Haunted Skirvin Hotel in Oklahoma City

Vintage Postcard, Skirvin Hotel, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

The Skirvin Hotel built in 1910 by oilman W.B. Skirvin, who was determined to have the finest hotel in the Southwest. Opening its doors in 1911, the plush hotel had two, 10-story towers containing 224 rooms, was one of the first buildings in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to have air conditioning, then called “iced air,” had running ice water in each room, a ballroom that seated 500, and imported Austrian chandeliers that cost more than $100,000 each.

Skirvin’s daughter, Perl Mesta, brought the hotel a national reputation by being the ambassadress to Luxembourg, and then Washington’s “Hostess with the Mostess,” portrayed in the famed Broadway musical, “Call Me Madam.”

In 1930, a third wing was added, raising the structure to 14 stories and increasing capacity to 525 rooms.

The Oklahoma showplace became a popular speakeasy during Prohibition. It was during this time that W.B. Skirvin was said to have had an affair with one of the hotel maids. According to legend, the maid soon conceived and in order to prevent a scandal, she was locked in a room on the top floor of the hotel. The desolate girl soon grew depressed and even after the birth of her child; she was still not let out of the room. Half out of her mind, she finally grabbed the infant child and threw herself, along with the baby, out of the window.

The maid’s name remains unknown, but her ghost continues to haunt the Skirvin Hotel and she was nicknamed “Effie” by former employees. Though the old hotel closed in 1988, former guests would often report not being able to obtain a decent night’s sleep due to the consistent sounds of a child crying.

Skirvin Hotel Vintage Photo

Effie was apparently a woman of loose morals and many men who have stayed in the hotel have often reported being propositioned by a female voice while alone in their rooms. Others have seen the figure of a naked woman with them while taking a shower. One man even claimed he was sexually assaulted by an invisible entity during his stay.

Other strange noises and occurrences were reported by staff and guests including things seemingly being moved around by themselves, such as the maid’s cart being pushed down the hall when no one was there.

In October 1979 the hotel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. When it closed in 1988 the building stood empty for more almost fifteen years. However, the historic hotel has now been fully restored and now open once again for guests.

The $46.4 million project included the original exterior finish, installation of historically accurate windows, reconfigured guest rooms, new guest elevators, an elegant lobby, restaurants, and state-of-the-art meeting rooms. Wherever possible, historical elements such as moldings, tiles, and ceiling treatments were incorporated into the design.

Despite the millions of dollars spent to renovate this historic hotel, Effie allegedly continues to reside there.

The Skirvin Hotel is located at 1 Park Avenue in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

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Haunted Belvidere Mansion in Claremore, Oklahoma

The Belvidere Mansion in Claremore, Oklahoma not only provides a peek at history but possibly, even a peek at a ghost or two.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the three-story mansion was built by John M. Bayless starting in 1902. Bayless, who was instrumental in building the Cassville and Western (C&W ) Railroad, as well as the Arkansas & Oklahoma Railroad, moved his family to Indian Territory from Cassville, Missouri in 1901. The next year, he began to build the castle-like mansion for his wife, Mary Melissa Bayless, and his seven children. Belvidere was not only successful in the railroad business, but also in banking and land development.

The gothic-style brick home, complete with tile roof and four towers, provided for a portico on the north side for the guest carriages, as well as a large covered porch at the front entrance with a matching balcony directly above it. Inside, the floors were covered in tile, with wainscoted marble walls and pressed tin ceilings. Sliding pocket doors were used in several rooms and many had fireplaces. Much of the trim and woodwork used were brought from the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis. The third floor of the mansion was dedicated to a 2,400 square foot ballroom.

John M. Bayless

Due to its immaculate details, the mansion took several years to build. At the same time, Bayless was also building a three-story Opera House, the Sequoyah Hotel, and an athletic building with an indoor swimming pool. However, Mr. Bayless would never see the completion of his grand mansion. In 1907, just six months before it was completed, Bayless died following an operation for appendicitis. He was president of the Bank of Claremore at the time of his death.

