A group of paranormal investigators tour the former Clovis Hospital and Sanitariam
Ghosts online
Notorious former haunted attraction is now offering tours and an online ghost hunting show.
by FreakShow
March 24, 2008
March 24, 2008
Every Halloween, haunted attractions pop up around the Valley designed to give a good seasonal scare to the people who dare to go through them. One attraction that is still haunting the memories of the many who went through it is the "Scream If You Can" attraction at the old Clovis Hospital and Sanitarium on Clovis Avenue. Lots of people claim that there were just as many real spooks inside the attraction as there were fake, adding a new dimension to visiting a Halloween "haunted" house. The attraction has been closed since 2004, but the building still stands on Clovis Avenue as a reminder of the chills and terror that scared thousands over the years "Scream If You Can" operated.
Todd Wolfe is the owner of the property. He plans to develop it into a hotel to be called Wolfe Manor. The house will renovated and used as part of the hotel along with a new structure that will be built in the middle of the property. Since the closure of "Scream if You Can," though, Wolfe says he has be plagued by break-ins and vandalism on the property. While discussing the situation with police, it became evident that people really seemed to want to get into the house and the idea for estate tours began to take shape. While monsters do not jump out at you as you walk the halls and there is no creepy music to set the mood as there was in the "Scream If You Can" days, the estate tours allow people to visit the house in small groups.
"The tours started about 1 1/2 years ago," Wolfe says. "They're private tours, you have to have a reservation. People come in for different reasons. Some come in for the architecture. Most come in to have an experience. Many come in to be mini-paranormal investigators."
Todd Wolfe stands before his haunted house.
Jennifer Dooms has had experience as a paranormal researcher and she toured the house. She found the place fascinating and couldn't wait to return.
"I asked Todd to call me if you he ever needed help and he did," she says. "It was around Halloween and the phone was ringing off the hook."
Part-time paranormal researcher Terry Campbell joined Dooms in giving tours. They were soon joined by Scott Gruenwald, who'd taken a tour and also been captivated by the place. And from the tours grew "Haunted Wolfe Manor LIVE," a weekly paranormal investigation of the house broadcast live online.
"Terry and Jen and I were sitting around after a tour one night and we thought, how cool it would be to do a show from here," says Scott Gruenwald. "We'd seen 'Live SciFi' and some of the other Web shows and all we needed was some technical guys."
Aaron Lipinski and Brandon Smelser happened to take a tour not long afterwards. "I've always had a fascination with paranormal stuff," Smelser says. "One thing we'd always talked about was going to the Wolfe Manor. So, we signed up for the tour and met Jen."
Lipinski and Smelser were fascinated with the house. They proved to be very tech-savvy and thrilled about the prospect of being a part of a Web show based in the house. Sean Hesse, who has known Lipinski and Smelser since high school, completed the team when he signed on in February.
"We kind of all pulled together to see what stuff we had," Lipinski says. "We started using Sony handi-cams, infra-red cameras, infra-red lighting."
The first show was done with a $6 Web cam, a laptop with a phone card. "And you know what? It was a really good show," Gruenwald says.
They had 13 viewers that first test show. "But if we only have one viewer, that's still a show," Gruenwald says.
Ratings have never dipped that low. In fact, by the fifth show, there were 1,200 people logged in watching. For that show, February 10, the group says that from 7 to 7:20 p.m., they rated as the No. 1 show on the Web for that 20 minute period.
"The biggest thing on TV right now is ghost hunting shows," Wolfe says. "They're getting bigger and bigger and bigger. We're treating it as a television show even though we are doing it live."
Terry Campbell, Jennifer Dooms and Scott Gruenwald during an investigation on "Haunted Wolfe Manor LIVE," the Web show that is broadcast weekly from the house.
Unlike most other paranormal shows on the networks or online that visit various haunted places around the country, "The Wolfe Show" keeps the focus in and around the house on Clovis Avenue only.
"We found out as we've been going along, that the house is only so big," Campbell says. "People were saying that we're going to run out of things to do the show about."
But the crew have kept "The Wolfe Show" fresh by thinking up new angles -- such as using music to stir up the supernatural -- or by having visiting paranormal groups or other guests on the show.
"Every group that comes in is unique and they have their own unique methods of doing things, so it's different every time," Campbell says.
The show has hosted everything from psychics to Father Andrew Calder, the Anglican priest who has appeared on "Paranormal State" on the A&E network and who started the Georgia Paranormal Research Team.
"My whole idea about having him on was because I've had a lot of people ask me about the paranormal and religion and how that all fits together," Dooms says. "I just think we need to educate people."
