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Thayer's Historical Bed and Breakfast -
Annandale, MN
October 31st - November 2nd, 2008
They arrived to the small town on Annandale, MN early in the evening on Halloween, October 31st.
The weekend was beautiful with temperatures during the day in the mid upper 50's and mid 40's at
night. The building was an impressive three story Victorian style hotel dating back to 1895. The name comes from
previous owners, Gus and Caroline Thayer, who are reported to haunt the house. There is a porch that runs
the length of two sides but is level with the ground as well as porches off of each
floor. Walking through the main door you are immediately greeted with an array of nick
knacks and collectables, so many that one can't possibly catalogue them all at once. Classical music plays throughout all
the rooms on the main floor which consist of the main entry way/game room
a long parlor room with another sitting area and television area and
bar
 
and a large dining area
The house is occupied by the owner, Sharron Gammel and her three cats: Tenessee, Sam Sam
and Sadie. Tennessee, a is the only cat we saw while we were there. After receiving the key for their room as well as the house from owner, Sharon Gammel, Rachael and
Joe went up to their second floor room. Sharon had reported that the spirits in the particular room they
were
staying at liked to move and/or hide keys left out. They also had an affinity for wire rimmed glasses,
much like the kind Joe wears. The other rooms in the hotel (a total of 12, 11 that are rented out) with
the exception of one was unoccupied on Friday night. There were no guests other than Rachael and Joe
on Saturday night. All of the rooms on the second and third floor were open and free for exploring.
Our room itself, the Renaissance Room, was awash with deep burgundies and purples as the
main colors of decor. The four poster bed as well as the fireplace and dressers were a dark cherry
color. The bathroom had a claw foot tub. Fittingly, a large portrait of Queen Elizabeth the First was
prominently placed over the fireplace. Looking out the windows to the west a Holiday gas station
is visible and the music from the station could be heard periodically in the room however it was
not picked up on our video or audio recorders. On our first night there we decided to drive around and go to some local cemeteries. While we were out
of the room we did set up a video camera to see if we could catch any activity.
As we were driving around trying to find a specific cemetery we passed one right off of a main
highway noting that we would return there on our way back. However, when we were driving back, we could not find
the same cemetery...speaking with Sharon later she shared a story with us of her not being able to see something in
plain sight but being able to see it clearly at a later date saying that maybe we were not meant to go to
that cemetery Halloween night.
Once we were back at the hotel Joe did a quick walk through of all the opens rooms and Rachael joined
him for a few of the last ones. While on one room Rachael noticed the strong smell of cigar smoke. I was told by
Sharon later that the smell is associated with Gus Thayer being present. Rachael snapped this picture
moments before she smelled cigars and large orbs are clearly visible.
Each entryway to a room had a transom above the door with shapes of trains etched in the glass that
appeared to be able to light up.
I initially thought they would be lit if the room was occupied, or vise versa, but this did not seem
to be the case. On multiple occasions throughout our stay the transom above one room, appearing to be an office,
would go out when Rachael walked by and light up when Joe walked by.
After getting settled we decided to go into the parlor area of the house on the main floor and watch some
television.
As we were sitting on the couch Joe noticed a peculiar smell...the smell of a tackle box! Once
he pointed it out to Rachael she was able to catch on to the scent. It was gone as quickly as it came.
Many times throughout the night the essence of dead fish would periodically waft through the air. When explaining this to
Sharon the next day she said that is how the spirit of a sea captain makes his presence known.
Rachael experienced this again Saturday night. While she was down on the couch reading a book alone, she once again noticed
the distinct smell of dead fish! Knowing this time about the sea captain she asked him to let her know she was there.
Immediately there was a knocking noise the the bar area. She asked him again to make the noise and heard
knocking
at the top of the stairs leading to the second floor. She asked again for him to make a noise, but this time on the table
in front of her....nothing happened and the smell went away. No one else was known to be present at this time as the other guests from
Friday had long checked out, Sharon was unaccounted for, Joe was up in the room napping and Tennessee kitty had
not been seen all night. Rachael decided to go and take a bath so headed upstairs. While she was in the bath
she heard someone walking and moving around in the bedroom, as the door was only partially closed, and assumed it was
Joe. When she got out of the bath she was surprised to see Joe still asleep. While telling him the story later he said he did
not get out of bed while she was in the bath...maybe the sea captain had followed her upstairs. Later that night they both heard the
sound of a cat purring in the room, but did not feel a kitty on the bed as is also
reported.
Joe and Rachael drove around and explored more cemeteries around the area Saturday
night.
Once they were back at the hotel they did a more thorough walkthrough of all the open rooms on the second and third
floor as well as the main floor.
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