For years visitors and staff of Yesteryear Village at the South Florida playground have reported strange happenings at the Riddle House, one of the historic buildings on the grounds. Those happenings will soon be documented on the Travel Channel’s new show “Ghost Adventures” that airs at 9 p.m. Nov. 7.
The Riddle House was constructed in 1904 and in 1920 Karl Riddle, West Palm Beach city manager and cemetery caretaker, moved into the house on Acacia Road. During that time the house was also used as a funeral parlor. From 1923 to 1980 the records of the house are unclear, said Jennifer Irsay, Yesteryear Village’s curator.
Check out the trailer of the Riddle House West Palm Beach video on youtube below:
I lived in the Riddle House from 1979-80 when it was a girls’ dorm owned by Palm Beach Atlantic College. It was called “Dobbs House” at that time. Now, I have lived in haunted houses all of my life and am a Sensitive, so I am used to ghosts and spirits of all types, however, during the entire year that I lived at Dobbs/Ribble House, the only think I heard was footsteps on the stairs from time to time, and that could have been the old house settling as easily as it could have been a ghost. The house was in TERRIBLE disrepair: in the back of the house, toadstools literally grew out of the puke green carpet, which squished when you walked in that area due to the leaky roof and boarded up windows. However, my room was on the second floor and it had a nice view.
Of course, the college neglected to mention to us innocent kiddies and our parents that a guy had HUNG himself in the attic – I didn’t even know the house had an attic! However, I certainly don’t blame that ghost for thowing things at those rude Ghost Adventurer boys who walked in the front door acting like some Paranormal Rambos! Insipid! Contrary to their bravado, I would love to spend the night in that lovely old haunted house at any time. Those guys basically scared themselves. How do they call themselves ghost hunters when they jump scream at every little noise or object that might get tossed? I’m sure that Riddle House is haunted, but nothing there will bother anyone as long as they respect and love that house.
Didn’t those Ghost Adventurer boys’ moms ever teach them how to act in another person’s home??
That show was absolutely ridiculous. The guys that did the show on the Riddle House were absolutely SMUCKS !!! They are frauds. Tell the main guy, whatever his name is to go back to the gym & pump some more iron, AND STAY THERE!!!
The next time I visit West Palm Beach, I am going to go to The Riddle House. I’m not going because some terrible actors put on a horrible show but I would love to see the old house. If it is haunted, the viewing public would never know it from the ridiculous show put on buy these guys. I really thought the Travel Channel had more pride in it’s shows and more respect for the viewing public than to have these yahoo’s scream and curse at every “noise”. The word fraud definitely comes to mind.
I called the curator of Yesteryear Village (where Riddle House has been moved) and she said that apparently the Village is closed to the public and only open for private tours, which seems weird to me. (School groups, I guess). The Village will be open to the public Dec 15 – 17, with all houses open and decorated for the holiday (sounds great!) However, I want to go there when I can sit in my former dorm by myself and relax in fond memories! I only live a couple of hours from W Palm, so I hope to get down there in the next couple of months. When I do, I’ll post an update on this!
I called Jennifer, one of the managers of Yesteryear Village (she was briefly interviewed in the show) and she said that the Village would be open to the public from Dec 15 – 17 (short time!) All the houses would be decorated for the holidays – wish I could go, but I’m busy then. Apparently, the Village is usually open for tours only by appt (school groups, etc., I guess), beginning in Feb! I only live a couple of hours from W Palm, so when I get down there (it may be a few months), I’ll post an account of my adventures! (I’ll bet no noose-choking man-hating ghost throws flags or birdcags at me! HA!)
Oops! Sorry everyone – I left the same message twice! I didn’t think the first one posted, so I wrote it again. I hate computers . . . but love communication, so it’s worth it!
My daughter and I watched this show…it was a comedy adventure! The main “ghost hunter” placed a 2×4 at the top of the stairs and yells up to the ghost in the attic….You have never met guys like us, we won’t tolerate you throwing boards at us and pulling ladies hair….we’re not afraid of you….things like that. Then, when the beam on the stairs moves (?) and there’s movement (noise) in the attic…they panic and hyperventolate like little girls. Travel Channel you should be ashamed of yourself!
They are no Jason or Grant from Ghost Hunters on Sci Fi.
listen folks i know these guys personally and yes some of the things they say sound cheesy as far the taunting and tough guy talk,but they are the real deal when it comes to the paranormal..True- they`re not the taps guys,but everyone has a different method,and as nutty as their tactics can be at times.they still get cool results..remember the apparation at the washoe in nevada a few years back? dont knock em down guys..i would love for jason and grant to get the same results if they ever went there.
hey, i don’t care what u said about these fellows, they gave me some ideas where to go to see haunted stuff (for tourist) and that i personaly would luv to visit. in the show they gave me a lot of interesting things i would luv to see. IT IS A HISTORY PLACE TO KNOW.
I’m with Candy Shine.
I was personally, riveted by the show…Scariest Places on Earth meets Jackass.
I think it’s a great show, I personally, do not think they’re “acting.”
Being a native Floridian this Riddle House episode will probably always be my favorite.
Having just afforded cable again, I will have to check out the Sci-Fi show Ghost Hunters too, and see what all the fuss is about.
Ghost Adventures is right up my proverbial alley though. Whether it’s real or staged, this show is entertaining…take it for waht it is…entertainment.
Does the site have a main RSS feed to keep track of posts?
I seriously feel hoaky ghost hunters really discredit the history and possible paranormal activity at locations such as this. What a shame. The only tolerable one’s seem to be TAPS. They are supposedly trying to DISprove hauntings. At least they leave the silly dog and pony show stuff out ( for the most part ). If I want JEEPERS and EEKS I’ll tune into Scooby Doo. That aside, it’s a ‘neat’ old house and nice to know someone felt it deserved to be saved.
If your going to be a ghost hunter you need to leave your fear at home,Don’t bring it to the stage
Dont you all know that these shows are ALL made up. This is, after all TELEVISION. Ghosts can not act up on demand and cue. There are no such things as “orbs” THESE ARE DUST PARTICLES floating in the air, unlike what the TAPS or Ghost Hunters seem to think and get all excited about. Do not get me started on TAPS… They are soooooooo rediculous and fake!!! They would not know a real ghost if it came up and slapped them in the face. Myself and my kids have all been sensitive and I take these shows as insults to the paranormal. Why dont they not keep unclogging drains and leave the paranormal stuff to the professionals.
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