Thursday, October 8, 2020

SPIRITS AND LORE

Over the weekend, I was able to get out for another safe dinner and drinks, while the outdoor places are still open and one can dine al fresco. It was lovely.. and then I even took a chair and sat for an age watching the river flow by. I enjoy this area, this time of year is always a favorite. Many think I'm nuts to enjoy this haunted area, but I love the stories,  and may be weird, but enjoy that chilly vibe you get in many of places around here, get my adrenaline running, like the Black Bass Hotel, where I went back too.

 Built in the 1740s, the Black Bass Hotel served as a haven for travelers, traders, and sportsmen. The famous tavern had many names through the years including Wall’s Tavern, Lumberville Hotel, Temple Bar, and finally The Black Bass Hotel. As one of the oldest inns in the country, we are proud to be included in the National Register of Historic Places. The Bass seeps with a rich history, and the hotel as roughly not changed much over the years. One of the most notable documents that while George Washington is known to have slept in several historic properties throughout the Delaware Valley, he notably did not stay at the Bass. As Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, Washington was turned away by the innkeeper of the Bass who was a Tory and loyal to the British Crown. He made it clear that Washington was not welcome to stay. Shortly thereafter, just 14 miles south, George Washington organized the first move in a surprise attack against the Hessian forces. He and his troops crossed the Delaware River to Trenton, NJ on the morning of December 26, 1776. This proved a decisive victory in the American Revolutionary War that helped turn the tides in American’s favor.

It's what I like about this town, so much history and this area is also one of the most haunted in the country. The Black Bass Hotel is no exemption. For generations rumors abound regarding memorable spirits associated with the Black Bass Hotel. During the renovations in 2009, several paranormal film companies requested the opportunity to set up their equipment to document any supernatural presence. They were not disappointed by their efforts as they captured various orbs and related activity during filming. When I was there Saturday, I asked the bartender if he ever experienced anything. While he said he never saw anything, he has experienced unnerving feeling of being watched and extremes temperature differences very quickly and often..

Some of the most significant spiritual lore includes, Hans. Many claim to have seen Hans. In the early 1800s, a group of immigrant workers arrived in Solebury to build the Canal. Hans, who was the proprietor of the Bass at the time, got into a dispute with one of the workers and was ultimately stabbed to death. The barstool on which he was sitting is still in the Canal Bar to this day. Some have seen him standing in the corner of the Bar. He is said to be a large, burly man lurking near the spot where he was murdered.  

The canal workers, men who died while working on the canal-either from disease or exhaustion-were placed in a makeshift morgue off of the Canal Bar. Their bodies were stored there until the boat made its way down the Delaware to retrieve them. Over the years, this room has been known to have unexplained, rapid drops in temperature. Some have reported hearing strange sobbings sounds emanating from the area, while others have relayed a sense of the hair suddenly raising on the backs of their necks as they walk towards this area.

One of my ex's still hanging around.

And finally, the Woman in White. A woman dressed in white has been often seen wandering the halls of the hotel and sitting in a guest room with a pearl-handled revolver in her lap. According to news, she found her husband and his mistress in one of the guest rooms. Distraught, she killed them, then turned the gun on herself. Guests have reported that her presence is precipitated by the smell of lavender. Apparently over the years guest have told the hotel to cut down on the lavender scent, but they hotel uses no lavender of any kind.

While I have never stayed the night, there rooms are stunning over looking the river. I may not have ever seen any apparitions, but there is no denying there is the feeling of presences there, but not in a harmful way. A few of my friends get very un-nerved by such things, one won't even go the to the Black Bass. But damn, their martini's are to die for. Saturday was a two martini dinner!

56 comments:

  1. Much ak-ness! Glad I read this
    in the morning (PST).
    xoxo :-)

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    1. I'll remember to post these in the AM for you, lol!!!!

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  2. You've handled more than few goolies in your time, dear.

    Just checked out the Black Bass - apparently the pewter bar was originally from Maxim's of Paris. How every camp... Jx

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    1. Yes...can you believe that? This whole area is full of little tidbits like that.

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    2. Maxims? The only place that turned me away based on what I was wearing.

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    3. You probably shouldn't have turned up to the most swanky restaurant in Europe wearing a Van Halen t-shirt and denims :-)

      Jx

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    4. That is a lovely tidbit. I don't know I remember hearing that are not. We drink a lot when we are there.

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    5. Jon, close, jeans, a wool sweater, a leather jacket and hiking boots, for lunch on a Friday. We went around the corner to a hole-in-the-wall and had an amazing lunch.

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  3. tis the season for spirits (both ghosts and alcoholic) and apparitions.

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    1. And nothing wrong with a few stiffeners.

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  4. This is down the river a bit from New Hope, no? I love going to New Hope, and Im one of those superstitious of ghosts and spirits. I love the town, but would be unsettled to live there. At night, no doubt it's eerie. But a few of those martini's would help.

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    1. Luckily I didn't mind it....after all, I live next to a cemetery.

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  5. Oh I loved this!!! It's so cool to see the old picture against your pictures. The place is relatively unchanged. Makes me wonder if the bartender is working near Hans everyday?!?!?!?! Eeek.

