Investigation Report

The Pennsylvania Paranormal Association - Research and Investigation

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File No: 09-11-022

Location: The Candle Shoppe of the Poconos, Swiftwater, PA - Monroe County

Investigation Date and Duration:
June 21, 2009 Arrive 6:00pm / Depart 11:30pm.
This was the second investigation at this location

Location Status:
This is a three story commercial property with a full basement built in the 1800’s and currently occupied by the Candle Shoppe of the Poconos for retail. Although the location has had connections to several historical events, the most significant may be for its use as a biological research laboratory from 1901 to 1908 where medical studies were performed on monkeys in search for curers to certain disease. The monkeys were infected with disease and later decapitated so brain and spinal cord analysis could be done. The monkeys were then buried on the property. The building was later sold and operated as an antiques store for many years and finally as the Candle Shoppe.

Reported Activity:
Since moving into the building a few years ago, the clients and their employees have reported hearing what sounds like monkey chatter and other strange noises in the basement and first floors. They have also heard what sounded like several monkeys running through the first floor. The sound of a ball being bounced has been heard on the first floor coming from above on the second floor. A growling animal sound has been heard on the second floor near a closet that contains part of the building’s chimney. A sense of uneasiness is felt in the basement, parts of the first and second floors and witnesses have described it as a feeling that they were not alone. Two psychics that visited the store advised the owner not to open the third floor for retail. The third floor is currently closed up and the owners are hesitant to go there. The clients strongly feel that there is still some type of animal presence at this location, notably monkeys and even the prior owners of the building did not want to dismantle the original monkey cages that are in the basement to this day in fear that it would upset the monkeys.

Equipment:
DVR System with four IR cameras
R Boosters (4)
Digital Cameras (3)
Digital Voice Recorders (6)
External Microphones (2)
EMF gauge (5)
Camcorders w/night shot (4)
Flashlights
Motion Sensor (2)
Thermometer (1)

Investigators Present:
Mark Lauren
Chris Tim
Bob

Location Weather:
Cloudy with on and off rain
Geomagnetic Field: Quiet
Solar X-Rays: Normal
PWO: Average

Technical Notes:
- Nearby vehicle traffic has been taken into
consideration during the review.
- High voltage power lines running near the front
of the building along street.

- RF interference on walkie-talkies inside the
building.

AUDIO and EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomenon):

VR1 - Digital Voice Recorder (Stationary in 1st floor checkout counter area) No physical evidence captured on this device at the time of the investigation.

VR2 - Digital Voice Recorder (Stationary in 1st floor back room) No physical evidence captured on this device at the time of the investigation.

VR3 - Digital Voice Recorder (Stationary in basement, room to left of stairs) No physical evidence captured on this device at the time of the investigation.

VR4 - Digital Voice Recorder (Stationary in basement, room to right of stairs) No physical evidence captured on this device at the time of the investigation.

VR5 - Digital Voice Recorder (Stationary on 3rd floor main room) No physical evidence captured on this device at the time of the investigation.

VR6 - Digital Voice Recorder (Stationary in 2nd floor “Halloween Room”) No physical evidence captured on this device at the time of the investigation.

VIDEO:

DVR Cam1 - (Viewing 1st floor entire back room) No physical evidence captured on this device at the time of the investigation.

DVR Cam2 - (Viewing 1st floor front two rooms and stairs) No physical evidence captured on this device at the time of the investigation.

DVR Cam3 - (Viewing 3rd floor main room) No physical evidence captured on this device at the time of the investigation.

DVR Cam4 - (Viewing basement main room, staircase and entry to monkey cage room) No physical evidence captured on this device at the time of the investigation.

Camcorder #1 – (Mobile with investigators) No physical evidence captured on this device at the time of the investigation.

Camcorder #2 – (Mobile with investigators) No physical evidence captured on this device at the time of the investigation.

Camcorder #3 – (Mobile with investigators) No physical evidence captured on this device at the time of the investigation.

Camcorder #4 – (Mobile with investigators) No physical evidence captured on this device at the time of the investigation.

Photographs:
No photos of evidential value were discovered.

EMF (Electro Magnetic Field):

Standard baseline readings were taken throughout the building with expected spikes near electrical appliances. A large amount of elevated EMF’S were measured in various areas throughout the building on every floor. The high amount of active electrical devices in the building, old wiring and high voltage power lines near the front of the building are believed to be the cause of the EMF readings.

On EMF spike was recorded during a period of questioning in the "Wreath Room" when the question was asked by Lauren if whoever was there was trying to scare someone, make the K2 flash. The K2 gave a larger than normal response. No other anomalous activity was noted. The elevated fields that were discovered may certainly cause the sensation that a person was not alone or being watched. High fields present at a location can also cause a general feeling of uneasiness to those people who are sensitive to these fields.

Investigator Feelings / Experiences:
Lauren - Had one anomalous K-II spike during a period of questioning
Mark - Nothing to report
Chris - Nothing to report
Tim – Had chills several times on second floor in the “wreath room”
just prior to the K-II spike Lauren observed
Bob - Nothing to report

Conclusion:

During this second investigation at this location, investigators once again measured high EMF fields in many areas of the building. The fields were constant and remained local and unmoving indicating that they were of a natural source. No significant events or anomalous occurrences were noted on this visit and the building remained quiet throughout the investigation. No evidence for or against paranormal activity was obtained and events from the previous investigation, such as the basement window rattling and the animal scurry noise on the 3rd floor that was picked up by our audio recorders could not be debunked. Previous experiences support the belief that there seems to be some type of activity occurring at this location but still remains largely undocumented. THE PPA will continue to work with the clients upon request.

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