

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The 2007 Ghost Walk
On October 20, 2007, Twenty Huggers gathered at the Third Presbyterian Church for the 14th edition of the Landmark Society’s infamous Ghost Walk. The weather was unseasonable warm and thankfully, no rain. Our lantern carrying guide then proceeded out on the dark streets of Arnold Park B for presentations of six new, true stories about Rochester’s "Dark Side".

We heard several macabre tales such as the Charles Littles murder, and the Lantern Works Fire. In the case of the fire, a male figure named Andrew, leaning over a porch railing, told us a grizzly story of Rochester’s most deadly fire which claimed 34 lives. Unfortunately Andrew, who was there, was not one of the survivors. The figure looming before us was his ghost! Another poor soul named Mr. Klick related a tale of what it was like being buried alive after a 1894 mine accident.

Social issues such as the Temperance movement were covered including an invitation to Carrie Nation for a Rochester visit. She declined after hearing numerous "hatchet bearing" saloon owners were waiting for her. There was also the Anti-Capital Punishment Society, who tried unsuccessfully to prevent the hanging execution of Ira Stout for murdering Charles Littles. The evening commenced with cider and donuts in the church’s basement where Landmark Society souvenirs were also available. All had a chilling good time!
- Dave K.

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The 2006 Ghost Walk
It was a perfect night. Dark, cool, and damp from the day’s earlier rainstorms. A perfect night for 21 Huggers to embark on a grisly journey through the streets of Rochester in search of ghosts. And ghosts they did find. Led by a lantern-carrying guide from the Landmark Society of Western New York, they traveled the dark passages of Arnold Park B, stopping briefly for an accounting of the new stone gate entranceway to this old and historic street.

Their first stop found them at an old porch on the side of the Rochester Zen Center, where a tale of an unfortunate fellow’s short cut through Holy Sepulchre Cemetery late at night brought him misfortune. He had gone to visit a lady friend on Dewey Avenue, but after leaving didn’t make it back home to Lake Avenue that night!

The front steps of a nearby house with an arched doorway was the setting for the second stop. Here a lady ghost from the 19th century related tales from the early Erie canal days. It is said that local taverns at the time offered free glasses of whiskey to anyone telling a good story, and this lady certainly must not have gone thirsty.

A short ways away under the menacing stone tower of an Italianate mansion, we met Dr. Francis Tumblety, who is reputed to be the infamous "Jack the Ripper". He had just returned from England after making a very hasty departure. Dr. Tumblety’s grave can be seen in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

The group then meandered across the still-wet street to the side yard of a gingerbread trimmed house, with a mansard roof and widow’s walk. Here they heard the tale of a epidemic afflicting most of the city’s horses, bringing commerce to a halt. One of the costumed actors from 1872 commented "Someday we will use oil to propel our wagons, and not depend on horses anymore. We will never run out of oil. It is cheap and plentiful!"

A short walk from there to nearby church steps gave us a gory tale of an elevator accident at the Powers Hotel in 1894. We’ll leave the details of that one out.

Inside the church we gathered in a waiting room to meet several ghosts called "Millerites", a religious group. They believed the world was coming to an end on October 22, 1844, and gave away all their worldly possessions. What a predicament they had when the date passed leaving them with not so much as a piece of toast.

That was our last ghostly visit so we descended to the church dungeon for cider and donuts. Some Huggers purchased grizzly souvenirs to take home with them. Ask Cindy D. about her new "teeth". Thanks to all who participated, and for those who missed this event, keep it in mind for next year. New chilling tales will be told to haunt you.
- Dave K.

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The 2005 Ghost Walk
After a one year absence, the Huggers returned to Rochester for the Landmark Society's annual Ghostwalk. Unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate, but the steady drizzle/rain didn't stop us from exploring murder and mayhem from Rochester's past. We were quite relieved however to get inside the First Presbyterian Church's basement for hot coffee and donuts afterward! Many thanks to Barb B. for organizing and running this event.
- Dave K.

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The 2003 Ghost Walk
This was the 10th anniversary of the Ghost Walk sponsored by the Landmark Society of Western New York. Three new tales along with some of the old favorites relived true periods tales that were gory, ghostly or disastrous. Nineteen Pacesetters witnessed the grand finale, which was an 1870 séance. Hopefully, everybody became a true believer in the fascinating events from Rochester’s past.
- Pauline M.

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The 2002 Ghost Walk
Is Jack the Ripper Buried in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery? Dr. Frank Tumblety was seen changing out of the blood stained shirt in the early morning hours after the prostitute was murdered and her body chopped into ground beef. British authorities arrested Tumblety on suspicion of murder, but they didn’t have enough evidence to hold him and he was able to make bail. Over a three-month period, 5 women of disrepute were murdered. The murders stopped after Tumblety fled England and returned to Rochester where his family had lived on Sophia Street, which is now Plymouth Ave. Frank Tumblety died in 1903 and is buried in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Did he commit those murders?? 32 Huggers and non-Huggers walked in the rain along Arnold Place off East Avenue as we attended the 9th Annual Ghost Walk sponsored by the Landmark Society of Western New York. Dr. Tumblety was one of 6 stories that were portrayed by actors dressed in authentic costumes. Next year, the Landmark Society will be celebrating their 10th anniversary of their Ghost Walk series and they say it is going to be scarier than ever!!
- Pauline M.

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The 2001 Ghost Walk
"The water-logged frozen corpse was of ordinary height and possessed a pretty face and a well rounded figure". These were the descriptive words written in the January 28,1886, Rochester Morning Herald newspaper of a lady found embedded in a block of frozen ice in the Erie Canal. Did you know that the number of bicycles in the Rochester area in 1897 were 40,000!! Many cyclists went headfirst over their precariously balanced big wheels - thus the origin of the saying "taking a header". Henry Emrich was one unlucky rider who went over his handlebars and ended up with a meat cutter’s hook in his eye! Do you believe in spirit photography? How could you make an image of the living from chemicals and light? Back then photography was still an unfamiliar process. Many Spiritualists in the 19th century believed the dearly departed spirit of their loved ones could appear on photographic prints. But how could this happen??? These are just three excerpts of 7 true stories that were presented by the Landmark Society of Western New York during Ghost Walk 2001. Actors dressed in late 19th century costumes came out on the porches and portrayed the tales with much emotional enthusiasm and candor. The walk ended back at the Third Presbyterian Church for donuts and cider. Several Ghost Walkers ended their evening by going to Marcia’s house for more hot cider and snacks and, of course, more GHOST STORIES.
- Pauline M.

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The 2000 Ghost Walk
The Killer Canal Story, Canal Ice Cutter, and Whiskey in the Canal are just 3 of the 7 true stories that were presented by The Landmark Society of Western New York during Ghost Walk 2000. That year Rochester celebrated it's 175th anniversary of the Erie Canal and many of the stories portrayed life on the canal. 28 Huggers and friends were guided along side streets off East Avenue that were lined with beautiful old homes. The stars glittered in the sky, the air was warm as the Fall leaves fell to the ground. Actors dressed in late 19th century costumes portrayed the tales with much emotional enthusiasm and candor. The evening ended back at the Third Presbyterian Church where we all enjoyed donuts and cider.
- Pauline M.


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Last modified: August 29, 2009