The Historic Capital Theatre in Yakima Washington

The historic Capitol Theatre is another one of the restored historic buildings in Yakim a W ashington. ashington . The Capitol Theatre's long history began over ninety years ago w ith Frederick M ercy, Sr.'s vision of a grand vaudeville theatre located in dow ntow n Yakim Ya kim a. The theater opened on A pril 5, 1920 and has been the center for plays and entertainm ent for over 90 years.

M any em ployees and patrons over the years have had reason to believe that the Capital Theatre is still occupied by past spirits

W elcom e to t o PIH A ’s H istoric H aunting of W ashington State M agazine On behalf of the volunteer paranormal investigators of PIHA, I invite you to experience Washington State’s amazing historical sites and museums like never before. PIHA has created a program unlike any other in Washington State. Through our process of networking with local historical societies, museums and registered historical sites, PIHA hopes to help educate the public of our state’s exciting history and the process and technology utilized in today’s paranormal investigations.

PIHA was created with two goals in mind: 1. PIHA hopes to bring our history to life by attempting to obtain significant evidence of these strange occurrences. Utilizing the latest in today’s electronic technology and dedicated paranormal investigators, we are accomplishing this objective.

2. PIHA wants to stimulate additional interest in our residents and visitors to Washington State’s fascinating history. We want to encourage individuals, families, schools and community organizations to visit these (and other) historical locations for a better understanding of our state’s history and the people who made it.

PIHA is not out to prove or disprove the existence of possible paranormal activity, but to publish any significant evidence collected at an investigation and let each individual decided for himself what to believe or not to believe.

Wherever your travels in Washington take you, best wishes for a “Trip to the Extraordinary”.

For additional information about PIHA, visit our website at www.pihausa.com

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In this Issue: Welcome to PIHA’s Historic Haunting of Washington State Magazine…..2 Washington State History………….……..……..…….5 The History of Eastern Washington…………………..7 The History of Yakima.…….………………….…..…….9 The Historic Capital Theatre……11 Paranormal Investigation Report……………………...13 Paranormal History Report………………………...…..15 Contact PIH A :

PIH A M agazine Publisher:

PIHA (Paranormal Investigations of Historic America) Vaughn Hubbard: Case Manager/Historian Phone: 360.799.4138 Email: Info@pihausa.com Website: WWW.PIHAUSA.COM

Publisher………………...…..….Historic Haunting Chief Publisher…………..……..Vaughn Hubbard Program Manager:………….…..Debbie Knapp Marketing Manager:………….....Kathy Gavin Graphic Designer:…………...…..Christian Wells

Debbie Knapp: Lead Investigator/Historian Kathy Gavin: Lead Investigator Dave: EVP Specialist Christian Wells: Investigator

A cknow ledgem ents: We wish to acknowledge the HistoryLink for allowing PIHA to use their published historical research information as reference material. To read about the history of Washington State visit the HistoryLink website at: www.HistoryLink.org 3

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Washington State History The State of Washington occupies the far northwest corner of the contiguous 48 United States. It occupies 66,582 square miles (176,600 square kilometers) between the Pacific Ocean on the west and the Idaho border at 117 degrees longitude. Washington borders Canada on the north along the 49th parallel and Oregon on the south along the Columbia River and 46th parallel. Great Britain and the United States jointly occupied the region between 1818 and 1846, when Britain ceded the Pacific Northwest below the 49th parallel to the U.S. In 1848 the U.S. created Oregon Territory, including the future states of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho and a portion of Montana. Washington Territory (including Idaho and western Montana until 1863) was separated from Oregon on March 2, 1853, and gained statehood on November 11, 1889.

The federal government created Oregon Territory on August 14, 1848. The area of the new jurisdiction included the present-day states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and western Montana. The discovery of gold in California in 1848 triggered a large westward migration, and settlement of Oregon Territory was promoted by passage of the Donation Land Claims Act of 1850, which granted 160 acres to any U.S. citizen who agreed to occupy his or her land for five years.

