Today's post I'd like to share another spooky real estate listing!

This one is very historic, very unique, and has loads of potential for those who are adventurous in mind and wallet!

10565 River Rd, Mullens, WV 25882

$250,000

Size: 1.75 Acres

Built in 1925

Okay, so this isn’t a spooky “house.” And, quite frankly, it’s probably not even inhabitable. Buuuuut, I think this nearly 100 year-old company store from the heyday of the West Virginia coal boom is pretty amazing. It’s super gothic with insane stonework and could be someone’s 1.75-acre spooky playground. Any takers?

I wish there were more interiors photos!

Here’s the realtor’s description.

“The Historic Itmann Company Store in Wyoming Co., Mullens WVA West Virginia Landmark for sale. Located in Wyoming County is the Itmann Company Store. Just west of Mullens in the town of Itmann is the former company store of the Pocahontas Fuel Company. It is one of the most spectacular remnants of the coal boom era in the entire state. The town of Itmann, named after Isaac T. Mann. Isaac T. Mann-principal shareholder of Pocahontas Fuel and President of the Bank of Bramwell...

The Pocahontas No. 3 mine started production in 1917. The company store was designed by noted coalfield architect Alex B. Mahood and constructed between 1923 and 1925 by Italian immigrant stonemasons. Stone for the project was cut from cliffs across the Guyandotte River and hauled to the site. As was often the case, this company store was located in the middle of the town and served multiple purposes. It was here that residents purchased food, clothing, household goods, furniture, and even caskets. In addition to providing a store for the miners and families, the building housed the general offices of Pocahontas Fuel, a post office, a doctor’s office, a pool room, and a barbershop...

It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. Deed Information: DB 387 Pg. 631 Wyoming County, West Virginia Acreage: 1.75 acres +/- Real Estate Tax ID/Acreage/Taxes: Wyoming County (55), West Virginia Slab Fork District (10) Tax Map 1 Parcel 100; Class 3; 2022 Real Estate Taxes: $901.30.”

This is a gem to all those who can see it brought back to life!

 Today's post is...

~Disney Theme Park Lands That Never Happened!~

Here are lists of Disney Theme Park Lands that were planned on design boards - but never made the cut! I wish a few of them had been a reality! Some I am REAL GLAD that they don't exist - yikes!

Disneyland 

Lilliputian Land 1953–1955 - A land that was to be located north of Tomorrowland east of Fantasyland. Everything would have been constructed on a greatly reduced scale. 

International Land 1953–1959 - A land that was to be located north of Tomorrowland west of Fantasyland. This land would represent different cultures of the world. However the plans were scrapped when Disney needed more room for the Matterhorn and the Submarine Voyage. However International Land eventually became the inspiration for World Showcase at Epcot. 

Discovery Bay 1973–1976 - A Jules Verne-inspired land to be located on the far side of the Rivers of America in Frontierland. It was inspired by the 1974 film The Island at the Top of the World, but after the film bombed at the box office the idea was abandoned. However the ideas went to Discoveryland at Disneyland Paris. 

Mythia Unknown - A land inspired by Greek and Roman myths and legends. 

Tomorrowland 2055 - 1993–1994 - An update and makeover of Tomorrowland with a more Extraterrestrial theme, (2055 is the centennial of Disneyland). However after Disneyland Paris failed the project was abandoned due to budget cuts. 

Hollywoodland 1988–1994 - In 1988, after the success of Who Framed Roger Rabbit, the title character (Roger Rabbit) to become a well recognized Disney cartoon character, reaching the status of Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy. The imagineers decided to build a movie themed land (similar to Disney Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort) south of Tomorrowland and west of Main Street, U.S.A.. The sign resembling the Hollywood Hills sign would have been placed on Space Mountain. However after Disneyland Paris failed, the plans were rejected due to budget cuts. However, "Hollywoodland" paved the way for Mickey's Toontown. 

"Big City USA" 1976–1984 - A New York-themed area where Mickey's Toontown now sits; it was to have featured a big Broadway-style theater that presented live stage shows every day. This idea became the inspiration for the American Waterfront at Tokyo DisneySea. 

World Holiday Land 1976–1984 - A European-themed area located directly below New Orleans Square and beyond the berm that would have included a thrill attraction with a Bavarian theme. Other possible attractions included a Scandinavian folklore attraction, a medieval England-oriented show, a CircleVision 360 theatre with a world travel theme, and another indoor theatre with international live stage shows. Food facilities such as a Bavarian waitress service, an old English pub, a French sidewalk cafe and a gourmet snack shop would provide the necessary atmosphere, while small artisan and souvenir shops would be themed to the various European areas. 

