Haslams Used Books
First set of photos developed. Black and white film, 400 speed.
Brandy's photos: My photographs did turn out some interesting images. Throughout the investigation, we had EMF spikes and cold spots. Many of them were located in the back room (where this photograph was taken). During one point of the hunt, I had the urge to take photos of the back wall of that room. I took a couple, we searched the rest of the building and came back to this room again. I was particularly attracted to the second and third bookcases so I took 2 - 3 more snapshots. One of these developed with the fog image at the top. None of the other photographs had this image in them.
<----fog image
One of three other photos of the back wall. All three look about the same.
As seen in Bayside News, March 15, 2001 edition.
For those residents who enjoy haunting Haslam's New & Used Bookstore looking for little known literary treasures, know that you are not alone. Haslam's has its own supernatural book lover who haunts the store in his own special way.
Haslam's books was begun by John and Mary Haslam in 1933, during the Great Depression. Mary sold handcrafts, roses and doilies, as well as used magazines. As the store's reputation grew, so did its merchandise. New books were added to the shelves during the 1950s. Haslam's moved to accommodate its growing bulk of books, settling in its current location in 1966. In the late 70s, the owners expanded into the People's Gas building next door. Later they bought the building and combined the two buildings into one, making Haslam's one of the largest new and used bookstores in the Southeast. This was also the time that the staff began to experience unusual phenomena in the store.
Customers and employees began to comment that they sensed someone behind them, but when they turned no one was there. On occasion, some felt an invisible hand tap them on the shoulder. Even Ray Hinst, who currently co-owns and manages Haslam's, has come across sporadic cold spots in the building.
Sometimes, books mysteriously fell off the shelves. Several of those who know of the ghost legend believe that the spirit of Jack Kerouac was responsible for the disturbances. Kerouac was a writer who spent the last years of his life living in St. Petersburg. He was infamous among the staff for coming into Haslam's and moving his books to locations that he felt better displayed them. He often moved them to a higher spot, eye-level to patrons, so they would be seen. This, however, ran contrary to Haslam's style of arranging books in alphabetical order. A few times, Charles Haslam, Hinst's father-in-law, would talk with Kerouac about not moving the books. Kerouac, it seems, was little deterred. After the writer died, Hinst often thought it was his spirit who returned to Haslam's to rearrange the books as he had in life.
The S.P.I.R.I.T.S. team set out to investigate. Immediately upon arrival, shortly after the store closed to the public, Lee and Karen West were drawn to the southwest section of the building. Prior to the walk through, and arrival of other teammates, both of the Wests heard noises coming from the area they were drawn to. Yet, they confirmed with the manager that no one else was in the store.
The southwest section of the building houses the How To, Careers, Business, and Liberal Arts books. Through out the investigation, this room provided the most activity. The S.P.I.R.I.T.S. team picked up several high EMF (electromagnetic field) readings near a table containing do-it-yourself home improvement books. There were no electrical conduits in the area, nor any reason known to explain these readings. Karen West also obtained a drop in temperature using the digital thermometer, which showed a decrease from 73 to 67 degrees.
"I felt extremely cold and got goose bumps," she said, "This lasted for approximately 2 seconds, then the thermometer registered 73 degrees again."
The digital camera produced several light streaks and rainbow auras in many of its photographs. The images remain unexplained, as there were no light sources capable of producing such strong and well-defined lighted areas. The video taken of the hunt also recorded up to 18 orbs of light. Images also appeared on 35 mm 400 speed black and white film. One of the most notable images is a slight fog produced in the southwest room.
Some also believe that the metaphysical room has attracted the attention of some supernatural being. Though this area did have high readings of EMF, the readings were explained by the presence of circuitry boxes located on the outside wall to the metaphysical room.
The members of the S.P.I.R.I.T.S. team all sensed the presence of a male entity and agreed that he seemed to have died during his mid-40's to late-50s. This does coincide with the death of the author, .Kerouac, who was in his late 40s when he died, though whether it is the author's ghost remains unknown.
The spirit appeared to be enjoying the attention received by the ghost hunters, and may have followed us throughout the old People's Gas side of Haslam's. He seems to be benevolent, and simply enjoys observing those who come into the store.
"I'm glad to hear there is no lingering malevolence and that all appear to be positive and even happy. That can't be beaten these days," Hinst says of the ghost. "We have a live and let live attitude. After all, there are many things that cannot be explained."
