Throwback Thursday: history of SD hauntings

The Alex Johnson Hotel in Rapid City is among the most rumored haunted places in South Dakota.

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The Alex Johnson Hotel in Rapid City is among the most rumored haunted places in South Dakota.

Hannah Hansen, Staff Writer

Oct. 31st can hold a variety of different meanings – some look forward to seeing pop culture costumes roam the sidewalks, while others hide in their basements from the thousands of trick or treaters in America. Halloween is less than a week away, and whether or not you love the anticipation that comes with costume hunting and horror movies as much as I do, you are in for a (trick or) treat.

Ghost stories are one of America’s favorite past times. With those who believe in ghosts or paranormal activity separate from their opposers, some bizarre ghost sightings have been documented throughout U.S. history.  Here are a few of the most haunted places in South Dakota to ever be recorded:

  1. Orpheum Theater, Sioux Falls: Built in 1913, the Orpheum Theater houses a ghoulish feel in addition to its longtime guest. Larry, a ghost who consistently appears in the Orpheum photographs is rumored to have haunted the theater ever since the building was sold to the Sioux Empire Community Playhouse in 1954. It is said that Larry was an actor who mysteriously disappeared during a dress rehearsal at the theater. His castmates recall hearing a gunshot in the light booth as they were led to a pool of blood – except no body was ever found. Larry, is that you?
  2. Hotel Alex Johnson, Rapid City: After its opening in 1928, Alex Johnson died in the hotel 10 years later. According to the hotel staff, his ghost still haunts the building to this day – and his spirit is not the only one that lingers. Other ghost sightings, such as the Lady in White, have been speculated at the hotel from visitors over the years. Rooms 802 and 812 are rumored to be among the most haunted, and the hotel even offers a Ghost Adventure Package – but only for those who dare to face their fate.
  3. Deadwood: Basically, the whole town of Deadwood has had suspicious, paranormal activity throughout the years. The town’s first recorded haunting was in 1878, one year after Samuel Curley murdered his wife, Kitty LeRoy, only to then kill himself. The Bullock Hotel is another hot spot if you are a ghost-seeking fanatic. Located on Main Street in the historic area of Deadwood, the hotel has seen its fair share of ghosts since its opening in the late 1900s, where guests have noticed strange activity on the second floor. The founder of the hotel, Captain Seth Bullock, has been seen since his death roaming throughout the building, haunting any employees who are slacking on the job. Today, people continue to report strange events happening throughout the Bullock hotel – not to mention the whole entire town of Deadwood.

This Halloween, remember to be safe, and keep your eyes open for any suspicious ghost activity around South Dakota – you never know what you may find.