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Shop location and history - Downtown Rapid City next to the Alex Johnson. The Celtic Connection is located in what is known as the Haines Block. Preliminary research shows Pennington County Bank was at this location and was destroyed in a fire in 1915. Following the fire, the current Haines Block was built In 1918.
Reported Activity - The owners and workers have felt the presence of a male while working in the shop's basement. As if he is standing there watching them work. This is centered in only one location of the basement. Upstairs there are claims of shop items being found on the floor when the owner returns the next day to open the shop. The upstairs activity happens directly above where the basement activity occurs.
Investigation - Two investigations were completed. 9/25/09 and 11/15/09.
Evidence - During the initial interview for the 9/25/09 investigation the store owner did not inform us of the upstairs activity. Our investigation focused on the basement. It was challenging due to a neighboring restaurant that was still open. Initial EMF sweep showed readings just crazy. It would go from zero to off the scale on our meters. We could remain in one location and get readings that varied wildly. Did not matter where we stood in the basement. Early on, a child-like shadow figure was seen peeking around the door at the top of the stairs leading to the basement. Upon going upstairs there was no one else in the shop. Later on another shadow was seen towards the back of the basement. Unfortunately, it was just outside the IR field on our camera. As the evening progressed the restaurant closed and the atmosphere went from a charged feeling to calm. About that time another child-like shadow figure was seen on the stairs. Again, no one upstairs. As we were ending the investigation a large bang was heard from upstairs. Following the bang you can hear a voice say 'Take it out'. Upon getting upstairs we found a stuffed animal and a plaster nic-nac on the floor. These were not on the floor when we arrived or noticed when investigating the child-like shadows. When asking the owner their location we were then informed of objects being moved. Where the objects were found and where they were on a display, it was not possible for them to end where they did. We did everything possible to debunk. We came to the conclusion the stuffed animal and nic-nac had to of been picked up and placed where we found them. Are there spirits of children playing with the stuffed animals upstairs? Upon review of our audio we had several interesting EVPs and sounds. One of interest was what sounded like coins being dropped or manipulated. Was this a bank teller opening or closing their till? Dropping coins to the floor or counter? We also caught this EVP which makes you wonder what tragedies may have happened at this location. Listen carefully, you can hear a female say "Please, help me"
On 11/15/09 we returned. This time we included the upstairs and a night when the restaurant would be closed. Upon entering the store we found several items on the floor. We set up 2 static IR cameras with one digital audio upstairs and one static IR camera with one digital audio downstairs. Approximately 20 minutes in, a stuffed animal was found on the floor. It was in a location that had a display blocking our cameras. One camera was repositioned to cover this area. After the camera was repositioned no other objects were found on the floor. The basement did not have the wild EMF fluctuations as the 9/25/09 investigation. There was high EMF, but they were at power sources and not just 'free floating'. One investigator had what felt to be someone whisper in her ear. This was not caught on any audio. She also felt as if someone patted her head. What was of interest was a phantom smell. We were able to follow the smell around the basement, up the stairs and into the main store area. Prior to the smell, I heard what sounded like a barber's electric hair clipper. The phantom smell reminded us of a barber shop. Was there a barbershop on the location? So far we have been unable to document one. Unfortunately, we did not get the clipper buzz on audio. No other EVPs or sounds were found on audio.
Equipment Used
- 9/25/09
Sony Hi8 digital tape recorder with digital tape in long play mode, Sony IR
extender, Nikon D60, Olympus digital audio, RCA digital audio, KII, standard EMF
meters. 11/15/09 - DVR with 3 static IR cameras, EMF detectors, KII,
Olympus digital audio, RCA digital audio, Nikon D60
Weather -
9/25/09 - Evening
was clear with temps in the low 60's to mid 50's. Wind was calm. Moon in
it's first quarter.
11/15/09 - Evening clear with temps at the start of investigation in the upper
20's. At completion, temps were in the uppers 10's. Clear skies, wind
calm.
Waning crescent Moon
If you are in the Rapid City area do stop in and visit The Celtic Connection. Let Siaryn tell her stories of her 'Store Spirits'. Who knows, maybe the 'kids' will come out and play.
