In 1870 Samuel Buckland dismantled some Fort Churchill buildings he purchased from the government to build his house a half-mile south along a cottonwood tree-lined stretch of the Carson River in northwestern Nevada.
His home, an oasis in the Great Basin Desert next to the Overland Route, offered the amenities of a stagecoach station, supply center, hotel and Pony Express stop.
One fall afternoon during the Nevada Ghost and Paranormal Series, which I manage, we conducted one of the first paranormal investigations to be held inside this two-story, rectangular, white clapboard building.
One participant had a $1 Ghost Radar App on her phone. I tend to be skeptical of these devices—similar to an Ovilus that allows spirits to select from random words to communicate. This time, however, the cell phone rang spot on. While in an upstairs bedroom, the app displayed the words “burn,” “child” and “frightened.” While sharing the history of this home, the ranger never mentioned a blaze. But after our investigation, I asked Ranger Paul if a child had been burned upstairs. He verified that one of Buckland’s sons had been playing with fire in his bedroom and was so badly burned he died a few days later.
To establish a tone of appreciation, I set flowers on the counter and thanked the deceased Mrs. Buckland for letting us visit. Later, while conducting EVP, I asked, “Is anyone in this room with us?” The reply on the recorder provided a roundabout answer: “Who’s she?” Apparently, the spirit was asking another spirit about me!
One spirit there made his presence known through his cologne. On the first floor, where a slide show on the history of the home is shown, I caught a brief, yet overpowering whiff of men’s aftershave. And, I wasn’t the only one to experience this gentleman. Others upstairs reported the same manly scent that dissipated as soon as it was acknowledged.
If you’re curious, visit Buckland Station, part of the Ft. Churchill State Park. It is well worth your time.
Do you have a remote location where you like to ghost hunt?
I was with you that night, Kathleen, at the TMCC Buckland Station paranormal investigation; it was interesting to experience, and capture, the different ways that spirits interacted with our group. Thanks again for setting up that investigation.
It’s always a pleasure to work with you on these investigations, Sharon. You are the top in the field! Looking forward to Truckee this October!
My parents love old ghost towns throughout Nevada, and one of their favorites to go to is a town called Goldpoint. In addition to numerous spirits throughout the town, there is apparently a donation – fed type bar without a bartender. One doesn’t need a liquor license if you don’t actually “sell” alcohol. 🙂
Thank you for the great suggestion. I believe it’s not too far from Goldfield. Thank you, Holly.
[…] the Nevada Ghost and Paranormal Series Ghost Hunt Field Trip at Buckland Station (see my post, Frontier Outpost Buckland Station brims with spirits), a team member loaded the Ghost Radar app on her cell. In an upstairs room, the phone displayed […]