Whether you’re walking around the Texas Capitol, wandering the city’s older neighborhoods, or visiting one of our historic cemeteries, Austin abounds with stories of our rich past and the colorful characters who have come before us. And when Halloween and Día de los Muertos roll around, it’s especially hard not to think about ghosts and spirits, especially around downtown, where stories of spectral encounters aren’t hard to find.
The Paramount Theatre, which was built in 1915, has resident spirits who have been seen frequently over the years. In one of the opera boxes, there have been reports of an elderly gentleman who smokes cigars. Several audience members and staff have noticed the odor of cigar smoke, even though smoking in strictly banned in the Paramount. The staff also always leaves snacks at the concession stand for the spirit of a long-time projectionist who passed away in 2000. The gesture seems to ensure smooth operations.
An even more famous ghost in the Paramount was in the news in September. A pianist who was preparing to perform that night took a few photos of the theater after completing his afternoon soundcheck and upon looking at them later, noticed a floating female figure on the mezzanine. This resembles stories about a woman in a white 19th century dress moving towards the south wall in the mezzanine. The building on the other side dates from the early 19th century and once housed the War Department of the Republic of Texas.
The ghost stories centered around the Driskill Hotel are even spookier. The downtown hotel, built in 1886, is named for its builder, Col. Jesse Driskill, whose ghost is often mentioned when there is the scent of strange cigar smoke in the air, or when lights inexplicably flicker. There are also tales of hearing a child’s giggles and a bouncing ball, which is supposedly connected to the legend of a little girl who fell down the grand staircase soon after the hotel opened.
Annie Lennox of the English ’80s band The Eurythmics supposedly got strange wardrobe help when she set out two stage outfits on a bed before stepping away. When she returned, one of them had been put away. And the band Concrete Blonde wrote “The Ghost of a Texas Ladies Man” about a particularly amorous apparition that singer Johnette Napolitano encountered while staying at the Driskill.
One great way to learn more about these tales is through Austin Ghost Tours. The local company offers various walking tours where you can hear all about our city’s paranormal legends.