"We also like people who are complete skeptics to come on to make it a more rounded show," Hesse says.
"We kind of hand pick who we want on the show," Dooms says of trying to keep the program fresh and interesting. "When we brought in Spirit Seeker Investigations from Anaheim, Mike Loop and Robin Ritter were extremely sensitive. They picked up on a lot of the spirits as soon as they walked in the house. They also were able to record 17 different evps (electronic voice phenomena)."
Skeptics and nay-sayers are welcome to log in and chat during the show along with believers and the curious. While anyone is welcome to book a tour and bring whatever paranormal investigating equipment they care to to debunk or prove any of the house's many mysteries, the Web show is designed to give viewers an unrehearsed, unscripted look inside the house -- often enabling the viewers to dictate where the team investigates and which piece of equipment they use.
"What we are doing is trying to bring everyone from the outside in to the Wolfe," Gruenwald says. "We share everything. We bring in all of the paranormal groups we can, we share our equipment with them. And we still have those groups who think, 'I'm not doing that show. They'll see what kind of equipment we have.' That's ridiculous."
Hesse says, "The way I see it, anyone that's going to hide their equipment is pretty much holding smoke and mirrors. They don't want you to see it because they have a trick up their sleeve. There are no tricks here. It's all just what you see."
"We're all very objective," Lipinski says. "We've never generated anything to make drama. It's all authentic. I want to make sure that's understood.
"We debunk as we go or try to," Gruenwald says.
"There are little things that have happened that you have to look at with raised eyebrows," Hesse says.
Some of the things that the group has encountered on the show or during a tour are a woman's voice singing, mist, moving shadows, light globes coming off of the wall and feeling the sensation of being touched or pushed when no one was there. The house is also supposed to have its share of entities, such as Mary, Angry Man, Wall-Kicker, Singing Woman, George, The Child, Heart-Attack Man and others.
"I had this lady come through on a tour who was in the paranormal closet for years," Gruenwald says. "She's a medium. She didn't want anyone to know about this ability of hers. Well, now, it's the cocaine of the new millennium, this paranormal stuff. She came out here and she brought stuff out about the house that I'd never heard. I was more scared that night than I've ever been before, because of the stuff she was telling me about the house."
The house also has many rooms that the group says give off weird vibes. There's the 13-window room, the parlor, the basement, Mary's room and the "Heart-Attack" room. There's even a third floor which is not part of the tour and only recently opened for the show for a special episode.
"It's a different atmosphere up there than the rest of the house," Gruenwald says. "There's a lot of weird energy up there."
"It's very quiet," Campbell says. "It's weird."
Cheryl Hicks of Clovis watches the Web show and has been to tour the house five times. "I got my leg brushed down in the basement," she says of an encounter she had.
Mike Kersten of Clovis recently went on his first tour of the house, after seeing "The Wolfe Show" online a number of times. Before entering, he was skeptical and curious as to what -- if anything -- he'd experience.
"I'm coming from the viewpoint that there's nothing in the house," he says. "It's just an empty house. What is Jen seeing that I'm not seeing? I just want to see if anything happens."
Paranormal experiences -- on the tour or on the show -- are not guaranteed. For those who experience them, those who believe in them, it's just the luck of the draw.
"It's not Disneyland," Dooms says.
But the curious tune in to the show or come for tours. Pam Reeves of Oregon recently visited with her daughters and took a tour. She has been a fan of the show from Day 1.
"It's great," Reeves says of The Wolfe Show. "There're others on the Internet, but 'The Wolfe Show'... It's just awesome. A lot of stuff happens."
Pam Reeves (with "The Wolfe Show"'s Scott Gruenwald) has seen every episode of the Web show and came down from Oregon to tour the house.
The group says that they've had viewers from as far away as England and Australia tuning in to watch the weekly Webcast.
"It's live, it's local and it's an adventure," Wolfe says of the popularity of the tour and Web show. "It's trying to experience the unknown and try to have an experience of any sort. It's learning about what is going on in that house and how truly active it is."
"The house is well documented with having paranormal activity," Dooms says. "This is someone's chance to possibly experience something paranormal live from an authentic haunted house."
"I think it's amazing how people are always trying to find something to do in Fresno," Wolfe says. "These tours are opening up another venue for something to do. The Halloween attraction is no longer open, but the tours are open all year long."
The one-hour tours cost $15 per person with a minimum of six people per tour. For more information about the tour or the Web show, visit www.WolfeManorHotel.com or call (559) 307-4994. To contact the crew of the show, visit www.myspace.com/wolfeshow.