Reports
Brandy's Report
Haslam's New & Used Books
What we found:
v Immediately upon entering store I was informed that both Lee and Karen, who got there before I did, heard popping/creaking sounds coming from the floor in the back room. No one was in the building, and Ray Hinst, store manager, confirmed this.
v Before we started to do thermal checks, I asked Ray if the A/C was on. He mentioned it had been on at 72 or 73 degrees, but was currently shut off. Much of the building still seemed to contain the coolness of the a/c. We still detected slight temperature fluctuations. Karen had a strong fluctuation, from 73 to 67 degrees, followed by chills/goose bumps.
v For a while, we thought that the spirit might be guiding us through the building. We had spikes on the EMF meter in the back room and in the metaphysical section, near the Bibles. However, we did discover that there were circuit breakers behind the wall the Bibles were stored against, so that ruled out most unusual activity.
v After the tour, we returned to the first floor. Again in the back room we sensed high EMF particularly near a table of books called "Home Wiring Section". I had the urge to take photographs of the back wall. [Later film development showed a foggy image in at least one of the series of shots I took of the back wall].
v I had the impression of an older man, upper middle aged. He had gray hair, bush around the sides and back, thinning on the top. He also had a very bulbous noseI felt dizzy and drained towards the latter half of the hunt. [Later photographs showed that I had a "rainbow" aura surrounding and on top of me. perhaps the spirit. Lee and Karen also reported that in at least one part of the video I am followed by a white light]
v The store had Tiptoe, the cat. The cat attached itself to the Haslam's family and has become a store pet. The cat seemed to have no problems in the building, though Ray mentioned she did tend to stay out of the Religious/Metaphysics room.
Previous Paranormal Experiences:
v Ray said that he had experienced cold spots. These cold spots were very sporadic. At least one instance of malevolency from a cold spot, particularly when Ray walked through it. He thought it might be upset that he invaded its territory, but felt that since it was his store he had every right to move through it as need be. Staff has commented to him that they have felt watched during the day and evening, but no one is around.
v At one point, books used to move, particularly flying off the shelf in the late evening. This happened in the metaphysical and main lobby sections. Ray wondered if it was the spirit of Jack Kerouac, who was pinpointed by one psychic as haunting the building. Kerouac was an author who died Oct. 21, 1969 (age 47). He had moved to St. Petersburg to live with his mother. He did come to Haslams and often moved his books to what he felt was a better location (eye level) though that messed with the alphabetizing of the books.
v Ray also mentioned that the metaphysical room seems to hold an unusual energy. I, personally, know one person who was tapped on the shoulder while in the room. Also, Karen West felt a presence in there when they first opened the room. Evidentially, some of the public was upset with the use of the metaphysical mixed in with more orthodox religious books.
v A psychic before had scanned the store. She believed that a spirit had attached itself to a series of books.
Other information:
v 1933 Haslam's was founded, and is currently owned by the 4th generation of family. Ray Hinst is related to the family by marriage, his wife is the daughter of the Haslam family.
v The paranormal experiences in the building began in the late 1970's, after the People's Gas building had been bought. In 1977 a hole was created through the walls separating Haslams and People's Gas. Could it be coincidence that this is the time that unusual things began to happen?
HASLEM'S
St. Petersburg, Florida
02-08-01 7:00 P.M.
Report by Karen West
FACTS:
Business opened - 1933.
Business at this site - 1966.
Adjacent building acquired - 1977.
Building built - 1946.
Adjacent building built - 1959.
A lot of construction has been done.
Pet black cat in store.
OBSERVATIONS:
Did not observe any unusual odors. No unusual markings on walls, ceilings or floors
during the walk through. However, I did hear thumping and walking noises from the southwest (direction) room when we first arrived. During the walk through I experienced a cold wall in this same room. I sensed something was down the third aisle and when I started down this aisle the temperature on the digital thermometer dropped from 73 to 67 degrees, I felt extremely cold and got goose bumps. This lasted for approximately 2 seconds then the thermometer registered 73 degrees again.
When viewing the digital pictures of this room there were rainbow effects, a shadow behind Lee (photo to right), rainbow effect on the table (bottom arrow) and a rainbow on Brandy. We also experienced constant temperature fluctuation, on the digital thermometer, and EMF readings of 8 & 10.
Off of this same room (to the north) is an entrance to another room. In the back northeast corner of this room is a plastic lawn chair. Lee & Brandy were near this chair talking about feeling as if there was someone sitting in this chair. I didn't sense or see anything from where I was (approximately 30+ feet away) but I took digital & video pictures. When viewing these pictures, the digital (photo to right) showed a shadow that actually obscured the top of the chair. The video showed a stream of light coming from the upper east area over the chair, near Brandy's head, to lower west area near the chair seat. This area was dark when I was filming except for a flash light that Lee, on left, was using to read the EMF reader. On the video you can see the stream of light from the flashlight going towards the floor. Continuing through the room we experienced temperature fluctuation and when viewing the video we saw 4 light orbs in the room and 3 in the closet. There were rainbow effects on some walls & ceilings in the digital pictures.