Mary Bayless and her six surviving children finished the mansion after his death and continued to reside there until 1919. All of her children resided in Claymore, with her older sons becoming involved in the Bank of Claremore. Another became the local postmaster, and yet another went on to become a State Supreme Judge.

The building then changed hands several times and in the 1930’s was sold to an investor who turned it into apartments. Like other historic structures that become rentals, the mansion deteriorated over the years until it was purchased by the Rogers County Historical Society in 1991. Today, the beautiful old building has been restored to its former glory and is fitted with period furnishings.

Today, the mansion is open for tours and is also available for special events.

Of the buildings that Belvidere built, only the mansion remains.

Over the years, numerous people have reported that John Bayless and other members of his family; however, still continue to “reside” in the beautiful old home. These allegations tell of unexplained noises, actual sightings of hazy figures, toilets that flush by themselves, hot and cold spots, and feelings of being touched by someone when no one is there.

On several occasions paranormal groups have investigated the old mansion, seeming to find the most paranormal activity on the second floor. There, psychics have “seen” children playing, as well as “meeting” a distressed John Bayless, and a distraught young woman who allegedly committed suicide when she lived in the building as a tenant in the 1940’s.



Contact Information:

Belvidere Mansion
4th & Chickasaw
Claremore, Oklahoma 74017
918-342-1127

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Ghosts of the Little Theatre, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Tulsa Little Theatre in Tulsa, Oklahoma

The Tulsa Little Theatre, located in an unassuming brick building at 15th and Delaware Streets in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is not only steeped in history but is also said to be home to several unearthly guests.

Built in 1932 by the Tulsa Little Theatre group, in an extremely plain art nouveau design, the first show produced in their new building was the Cradle Song.

In the beginning, the Little Theatre troupe had no permanent location when it started offering productions in 1922.

However, they were undeterred, maintaining that “the show must go on,” in any place they could find – large canvas tents, movie theaters and even at the American Legion, before they finally found built their permanent home at 15th and Delaware.

Workshops were held in the storage room of Palace Clothiers, which later became the location of the Ritz Theater. By 1925, the Little Theatre group numbered over 300 members and began to perform at the Alhambra Theater at 15th and Peoria. In 1929, the Little Theatre purchased the property at 15th and Delaware, which would be its home for the next 60 years. East Lynne, the first production at their new location was performed in a tent.

Despite the depression, the Tulsa Little Theatre continued its performances and in 1932 completed its permanent building. During the 1930s and ’40s, the Delaware Playhouse, as it became known, was the epicenter of Tulsa’s arts and entertainment scene. Over the years, the theater hosted hundreds of plays and entertainment events as it went through multiple directors and saw actors come and go.

In 1965, the theatre suffered a fire after its third performance of The Women, resulting in the destruction of stage props, furniture, and costumes. Just a year later, the theatre suffered yet another blaze during the production of South Pacific. Though the fire destroyed much of the upstairs property, the theatre persevered.

In 1974, the troupe changed its name to Theatre Tulsa, Inc. but remained in the art nouveau location. More than a decade later, in 1989, the group had outgrown their building and moved to the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, where it continues to be the resident company of the facility.

For the next two years, the old theatre building sat vacant until it finally sold. Over the next decade, the aging building changed hands several times and was utilized for several purposes, including a church, a nightclub, and a recording studio.

By 2004, the 10,000 square-foot building had fallen into serious disrepair and suffered from criminal neglect. It was at this time that attorney; Bryce A. Hill was looking for a midtown location for his law office. Though the site was ideal, near the historic Cherry Street district, Hill and his wife, Sunshine, thought long and hard before purchasing the dilapidated property.

When they did, the old building smelled of decay was filled with trash, and water seeped from the walls, floors, and ceilings.

For the next 14 months, the Hills renovated the building, restoring much of it to its original 1932 façade and revamping the front portion of the building to utilize as offices.

