ROADS HOTEL

At the beginning of October, the paranormal team I am a part of had the opportunity to investigate the Roads Hotel, in Atlanta, Indiana. 

Roads was built back in 1893 and operated as a hotel up until the 1920s. It was later converted into separate apartment units in the 1920s. But today it operates as one of the most popular haunted hot spots in all of Indiana. 

Paranormal investigation teams flock to this charming and historic building from all over the United States. And after spending a night there, I can understand why. 

First, the impersonal. Several members of the Roads family were not afraid to come forward and talk to us. This communication was mainly in the form of our dead bell, which they used to answer yes or no questions. Hands down, it was their favorite device. But we also gathered evidence using our trip wire and our REM pods. None of the previous family members seemed particularly stuck or angry, although one particular conversation with a former lady of the house was rather sad. One of my fellow team members told us that her husband, who was a salesman, left on a trip and never returned. She seemed to know that this had been deliberate on his part. Faced with rearing multiple children alone and potentially losing the house, rooms were rented out to make ends meet. 

These interactions, while incredible, were nothing compared to what happened a few hours later. The team was gathered together in a bedroom on the second floor. Various apps kept informing us the house was a “portal” and a “gateway.” Within a few minutes, several dead relatives started coming through. Not former inhabitants of Roads, mind you, but relatives of team members. First, a grandfather, then a father. Then a sister came through as well. 

About an hour or so later we were gathered in another room on the second floor when “Gerald” came through. One of my team members asked if that name had any significance to any of us. And it does. Gerald is the name of my dad’s dad, a man I never had the chance to meet. He passed away when my dad was 21. This same team member asked who Gerald was there for, and my name was said. When asked what his message was, Gerald said, “watching over you. Keep going.” 

Both of my grandmothers, whom I loved very much, have been gone a long time. In all of my ghost hunting days, they have never come through to speak to me. So to hear my grandfather suddenly talk was a huge surprise. I can only speculate what he was referring to when he told me to “keep going.” Continue ghost hunting? Or maybe it was in reference to my novel writing? My grandfather had been a firefighter, and a dedicated one at that. He loved his job with a passion. Something in me knows he was stubborn and relentless. And I can’t help but think he sees himself in me and he’s telling me that I am on the right track. Keep trying. Persevere. Fight for what you want and never fold. 

Roads Hotel will forever hold a special place in my heart, thanks to this exchange.