Edison Square 1958–1964 - This would have been a sidestreet expansion to Main Street USA, themed around the addition of electricity into American homes. It would have featured a statue of Thomas Edison and a show about harnessing electricity. This idea eventually became the basis of The Carousel of Progress, and Discovery Arcade in Disneyland Paris.

Liberty Street 1958–1965 - This would have been a sidestreet expansion to Main Street USA, themed around an American town circa 1776. It would have featured shops, The Hall of Presidents, a beautiful bay scene, and recreations of famous American landmarks. This idea would later be brought to life in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom as Liberty Square, and as Liberty Arcade in Disneyland Paris

Epcot World Showcase, Florida 

Costa Rica Pavilion - A Costa Rican-themed area. 

Equatorial Africa Pavilion - This pavilion would have mixed tribal dances and shows with African artwork in a recreation of an African village. A film hosted by Alex Haley was to be featured. Souvenir maps and a TV special on EPCOT Center's opening announced that the pavilion would open in 1983. It was never built due to budget and lack of sponsorship from suitable African nations; offers from South Africa were refused because of the country's apartheid system. However, many ideas for this land later appeared in Disney's Animal Kingdom. 

Iran Pavilion - This was originally planned to be the largest and central pavilion and would have included a mall (in the design of a bazaar), a restaurant, a recreation of Golestan Palace (with an animated boat ride through it depicting Persian history), and a recreation of Persepolis. Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi agreed to fund the project. It reached the final stages of approval but was later cancelled after the Shah of Iran was overthrown by the Islamic Fundamentalist Regime and lost all financial support for the project. 

Israel Pavilion - Advertised on billboards when EPCOT opened, this would have recreated ancient Jerusalem with a courtyard stage and open-air restaurant. It remained unbuilt because of budget problems and security issues regarding the state of Israel. 

Soviet Union Pavilion - Planned in the early 1990s, this would have been placed between China and Germany and dominated by a recreation of Red Square. The center building would have housed a sled-like ride showing the Russian landscape based on Russian folk tales. There also would have been a unique show blending film, Audio-Animatronics and a live actor that would showcase Russian history.

It reached the final stages of approval but was later cancelled due to the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Spain Pavilion - Also advertised on billboards circa 1986, this pavilion would have featured a boat ride similar to Mexico, with a design blending elements of Barcelona and Madrid. Also planned were a film on Spain's history and a restaurant. 

Switzerland Pavilion - Planned primarily to bring a Matterhorn Bobsleds-style ride to Epcot. 

United Arab Emirates Pavilion - This pavilion would have paid tribute to the Middle East with a magic carpet ride attraction and a show focusing on how the Middle East paved the way for various ways of life and science. 

Venezuela Pavilion - This pavilion would have included a waterfall, a high-rise built into a cliff, and an aerial tram ride.

Disney's Animal Kingdom, Florida 

Beastly Kingdom - A "myths and legends"-themed land planned for Disney's Animal Kingdom. It was replaced by Camp Minnie-Mickey due to budget cuts. Much of the land designated for use by Beastly Kingdom will now be used for the forthcoming Avatar Land.

Hong Kong Disneyland 

Frontierland - Like the other Disney parks, Hong Kong Disneyland was to have a frontier-themed land, but these plans were scrapped for budget reasons. However, a similar land called Grizzly Gulch opened in summer 2012. 

Toon Town - A much more advanced version than its sisters in the other Disney parks. This area would have featured a roller coaster, an animatronic show, character houses, and character meet-and-greets. It may have become the idea for Toon Studios at Walt Disney Studios Park.

Today's post - 

More interesting and creepy tombstones to share!

The Eternal Silence statue (aka “The Statue of Death”) in Graceland Cemetery is, on its very own, very eerie and spooky. The statue memorializes Dexter Graves, who in 1831 led 13 families from Ohio to, what would become, Chicago. The hooded bronze statue, a version of the Grim Reaper, was designed by Lorado Taft.

Supposedly, if you stare into the eyes of Eternal Silence, you will see a vision of your own death. There have also been many reports of the statue raising and lowering its uplifted arm. Further, the statue (up until the 1970s) could not be photographed, “stemming from amateur photographers reporting malfunctioning of normally cooperative cameras, or inexplicable destruction of camera film” 

In Oakland Cemetery stands a 8.5-foot bronze statue of the Angel of Death, which was erected in 1913 and marks the grave of Teresa Feldevert. Like the Black Aggie, there are many thrill-seeking games involving the eerie statue. On Halloween, young people dare their friends to touch or kiss the statue. Touching or kissing the statue, rumor has it, will strike you dead (unless you are a virgin). And, like Black Aggie, this statue allegedly causes miscarriages.

The Black Aggie is a name given to a statue that once resided on the memorial of General Felix Agnus in Druid Ridge Cemetery. The statue was moved because of damage caused by visitors, and eventually ended up in a courtyard behind the Dolley Madison House in Washington, D.C.

