Return to the Haunted Jean Bonnet Tavern It has long been known to the locals who reside in close proximity to the Jean Bonnet that there is much more to the allure of the tavern than its historical past, charming atmosphere, and excellent food and drink. To many, the stories of hauntings and ghostly visitors draw them to the tavern in hopes of having an unearthly encounter themselves. Sightings and encounters have been experienced by both employees and guests. What follows are excerpts from “Return to the Haunted Jean Bonnet Tavern” published in the The Pennsylvania Ghost Guide Vol. II, written by Patti Wilson. *****
disappointed. They rented the attic apartment that was then for let and went down to dinner. Afterwards, they went up to the bar where one of the men felt someone touch him. While they were discussing that, a woman heard them and came over. She said that the conversation had caught her ear as she had just experienced being touched by someone at the edge of the bar a little earlier. She too insisted that no one was near her. Later that same evening, another member of the group, Al Brindza, was in the bar watching the activity. Now Al is a confirmed nondrinker, so he felt a bit out of place in the bar. However, he tried to concentrate upon his feelings, despite the loud voices and the piano playing at the other end of the room. Suddenly he glanced at the one doorway that led into the hallway. Looking through the door were a group of people in rough clothes. Al called them “frontier type” clothes. The group was watching the man playing the piano at the other end. Al described his experience as “like trying to watch two televisions at once.” He was aware of the real people at the bar, but he was equally drawn by those looking in from another time. This lasted a few seconds, but when he looked away and back again, they were gone.”
“Perhaps one of the most dramatic sightings occurred to a female bartender and her male friend years before Shannon and Melissa Jacobs, the present owners, had purchased the building. One night, the bartender was working when a friend of hers came in. Through the course of the evening, the fellow had too much to drink. When it came time to close up, she and her male companion were afraid to let the inebriated fellow drive. As the guy lived nearby, they decided to lock up, take the man home, and then return to finish ***** This picture was taken in the restaurant cleaning up. The area of the Jean Bonnet Tavern. Look woman had the “Of course, new carefully beside the second chair on the keys and knew owner, Melissa right. Can you see the outline of a figure captured by the camera? this would be fine Jacobs, has had with the owners. her own experThey took the man iences in the home and rebuilding. Soon turned to the bar. As they walked along after purchasing it, she began to notice the porch, they glanced in the window that every time she went past the door of the bar. Sitting there was a solitaire to the then unrented attic apartment the man who was sipping a drink. That was door would be in a different position. If impossible for they had made sure the it was closed when she first passed it, bar was empty before leaving. Still, the then it would be wide open a few fellow had gotten in somehow. Quickly, minutes later when she came by again. they unlocked the door and hurried into One morning she noticed this occurring the bar. No on was there, but the building several times and she decided that is big, so did the man hear them coming someone had gotten into the building and hide? The two immediately ruled somehow and was playing a trick on her. out anyone hiding in the upper levels Melissa went to her office on the tavern because they had the key that unlocked second level to await a salesman who the iron grillwork that separated the bar was coming in. When the man arrived, from those floors. However, someone Melissa explained the situation to him could have gone down the stairs to the and asked if he would accompany her restaurant. They mounted a search but on a search of the building. He agreed. found no one. This upset the woman so The two went past the apartment that much that after duly reporting the events was open as they began searching the to the owners; she did not often mention bedroom level. A few moments later, they the story. “ went by again, but it was closed. No one was found in the apartment or on any other ***** level in the building, and the doors were all locked securely from the inside. The “But employees are not the only ones to salesman was as baffled by the strange experience the hauntings. Guests have door as Melissa was.” reported many of encounters as well. The Jean Bonnet Tavern is located along the Scott Crownover decided to spend the Lincoln Highway, Route 30, 4 miles west of Bedford. night at the tavern to see if he would For additonal information visit their website have an encounter. He invited a group www.JeanBonnetTavern.com of friends and a few members of the Our thanks to Patti A. Wilson for allowing us to quote her Central Pennsylvania Paranormal Assocarticle, “Return to the Haunted Jean Bonnet Tavern” iation along. The group would not be
Every Story Begins At Home.
fall int o fun with into WEST O VER TON MUSEUMS VERT OVER WEST OVERTON VILLAGE - SCOTTDALE, PA 15683
Antique Appraisals Tuesday, September 15 - 7 - 9pm
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Jazz & Bourbon Festival Saturday, October 3
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Otherworldy Weekends Friday, October 23 & Saturday, October24 Friday, October 30 & Saturday, October 31 For more information about our events go to www.westovertonvillage.org Visit Uncle Mar tin's C omp any St ore - No w Online! Martin's Comp ompany Store Now
September/October 2009 - 13