Paranormal expert John Tenney joins the podcast to discuss the haunting of Farrar School in Iowa. They explore topics such as a nine foot tall shadow figure, doors slamming, and the sounds of children giggling in empty hallways. The possibility of a ghostly teacher and the presence of negative energy are also discussed. The chapter concludes with a mention of Strange Escapes and Kindred Spirits.
The podcast explores the haunting of Farrar School in Maxwell, Iowa, which lacks a known history of tragedies but exhibits paranormal activity including a nine-foot-tall shadow figure and children giggling in empty hallways.
The paranormal activity at Farrar School may be influenced by nearby tragic events, such as the deaths of a fifth-grader in a bicycle accident and a young man who was murdered, indicating a connection between local tragedies and the haunting phenomena.
Deep dives
The Haunted School Experience
The podcast explores the host's childhood experiences with a haunted elementary school. As a second-grader, she and her classmates believed in the existence of a mean lady ghost in the girls bathroom. Although the teachers laughed it off, the children still played pranks and shared spooky encounters. The host recalls a personal encounter with fear and curiosity as she braved the haunted bathroom. From there, she transitions to discussing a haunted elementary school in Maxwell, Iowa, known as Ferrar school. Although it doesn't have a dark history, the school is notorious for ongoing paranormal activity.
History and Setting of Ferrar School
The Ferrar school, located in a nearly abandoned town in Iowa, was built in the early 1900s. With only 42 residents in 1925 and 30 residents currently, the school's size exceeded the local population. The community supported the expensive project, resulting in the creation of the Washington Township Consolidated School District. The school building opened in 1922 with a celebration attended by citizens from miles around. The neighboring Turner Memorial MP Church cemetery is often associated with the school. Despite its age, the cemetery remains active. This historical context sets the stage for the haunting activity discussed later in the episode.
Possible Causes of Paranormal Activity
Although Ferrar school lacks a significant distressing history, there are incidents nearby that might explain its paranormal activity. The episode highlights the deaths of 5th grader Nancy Pearson in a bicycle accident and a young man named Terry, who was murdered nearby. The host and her team investigated the school using a spirit box and found possible connections to these tragic events. The spirit of Terry might be lingering in the school, seeking closure. These encounters indicate that the paranormal activity at Ferrar school could be influenced by local tragedies and residual energy.
Various Haunting Experiences at Ferrar School
The episode concludes with accounts of paranormal experiences at Ferrar school. The current owner and other witnesses have reported hearing voices, witnessing shadows, and experiencing unexplainable phenomena. The host shares her personal encounters, including strange sounds, unexplained motion on the stairs, and the appearance of apparitions, such as a shadow figure and a small phantom boy. She mentions recurring reports of slamming doors, voices, and the presence of an unnaturally tall figure. These incidents, combined with reports from other paranormal investigators, depict a consistently active and haunting environment at Ferrar school.
Farrar School in Maxwell, Iowa was built in the middle of nowhere to replace one room schoolhouses throughout its vast district. With no known deaths or tragedies taking place at the school, its haunting doesn't make a whole lot of sense - especially since it includes things like a nine foot tall shadow figure that insists on order on the third floor, doors slamming repeatedly and the sounds of children giggling in empty hallways.
Special Guest: John Tenney
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