Hey, Readers. We’ve had a few weeks of mysteries, so I couldn’t let a month go by without posting at least one legend. This week, we’ll travel to the Show Me State of Missouri.
The Landers Theater is a four-story brick and terra cotta building in Springfield, Missouri. It was built in 1909 and has been in use since then. It once hosted such notable artists such as Lillian Russell, John Philip Sousa, and Lon Chaney. It later became a motion picture house and was one of the first to acquire talking films. The Landers has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1977 and underwent renovations to restore it to its 1900s elegance in 1980.
But it’s reported the theater also has another type of history. It seems it’s the home of several restless spirits. On December 17, 1920, a major fire took the life of a janitor. It’s said that actors on stage can see the janitor’s ghost sitting in the balcony seats watching them as they rehearse.
Another story claims someone accidentally dropped a baby from the balcony. Actors often say the baby repeats its fall over and over. Others say they often hear a baby crying followed by comforting words from its mother.
There is another apparition that peers down from a fourth-story window at passersby on the street. This spirit is tall with long blonde hair and wears Elizabethan clothing. She’s never seen inside, but it’s also reported the spirit of a six-foot-tall man can be seen throughout the theater.
Many guests feel they are being followed, followed by a tap on the shoulder. When they turn around, there’s no one there. Other occurrences include unplugged spotlights that turn on and off of their own accord and other apparitions glimpsed throughout the building.
Is it any wonder The Landers Theater may be one of the most haunted places in Springfield?
Joan Hall 
A great post, Joan! But I think I’ll pass on a visit to the theater. I’m pretty sure if I saw any of these ghosts, I’d have a heart attack. Reading about them is great fun, and I love a good ghost story, for sure … but actually seeing, hearing, or feeling one of them would NOT make me happy. Eeeeep.
I WOULD, however, love to stand across the street and take a picture of the place. Yeah. That’s more my speed! 😁
Love this series, whether it’s legends or mysteries! Thanks for sharing. 😊❤️
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I told Diana that if a ghost tapped me on the shoulder, it would cure my desire of taking ghost tours! Thanks, Marcia.
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For sure! Might even cure me of ever leaving the house again! (Oh, wait. COVID did that! 😕)
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That’s a creepy theater, Joan, with so many ghosts. I’m so glad it was preserved though. What a great feature in the town. I just don’t want to get tapped on the shoulder if I visit. 😀
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That’s a good point, Diana. Something like that would break me of my desire to take Ghost Tours.
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Ha ha ha. 😀
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Fascinating. Makes me wonder if ghosts intermingle at all, or if they just repeat their own agendas over and over. That would be sad.
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I’d never thought about that, Judi. It would be a sad existence not to be able to communicate.
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Have you run across the Wells Theatre in Norfolk, Virginia? It’s said to be haunted as well.
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I haven’t Liz, but now I’m intrigued. I’ll have to do some research on it.
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You shouldn’t have any trouble finding information about the ghosts online. The Wells holds a special place in my heart from when I lived in Virginia. It’s been beautifully restored to its original glory.
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One of those places you can really feel that history and the ghosts that haunt it! A must stop for any ghost hunters.
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Exactly. I’d sure visit there!
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As much as I hate driving to Springfield, I wouldn’t mind seeing that. Especially if I saw one of the ghosts. Thanks, Joan.
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A summer trip for sure (as I sit here on a cold day with freezing rain in the forecast). I would love to see the place.
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Weather here is awful, too. I’m wondering if my groceries are going to come. Stay warm!
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I’m on the sofa with my lap blanket and heating pad. Hubs found a loose tooth last night, so he has to go to the dentist this morning. 😦
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As Yukon Cornelius said, “It’s not a fit night out for man nor beast!” Poor thing. I hope the appointment goes well and he gets back to the warmth of the house quickly.
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Yep, I agree with Yukon Cornelius. Thanks for the well wishes. We hope it all goes smoothly. He had a good checkup in December so we’re not sure what happened.
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Ooooh, this makes me want to go visit, Joan! I love visiting haunted places. And what a gorgeous old theater! Thanks for sharing!
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I do too, Jan. I’ve never seen a ghost, but I keep trying. I also think the stories behind the sightings are just as intriguing.
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I love hearing stories like this – and I’d sure like to visit this theater.
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Me too, Teri. I’d visit the theater if I was ever in Springfield.
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This is fascinating. I’d love to visit somewhere like this. Thanks for sharing, Joan. Have a wonderful week. Hugs 💕🙂
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Me too, Harmony. I’d visit in a heartbeat.
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A good one, Joan. All these spirits n one place. Chilling.
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When writing this I kept thinking of Ford’s Theater in DC (which I have visited). Didn’t hear anything about ghosts there, but there sure is a lot of history.
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I have visited there too.
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So much history there.
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I aw the play there, “Our American Cousin,” which was the play Lincoln was watching when he was shot
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Fascinating, Joan. I love your mysteries and legends. We live about an hour from Jerome, AZ, and one of these days, we’re going to check out the Jerome Grand Hotel. We keep putting it off to another day … I wonder why. 😄
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Ooh, now I’m intrigued. I’m going to have to check that one out. (Virtually, of course.)
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Sounds interesting. If one of the TV ghost hunting shows (Ghost Adventures, Ghost Hunters, Kindred Spirits, etc) haven’t investigated there yet, they should.
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I haven’t seen a show about this, but yes, they should. Thanks, Jeanne.
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I love this post. I’m into such things and it would be fun to visit.
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I agree, Craig. Lots of fun.
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