15/03/2026
Marcus and I have lived in Franklin, Kentucky for almost five years. During our first few years here we lived just a stone’s throw from Octagon Hall Plantation - Franklin KY. As the paranormal nerds that we are, we always wanted to visit, but the timing never seemed to work out. When we saw the opportunity to attend a flashlight tour on Friday the 13th, we knew we could not pass it up.
Our tour guide was Beth Allen. Her mentor, Barry “Bear” Gaunt, passed away in early 2025. Beth continues his legacy today by maintaining the Hall, providing tours, and serving as an exceptional steward of the property. She is also a psychic medium with nearly 30 years of paranormal investigation experience.
In hindsight, waiting this long to take a tour actually worked in our favor. Beth, along with Billy Wilkerson, Vickie, and others on her team, have been actively digging deeper into the history of the Hall and uncovering new information about the property. Some of those discoveries will be shared in an upcoming documentary, and Beth is also working on a book that takes a much deeper look into the Hall’s past.
As someone who loves history, I appreciated how much information Beth shared during the tour. She did not just focus on the paranormal side of the Hall. She also explained the history of the land and its role during the Civil War. Because we used to live so close to the property, Marcus and I often experienced strange sounds and saw things we could not explain. Beth was actually able to confirm that similar experiences have happened on the Hall’s property, and she connected some of those occurrences to the history of the surrounding area.
For example, I had no idea that a Confederate encampment had once been located essentially in what used to be our front yard. Beth also discussed how brutal the occupation by Northern troops could be for civilians in the region. That historical context added a lot of depth to the experience.
The flashlight tour itself was excellent. Being in a smaller group at night made a big difference. Without large crowds or bright lights, you can feel the atmosphere of the house more clearly. It also allowed for more questions and gave us the chance to hear personal stories from both Beth and her friend Vickie.
Now you are probably wondering the obvious question. Did we see a ghost?
One could argue that I captured an image of something in one of the windows. After looking at the photo, I personally think it is too low in the frame and likely just pareidolia. However, the group did experience several classic paranormal moments throughout the tour. Some people reported being touched, we heard footsteps, and there were instances of doors opening.
At the end of the evening we participated in a short EVP session where we were invited to ask questions. During playback, one of the responses appeared to say my name. Another response sounded like the name “Esther,” followed by the word “yum.” When we got home I told Marcus that it made me wonder about my grandmother’s sister, Elsa Young, who was a nun. I never met her because she passed away many decades ago, but in my grandmother’s final days she spoke about Elsa’s spirit as if she were introducing us. It may be a stretch, but the moment definitely made me think.
My most direct experience happened in the basement. I repeatedly felt something tickling the back of my neck, which actually made me laugh a little. I asked another member of our group to run an EVP session so I could ask if something was touching me. During playback, Vickie heard a voice respond with the words “I am.”
One thing I want to make absolutely clear about the Octagon Hall is that I never felt any negative energy during the entire visit. Considering the horrific things the family and the people on this property endured during the war, that may surprise some people. Yet the atmosphere felt welcoming and even respectful.
That leads to an important point. Whether you personally believe in spirits and the afterlife or not, respect matters. If you give respect, you tend to receive it. This was someone’s home, and visitors should always behave as guests in that space.
For anyone interested in history, the paranormal, or both, I highly recommend supporting the Hall by taking a tour. It is a fascinating opportunity to learn about Kentucky’s role in the Civil War and to experience one of the state’s most unique historic properties.
If you are curious about upcoming events, keep an eye out for Bear Con happening in May.
