After another fantastic annual ghosthunt at the Elkhorn Lodge in October, I was asked to join a film crew of paranormal investigators and Colorado history fanatics (sounds like my kind of group!) on a week-long investigation and filming for the Grand Imperial Hotel in Silverton, Colorado.
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Silverton, Colorado
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The Grand Imperial was built in 1882 and is full of history. There are so many old west mining town stories surrounding it, and even an original bullet hole above the bar. It had never been investigated, but everyone who worked there was a firm believer with plenty of personal stories about the ghosts. To make things easier for our hunts, the hotel was completely closed off to all other guests for the week.
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The full gang in front of the Grand Imperial
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Once I got to the Grand I met the rest of the crew. Less than 10 of us with the whole place to ourselves! I was set to work on some B-roll of the active rooms, got some interviews, then at 10pm I ran the infrared camera for a 4 person investigation of the basement. Later we switched with the other group upstairs. Some very interesting things happened, but you'll have to wait to see the episode. We held two more investigations throughout our stay, and will likely return for more in the summer.
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Filming in the hotel lobby
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The Grand Imperial Hotel
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We filmed at the town museum, the graveyard, and even a special stop at the rail yard for some footage of famous engine 315 and to interview the caretaker. Aside from filming interviews, our cameras were also occupied with historical reenactments, complete with full time-period costumes.
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Engine 315 at the railyard
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Durango and Rio Grande Railway
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We were constantly busy filming and digging into history! Four members of our crew left a day early. Since they had experienced paranormal activity in their rooms two nights in a row, the remaining five of us all switched rooms in hopes of something good. Sadly we didn't hear anything.
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Silverton cemetery
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One highlight of the trip was going to the ghost town of Animas Forks for some stock footage. The structures are incredibly preserved for being in such a harsh climate. We also spent many hours wondering the Silverton graveyard in search of familiar names, and looking through some excellent history books.
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Animas Forks
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Inside one of the buildings
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Second floor of the famous "bay window" house
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The trip was late nights, early mornings, plenty of filming, lots of history, and tons of fun. The drive to Silverton and back was also amazing. The San Juan Mountains and Million Dollar Highway are beautiful, I don't have time to visit that corner of the state nearly as much as I'd like.
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Ouray, Colorado
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Million Dollar Highway
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Another ghost town on the way
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| Mountain goats on Monarch Pass |