Tulsa Little Theatre trash

In addition to having a renovated new look and a brand new owner, the old theatre still retains a part of its past – most notably a couple of spirits that are said to have been hanging around the building for years.

Near the curtains on the old stage, a strange ball of light has often been seen bobbing around. Others on stage have reported seeing something standing behind them before mysteriously vanishing. Yet even more report having been touched by unseen hands and hearing strange noises coming from backstage when no one is there.

According to the legend, a one-time play director during the theatre’s heydays, died during a performance. Are these the signs of a director who has not yet finished his productions? Others allege that the spirit of a little girl is also said to lurk within the confines of the historic theatre. Employees of the law office also tell a number of odd occurrences within the building, including supplies that go missing and lights that turn on and off of their own accord.

The theatre portion of the building can be rented for events and performances.


Inside the Tulsa Littel Theatre

More Information:

Tulsa Little Theatre
Law Offices of Bryce Hill
1511 S. Delaware Ave.
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104

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Ghostly Tales of Oklahoma 66

Historic Claremore, Oklahoma

Claremore, Oklahoma – Long ago a Native American student was attending the Military Academy at what would later become Rogers State University. Like we have unfortunately heard too many times in the past, the youth was accidentally killed during a hazing ritual. Obviously his spirit is not at peace as he is said to haunt the halls during the midnight hours. Baird Hall is where the Indian’s footsteps have often been heard in an otherwise empty building. Two janitors have reported hearing these odd footsteps as well as toilets flushing in empty bathrooms and other strange phenomena throughout the building.

El Reno, Oklahoma Vintage Postcard

El Reno, Oklahoma – If you are traveling the Mother Road between Weatherford and El Reno, Oklahoma at night, keep your eyes open because legend has it that this part of the old Mother Road is haunted by an elderly humped back man. Said to appear in a brown trench coat, wearing a Bogie style hat pulled down over his eyes, he has often been spotted walking along the old highway, especially on foggy or rainy nights. Reportedly, one person picked this old figure up one wet evening and the eerie little man wouldn’t talk to him. Soon, the vagabond tried to jump out of the moving car. The driver immediately pulled over to the side and let him out, only to spot the man walking again several miles ahead of the driver on down the road. Another person said that they thought they had hit the man with their vehicle but when they stopped to check on him, no one was there. Do you believe it? Keep your eyes peeled.

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Devil’s Promenade & the Hornet Spook Light

Hornet Spook Light near Joplin, Missouri.

Bobbing and bouncing along a dirt road in northeast Oklahoma is the Hornet Spook Light, a paranormal enigma for more than a century. Described most often as an orange ball of light, the orb travels from east to west along a four-mile gravel road, long called the Devil’s Promenade by area locals.

The Spook Light, often referred to as the Joplin Spook Light or the Tri-State Spook Light is actually in Oklahoma near the small town of Quapaw. However, it is most often seen from the east, which is why it has been “attached” to the tiny hamlet of Hornet, Missouri and the larger better-known town of Joplin.

According to the legend, the spook light was first seen by Indians along the infamous Trail of Tears in 1836; however, the first “official” report occurred in 1881 in a publication called the Ozark Spook Light.

The ball of fire, described as varying from the size of a baseball to a basketball, dances and spins down the center of the road at high speeds, rising and hovering above the treetops, before it retreats and disappears. Others have said it sways from side to side, like a lantern being carried by some invisible force. In any event, the orange fire-like ball has reportedly been appearing nightly for well over a 100 years. According to locals, the best time to view the spook light is between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and midnight and tends to shy away from large groups and loud sounds.

Though many paranormal and scientific investigators have studied the light, including the Army Corps of Engineers, no one has been able to provide a conclusive answer as to the origin of the light.

Many explanations have been presented over the years including escaping natural gas, reflecting car lights and billboards, and will-o’-the-wisps, a luminescence created by rotting organic matter. However, all of these explanations all fall short of being conclusive.

