Ghosts and Goblins Haunted This Old Structure For Years (Saginaw)

The Detroit Free Press, February 19, 1906 (enlarge)

The house in this haunting dates back to the 1840s before the actual settlement of Saginaw. C. W. Grant erected the first framed structure in what would become the city of Saginaw near the present site of the Bancroft Building (formerly the Bancroft Hotel) at South Tilden (now Water Street) and Janes. For many years it served as a boarding house and witnessed numerous deaths and subsequent hauntings.

Mr. Grant died of a mysterious ailment, his son-in-law passed from "delirium" after taking over the reigns and the subsequent owner perished from a blow to the head by a drunken patron. It is said that where the man's head struck the ground grass never grew again.

The man's ghost was said to haunt the establishment balancing a water pitcher on its head which glowed like fire. The apparition would wander about aimlessly until coming to the spot of its murder whereby the vessel would shatter into pieces and a fireball descend into the ground. Which, if true by some work of paranormal forces, would explain the barren patch of earth.

A well on the site of the house was purportedly the final resting spot for another murdered man. After his body was thrown into the hole it filled up and disappeared.

At some point the building stood empty for seven years save for the ghost of Little Rachel, its last known inhabitant. The house remained as it was when she took leave of the abode. Her apparition and others were known to flutter through the house making uncanny sights and sounds for lookers on and curiosity seekers.

When the property was finally sold the house was torn down. Thus went the ghosts? I haven't been to Saginaw in years. Perhaps one of the local paranormal advocates could scare them up.