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The haunting of Jackson Township
(by Andrea Cordle, Southwest Editor - July 22, 2010)
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| The Jackson Township Administration building used to be a firehouse. Some believe there is paranormal activity in the building. |
The Jackson Township administration building could be haunted.
According to Sam Clark, an investigator with the Central Ohio Paranormal Society (COPS), employees in the township have reported strange phenomenon in the building. COPS recently decided to investigate.
"Jackson Township was very open to it," said Clark of the paranormal investigation.
The administration building was constructed in the mid 1960s. It became the administration office in 1995. Before that, it was a firehouse. During that time, a firefighter had a sudden heart attack and died in the bunkroom where the firefighters slept.
Township Administrator Mike Lilly said he has heard numerous stories about employees hearing strange noises. Lilly himself admits to hearing unexplained noises. He said he has heard what sounded like doors closing and ringing from what he describes as an old-fashioned telephone.
"Is it heating or wind in the attic?" asked Lilly, "I don't know."
Clark does not think it is wind in the attic. He said during the investigation, he saw shadows of a short man, believed to be about five foot five. A fire employee identified that man as the firefighter who died on duty. The shadow was spotted in the upper floor of the building, where the bunkroom was.
Clark said during a paranormal investigation, COPS would use video cameras, digital and cassette recorders and lights. He explained that something would block out bits of light.
The investigators also recorded four EVPs, electronic voice phenomenon.
Mike Robare, founder of COPS, reviewed the evidence from the Jackson Township case. He said he definitely picked up a male voice on the tape recorder.
"I can't tell what he is saying because it is a slurred voice, but it's a male voice," said Robare. "No one was in that room (the storage room) and the voice came across."
Many suspect this is the ghost of the firefighter who died in the building. But why?
Robare said there could be a number of reasons why someone who passed away would return. He said the unexplained being could be trying to give someone a message or perhaps he just was not ready to go. Robare said sometimes that is the case in sudden or unexpected deaths.
"It sounds crazy, but it could happen," said Robare.
Lilly said, "I don't think we're a haunted building."
Robare said the investigation did not capture anything physical on tape. His team was at the administration building for over four hours. Both Robare and Clark would like to go back to the building for another investigation with additional gear.
"I'd like to capture something more substantial," said Robare.
COPS usually perform about two investigations per month. In addition to the township's administrative building, COPS have investigated the Little Theatre Off Broadway and Tristano's pizza shop in Grove City. They have also done several private residences.
"Grove City is filled with paranormal activity," said Clark.
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