Ghost Walks

When past shapes the present of a place

The neighborhood is kept alive by talk of death and story-filled walks. Tourists thrill over grisly gore and broken-hearted youths.

Haunted history becomes part of the present identity. What stories will be told of this place one hundred years from now?

With Halloween approaching, I’ve found myself thinking back to our family’s late summer vacation to Louisville, KY, and the tours through “Old Louisville” that we took — including an interesting “ghost walk.” The architecture in this neighborhood is beautiful, and some of the homes are genuine mansions, but there are a few empty buildings here and there that show signs of disrepair. It struck me that the neighborhood was cleverly revitalizing itself by catering to the human love of a good ghost story, and our fascination with the past. With so much of the area’s present identity tied to its past, I wonder how long the tales of long-dead residents can continue to inspire wonder and draw the lively interest of tourists like me and my kids? I hope it lasts, and also wonder what new tales will be told as the years progress. This pair of tanka is my response to these musings.

If you’d like to tour some of the old mansions in Louisville, KY, be sure to check the website of the Conrad-Caldwell House Museum. You can find information on ghost tours in the area online as well. We really enjoyed exploring this neighborhood, for the beautiful architecture, the history, and yes, the interesting ghost stories told in some of the locations.

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