A group prepares to tour "Wolfe Manor."
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Wolfe Manor
I had the privilege of going to Wolfe Manor, tagging along on a paranormal investigation. It was the first (and only) time I had an paranormal experience that I could not explain away. I'm a bit of a cynic but after I heard the EVP we picked up in Mary's room, there was no doubt in my mind that Wolfe Manor is still occupied. I also experienced a fair amount of hair-pulling in the front rooms across from Mary's room -- that is until I shouted out for whoever it was to stop messing with my hair! The tugging stopped but I felt a little guilty thinking I might have scared off someone trying to make contact.
Even without the spirits, Wolfe Manor is a great place to see. I love old houses and enjoyed walking from room to room imagining how it might have been when it was still someone's home. This was a great article, capturing all the advantages of a trip to Wolfe Manor. I'm definitely ready to go back!
Jen I have dial up remember?
In case you are wondering, this is Mike.
Yes, the Wolfe Manor is on the Clovis registry of historic buildings. Good point. It's also extremely haunted! Should be on a list of the most haunted buildings too!!
Patrick Burns from the TV Show "Haunting Evidence" is going to be at Wolfe Manor this Saturday conducting a private investigation LIVE. You can view it by going to our website www.wolfemanorhotel.com and clicking on The Wolfe Show. 9PM PST.
If I'm not mistaken, the house is on Clovis's registry of historical buildings.
Love this place!
Ive investigated the house twice now and its amazing. Its definitely haunted! This place should be a historical monument. Its such a treasure.
Can't wait to tour this place...
With an interest in paranormal activity, this sure seems like a great place to visit! I can't wait to take one of the tours.
Watching Wolfe Manor has become a secret pleasure!
Great Article
This was a very interesting article. I have been to the house myself and loved it. It is very creepy.
I love Wolfe Manor
Thank you Todd Wolfe for opening up your home for tours. The house is so strange and full of all sorts of lost souls. The Haunted Wolfe Manor Live show is really good too. I think TAPS should go there for sure!
my love, the wolfe.
when i was in high school i worked there for 3 years. Once it began to have problems i became the student voice and since then have made it a habit to drive down the road and visit it the most i can. I am an extra tour guide, and have done a few tours, not many. I love the house and always will. the house is definitely haunted i have many many stories. children laughing, heavy dragging, moans, cries, singing, smells, rumbles cold spots, intimidating atmospheres, you name we've got it.
My experince on the Wolfe show!!!
First I would like to thank Scott and the whole team for allowing my mother and I to be on the show the 23 of March! I did not even feel as if I was on a show. I had been frightened to enter this house for many years. I was one of the "sensitives" on the show that night. I have never sensend as much activity before this place is "hoppin'"!! there are resiguale haunts as well as intellejent haunts. Also the basement is the heart or the center if you will of this house something has resided in the land long before the elaberate home had ever been built. I caution all who enter... please relize this is there place you are just a visitor... the spirit world has different rules that it must live or habitate by. Have respect for that you don't undersand. This house is amazing!!! So much energy...I get the sense of so much pain suffering and agony.. This is one of the most active houses I have ever seen.
Please check out S-P-I-R-I-T .org this my paranmal resreach team!!! check it out!!! ThaNKs THe Wolfe Show team is amazing can't to work with them all again very soon!!!
Janal
GREAT show and Haunted House!
I have been through the Wolfe Manor twice now. I have to say, it's truly haunted. I had my hair tugged on and definitely felt the strong energy throughout the house. I urge you to go there if you are wanting to experience a truly haunted house!
I started tuning into the show a couple weeks ago when I learned of it. It's VERY good. The best internet show I have ever seen.
I now look forward to Sunday nights.
Denise
Wolfe Manor
I've only been to "THE WOLFE" once, and I can say that Yes, it is haunted, and Very Active!
I heard a Baby Crying, when there wasnt any babies on the tour!
I plan on going back when i can get a Chance!
I urge everyone to Experience Wolf Manor Atleast once. Even if you Don't see\Hear\Feel Anything, It is Definately An Experience that you will never Forget.
If you Do Feel\See\Hear anything...Then, welcome to the Awesome World of the Paranormal!
Just remember to Take
*Your Camera,
*If you Can a Voice Recorder,
*A Flashlight (Prefably one that dont need Batteries),
*Bring Lots of Extra Batteries.(They Will Drain, Even Brand new Ones)
*And most of all, bring an Open Mind!
*If you Can, also purchase an EMF Meter!
*Oh, and also, dress Really Warm. it may be warm outside..but inside...It will Be like Walking in a refridgerator.
