Some ghost tours at this time of year feature dark rooms and special effects. It was different at the Cornerstone Masonic Lodge in Monroe. The Freemasons hosted a Community Day on Oct. 13. There was music, food, an art exhibit and a bounce house. But the ghost tour appeared to be the most popular event of the day.
Ten years ago, the Masons acquired the old stagecoach inn that overlooked the millponds in the center of town. John McGarrah had opened the inn at the end of the 18th century, and had kept four lit candles in the window to let travelers know that he offered food, lodging, beverages and stables. He would accept guests at any hour of the night, and would sometimes insist on two or three of them sharing a bed.
A Mason, Mr. McGarrah constructed a meeting room on the third floor of his establishment. After his death, the building changed owners five times. It became Goff’s Tavern, and was later used as an insane asylum.
When the members of the Cornerstone Lodge acquired the building, they began to renovate it. And some say that they disturbed the spirits that resided there. The crowd on the Oct. 13 tour heard that there were five ghosts in the building, and that many people had encountered them.
The guide, who identified himself as George, had several stories for his listeners. He made them laugh, but he also caused them to wonder.
For example, there was the digital picture from Vinnie and Gianna’s birthday party. All of the other pictures taken that day were clear, but this one was black – except for what looked like a red doll standing upright on the floor. George said that no one saw that doll before, during or after the party.
On several occasions, members have heard someone climbing the stairs or a boy running up the stairs. George reports that he’s seen a man on the staircase three times, and that he’s heard the child on a recording of a meeting. After a member asks “All right?” a shrill voice replies “all right.”
A couple came from Philadelphia to investigate the phenomena and spend the night in a guest room. George said that while they were in the room, they saw a woman in a white frilly gown who asked them what they were doing. George assured the audience that the visitors weren’t doing anything they shouldn’t.
A youngster in the bathroom saw a ghost in the mirror, and several people have encountered the “shadow man,” who appears to be about five foot eight inches tall. As his name implies, only his shadow can be seen.
One woman who came to the lodge appeared to have tangible evidence of the supernatural. She bravely entered the basement, and shouted, “Is anyone down here?” Soon after she posed that question, she came running up the steps and nervously showed her companions the three long scratches on her side.
Despite these bizarre occurrences, the lodge has a sizeable membership and has remained active in the community. The Oct. 13 activities attracted a large crowd and continued from noon until six in the evening.