OCCUPANTS INPUT: Ray shared a lot of history of the location. According to
Ray the first paranormal experiences started in the late 1970's, approximately 1977.
Book Incident: Sometimes when Ray is working late books will fly off the shelves. He
has had this happen in the Religious/Metaphysical Room and in the northeast corner of the store. The SE area is where the fiction books are located, to include the works of
Jack K_____. This author lived his last years in St. Petersburg (died in 1969) and came into the store on several occasions and moved his books from a lower shelve to a more prestigious shelve and would turn his books so the book face was visible. Ray's father-in-law, the previous manager of the store, & the author had words on some of these occasions resulting in the author leaving in a huff. Jack's books are some of the books Ray finds on the floor.
Customers & Employees: A number of customers & employees have shared with Ray that they sense someone is behind them and when they turn there is no one. Also, some have been tapped on the shoulder only to turn and find no one. This has happened in the Religious Room and in the Northeast Room (when metaphysical books were located there). Employees have also experienced coming in to work in the morning to find books scattered on the floor in the SE area and the Religious/Metaphysical Room.
Buildings: The adjacent building the Haslem's obtained was a building that previously housed People's Gas.
IMPRESSION & CONCLUSION
I did not sense any evil or dangerous situation during the investigation. I did however feel a presence in the (adjacent) building both on the first and second floor. A hole was put in the wall between the two buildings to join them. This was done in 1977 which is the same time frame that Ray states the paranormal experiences began. It is my belief that the presence(s) are generated from the second building. That is where I experienced the sites, light orbs, EMF readings, temperature fluctuations & rainbows referenced in the above report.
I feel there is a spirit of a middle-aged male (mid 40's to mid 50's) that is residing in this establishment. I get the impression he is tall, strapping, has thick silver gray hair and is happy. I believe he moves throughout the entire establishment and enjoys the place and the people.
VIDEO & DIGITAL:
A video and 40 digital pictures were taken of eight rooms on the first floor and the entire second floor. Three rooms showed something unexplainable. Of the 40 digital pictures - 10 showed something unexplainable. At the end of the video, last 10 seconds, we hear six distinct knocks. None of us can identify the source of these knocks.
Note: This is Lee's individual observations in addition to Karen's complete investigation report.
OBSERVATIONS:
Upon entry to the bookstore I was drawn to the SW section of the building. Prior to starting the walk-through and while still in the center south area of the store I heard noises which sounded to be knocking and possibly someone walking in the SW section of the store. Both Karen and I heard these noises and commented to each other that someone may still be working in that area. When introduced to Ray we inquired if anyone was in the SW area and he informed us that no one was in that area. The cause of the noises were never identified.
During the investigation of the SW section of the building I felt a presence in the SE and SW corners as well as the Center area of the room. Readings using the inferred digital thermometer and electrical magnetic field (EMF) meter were in normal ranges except for high EMF readings directly above the self help book table in the middle of the SW building area and the low temperature readings obtained by Karen. The 8 to 10 milligauss readings above the self-help table could not be explained. All other EMF readings in that vicinity were within the normal 0 to 4 milligauss readings. The EMF above and around the self-help book table was tested several times with the same results. There were no electrical appliances or equipment in this area, which could cause an increased EMF reading.
The investigation of the Religious/Metaphysical room resulted in some high EMF readings near the Western religion area. It was later learned that the Western religion book area is adjacent to the buildings electrical service area, which would explain the high EMF readings.
During the investigation of the NW area, Children's book section I sensed the presence again in the NE of this room. This area had a slightly higher EMF reading (4 to 5) above a plastic chair.
The remainder of the investigation of the store did not result in any unusual readings or senses. However on re-inspection of the SW building area I was again drawn to the self-help book table. I was also drawn to a door in the NE corner of this room which leads to the second floor book storage area. When I was standing near this door it began to knock and move. I looked through the glass insert on the door and saw a hallway and elevator. I went and got Karen and Brandy, who were still in the Religious book area, so they could come observe this area with me.
IMPRESSION & CONCLUSION:
I felt a strong presence in the area of the self-help table in the SW room. I believe this presence to be male, 40's to mid 50's, graying hair, physically fit body, wearing a brown suit, with an authoritative aura. I believe his presence is strongest in the SW section of the building, which was previously the Peoples Gas building. He is happy where he is and is freely moving about the store. I sensed that he liked to be a people watcher. I kept sensing that he was trying to tell us something or gain our attention when we were investigating the area of the self-help table. I sensed the presence in the Children's section and believe he was sitting in the plastic chair I referred to earlier, just watching and being entertained by our investigation of the store.
