Haunting stories from the Sequoia
THE BEE BENNETT HOUSE is home to the Sequoia Restaurant and possibly spirits from beyond. Democrat photo by Pat Dollins
Pair a house built in 1853 with an even older graveyard across the street and you undoubtedly have great stories.
Drifting mist, mysterious footsteps and mischievous ghosts are all part of the Bee-Bennett House’s history. The next time you take your dinner seat at the Sequoia keep an eye out ... if you dare.
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Spooky encounters
Bartenders in the dark, cozy bar filled with Victorian furniture and glittering wine glasses have reported some ghostly customers. A stool will creak as if someone sat on it. A glass will migrate from one spot on the bar to another.
Sometimes the sense of someone is so strong bartenders find themselves offering a drink to an empty room.
Other employees share similar stories of feeling a presence and some have said they’ve come face to face with a spirit from beyond.
Sequoia Restaurant co-owner Danica Olivo tells some of their stories on the establishment’s Website.
Imagine preparing food in the kitchen only to realize the woman next to you has no legs; she’s simply floating and then disappears. If that doesn’t give you goosebumps try waving hello to the couple sitting on a porch swing outside — only there is no porch swing (or couple) when you look back.
Creaky stairs
The stairs greeting Sequoia’s guests who walk through the front door apparently have a life of their own — several lives, in fact, if you believe these spirited tales.
Slowly walk up and you just might feel a hand on your shoulder or a tug on your arm. A creak could follow every step, as if someone’s walking behind you.
No matter how creepy this appears, if you must go up (or down), remember to walk. The stairs reportedly have two pranksters waiting to trip people in a hurry. This could be followed by a few innocent giggles.
Practical jokes
Looking for some entertainment? Check out the Bee-Bennett House’s water and lights show.
The upstairs bathroom features magical flushing toilets. And nearly every faucet in the place loves to tap dance — tap on, tap off. Many mornings the staff arrives at Sequoia to find water running in the sinks, Danica reports.
I hope they contribute to the water bills.
Electricity is also a favorite conduit used by Sequoia’s permanent residents. Sure, you can attribute flickering lights to old wiring but having them turn off or on completely without a living human’s help is a rare trick.
Drive by on a dark night and look at the second floor parlor room window, you might just see a light and a lonely shadow by the curtains.
Real or imagined?
The debate about the existence of ghosts is often spirited.
I’m a believer but, despite my best efforts, I’ve yet to be haunted. I’ve braved dark cemeteries, the Queen Mary and the Bee-Bennett House, spending the night alone in the historical home a few years back. No one tripped me on the stairs, I flushed my own toilet and the lights stayed on when I flicked the switch.
I did encounter a few computer glitches, but that’s nothing out of the ordinary.
Though I’ve yet to find my own definitive proof I remain optimistic that my haunting will come and, just in case, I always check to make sure the guy sitting next to me at Sequoia’s bar has legs.
Noel Stack
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