On August 29, 1851, 27 male settlers met at Cowlitz Landing (south of present-day Olympia) to petition Congress for a separate “Columbia Territory” covering the area between the Columbia River and 49th parallel. The petition was reaffirmed by 44 delegates who met in Monticello on November 25, 1852. Congress approved the new territory on February 10, 1853, but changed its name to “Washington.”

President Millard Fillmore signed the bill on March 2, 1853, and Olympia was named the Territorial Capital and has remained the capital of both Washington Territory and State since 1853. President Franklyn Pierce named Isaac I. Stevens as the first governor of an area that included northern Idaho and western Montana until President Abraham Lincoln established Idaho Territory on March 4, 1863.

Washington’s non-Indian population grew steadily to more than 300,000 over the following decades. Its residents began petitioning for statehood in 1881, and Washington was admitted to the Union on November 11, 1889, with the signature of President Benjamin Harrison.

Thirty federally recognized sovereign Indian tribes and reservations occupy substantial areas in Washington, and there are an additional seven unrecognized but culturally distinct tribes. Native American Indian tribes have occupied this area; now know as Washington State for over 10,000 years and have a rich history in culture and survival. By the 1850s, when the first Euro American settlers arrived at Alki Point and along the Duwamish River, diseases had already taken a devastating toll on native peoples and their cultures. During the 80 year period from the 1770s to 1850, smallpox, measles, influenza, and other diseases had killed an estimated 28,000 Native Americans in Western Washington, leaving about 9,000 survivors. Historian Robert Boyd conducted extensive research on the effect of European diseases on Northwest coast Indians.

In his book, The Coming of the Spirit of Pestilence, he states that the 1775 Spanish expedition led by Bruno Hezeta, commander of the Santiago and Juan Fracisco de la Bodega & Quadra, commander of the Sonora was the most likely carrier.

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The History Eastern Washington In the spring of 1853, Congress authorized a US Army expedition made up of engineers and explorers and led by Isaac Ingalls Stevens, to survey a route from the Missouri River to the Columbia River suitable for building a railroad. Stevens assumed the task, but also kept in mind that the route should be suitable for a wagon road A small, dark-haired young man, Lieutenant John Mullan just out of West Point, was placed in charge of surveying, and later improving, a wagon route (now commonly called the Mullan Road) between Fort Benton (Montana) and Fort Walla Walla (Washington). Lieutenant Mullan commanded a workforce of more than 200, including civilian workers, soldiers, engineers, and surveyors who carved a 25-foot wide road across the region.

Although the road was never heavily used by the military, it was an important conduit for civilian passage, which hastened settling of the northwestern United States. In the first year after completion, it was used by an estimated 20,000 people, 6,000 horses and mules, 5,000 cattle and 83 wagons. The Mullan Road helped Walla Walla become the largest town in Washington Territory by 1870, with a population of 1,394. The road continued to serve as an important route until the completion of the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1883 provided faster and more convenient access to the region.

In 1836 Marcus Whitman a physician and missionary in the Oregon Country, along with his wife Narcissa started a mission Waiilatpu (Why-eelat-poo, the 't' is half silent), which means "place of the rye grass" in the Cayuse language also known as the Whitman Mission. The mission was located 6 miles from current day Walla Walla Washington, just west of the northern end of the Blue Mountains. Whitman would later lead the first large party of wagon trains along the Oregon Trail, establishing it as a viable route for the thousands of emigrants who used the trail in the following The settlement was in the territory of both the Cayuse and the Nez PercĂŠ tribes of Native Americans. Marcus farmed and provided medical care, while Narcissa set up a school for the Native American children.

The influx of white settlers in the territory brought new diseases to the Indian tribes, including a severe epidemic of measles in 1847. In what became known as the Whitman Massacre, Cayuse tribal members murdered the Whitman’s in their home on November 29, 1847. Most of the buildings at Waiilatpu were destroyed. Twelve other white settlers in the community were also killed. For one month 53 women and children were held captive before negotiations led to them being released. In 1850, the tribe handed over five members to be tried for the murder of the Whitman’s. All five Cayuse were convicted by a military commission and hanged on 3 June 1850. The hanging was conducted by U.S. Marshal Joseph L. Meek. This event triggered an ongoing conflict between white settlers and local tribes, known as the Cayuse War an armed conflict that lasted from 1848 to 1855. This was the first of several wars between the original inhabitants and Euro-American settlers in that region that would lead to the placement of many of the Native Americans onto Indian reservations.

