Ghosts in the Attic hard at work at Ventura's historic Pierpont Inn
Tina Vervoorn
September 25, 2009
Whether you share a fancy for paranormal sightings or want to escape into a vortex of relaxation at this historic inn on the bluff, The Pierpont Inn has something for everyone, both in this world and in alternate realms.
A Ventura landmark for more than 99 years, the rare, historic Arts and Crafts inn was built by Josephine Pierpont-Ginn in 1910 and purchased by Mattie Vickers Gleichman in 1928. The third woman owner, Grace Ahn, purchased The Pierpont Inn in May 2009.
Since new owners and ongoing restoration and construction on the grounds began in May, employees and management of the Inn are experiencing first-hand what they may have only heard about before.
Ventura County ghost expert, witness, writer and paranormal specialist Richard Senate has hosted many ghost tours at The Pierpont Inn in the past, a hotbed for spiritual encounters.
"I have come to believe that the City of Ventura is one of the most haunted cities in America," Senate says. "The Pierpont Inn is no exception."
Yes, The Pierpont Inn is haunted. There are ghosts in its 99-year old attic, which are now staff offices, as well as banquet halls, grounds and one guest room in particular where the top comforter is always found folded at the end of the bed (Room 603). In the Camulos dining room inside the Vickers´s Estate – once the residence of Gus and Mattie Vickers when they owned The Pierpont Inn – lights flicker on and off.
Marcia Santilli, the Inn´s director of catering has her own recent experience to share. Upon leaving her office recently, Santilli locked the door, double-checking to make sure it was pulled tight, and walked towards Nadine Goodwin, catering manager. In a matter of seconds the door had unlocked and flung wide open, slamming against the office wall. The pair stared, stunned.
Since the owners have completed many renovations and upgrades to the property, hired new staff, added new appointments and updated guest rooms, many on the hotel staff believe the spirits that call The Pierpont Inn home seem to be responding to the bustle of activity.
"We welcome the living and dearly departed here at The Pierpont Inn," Harry Ahn, CEO says with a laugh. "We are living history here every day and are thrilled to serve as caretakers for this historic property as it nears its 100th year."
As the oldest operating hotel in Ventura County, The Pierpont Inn is designated Ventura County Landmark No. 80 and on the official registry of Historic Hotels of America. It will celebrate 100 years on September 17, 2010.
IF YOU GO
The Pierpont Inn
550 Sanjon Road
Ventura, CA 93001
Telephone: (805) 643-6144
On the web: www.pierpontinn.com
The Pierpont Inn´s chill factor, apparitions, and more:
Past ghost stories worth retelling
Documented past sightings by hotel employees and guests over the years are a subtle reminder the Inn is a favorite vortex for "ghostly" guests. And although phenomena visiting the hotel are all positive, the stories are sure to make your hair stand on end.
One of the most famous spirits to linger at The Pierpont Inn is Ms. Emma Darling, who has made her presence seen and felt quite often since her death in 1997. Born in 1895, her spirit is attributed to a visit she made to The Pierpont Inn on January 11, 1911 at 15 or 16 years old. When Emma does manifest, she is always seen dressed in a long black gown and is accompanied with the heavy perfume of flowers. Guests also have seen a woman dressed in a long black dress dancing in the parking lot or near the Inn´s Tudor cottages.
One evening in March 1986, two managers were working on the second floor in an original part of the Inn where guestroom No. 6 once was when a man in a dark suit sat in a chair near them. Upon speaking to him, he disappeared before their eyes. It was then they realized the apparition was Ted Gleichmann, deceased owner and manager of The Pierpont Inn from the early 1950s to 1975. Gleichmann, who was a hands-on owner, had visited the accounting room daily when he ran the Inn.
Another sighting places a gentleman wearing a suit, tie and bowler that often appears in the hotel lobby near the lobby fireplace. He has also been sighted in areas once used as the living quarters of the Pierpont-Ginn family. Reports often place him at a desk, in what is now a storeroom, pouring over guest registers or accounting books. He seems so lifelike that many hotel employees have greeted the man, only to witness him disappear. Many front desk employees working the night shift have seen the same gentleman disappearing up a hallway that leads to his "office."
In their room for the evening, a family heard loud noises associated with a New Year´s Eve party (people having a great time and talking loudly, horns, noise-makers and dancing music) from the room next door. The noise was so loud the guests complained to the front desk and asked to be moved to another room. Although guest registers did not show guests had occupied the room, front desk staff obliged the request and checked the room, discovering the room was in perfect condition with no evidence of a party. That night, many other guests also called the front desk to complain about the noise.
Early one morning in 2001, a Pierpont Inn catering manager was using an upstairs copy machine when she saw a co-worker walking towards the general manager´s office. Holding his hand and giggling very loudly, a little girl about 3-years old accompanied him into the office. Asking who the little girl was as the manager came towards her, he replied no child had been with him.