Haslams (student project)
by: Amanda Norris, Oct. 2007
Some say that immersion in a good book can give the feeling that the
author is right there in the room with the reader. If you head to Haslam’s
Book Store on Central Avenue to pick up one of Jack Kerouac’s books, such
as the newly released 50th anniversary edition of his famous beat novel
“On the Road”, the author may really be in the room with you. At least his
ghost may be.
In 1957 Kerouac published “On the Road”, a partially autobiographical
novel about a road trip across North America with a friend. The novel went
on to become the voice of the beat generation of the late 1950’s and early
1960’s. Kerouac retired to St. Petersburg in the early 60’s to live with
his mother and his third wife, Stella. He decided to put St. Petersburg’s
dive bars and local watering holes to good use, drinking away a good deal
of his time here. In fact, it was cirrhosis of the liver that finally
killed Kerouac. In between drinks, however, Kerouac loved to visit his
books, and Haslam’s was right in the middle of his bar-hopping route.
According to Ray Hinst, the current owner of Haslam’s and grandson-in-law
to the owners of Haslam’s during Kerouac’s visits, Kerouac would visit
often on his way from one bar to the next. Often he would be quite
inebriated, and was asked to leave on more than one occasion. Though
Kerouac would browse other books, his books were a constant source of
annoyance to him. Due to where his name fell in the alphabetical listing
of authors on Haslam’s shelves, Kerouac’s books were kept on the bottom
shelf. From a marketing standpoint, this is the last place an author wants
their books; eye-level is prime real estate. Kerouac would take it upon
himself to remedy the situation, moving his books to eye-level, where he
felt they belonged.
Kerouac passed away at St. Anthony’s in 1969, at the age of 47. His visits
to Haslam’s, however, apparently never stopped. For years afterwards,
Kerouac liked to visit and cause a little mischief.
“We’re always picking books up off the floor in the morning,” said Josh
Ladd, Haslam’s employee. Ladd can offer no explanation was to why the
books fall.
Hinst corroborates this, and says he occasionally hears books fall heavily
to the floor when he’s in the store late at night. Although neither Hinst
nor Ladd report ever having direct contact with Kerouac’s ghost, Hinst
tells a story of one employee who felt a tap on his shoulder and heard a
voice ask, ‘Hey, how are ya?’. The employee began to reply that he was
fine, thank you, and turn to greet the customer. There was no one else in
the room.
In 2001, and again in 2002 and 2005, SPIRITS of St. Petersburg, a
paranormal investigation and consultation group, visited Haslam’s to
investigate the possibility of a ghost residing in the bookstore. In
addition to reporting reactive spikes from their EMF (electro magnetic
fields) reader, photographs taken by the investigation crew revealed
images that the team claim are indicative of paranormal activity; what
appears to be fog is visible in one photo, and orbs of light of varying
size and intensity can be seen in others. According to reports published
on www.spiritsofstpetersburg.com, the investigators also claimed to “feel”
presences, noting unexplained drops in temperature and the general feeling
of being watched. Among a few other ghostly inhabitants, various
investigators reported the feeling of a disheveled man in his mid 40’s to
mid 50’s, with the name “Jack” or “Jackie” sensed. A few reports from the
investigators at Haslam’s reported contact from someone named “John”; it
should be noted that Kerouac’s first name was actually “Jean-Louise”, and
his French-Canadian mother would most likely have referred to him as
“Jean”. The team concluded that it is their opinion that paranormal
activity was indeed abundant in Haslam’s, but was benevolent and neither
evil nor dangerous.
“I think it is interesting that the entity there found us "amusing" on our
several investigations out there,” said Brandi Stark, founder and senior
investigator of SPIRITS of St. Petersburg. “It's nice to know that the
dead are just as interested in what we, the living, are doing as we ghost
investigators are in finding out what the dead are doing!
Human paranormal investigators aren’t the only ones who can see the
ghosts. Hinst claims that the bookstore’s resident cats, Beowulf and
Teacup, often react to what appears to be nothing.
“The cats will follow me from room to room. All of a sudden, they’ll just
refuse to enter a room. Sometimes I see them, more often Beowulf, staring
at something in a corner and then slowly backing away.”
Hinst says the cats don’t seem to be afraid of whatever it is they see,
but simply realize that it’s something unusual and out of place. This may
sound far-fetched, but cats are often thought of as having strong “psychic
abilities”; a recent article in the St. Petersburg Times told of a cat
that was reported to predict the death of patients in a nursing home.
Recently, the falling books and other occurrences attributed to Kerouac’s
ghost have been less common. In fact, Hinst reports a lack of any of
Kerouac’s books falling from shelves since the store was rearranged.
During the rearrangement, Kerouac’s books wound up at eye-level.