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The History of Yakima Washington The Yakama people were the first known inhabitants of the Yakima Valley. The area tribes used this area, on the banks of the Yakima River, as their wintering spot for generations. This was the traditional hunting and gathering grounds of the region's tribes, known collectively as the Peoples of the Plateau. They fished the abundant salmon and steelhead. They gathered roots and berries on the nearby mountain slopes. The fertile grasslands attracted game and waterfowl.

In 1805 the Lewis and Clark Expedition came to the area and discovered abundant wildlife and rich soil, prompting the settlement of homesteaders.

The arrival of settlers and their conflicts with the natives resulted in the Yakama Indian War of 1855. The U.S. Army established Fort Simcoe in 1856 near present-day Toppenish as a response to the uprising. The Yakamas were defeated and relocated to the Yakama Indian Reservation. A small village near Ahtanum Creek, which came to be known as Yakima City, emerged in the 1860s, serving the valley's scattered ranchers. The pioneering F. Mortimer Thorp (1822-1894) family arrived in the Moxee Valley, just outside the present-day city, in 1861.

His son, Leonard Thorp, later described what they found: "At that time, the bottom lands were covered with a dense growth of rye grass twelve feet high in many places, while a luxuriant carpet of nutritious bunch grass made the sage brush hills a veritable paradise to cattle and horses. Within five minutes after turning loose the animals, they would be completely lost sight of in the tall grass and could be found only by trailing. Fortunately, the Indians were disposed to be friendly and except for the occasional theft of an animal, never seriously troubled the early settlers. Indeed, they rendered us valuable service during the late fall of 1861, by bringing great quantities of salmon, which could be procured from them at trifling cost. A string of beads, costing ten cents, would purchase a thirty-pound fish."

When Yakima City was bypassed by the Northern Pacific Railroad in December 1884, over 100 buildings were moved with rollers and horse teams to the nearby site of the depot to North Yakima. The move itself, in which entire buildings were hauled four miles by teams of mules or horses, was a loud, dusty and colorful affair. The new city was dubbed North Yakima and was officially incorporated and named the county seat on January 27, 1886.

The name was changed to Yakima in 1918. Union Gap was the new name given to the original site of Yakima.

The Yakima Herald printed its first edition in 1889, printing 5,000 copies of their newspaper. The editor of the Herald stated in 1889 that the excellent agricultural climate and soil, fine fruit orchard lands, superior conditions for the growing of hops, abundant stock-grazing areas, abundant water power and the transcontinental rail line to Puget Sound passing through Yakima are all key elements to it’s success and growth.

The Portland Oregonian reported in 1889 that Yakima was shipping hundreds of carloads of hops, cattle, produce and fruit to the coast, and that "there is not a pauper in the county". The article also stated that there was reason to believe the town could balloon to 15,000 to 25,000 people some day.

Yakima was well on the way to becoming the center of a famous agricultural region, known for apples, sugar beets, hops, potatoes, and produce and world famous wineries. Large-scale irrigation projects first developed by private irrigation companies and later by the federal government were the reason for this success. As of 2009, the city's population was estimated at 84,850. Many of Yakima's major employers are fruit-packers, beef processors, and canneries.

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The Historic Capitol Theatre The Capitol Theatre's long history began over ninety years ago with Frederick Mercy, Sr.'s vision of a grand vaudeville theatre located in downtown Yakima. Construction on his dream project began in 1919. He commissioned renowned theatre architect B. Marcus Pretica, the architect of choice for the great vaudeville impresario Alexander Pantages, to construct his theatre. Another Pantages favorite, A. B. (Tony) Heinsbergen, was hired to create the decorative murals that graced the theatre's interior. The April 5, 1920 opening performance of Maytime brought audiences in droves to see Yakima's showcase. At that time, the Mercy Theatre was the largest theatre in the Pacific Northwest. One year later, the name officially changed to The Capitol Theatre.