And juust because nothing happens the first time you go there, Doesnt mean nothnig will the second time. Give it a Chance. Spirits Don't go by our time. They go by their Time and Rules.
WOO!
I've only seen a couple of the shows, only because either I'm out livin' the little life I got or my net won't support the stream. But I support my Uncle Scott all the way, and I'm still shocked there's someone else in my family into paranormal activity. I VOW TO WATCH MORE <3
-Awed Niece
Awesome Article
Awesome article, this goes with the awesome Wolfe Show and the awesome haunted house. I've been there many times, been touched, seen things and great evps. If you haven't been there you need to go, you won't be sorry!
We were guests at the Haunted Wolfe Manor Live! Web Show
Thanks to the writer for this amazing article about Todd Wolfe and the Haunted Wolfe Manor Live! Show. We were guests, Spirit Seekers Investigations of LA, and surrounding areas, www.spiritseekersinvestigations.com, on Sun. March 9th 2008. We had some awesome experiences with voices, being touched, and shadow spirits! I have posted the picture of a black/grey mist that is on me when we all were in the basement. I have been on the Queen Mary and have had experiences and a picture of another spirit next to me...but nothing compares to what we experienced at the Wolfe Manor! Todd has done a wonderful job with this house and sharing what is there along with his great team, who do the live web show every sunday @ 6 pm! Check their site for details, www.WolfeManorHotel.com.
They also have their fantastic tours, The one-hour tours cost $15 per person with a minimum of six people per tour. For more information about the tour or the Web show, visit www.WolfeManorHotel.com or call(559)307-4994. To contact the crew of the show, visit www.myspace.com/wolfeshow. A very special thanks also to Zombie House for their expertise.
We have been asked to return and are excited to do more exploring with Todd, Jen, Terry, and Scott in this very haunted house. They are so professional and experienced! They share without hesitation what their personal experiences have been there at the house. They will be glad to share their secrets with you! How generous they are have have been with us! Happy Ghost Hunting to all! Mike, Robin, Chris, @ www.spiritseekersinvestigations.com.
Haunted Wolfe Show LIVE
Thanks to all who support us, and watch the show avidly. Thanks for such a great article freakshow.
Wolfe Manor
I know this is on our list of places we would love to come in and do an overnight investigation. Sounds like a really cool place!
Director of PPRS
Syd Schultz II
www.pasadenaghosthunters
www.myspace.com/pprsteam
Love Wolfe Manor
This was a great article. I love Wolfe Manor, Jenn and Terry! I've been there a few times and I want to go back again.
Being involved in a project is one thing, but The Haunted Wolfe Manor LIVE project is another. When I met Todd, Jen, and Terry this project became more like a thrill ride. The Mansion and its ghosts are like family now. When we set up for a show the house comes alive. Walls thump, doors open, equipment fails, and singing echoes the stairwell. Work with that Speilberg. Its nothing to hear Sean or Brandon yell out "Hey we are triing to work here". I love this team/family and will work with them always. We have some huge projects coming up in June. I would love to involve everyone in them. Thank You for supporting the Haunted Wolfe Manor LIVE and thank you for all your nice comments.
Scott Gruenwald VBC
559-994-3748
Wolfe Manor
I've been to Wolfe Manor and I've felt a LOT of paranormal activity in there. The experience is just as Jen, Terry, Scott and their guests have shown on the live broadcast -- you never know what might happen. Great job, my friends! I'm looking forward to going back for another visit. And to FreakShow -- nice job on the story.
love the show!!!!!!!
it takes a lot to make a believer out of me, even tho im in a relationship with a paranormal investigator, "mike loop spirit seekers investigation" my boyfriend introduced me to the show about 4 weeks ago and since watching the show iv become a weekly listener. there are alote of places that claim to be haunted but i really think that this is the real deal. if u do not believe me see for ur self sat 6pm.
look forward to watching and seeing whats to come this sat
Wolfe Manor
What an awesomely written article and what amazing supporters! One might think it would be incredible enough to be able to experience what we do at the Wolfe, but it pales in comparison to the experience of meeting so many wonderful people.
Wolfe Manor Tour
The tour of the Wolfe house was amazing. This was my first time going on the tour and didn't expect to have an "experience." I don't think I'm a psychic or sensitive or anything like that. I'm just your regular guy with an interest in the unknown. Over the last six months I have corresponded with Jen Dooms regarding the Wolfe House and bombarded her with questions regarding the paranormal, all of which she promptly answered. Jen invited me to come on a tour many times but I could not due to other commitments. The day finally arrived and my schedule opened up. Thank goodness I used the opportunity to attend.
