I will be researching the beliefs people have of the paranormal by focusing on the superstitions people have of different areas across Wisconsin that have left them intrigued, questioning or superstitious of their surroundings.
I became interested in this topic because paranormal activity is very popular right now. It easily fascinates our minds and immediately gains curiosity. Often, it forces people to question whether or not the spooky stories they grew up being told are true or not. There are several movies, television shows, books and such relating to paranormal events that capture our attention, such as witchcraft, UFO’s, monster sized animals or encounters with ghosts. What really messes with my brain is that some movies even claim to be based off of true events! We all can admit that at one point in our lives we have been scared of what could be lurking around in our dark basements, or what hides under our beds at night. I know I have. Whether it was in a dream, on a certain date and time, or in a specific area. Who knows? And that’s the best part about phenomenon’s, there is so much to research and it is never a dull topic.
Usually you can find patterns of similar experiences of people who have been exposed to the super natural. Why are their stories similar? Taking a psychologists point of view, could it all just be in our heads? Has there ever been good evidence to support the belief of the paranormal or is it just a form of entertainment? Are haunted houses real? Since there are two sides to almost everything, what do people who don’t believe in these superstitions have to say, what is their evidence/proof? Lastly, does a person’s age, gender, race, religion, or their education have an effect on what people believe?
There is an endless amount of unanswered questions I have for my topic, which means there is a lot I don’t know and I want to learn. As of right now I don’t think there are yes or no answers to my questions. I feel like during my research I am going to find many open ended responses leading to biased views. I have never thought of exploring the super natural world until now because it never seemed relevant to other school work I have done in the past. Normally I watch horror movies or read books on the paranormal as a source of entertainment, not to understand how the super natural world is believed to work.
The photograph is of Maribel Caves Hotel, also known as “Hotel Hell” located in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin. Which is very close to my home town (Green Bay, Wisconsin). There have been a number of reports of a figure standing at one of the windows and looking out. Many people have reported hearing strange noises such as voices, screams from the basement, footsteps, ringing bells, rolling wheels and things moving around upstairs. An odor of sewer gas smells in the bathrooms and ojects moving on their own. People have felt the presence of the ghosts of people who have died in the fires that claim to have occured at the hotel. The dare is, if you shine your flashlight at a second story window, a ghost will flash a light back at you. I have driven past the hotel many times and one time my friends and I were daring enough to walk to it but I chickened out and left, I had bad feelings. I think all of the horror stories got to my head or the feelings I was having were threats or warnings to stay away!
The blog post is very interesting and gets me excited to read more on the topic and the blogs. However, I think you need to narrow down to a research question. There is a lot to uncover and look into but I think as writing this paper, you need to narrow down to one concept.
This is a really interesting topic! My question which might be helpful to add is why is paranormal activity so popular right now? What attracts people to the thought of something so scary?! It’s cool that you have driven past that hotel, it might be helpful to go check it out if it’s not too scary! I think throughout your research you can narrow down your question and find a more solid part of paranormal activity to focus on. Overall, your blog post was very good and seems like a sweet topic that will be fun!
Your blog post is very interesting and makes me want to continue reading in the future! Some places you may want to look at are: Chances Restaurant, Historic Karsten Inn, Historic Octagon House, and Modjeska Theatre. These are some known building in Wisconsin that may potentially be haunted. Also maybe in your next post give some more information on Maribel Cabes Hotel, such as first hand accounts of the hauntings seen there.
Alyssa, I feel like you have a great overview of what you want answered but…maybe further finding more about certain places like “Hotel Hell” will further help you throughout your research. If you could find something like a newspaper article or a book about haunted places throughout Wisconsin, your research question would be easier to understand. This source is somewhat sketchy because it only gives your personal experience and stories you’ve directly heard. If you could find a printed reflection of someone else you has also incountered Hotel Hell I think your research would greatly improved and also lead you into the direction you are trying to head towards. Keep up the good work Lyss!