Over the years, as interest in motion pictures increased, vaudeville slowly died. The Capitol Theatre went the direction of theatres across the country; opening as a vaudeville house, moving to a combination of vaudeville and movies, becoming a movie theatre, and slowly turning into a shabby shell of its former glory. By the early 1970s, the Mercy family was looking to sell the historic building. Concerned that it may be razed for another parking lot, the Allied Arts Council and local citizens convinced the City of Yakima to purchase the building for a complete restoration, for use as a community arts center. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Sites and the sale moved forward.

On the hot, summer evening of August 19, 1975, just days after the sale was completed, tragedy struck. An electrical short sparked a fire that raced through the Theatre's interior, destroying everything but the stage house, fly gallery, basement, dressing rooms, steel balcony supporters and most of the faรงade. In a matter of hours, Central Washington's only performing arts facility-and a precious part of its cultural heritage-was gone.

Talk of restoration began even before the smoke from the smoldering embers died. The actions of architect Bill Paddock represented the commitment of the community. He was found sifting through the rubble of the still smoking ruins searching for salvageable remains. When confronted, he held up two broken terracotta pieces from the faรงade and said, "We'll need these to restore the theatre."

Rebuilding the theatre was a rallying point for the people of Yakima. A non-profit group called the Capitol Theatre Committee was formed, and raised over $700,000 in local contributions. Additional funds from the City, grants, and an insurance settlement allowed for a complete restoration coinciding with the rebuilding of the Theatre.

The Capitol Theatre's reconstruction brought together the best of its grand old style with newly constructed necessities. The restoration efforts truly came full circle when Heinsbergen came out of retirement to once again paint the theatre's ceiling mural. Not content to simply reconstruct his initial work, he set out to create his greatest masterpiece. At 83 he painted the murals on canvas in his California studios and accompanied them to the Theatre where he retouched the seams. The Capitol Theatre had been one of his first creations and sadly his last.

Heinsbergen passed away shortly thereafter.

On November 4, 1978, just 733 days from the start of the reconstruction, a completely restored Capitol Theatre opened its doors. Governor Dixie Lee Ray and local dignitaries dedicated the theatre to the "continued vitality of the performing arts in Yakima." The air was filled with the familiar strains of "Thanks for the Memories" as Bob Hope entertained the sold-out crowd. It was the start of a "Brand New Life for a Grand Old Lady."

Today, The Capitol Theatre remains a testament to the community's dedication to its past and the arts.

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The PIHA Grey Team’s Paranormal Investigation On July 30th 2010 the PIHA Grey Team accomplished paranormal investigation of the Capitol Theatre in the historic town of Yakima Washington. These are the results of the PIHA Grey Teams investigation of that historic building.

The PIHA Grey Team began their investigation at 9:00 PM with PIHA Lead Investigator, Debbie Knapp assisted by Capital Theatre employee Kandice Flowers.

As is the usual practice, the team first completes a scan of the area to be investigated. They use their EMF (Electromagnetic Field) detectors to locate any abnormal electronic energy that may exist.

Next, the Grey Team sets up their camcorders to video tape any shadows or strange movement that may take place during their EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena) session.

Finally they position the parabolic dish that they use to record any noises or voices that may or may not be heard by ear. The parabolic dish also has a headset attached allowing an investigator to hear any voices or noises that cannot be heard naturally by the other investigators during the EVP session. This has proven to be a valuable tool to validate anything recorded during the EVP session that would otherwise go unnoticed.

Vaughn has concluded that if ghost actually exist, they can be seen, heard and felt anytime, day or night with the lights on or off. The main reason that most paranormal organizations investigate late at night is that there are fewer people in and around the area or building being investigated and the same is true for vehicle traffic. All of these factors can contaminate the electronic recordings being made during the actual investigation. Basically, the quieter it is the better chance of recording possible evidence of paranormal activity. But, if someone just wants to have a paranormal experience or possibly see a ghost, they’re chances are probably better during the day than at night. There are many more encounters told by ordinary people of seeing or experiencing a ghost during the day and fewer at night. You could have something standing right next to you in the dark and you would never see it, but during the day you will.

