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Spooky county tours coming in October
GREENCASTLE--History buffs prepare and haunt seekers beware, the Heritage Preservation Society is sponsoring two weekends of haunted historic cemetery tours and a Halloween midnight haunted tour of downtown Greencastle in October.
On Oct. 16 and 17 and again on Oct. 30 and 31, bring your flashlights and join the tours of several Putnam County cemeteries. The first tour begins at 7 p.m. and a second one starts at 9 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday nights.
The history of some of the earliest and most prominent Putnam County residents will be recalled and local haunted lore discussed during the approximately one and a half-hour tour.
Participants will meet at the Old City Cemetery near Blackstock Stadium on the DePauw campus. They will hear the story of the unknown Civil War soldier buried here and meet some civil war soldiers.
Next stop is the Pleasant Gardens Cemetery with a pass by Four Arches Bridge and the story of the infamous Goatman of Putnam County.
At Boone Hutch Cemetery, the real story of Daniel Boone's relatives will be told. Participants are invited to check for themselves if there is a ghostly policeman and dog guarding the entrance to the cemetery.
The murder of Pearl Bryan will be told, along with the tale of the first hanging in the county, covered bridge ghosts and the unmarked graves at the county home. Plus, there will be plenty of cemetery history.
Following each cemetery tour, participants are invited to the Putnam County Museum to explore their "Haunts, Folklore and Urban Legends" exhibit. Refreshments will be served at the Museum following both the 7 and 9 p.m. tours.
Anyone wishing to join the tours must make a reservation. They will need to provide their own transportation and should be aware there will be some driving on country roads to reach the cemeteries. Be sure to bring a flashlight.
All participants are asked to remember the cemetery is home to many or the county's ancestors and to be respectful at all times.
The cemetery tours will begin at the Old City Cemetery near DePauw University's Blackstock Stadium. Cost is $10 per person, $15 for couple and child or $20 for a family of four or more. The price includes visiting the Putnam County Museum and snacks.
For those looking for a little more adventure, join the Haunted Halloween walking tour in downtown Greencastle. Putnam County Visitor and Convention Bureau Executive Director Carla Lawless and assistant Sharon Eiteljorge will lead the walking tour.
Hear about John Dillinger and how he got away from Putnam County, Civil War soldier William and the O'Hair House haunting, Governor Whitcomb's unusual book collection and the hanging tree located just off the DePauw campus.
You may even meet some of the present day ghosts of Putnam County including the ghost who once haunted the Greencastle mayor's house and the reporter who won't retire from the Banner Graphic.
The walking tour begins in the public garden next to the Visitor and Convention Bureau in downtown Greencastle. It will end with refreshments back at the visitor center. Cost for this tour is $5 per person. It will begin promptly at midnight.
The tour is approximately one hour. Reservations are required.
These tours are a fundraiser for the Heritage Preservation Society, whose mission is to raise public awareness about historic preservation. They are a non-profit organization that strives to promote and encourage interest in homes and their families, buildings, properties, history and heritage of the Putnam County area.
For information or reservations call 653-5151, ext. 22 or e-mail mbward1222@yahoo.com for both the cemetery tours and haunted walking tour.