Date: 8/10 – 8/11/06
Time: 22:00 – 02:00
Location: Seul Choix Point Lighthouse – Gulliver, MI
Team Members: Tim Ellis, Steve LaPlaunt, Brad Blair, Lee Shirey, Matt Barr
Subject: Investigation of Paranormal Activity Secondary
to Occupants Reports of Strange Occurrences
History:
Visitors and workers at the lighthouse complex have reported strange happenings, including moved silverware and other items, footsteps, the strong smell of cigars and the sound of someone climbing the lighthouse steps. Many believe that a lighthouse keeper, Captain Joseph Townsend, is still at work.
Seul Choix Point Light marks a small harbor on Lake Michigan located on the south shore of the Upper Peninsula, some sixty miles west of the Straits of Mackinac. The name Seul Choix means "only choice".
Native Americans and French fur traders traveled in canoes across the rough waters of Lake Michigan. It was named by the French who found that it was the only harbor of refuge in this part of Lake Michigan. If boats were headed for the Straits of Mackinac, the only choice for safety was Seul Choix.
During the mid-1800's Seul Choix Point was the center of a thriving fishing community, but today, only the lighthouse complex is still active. The light still operates, but with an automated replacement for its original lens. The light was placed into service in 1892, but the tower had to be rebuilt and the station was not entirely completed until September, 1895.
Investigation:
Ř Personal Findings
· While standing outside in the parking lot, Tim and Matt saw a shadow move across the window in kitchen. Immediately after this, Tim notices the curtain move in the adjacent dining room, as if someone had pulled back the curtain to peek out the window.
· Steve and Tim smelled a perfume like aroma at the bottom of stairs.
· While Tim and Steve were outside, they saw the light post in the yard turn on (1am). They called the others (inside the house) on the radio and asked if anyone turned on a switch and then explained what just happened. Brad radioed back that they were upstairs and had just asked for a sign if anyone was there.
· Jan noted diamond shaped orbs in pictures taken at previous dates and times 20 minutes before Brad captured diamond shaped orbs in pictures taken of Marilyn.
Ř Objective Findings:
· Orbs mentioned above as well as orbs in a picture of Marilyn
· In the video from one of the bullet cams set up in the Dining Room, a “large” orb appears and floats toward the camera, and then changes direction, and out of site of the camera.
Ř The stance the UPPRS takes on “Orbs” is a very skeptical one. We believe that 90% of orbs are of natural explanation. However, when an orb fits a certain criteria, solid center / nucleus, complete circle, larger than dust or bug, then we will make note of the orb. The theory that a ball of energy is a form of an entity is a plausible one, but must be approached with a tough eye, and a healthy portion of skepticism. Groups who believe every “orb” caught on film and video is indeed a ghost, do more harm than good to the field of Paranormal Investigation.
Equipment Used During Investigation:
Ř 2 - digital still cameras
Ř 2 - digital video camera
- 10 hours of video
Ř 2- 12 LED infrared camera
- 8 hours of video
Ř 2 – digital audio recorder
- 10 hours of audio
Ř 2 - hand held laser thermometer
Ř 2 - EMF detector
Ř 1 – motion detector
Assessment:
In conjunction with the interviews of the occupants and data collected the night of the investigation, U.P.P.R.S. feels there were some events that could not be explained as “normal”. When something cannot be explained as “normal”, it can be categorized as “Paranormal”. A follow up investigation could help us to gather more information in these areas.