When I arrived at the house, Terry, Jen and Scott instantly made me feel like I was a part of their family and were very inviting. Fortunately I knew a number of the others on the tour from the online paranormal community which made the tour more comfortable. Although I didn't experience anything or catch anything with my digital camera, the experience was more fulfilling then an amusement ride. The architecture of the house and the history alone made it worth the price of admission. I recommend everyone reading this article to contact the Wolfe and book a tour.
Blessings
www.myspace.com/mr_caution
Wolfe Manor
This show is awesome! The way the group go about having guests join them in the investigation and letting us all see what is going on helps the paranormal community so much. They are professional in all they do yet have humor when they need it. Having a member of their team in the chat at all times helps connect the viewers more personally. This way you can ask questions about Wolfe Manor or the show that you are watching. The entire crew is great. For sure we will continue to watch them and support them in any way we can. Cant wait to get back to Cali so we can go and visit Wolfe Manor and personally meet the entire crew.
KEEP UP THE AWESOME WORK...YOU GUYS ARE GREAT!!
Patches & Sonny....Branson Paranormal Research Society
Greatest Show on Earth "The Haunted Wolfe Manor"
I love this show! It is wonderful to be able to watch a live show without all the drama and feeling like they are lying and feeding you bs. They all get along and I feel whatever happens is for real and not like it is staged. It is nice to be able to talk to or ask questions to any team member and get an answer without all them getting mad and acting like I am stupid! I love the whole crew and I am so glad they let everyone watch! I will continue to watch this show and support them 110%. If ever they need me, I am here for them like I feel they are there for me!
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! LOVE YOU ALL! GAYLA
i love ghosts
AWsome Article about time someone is representing the PARANORMAL.My friend was on that tour,Mr.Caution .Hes the next Grant Wilson!!Peace
Casper of PusHpin..
AWSOME SHOW
The Wolfe Manor show is the best on the Net. They keep coming up with innovative ways to investigate. The Hosts and Crew do a great job of keeping the audience involved too.
Wolfe Manor in clovis
The house is great. I would recommend taking the tour or watching the show to anyone interested in the paranormal. This house is not a hoax, it has a varied history to it wich makes it a definite paranormal hot spot. I Can't wait to go back!
Wolfe Manor
I have been in the house a couple times and have tuned into The Wolfe Show on Ustream.tv almost every week to join in and watch the investigators do their thing. With new guests every week from different paranormal groups it makes it exciting to see what new experiences they have. The house has an incredible draw to it. If you don't believe me, then go see for yourself! You won't be disappointed. Good Job to all that work on that project and thank you to Todd Wolfe for opening his fantastic house to the public.
Well written article
especially for online! There's been a lot of paranormal groups springing up lately now that shows like Ghost Hunters have made plumbers famous. Question: are we taking advantage of the afterlife? Has it come to the point where, if somebody could remove ghosts from a house, would that person be barred from entering? Imagine the amount of commerce and celebrity that would be destroyed. But the spirit gets peace.
Wolf Manor
Been there a couple of times on a tour and picked up some awesome pictures of mists and orbs. That place REALLY is haunted. You can just feel the energy in the air. Spooky
Wonderful artical. I love(d)
Wonderful artical. I love(d) that place. Anything to support it, if a can i will be. I worked there for three years. I really need to take a tour when i am not crazy busy. I miss you guys so much!
Wolfe Manor
Great article Fresno Famous! The Wolfe Manor is probably the most haunted place I have ever been. LOVE IT!!!! Come see it anytime. Just call Todd Wolfe for a tour. 559-307-4994.
Wolfe Manor
Came across this article and found it fascinating! Extremely well-written and an extremely interesting article about the Paranormal.
Freakshow writes in a way that keeps one wanting more....!
If I'm ever in the area, will definitely take the tour!
Janet Maday
Wow, that would be fun to get the shit scared out of you. Keep up the good work!!!
I'm
a ghost online!
Brandon here! Great article on our show! For those who haven't seen the show, please check it out! We broadcast live from the Wolfe Manor every Sunday @ 6pm PST. Show link is @ www.wolfemanorhotel.com.
Wolfe Manor
Hey everyone Mike Loop here, The Wolfe Manor is really a great place to investigate. As a Paranormal Researcher and Psychic Sensitive the Wolfe Manor is truely haunted No question about it. If you are ever in the area take the ghost tour and watch the show every Sunday at 6pm PST you will love every minute of it.
Wolfe Manor is fantastic and is a great place to investigate. If you ever have the opportunity to tour the house, or watch the show eve, do it. You will be glad you did!
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