When surveying historic buildings we are often looking for ghosts. Maybe there is a ghost story associated with a building or maybe we hear an odd banging from old pipes, but usually it is not paranormal activity we are searching out; rather we are lookign for more prosaic architectural ghosts. These ghosts present themselves as a permanent discoloration where an object (stair, wall, light fixture, casework, etc.) had been located. The area around the object has usually been painted or refinised so when the object is removed, its ghost remains.
Lauren and I were out surveying at the Michigan Central Station in Detroit on Halloween and here is a picture of the ghost we found. You can clearly see the outline of the decorative wall sconce on the wood paneling. Now go search for your own ghosts as they often tell you as much about a building as what is still in place.
Post new comment