When Black Aggie lived in Druid Ridge Cemetery, there were many scary stories attached to it. According to legend, the dead of Druid Ridge would gather around the statue at night. The statue was also believed to cause blindness and miscarriages (Source).

The statue too became an attraction for local teens seeking a thrill. One story about Black Aggie describes a fraternity ritual where initiates have to spend the night at the foot of the statue. For one pledge, this method of hazing led to his death. From Spooky Maryland: 

What had been a funny initiation rite suddenly took on an air of danger. One of the fraternity brothers stepped forward in alarm to call out to the initiate. As he did, the statue above the boy stirred ominously. The two fraternity brothers froze in shock as the shrouded head turned toward the new candidate. They saw the gleam of glowing red eyes beneath the concealing hood as the statue’s arms reached out toward the cowering boy.

With shouts of alarm, the fraternity brothers leapt forward to rescue the new initiate. But it was too late. The initiate gave one horrified yell, and then his body disappeared into the embrace of the dark angel. The fraternity brothers skidded to a halt as the statue thoughtfully rested its glowing eyes upon them. With gasps of terror, the boys fled from the cemetery before the statue could grab them too.

Hearing the screams, a night watchman hurried to the Agnus plot. To his chagrin, he discovered the body of a young man lying at the foot of the statue. The young man had apparently died of fright.

This statue, named “The Angel of Death Victorious,” is a life-sized bronze statue of a seated angel. She holds a extinguished torch upside down, which represents a finished life. Some visitors believe that the statue is crying black tears, but could it just be the effects of aged bronze?

Behind a private iron fence sits the grave of Gracie Watson marked by a statue of Gracie sitting on a tree stump. In 1889, Gracie (age 6) died of pneumonia, leaving behind her grief-stricken parents. Her spirit still lingers in her parents’ hotel. Hotel staff have reported Gracie’s disembodied voice in the back stairwell, a place she once hid in during her parents’ parties.

Many visitors to Gracie’s memorial leave small toys and gifts. It is said that if you remove gifts from the site, she will cry tears of blood. Visitors to the cemetery have also reported seeing a young girl in a white dress skipping through the property, only to vanish into thin air.

Derived from Norse mythology: Hel, or Hela, was half corpse bride, half beautiful woman who presided over the realm of Hel where those who did not die gloriously in battle would spend eternity. It was said that Loki will lead the armies of the dead against Aesir and the brave warriors of Valhalla who fell in battle on the final battlefield when Ragnarok comes.

This is WEIRD

Hauntingly BEAUTIFUL

This tomb memorial of both mother and child is heart breaking.

Victory!

 Today's post is to remind you that there is a Meteor Shower tonight/early morning hours!

Between 3:30 am - 4:30 am on the 29th (Monday) is the best viewing - look to the southeast!

 Today's post I'd like to share an event that sells out ever year - so get your tickets NOW!

It's Riley's Farm's SLEEPY HOLLOW!

Located in beautiful Oak Glen, Ca.!

The Event:

"Washington Irving’s timeless tale of harvest, romance, and good-natured fun lives on at Riley’s Farm with apple-bobbing, pie-eating contests, dancing, country music, and great food!

Enjoy meeting the colorful citizens of Tarrytown, including the fair Katrina Van Tassel the lovely daughter of the richest farmer in town.   Mingle with the burly, charismatic country blade Brom Bones, and expect a formal welcome from the schoolmaster of Sleepy Hollow, the incomparable Ichabod Crane. But beware of the gloomy woods surrounding, for there are tales of a a ghostly headless horseman that frequents the graveyard nearby…

Join us this September and October for Riley’s Farm Theatre Company‘s  biggest event of the year!

When you arrive, enjoy our homemade appetizer soup of corn chowder or pumpkin. Hop on the hayride and take a trip in the countryside with several of the Sleepy Hollow townsfolk.  Watch the characters come alive on and off stage in this play in three acts. Throughout the evening, participate in a variety of classic country contests. But be forewarned, there is rumor of a Headless Horseman on the prowl, and it is said he will ride past the house by night!"

Activities

Apple Bobbing

Pumpkin Seed Spitting

Pumpkin Carving

Pie Eating Contest

 Menu*

BBQ Chicken or

Angus Tri-Tip

Corn Bread

Baked Beans

Baked Potatoes

Green salad

Apple Crisp

Details

7-10 PM

Doors Open at 6:30

Last Hayride: 7:10 PM

$69 Adults $47 Children (3-12)

Friday & Thursday Nights 7:00 PM – 10:00 pm

$69 Adults $47 Children (3-12)

Fine wines, ales, and hard ciders

are available for an additional cost.

No outside beverages are

permitted at this event.

Click here for website and tickets!