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Results of the PIHA Paranormal Investigation Main Stage and Auditorium Friday night 7/30/2010: 9:20 PM – A faint voice is recorded on the parabolic dish 9:30 PM – During Debbie’s EVP session she asked a question and gets the answer “YES” 9:46 PM – The sound of a chair squeaking in the auditorium is heard on several occasions by everyone 9:50 PM – Voices are recorded from an unknown source on the parabolic dish 9:55 PM – Another voice is recorded on the dish 9:57 PM – The squeaking noise is now heard on the stage and then another voice is recorded on the parabolic dish

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The History of Paranormal Activity There have been many reports of people seeing and hearing things in the theatre. A lot of the time things happen at night during clean-up after a show. It has been said that there is only one that they know of and he loves the theatre. He is commonly referred to as “Shorty” whose presence has been seen and felt for many years by employees and patrons at the theater. He doesn't bother or hurt anyone but loves to give people a little spook. The story is that Shorty was the state manager at the theatre for a number of years. He was so upset when, in 1938, the theater starting showing movies instead of live performances, that he jumped (or possibly fell) about 70 feet to his death, from the catwalk above the stage. Since that tragic event, people have reported seeing and feeling his spirit all over the theater.

Over 40,000 years ago early man started leaving cave drawings depicting what appear to be representations of paranormal activity. This also occurred around the same time early man started burying their dead. The first Shaman appeared acting as a medium between the visible and spirit worlds by experiencing paranormal activity and asking the age old question “What happens to us after we die”. Today, we still have our religious leaders and are still searching for the answer to that age old question. Hopefully, with today’s electronic technology, the scientific community will begin to study that question and eventually give us some answers. Many people who think that something paranormal exist, physics and logic can debunk. That said, occasionally PIHA obtains evidence that neither physics nor logic applies. When this occurs, we classify it as paranormal evidence and let each individual decide for himself what to believe or not believe. PIHA has no answers to what it is we are documenting with our electronic equipment, only questions for the scientific community. Any conclusions determined are based solely on speculation and conjecture with no scientific basis to support their theory.

Ghost, Demons, Spirits and Energy People have always believed that the night is full of ghosts, but the thought of a ghost sound is still disturbing. It is unsettling to listen to the sound of death as if they were occurring in the present and not a lifetime earlier. I suspect the world is far more mysterious than we’ve ever imagined.

In subtle and unexpected ways science and religion are approaching common if uncertain ground.

At some point as the scientific focus becomes more and more specific, as the particles examined by quantum physicists become more and more elusive, the paranormal escapes its cage of scientific incredulity.

And there lies the mystery of the paranormal. They are messages, so dense that they require unraveling before they’re understood. It’s a little scary, acknowledging that something paranormal can exist, but also an affirmation that what lies beyond consciousness has tremendous power and potential.

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O n behalf of the volunteer paranorm par anorm al investigators of PIH A , w e invite you to experience W ashington State’s am azing historical sites and m useum s like never nev er before. PIH A has created a program unlike any other in W ashington State. Through our process pr ocess of netw orking w ith local historical societies, s ocieties, m useum s and com m unity leaders, PIH A hopes to help educate the public of our state’s exciting history and the proc pro c ess and technology utilized in paranorm al research. research .

The PIH A “G rey Team ” is m ade up of dedicated paranorm al investigators w ith a passion for history and a curiosity in the paranorm al phenom ena. O ur approach, equipm ent and procedures to paranorm al investigating investiga ting are prim arily based on research and logic in obtaining evidence of possible paranorm al activity.

The PIH A A pproach to Paranorm al Investigations PIH A never use m edium s, psychics or O uija B oards in our investigations. M any people w ho think that som ething ethin g paranorm al exist, physics and logic can debunk. That said, occasionally PIH A obtains evidence that neither physics nor logic applies. W hen this occurs, w e classify it as paranorm al evidence and let each individual decide for him self w hat to believe or not no t believe.

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