As to the theory of escaping natural gas, which is common in marshy areas, the Hornet Light is seemingly not affected by wind or by rain, and how would it self-ignite? The idea that it might be a will-o’-the-wisp is discounted, as this biological phenomenon does not display the intensity of the ball of light seen along the Devil’s Promenade. Explanations of headlights or billboards are easily discarded, as the light was seen years before automobiles or billboards were made, and before a road even existed in the area.

One possible explanation that is not as easily discounted, but not yet proven conclusive, is that the lights are electrical atmospheric charges. In areas where rocks, deep below the earth’s surface, are shifting and grinding, an electrical charge can be created. This area, lying on a fault line running east from New Madrid, Missouri, westward to Oklahoma was the site of four earthquakes during the eighteenth century. These types of electrical fields are most commonly associated with earthquakes.

Devil’s Promenade near Joplin, Missouri

Other interesting legends also abound about the light that provides a more ghostly explanation. The oldest is the story of a Quapaw Indian maiden who fell in love with a young brave. However, her father would not allow her to marry the man as he did not have a large enough dowry. The pair eloped but were soon pursued by a party of warriors. According to the legend, when the couple was close to being apprehended, they joined hands above the Spring River and leaped to their deaths. It was shortly after this event, that the light began to appear and was attributed to the spirits of the young lovers.

Another legend tells of a miner whose cabin was attacked by Indians while he was away. Upon his return, he found his wife and children missing and is said to continue looking for them along the old road, searching with his lantern.

Others say the Spook Light is the ghost of an Osage Indian chief who was decapitated in the area and continues to search for his lost head, with a lantern held high in his hand.

Sightings of the Spook Light are common, sometimes even reported to be seen inside vehicles. A few people, who have been walking along the road at night, have even claimed to have felt the heat of the ball as it passed near them.

Reportedly, the moving anomaly, growing brighter and dimmer, larger and smaller, can be seen approximately 12 miles southwest of Joplin, Missouri. To get to Devil’s Promenade Road, take Interstate 44 west from Joplin but before you reach the Oklahoma border, take the next to the last Missouri exit onto Star Route 43. Traveling south for about four miles, you will reach a crossroads which is Devil’s Promenade Road.

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Kalihoma Indian Reservation - Ada,Oklahoma

Around 1:00 or 2:00 o'clock at night a car with it's headlights will follow
you after turning off of highway 48 to Kalihoma Indian Reservation
road. Traveling west on this road heading towards highway 1, if you
speed up, it will speed up, if you slow down, it will slow down. As you
turn onto highway 1, the car will stop, and then turn back to Kalihoma
Indian Reservation.

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Drumright High School - Drumright,Oklahoma

Back in the day Drumright High School used to be a bomb shelter. Late at night or during a bad storm when lights go out you can see a ghostly figure of a soldier walking up and down the hallways.  If you stare at the soldier long enough he will turn and look at you and disappear.  There are many places in the school that is now blocked off and the school will not say why.

There are still tunnels that are under the school that lead to many

other places in town, but they have been closed off. Nobody will

explain the mysterious things that happen in the school.

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The Historical McBride House - Fort Gibson,Oklahoma

This three story Queen Ann B&B has four residential ghost that haunt the house.They are extremely active, they can be heard talking, they can be seen and they can be felt. Sometimes they will tap guest on the shoulders, stroke the back of their hair, grab their waist, and pull on their clothing. They can be heard going up and down both staircases at all hours, one bedroom door will not stay closed at night, they give parties in one of the rooms downstairs, they take things from guest and owners, they whisper in the ears of the guest when they are in bed, and will also sit on the beds and shake them. One of the ghost is believed to be Dr. McBride , that built the house, then there is a Victorian lady dressed all in white, she also appears at the Old Army Hospital across the street, and two children a boy and girl. House is open for tours.