    New Hope is always a good time, but your right, autumn is just extra haunting and enchanting.

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    1. I think ever the bartender was wondering that.

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  6. I love this stuff!!!!Last year on some channel I saw a special on haunted towns and there was a whole segment alone on just New Hope. It was very cool. Love those river shot.

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    1. I wish I could find that. Last year someone commented they saw it also.

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  7. It's the ectoplasm, isn't it? Not the martinis, but the ectoplasm.

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    1. It's usually an emission of some kind.......

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  8. Haunted and chills... or not, it is a lovely location to see. I love these post and the history behind them. Nice to see one of your ex's too.

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  9. I love a good ghost story. It would be awesome to visit a place like this.

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  10. Quaint, especially the bit about he ghost Whisperers.

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    1. I've long said with the setting and the endless list of characters and history...make the perfect ingredients for a season of AHS.

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  11. What a very cool place indeed!

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    1. Im sure you have a ball here at many places up and down the river Debs.

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  12. I am not a martini drinker, not fan of gin. But I would take a Mexican Martini. This is time the vail from two side is thinning.

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    1. Ahhhhhhhhh, a Mexican martini! Made with Tequila I assume?

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    2. Yes with Tequila, depending on who making it...it can be done with twist of orange or lime.

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  13. this is sooooo cool!
    Love these stories. .

    XoXo

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  14. Only a two martini lunch? And I agree with your comment up above. It's beyond me why with the odd collections of community, gays, bikers, witchcraft and being hainyed and the history of past colorful residents, that a tv show or movie has not based a story off it. The stories to just come up with alone......

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    1. I mean really...the set up, the location and the cast is all in place and ready to drop in a lap. Can you see a scene...the gay bar, a gay guy is dating a biker dude and they are haunted by a drunken Dorothy Parker and Oscar Hammerstein, while Jessica Savich and her gay friend, are still haunting Odette's.....

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  15. After the last two weeks with the crazy news and reports, and me working my job and campaigning, this was a most welcome read to take my mind off things, if only for a few minutes. Your blog is always my escape. Now watch them ghost........

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    1. I really need to get back to these post. Glad you like it.

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  16. One Day..... One Day...... My Dear Mistress..........

    I will drop by for a drink.... Just a lil rain and wind here... Aint nothin' but a step over the bricks...

    Great Entry... love the photos....

    Tommy

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    1. Im glad you enjoyed it Tommy. You can join Spo and I and we'll have a grand time and be gentlemen.

      And stay safe down there with Delta coming in 💋💋💋

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  17. Oh but I would go! I love martinis and I like me a haunted house.

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    1. Now that could be a date!!! You'd it. And their libations are NOT, as you would say, rubbish.

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  18. Oh this sounds so wonderful - and right up my alley, too!

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    1. We're gonna need a bigger table me thinks.

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  19. Well as you know, the Black Bass is one of William and I's favorite places to dine in New Hope, and we like that it's up the road. But I never knew all that history, although our waitress one time did tell us of the spirits there, and not the ones you drink. It does indeed seem to have a "feel to the place". I will say , I won't go to the bathroom while Im there by myself. But their menu and libations are out of this world. Williams favorite chef runs the kitchen there. More post like this Mistress.

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    1. Im like that at the Lambertville House. I will use the restroom there, but there is a very dark, unsettling feeling on that lower level. I go, shake it and get back right quick.

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  20. "I do believe in ghosts, I do, I do , I do." 😊 Unfortunately, I do not believe in Zac Bagans and his paranormal-seeking equipment. Give me Amy and Steve - or Mama Medium any day.

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  21. This is why I love your blog, Mistress. You post the most interesting things!
    Thank you. Xx

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  22. I love a bit of spooky! And again, I would love to visit.
    Sx

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  23. I think both you gals should come....you can carpool together!

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  24. I would love that place. SG would steer clear. Haunted?!? As for the unnerving feeling of being watched -- that would be Dudo and Moose; and extreme temperature differences very quickly and often... that would be SG snoring away next to me.

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    1. I do have several friends that will not come to New Hope at for that very reason. So many places have a feeling of presence here.

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  25. Totally awesome collection of words and images...so glad you got out for a great dinner. Historical notes are fascinating - I’m a history buff - especially why George Washington did NOT sleep there!!! Architectural setting and great images also delightful....most ready to raise the glass to you with one of those martinis!!!

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  26. I'm late, but I loved this fascinating post!

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    1. I had the feeling you'd enjoy this. I will post another of I get time.

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  27. Anonymous10/10/2020

    That place looks beautiful, I've always enjoyed hearing about places that are haunted! Thanks so much for sharing!

    I've been communicating with spirits from the day I was born, but take it from me, one has to be careful, because if one gives into fear when one's around them, that can open a door for them to get closer to that person, and they're not always nice! Some of them can actually cause great harm!

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    1. Thanks for stopping in and glad you enjoyed this post. It is all rather fascinating. You'd probably enjoy this area alot Lon.

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Go ahead darling, tell me something fabulous!