We had the good fortune of connecting with Courtney Eastman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Courtney, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
When it comes to creating and blogging, what inspires me the most are the abandoned locations of the past that are slowly being reclaimed by nature. The beauty they still hold within them mixed with the dark history, legends, and stories they’ve collected over time will always find a way to pull me in!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The paranormal, strange, and unusual have always been an underlying constant in my life since I was younger. The urban legends, haunting tales, and paranormal television was what I had become drawn to the most early on. As the years went on, I found myself becoming more attracted towards the dark history and stories that were seldom spoken about within these ‘haunted’ locations. Not only that, I also began to develop a love and appreciation for the beauty that is still held within these left to be forgotten buildings. .
Growing up in Western New York, only 10 minutes away from downtown Buffalo, I found myself surrounded by various decaying buildings that were iconic to the city’s growth. While some of them carried the dark and twisted histories to them that only turned into urban legends and hushed stories between locals, others were silently being reclaimed by nature as the world around them went on. While it’s easy for some to look past these giant structures and think nothing of it or want them torn down to fix the eyesore they became, I wanted to know more–whether it was about it’s haunting legends or it’s dark history that tried to be swept under the rug.

Though because this hobby in the paranormal and the abandoned had been obscure, it was hard to get others into it and find the time to explore. When the pandemic happened and we were forced to shut down, I took a moment to reflect and found myself being called back to this weird constant. I fund myself getting out of the house by taking drives and visiting all the local haunts and cemeteries near me. That summer, I had the nagging thought to bring a blog to life, find a space to connect with others who were like me, and who also had a passion for the dark and weird history. Not only that, but I also wanted a spot to showcase the places and stories I’ve grown to love over the years of researching and dreaming about going to.

Since October 1st 2020, I had taken the leap of faith in putting myself and my love for this field out there for the world to see and haven’t stopped since. Starting out with speaking about local haunts, I found myself growing as I’ve now traveled along the mid-west and east coast states investigating abandoned buildings in hopes to hear a faint response of it’s past still lingering around. I’ve shared countless tales of what haunting could be residing at these locations, stories about past lives once lived inside, and brought attention to those locations and stories who needed it most. It has been an unexpected journey to say the least, but one I couldn’t be happier to be on.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Buffalo, New York is filled with some incredible sites to see! Though in the true fashion of being a haunted travel blogger, allow me to take you to some of the city’s haunts.

Forest Lawn Cemetery (1990 Main Street, Buffalo NY) is a stunning historic cemetery located alongside Delaware Park in downtown Buffalo. These peaceful grounds are an absolute site to see in all seasons and are even the final resting place of some iconic names such as Rick James, President Millard Fillmore, and his family!

The Merry Shelley ( 1122 Hertel Ave, Buffalo NY) is Buffalo’s first and only literary-themed romantic horror bar, inspired after Mary Shelly, the writer of Frankenstein. Best known for their absinthe drinks and their gothic aesthetic, a visit to this unique bar is a high priority for lovers of the macabre!

Paranormal Oddities (5823 Transit Rd, Depew, NY) is a one-of-a-kind store located just outside of Buffalo, but it’s worth the short trip! Inside this small shop, you’ll find a safe space to explore spiritualism and the paranormal with an array of different items from tarot cards, crystals, paranormal equipment, books, and more! There are also a bunch of different events that are hosted throughout the year including paranormal talks and classes, book signings, and different divination readings!

Richardson Olmstead Complex, also known as the former Buffalo Insane Asylum (444 Forrest Ave, Buffalo, NY) is one of the most hauntingly beautiful properties within the city–that you could have also spent the night inside! The historic Kirkbride building that had once been crucial to mental health had been partially repurposed into a hotel known as Hotel Henry. Though the hotel has fallen victim to the pandemic, you’re still able to tour the building grounds, hear the history that had been made inside these walls, and see how it’s aged over the years.

Buffalo Riverworks (359 Gaston Street, Buffalo NY) is located along the Buffalo River and is an amazing location packed with activities for everyone to get in on! Not only that, the backdrop to the location sits in an area known as Silo-City; a pocket of grain silos that were built along the Buffalo River and had a helping hand in the initial growth of the city. Bonus points: Since it sits so close to the General Mills plant, you’ll be able to smell the iconic “Cherri-o” smell the city is said to have!

Gabriel’s Gate (145 Allen St. Buffalo, NY) in the arts district of Allentown is said to have the best chicken wings in the city! Those are some fighting words for some locations that rival to carry that title, but you can’t go wrong getting them here.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
A good friend of mine, Steve Brodt!

After years of our paths narrowly missing each other in previous years, the time had been right for them to finally cross a few months after starting the account. Since then, the genuine support, friendship, and encouragement he and his business, Haunted Nights Events, have given me over the last year and a half have been a significant helping hand in growing The Ghoul Guide. Not only that, the passion, dedication, and curiosity he has for the paranormal field are inspiring to not only me but to many others out there!

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The Ghoul Guide

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.