| Hangman's Tree Tavern |
| The Hangman’s Tree Tavern on Main Street in Placerville has a storied history. Just like the name asserts, the spot, which once housed Elstner's Hay Yard, was once an area where Gold Country outlaws were hung in1849. The stump from the tree is now under the tavern.. Over the years, the building has played host to many businesses and is now a historical landmark. The current owner of the bar reports seeing a dark shape at the north end of the bar and also reported her mother does not like a storage room in the building. There are also reports of a bathroom door which opens on its own accord. |
| Photo by Ruth |
This photo is taken from the top landing of the stairway
looking towards the street. Charlotte felt uneasy when the
door was opened.
looking towards the street. Charlotte felt uneasy when the
door was opened.
Investigators: Charlotte, Henry, Chrystal, John,
Amber, Ruth, Susan
Equipment: 4 surveillance cameras, digital audio
recorders, digital cameras, 4-camera surveillance
system, two Sony video cameras, dousing rods,
trifield meter, temperature gun, ir probe
thermometer, cell
sensor meter.
We arrived at 1 a.m. with the Placerville Mountain
Democrat in tow after last call. The bar owner gave
us access to an unused upstairs area of the
building via a black door facing Main Street which
has been locked for safety. Upon opening the
door, Charlotte felt uneasy and didn’t want to
ascend the stairs alone. Chrystal, the sensitive for
the evening arrived and told Charlotte that there
were two male spirits at the top of the stairs.
Back inside the building, Charlotte divided team
Amber, Ruth, Susan
Equipment: 4 surveillance cameras, digital audio
recorders, digital cameras, 4-camera surveillance
system, two Sony video cameras, dousing rods,
trifield meter, temperature gun, ir probe
thermometer, cell
sensor meter.
We arrived at 1 a.m. with the Placerville Mountain
Democrat in tow after last call. The bar owner gave
us access to an unused upstairs area of the
building via a black door facing Main Street which
has been locked for safety. Upon opening the
door, Charlotte felt uneasy and didn’t want to
ascend the stairs alone. Chrystal, the sensitive for
the evening arrived and told Charlotte that there
were two male spirits at the top of the stairs.
Back inside the building, Charlotte divided team
members into two groups and assigned equipment. Once the cameras were set up it was lights out.
Team members began getting base readings of the bar area utilizing their meters and thermometers. If they
detected any differences, then they tried to find the source. Once that was completed, one team went upstairs
while the other stayed in the bar area.
Chrystal, John, Henry and Amber went upstairs to get baselines and conduct an EVP session. Upon entering, they
were hit with a sweet smell and some reported smelling tobacco. Charlotte, Ruth and Susan remained in the bar,
looking around and then conducted an EVP session. When the upstairs group returned, Charlotte’s group went
upstairs.
Team members began getting base readings of the bar area utilizing their meters and thermometers. If they
detected any differences, then they tried to find the source. Once that was completed, one team went upstairs
while the other stayed in the bar area.
Chrystal, John, Henry and Amber went upstairs to get baselines and conduct an EVP session. Upon entering, they
were hit with a sweet smell and some reported smelling tobacco. Charlotte, Ruth and Susan remained in the bar,
looking around and then conducted an EVP session. When the upstairs group returned, Charlotte’s group went
upstairs.
| Photo by Ruth |
The second floor of the building which houses the tavern.
As they got to the top of the landing, all were
hit with a sweet smell. They then walked to an
area where a bathroom had once been, took
some baselines and then began to smell
tobacco. Charlotte radioed down to John to see
if any of the other investigators were smoking
and none were. The group began an EVP
session and the cigar smoke seemed to move
from one end of the room to the other. Susan,
who is a sensitive, reported sensing a man
smoking a cigar and pacing as he argued with
a woman who was in the bathtub. At one point
during the session, one of the investigators
reported being touched or pushed by
something behind them.
Finishing the EVP session, the group decided
to investigate some other areas of the upstairs.
Finishing, they began heading for the stairway
when Susan suddenly stopped to the right of
the landing. She reported neck pain and
hit with a sweet smell. They then walked to an
area where a bathroom had once been, took
some baselines and then began to smell
tobacco. Charlotte radioed down to John to see
if any of the other investigators were smoking
and none were. The group began an EVP
session and the cigar smoke seemed to move
from one end of the room to the other. Susan,
who is a sensitive, reported sensing a man
smoking a cigar and pacing as he argued with
a woman who was in the bathtub. At one point
during the session, one of the investigators
reported being touched or pushed by
something behind them.
Finishing the EVP session, the group decided
to investigate some other areas of the upstairs.
Finishing, they began heading for the stairway
when Susan suddenly stopped to the right of
the landing. She reported neck pain and
feeling a swaying sensation. Charlotte and Ruth however, did not feel the
the same sensations when going to the area.
Once again downstairs, the group did an EVP session. When Charlotte
walked to the far end of the bar to turn on the camcorder, she
commented that she smelled cigar smoke. The smell dissipated and no
emf readings increased or decreased. During the EVP session near the
jukebox, while using dousing rods, Amber said she felt a cold spot on
her knee. Charlotte sat next to her and also felt the cold spot. According
to the rods, Amber was reportedly communicating with a female.
Temperature in the area dropped from 66 to 62 on several occasions.
During the EVP session, the owner of the bar became emotional and
had to step out of the building.
At 4:45 a.m., the investigation ended and while investigators were
putting away equipment, Chrystal said she had felt the same swaying
sensation on the top part of the stairs.
Summary: All meters read steady throughout the night. Nothing was
caught on video or digital camera. No EVP. There was however, the
temperature drop during the EVP session. Although investigators
experienced the sweet smell and cigar smell upstairs, there were open
windows and wood will retain smells. The open windows also kept the
area cold. The sensation of swaying near the top of the stairs could be
Once again downstairs, the group did an EVP session. When Charlotte
walked to the far end of the bar to turn on the camcorder, she
commented that she smelled cigar smoke. The smell dissipated and no
emf readings increased or decreased. During the EVP session near the
jukebox, while using dousing rods, Amber said she felt a cold spot on
her knee. Charlotte sat next to her and also felt the cold spot. According
to the rods, Amber was reportedly communicating with a female.
Temperature in the area dropped from 66 to 62 on several occasions.
During the EVP session, the owner of the bar became emotional and
had to step out of the building.
At 4:45 a.m., the investigation ended and while investigators were
putting away equipment, Chrystal said she had felt the same swaying
sensation on the top part of the stairs.
Summary: All meters read steady throughout the night. Nothing was
caught on video or digital camera. No EVP. There was however, the
temperature drop during the EVP session. Although investigators
experienced the sweet smell and cigar smell upstairs, there were open
windows and wood will retain smells. The open windows also kept the
area cold. The sensation of swaying near the top of the stairs could be
| Photo by Ruth |
Susan enters the bathroom area.
due to warping of the flooring which is old and wooden. Sensitive reports indicate the presence of a male and
female and two males in the upstairs area. One investigator did report feeling pushed.
Conclusion: Admittedly investigators did experience some interesting events however,
No hard evidence was collected. A this time, the investigation is deemed inconclusive.
female and two males in the upstairs area. One investigator did report feeling pushed.
Conclusion: Admittedly investigators did experience some interesting events however,
No hard evidence was collected. A this time, the investigation is deemed inconclusive.
| Photo by Henry |
Chrystal investigates the bar area.
| You will need headphones to hear these. |