Is It Haunted Or Not?

This past Saturday, I received the following unsolicited email:

I am an employee of the Pierpont Inn and I work either very early in the morning or very late in the evening. On days when I must open the hotel (at 6:00 a.m.) I find that the fireplace is not lit. I go to the back kitchen area and come back to the lobby and the fireplace is blazing. At first, it made my body bristle and cringe but then after a month, well, I got used to it. I just say, "Good morning Mattie" and begin my day.

Upon going upstairs into the staff offices I feel a high energy throughout. I hear strange noises and someone walking on the second level when I am up there. Am I scared? No. I am interested and I end up speaking to the spirit entities. I feel it's Mattie. I have not felt the spirits of Josephine Pierpont but I know that Mattie is alive and thriving within the confines of this hotel. Also, there is a male spirit entity of whom I have yet to encounter but I know he is there as I hear his footsteps every single time I go upstairs. It is not Mattie and it is not Josephine. I do know he is male. I will say that I feel these spirit entities throughout the hotel. I do not fear them because I only fear humans that are alive in the physical sense as they are the ones who can cause us physical harm. I believe Mattie is here because she loved this place and she just wants the guests and employees to love this place too. My aunt who is 83 years of age stayed here a month ago stated that she saw a spirit entity. My aunt's name is Maggie and I told her it must be Mattie saying hello to her since their names are a bit alike. My aunt believes Mattie told her hi.

I will report any experiences with you as my work life here permits.

This email was sent by a supposed employee at the Pierpont Inn and Spa in Ventura, California. The email address was clearly sent through the hotel administration account. I simple responded by stating that I appreciated the information and would welcome any updates.

The next day, I received the following email:

To whom it may concern,
This employee is pulling your chain, this hotel does not have mysterious happenings EVER, EVER, Please pay no attention to these rumors. It seems that when a hotel reaches a certain historical time in its wonderful life people get carried away with rumors of haunting, etc. THIS HISTORICAL SITE IS NOT HAUNTED!!!!!!! Please do not send any other e-mails so the employees can have fun furthering these rumors.

(Redacted)
General Manager
Pierpont Inn & Spa

Well...now I was curious. I had known the reputation of the hotel because I had previously posted about the paranormal activity. In fact, the Los Angeles Paranormal Association, a group of which I have a lot of respect, had previously investigated the property in 2009. Here is a link to the investigation - A Century Worth of Hauntings at the Pierpont Inn. Four months after the LAPA investigation, the following article was written in The California Chronicle:

As new owners begin renovations at historic Southern California 99-year old Pierpont Inn, paranormal encounters and activity more frequent.

Whether you share a fancy for paranormal sightings or want to escape into a vortex of relaxation at this historic inn on the bluff, The Pierpont Inn has something for everyone, both in this world and in alternate realms.

A Ventura landmark for more than 99 years, the rare, historic Arts and Crafts inn was built by Josephine Pierpont-Ginn in 1910 and purchased by Mattie Vickers Gleichman in 1928. The third woman owner, Grace Ahn, purchased The Pierpont Inn in May 2009.

Since new owners and ongoing restoration and construction on the grounds began in May, employees and management of the Inn are experiencing first-hand what they may have only heard about before.

Ventura County ghost expert, witness, writer and paranormal specialist Richard Senate has hosted many ghost tours at The Pierpont Inn in the past, a hotbed for spiritual encounters.

"I have come to believe that the City of Ventura is one of the most haunted cities in America," Senate says. "The Pierpont Inn is no exception."

Yes, The Pierpont Inn is haunted. There are ghosts in its 99-year old attic, which are now staff offices, as well as banquet halls, grounds and one guest room in particular where the top comforter is always found folded at the end of the bed (Room 603). In the Camulos dining room inside the Vickers´s Estate – once the residence of Gus and Mattie Vickers when they owned The Pierpont Inn – lights flicker on and off.

Marcia Santilli, the Inn´s director of catering has her own recent experience to share. Upon leaving her office recently, Santilli locked the door, double-checking to make sure it was pulled tight, and walked towards Nadine Goodwin, catering manager. In a matter of seconds the door had unlocked and flung wide open, slamming against the office wall. The pair stared, stunned.

Since the owners have completed many renovations and upgrades to the property, hired new staff, added new appointments and updated guest rooms, many on the hotel staff believe the spirits that call The Pierpont Inn home seem to be responding to the bustle of activity.

-----

I wrote back to the General Manager and asked..."you're telling me, in light of these articles, there have never been any hauntings at this location?"

A few hours later I received the following email:

That is exactly what I am telling you, a few years ago some advertising agency decided it would be a great advertising campaign for the inn. The inn is absolutely not haunted period end of story!!!!!!!

(Redacted)
General Manager
Pierpont Inn & Spa

-----

In the hotel website they stress "serene, soothing and peaceful". I looked at a few of the customer comments and came away with what I feel is the real reason why the management is now saying that there have never been hauntings at the Pierpont Inn....for example:

9/28/2010 - "Poor customer service. Reservations were lost. Guests were told that rooms were haunted when they checked in. Guests were accidentally billed when the rooms had been prepaid by me. I live locally. I made a personal visit to deal with the lost reservation. I had to make a second visit to deal with the double billing. I was told the rooms would be comped due to all the hassle. I called the interim manager today who told me they can not comp my room so I need to place the payment in dispute with my credit card company. Not once did the manager offer any apology for this situation. The hotel needs to train their staff and management if they want to get repeat business and referrals."

I guess it's possible that I'll receive further updates. I guess it's even possible that all the paranormal activity reports over the past century were bogus. What do you think?

Spirit Rescue International™
Providing no-cost professional spiritual help, personal support and guidance
Take the first step towards genuine peace of mind

The Spirit Rescue International™ Haunted Help Forum
*Join Our Group On Facebook*

ANOMALIST BOOKS
Works on maverick science, unexplained mysteries, unorthodox theories, strange talents, and unexpected discoveries. Please check out their excellent and diverse catalog

The 'C' Influence
Actualizing Esoteric Discussion

Become a fan of 'Phantoms and Monsters' at Facebook



"The latest news from beyond the mainstream"
Join Ben & Aaron for their weekly podcast!
Check out Mysterious Universe Plus+ all access format!

Astral Perceptions - Discussing ultraterrestrial and multidimensional phenomena and the proficiency of remote viewing

Join Eric Altman, Lon Strickler and the crew LIVE each Sunday at 10 PM ET as we go
Beyond the Edge!

Click here to check out Stan's most recent book!

Click here to check out John Ventre's most recent book!

Join the
The Social - Paranormal Network

A NETWORK OF INVESTIGATORS, ENTHUSIASTS AND THOSE SEEKING THE TRUTH
THROUGH PARANORMAL EDUCATION AND DISCUSSION

(410) 241-5974

Phantoms and Monsters
Now Available on Kindle

Looking For A Great Gift Idea?

Have you had a close encounter or witnessed something unusual? Send us an email

Please help support
'Phantoms and Monsters'
Thanks!