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St.Ignatuis - Reading,Oklahoma

This school just received air conditioning, but the halls do not have it, nor the bathrooms. The boy wasn't the only one killed, a janitor has also died there, and a couple years ago a girl was kicked out for being accused of witchcraft, they say for a scare she came back and planned to draw a dramatic portrait of the devil on the wall, but instead she hung herself in the principles office for revenge. They say you can hear her call out the
devils name and you can see 666 every now and then around the school.
She's mainly in the bathroom, so if you smell smoke, or rotten smelling
things , she was there. Also during dances students claim to have seen
her, and felt very cold spots, she has long coal black hair and is
somewhat pail, and only talks to devil worshipers.

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Old High School - Moore,Oklahoma

The old high school is fixed up and serves a different purpose now but when it was old and un useful if you went inside it there was an underground pool and there were lockers down there if you go down and open up all the lockers then leave the room you can hear all the lockers slamming closed. Also there is a belief that a little girl was burned and killed when the building caught on fire and she always carried a little doll with her and if you went up the stairs you will always see the doll in the same spot and if you move the doll and come back it will be in the same place as before. There is also a flight of stairs in the building and if you stand there and watch them you will see a young girl with a white dress floating and black long hair floating in front of you holding her doll. And last there is strange smells in the boys bathroom of the building and there is blood spots on the wall and also blodd looks like it was dripping from the ceiling it looks like a mold spot on the ceiling but red.

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Langston's - Oklahoma City,Oklahoma

The Langston's store in the Stockyards used to be a hotel and bar/dance
hall, the hotel was upstairs and the bar/dance hall was downstairs.
Back in the 1800's a girl named Patty was working in the area that is
now the Women's boots and Children's department when her boyfriend shot
her and killed her. Her sister Rose found out and hung herself upstairs
in one of the hotel rooms, which now has the door to it nailed shut.
Now the upstairs- which is now the internet office, alterations office
and over stock room for Langston's is haunted by Patty- who is looking
for her boyfriend and her sister Rose who is looking for Patty. If you
stand at the bottom of the stairs, you will get a creepy feeling your
stomach and the feeling that you don't want to go upstairs.

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Moore / Berg Anatomy - Oklahoma City,Oklahoma

This is a classroom that’s filled with spirits of dead cats that the old witch Berg has killed for "the sake of science" many have said this
place is the second home of Satan where he likes to kick it with Ms.
Berg.Some say you can still see ms berg today roaming the anatomy
room.when you walk into the room you may smell something awful some
say its bergs breath. but beware don’t stay too long or she will give
you a failing grade for the rest of your life.

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Old Salina / the Old Salina court house -Salina,Oklahoma

There is a holding cell still standing as well as the old court house
itself with the old whipping tree and a square are of flowers where the
hanging tree used to be. Across a creek to your north is an old
cemetery. If you take a tape recorder with you, you will get audio of a
heart beat in this area as well as the feeling of ghostly presence
taking pictures will show ghostly figures on your film even in the day
light.

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Shawnee Twin Lakes - Shawnee,Oklahoma

A place that several people call the cross, but there have been a few other bodies found in the same location as well. There is a cross with a rope wrapped around it where it's said that a woman hung herself after her husband found her cheating. The rope is said to be the same one she used to hang herself with. There was also an Indian woman found there a few years back. She was killed at another location and found there later by a woman and her son. There were also two girls found in this location in the same place that had their hair dyed and razorblades in the bags that their bodies were in. They were found approximately. Fifteen feet from the cross.
Just take I-40 to McLoud Exit, go south. You’ll come to a four way
stop. Go strait and there will be a dirt road that comes to a Y, just
keep going straight. It’s highly recommended that you park your vehicle
before the curve back. It will be noticeable due to extremely deep
ruts. The area is in the trees on the right side of the trail in an
empty patch in the middle where there's an old partial cement barrier.
That’s where the two girls were found by the cross

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George Wright School - Spencer,Oklahoma

Very creepy old school.Overgrown weeds, vines, and bushes surround the building. Two rooms are very cold and breezy even on nights where it's warm, humid, and not windy. One room, if you spend about 20 minutes in it, you'll hear a man screaming by the door that leads to the gymnasium. Old pair of shoes (60's style?) appear and disappear. Sounds of a motorcycle idling outside of the building but you can only hear it if you're inside.

