Walk through the haunts of Geneva ghosts on tour

Who knew that even Geneva's ghosts are historic?

People -- real flesh and blood ones -- can learn about Geneva's otherworldly residents on Oct. 20 during the Geneva History Center's "Haunted Geneva Walking Tour." Three walks are scheduled at 2, 4 and 6 p.m.

The tours will be presented by Dave Oberg, history center's executive director, with help from longtime Genevan and center volunteer Mary Jaeger and Donna Latham, author of the new book, "Ghosts of the Fox River Valley."

The tours will last about an hour and feature a few regional ghost stories as well as local spectral tales, Oberg said.

And who are these ghosts and where do they hover? Well, Oberg didn't want to say too much, but did remark, "Second Street is full of them. They all seem to cluster in this little area."

And he offered up a ghostly teaser, the story of the Rev. Augustus Conant, first pastor of the Unitarian Church of Geneva (Second and James streets), whose spirit remains a part of the building.

"Just about everyone who's preached at that church has shared a Conant story. He's never quite left our community," Oberg said.

One pastor was performing a candlelight wedding, and needed a set of overhead lights -- which hadn't worked in years by the way -- for illumination, Oberg said. The pastor flipped the switch and the lights lighted -- but only for the duration of the wedding. "They haven't worked since," Oberg said of the lights.

That's just one Conant tale, he said. "Everybody has stories about him."

Walk participants will also hear about ghostly pianos, mysterious lights and a husband who made regular visits to his wife, even after his death. Author Latham also will share stories, both historic and contemporary.

"Some of these stories have been handed down for three generations. They're part of our history," Oberg said.

And he's happy to hear others' stories. "If someone wants to share a ghost story with me before the tour, just call. I'm all ears. I love to collect this stuff," he said. "We'll see if we can fit it in."

Latham also will sign her new book (cost is $9.95) before each tour.

Oberg said the walk won't be particularly strenuous, with participants logging perhaps just a mile. And it's an entirely outdoors walk to respect the privacy of building owners.

In terms of intensity, Oberg gives the walk a PG rating, perhaps a little scary or intense for kids under 10. The final walk's evening start time means a darker, more shadowy atmosphere.

No registration is necessary; participants should simply show up at the History Center, 113 S. Third St., before the walks. Cost is $3 for adults and $2 for children. Oberg will present the "armchair" version of the tour at noon on Oct. 9, during the Brown Bag program.

I'd intended this week to highlight not only the "Haunted Geneva" tour, but also Tuesday's walk: "Menus and Memories: A Historic Tasting Tour of Downtown Geneva," sponsored by Geneva Historic Home Association.

But the 30 spots filled up quickly, within a week of the event being placed on the September calendar, Oberg said. Participants will visit Stockholm's, Citizen Kane, Villa Verone, Little Owl and the Mill Race Inn, learning a bit of the history of each and enjoying some of the establishment's food. (It's like a progressive dinner, with a little history thrown in.)

And, given the great response, Oberg said the center may schedule another such event.

In the meantime, there are always ghosts to visit...

For more information on History Center events, call the center at 232-4951, or visit www.genevahistorycenter.org.