There are no "No Trespassing" signs up, however you might take the hint

from the barbed wire fence! Very creepy and uneasy feelings as well as cold shivers up your spine.

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Oaklawn Memorial Gardens - Spencer,Oklahoma

This Cemetary has many hauntings. Some of the graves date back to the 1800's. Also there is a tall jesus statue that has no fingers on the right hand, and one eye missing. IF you take pictures of the jesus you will get no orbs and than you take another pic you will than get an orb. There are many orbs, and you tend to hear voices around certain graves.

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Cherokee County Courthouse - Tahlequah,Oklahoma

The county courthouse was previously the city hospital for many years. A former worker of the Sheriff's Department that worked there for 4 years which is in the courthouse on the second floor. In the jail area, there is a large Plexiglas wall that is used for the visitation area. The door that
leads between them will make a loud bass noise when it is closed
because it flexes this large sheet of Plexiglas. There are also two
cameras overlooking this area. While working at night, they and many
others have heard this door closing and making the bass noise, but you
can plainly see on the cameras that no-one is there, and the door is
not moving. Also within the same building, the third floor was where
the operating rooms were. The floor used to have the old style ceramic
tile that had very large cracks. It has been carpeted for many years as
the third floor is now where the district court and district attorney's
offices are now. While working in the 911 dispatch center on the second
floor, you can sometimes here what sounds like the wheels of a hospital
gurney being rolled across ceramic tile, making a "click, click" sound.
It will at times sound like it is being pushed slow, and at others like
they are sprinting down the hallway. Some of the deputies have checked
the floor when they heard this noise. The lights are all off and no one
has been found, plus the fact that the only tile on that floor is the
newer style vinyl tile that is very smooth. The police department is on
the first floor where the emergency room used to be, so they probably
have there own stories to tell.

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Indian graveyard - Tahlequah,Oklahoma

The old Indian graveyard in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, is a place of mystery and history. Tahlequah is the capital of the Cherokee nation, and the final destination of the Trail of Tears, a tragic event that forced thousands of Native Americans to relocate from their ancestral lands in the 1830s. Many of them died along the way, and some were buried in this cemetery.

The graveyard is said to be haunted by restless spirits who still mourn their lost homes and lives. Visitors have reported hearing sobbing, seeing unexplained graves, feeling watched, and even being chased by a dark man dressed in 1930s clothes. Some believe he is the ghost of a former caretaker who was murdered on the grounds.

The graveyard is also a place of reverence and respect for the Cherokee people, who honor their ancestors and their heritage. The cemetery contains many historical markers and monuments, such as the Cherokee National Female Seminary, the Cherokee National Prison, and the Cherokee Supreme Court Building. The graveyard is a reminder of the resilience and perseverance of the Cherokee nation, despite the hardships they faced.

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Brown Springs - Thackerville,Oklahoma

Browns Springs is a very widely known in and around Thackerville for people from Texas dropping off dead body's there in the spring up one of the hills is also an abandoned cemetery that is from the 1800's when you go up there and listen you cant hear anything it is dead silence no birds or insects just silence. It is said that on a tour to the springs a girl was pulled to a grave site by something that wasn’t there. There has also been sightings of trees bleeding and sightings of a little girl standing by the headstone marked "Butch".

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Will Rogers High School - Tulsa,Oklahoma

IN the auditorium you can see a man in a white penguin tux walking around on stage and backstage, rumored to be that of an old band director that died of a heart attack on stage in the 50's after conducting the song "come,sweet death". you can look up and see a small person also in white on the grid. Many other sightings and phenomena have been reported by the janitor and a few kids that stayed late for events or detention. Must have visitors pass the enter, simply go to the main office on the first floor and say you want to walk around and view the architecture, it's very nice.. you can also just go during the round up show, ROTC chili supper or silent auction.

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