A Katy, Texas house
that may look haunted...
but isn't

We were not criticizing J's initial email about the Katy house. In fact, we appreciate it when people let us know about potentially haunted sites.

But, we received other emails suggesting 'ghost hunts' at the property, and that alarmed us... with just cause, it turns out.

On the weekend before Easter (2006), at least four 'ghost hunters' were arrested at the Katy house.

To date, we have received no evidence or even first-person stories from any researchers--professional or amateur--to indicate that this site is haunted.

If you've had permission to visit this Katy residence and can provide evidence that it's haunted, contact us at katy at hollowhill dot com. If you have a website that gives your side of the story, provide your URL so that we can direct others to it.

If you don't know how to get permission to visit an empty home or business legally, we've shared some tips at Getting permission to ghost hunt.

Our report follows.

Some houses look haunted, but aren't.

This property's story is far from unique, and we post it here because it's such a typical tale: An apparently empty house, maybe haunted, and it was visited by people who left after a frightening experience. So far, nobody can provide a real name or date for any of these rumors. (If you can, tell us and we'll revise this report.)

Yep, a typical 'urban legend' that we hear about all the time. Except that the house was near a Hollow Hill member's home, we wouldn't have bothered with this.

NO TRESPASSING SIGNS

As you can see from the photo above, there are 'no trespassing' signs on the property. Lots of them, now. We took pictures, because we know that vandals may remove the signs again.

NO HAUNTINGS

We also checked the area for EMF readings--using two different meters--and looked for orbs and other photographic anomalies.

Nothing. No elevated EMF. No 'cold spots' and no anomalies in pictures. No EVP, and not so much as a 'creepy feeling', except that one of us is afraid of snakes. Otherwise, it was a ho-hum visit.

After interviewing neighbors and the owners of the home, we learned that the house has no haunted history. There haven't been any strange noises, lights, or anything to suggest something odd or haunted, day or night.

Nobody was murdered there. Nobody has even died there, or come close to dying. One couple may have gotten a divorce. That's the most drama the house has seen in the approximately 20 years since it was built... and nothing was on the site before that.

THE HOUSE'S HISTORY

The house was built in 1984, on a limited budget. Now, the house needs significant repairs.

Several people have bought the house over the years, each planning to renovate it. Some made a few changes to the property, and then sold it.

In recent months (early 2006), the house was purchased and the new owners are working on the house steadily.

Someone may be living in an apartment over the garage, at least until the house is ready for move-in.

THE POLICE PATROL REGULARLY

We talked with the Katy and Fort Bend police to let them know about our visit and for more background on the house. We have a pretty good working relationship with the police, and work hard to maintain that.

For a brief time, this Katy property became a hangout for local kids. Big mistake. The neighbors call the cops, and the police now patrol this area regularly.

The police have now stated that anyone who is found on the property will be charged with breaking & entering. There has been more vandalism recently. The police have collected fingerprints and other evidence.

At least four people were arrested on the property on the weekend before Easter 2006, despite our efforts to alert ghost hunters about the laws, and the risks of ignoring them.

PLEASE, STAY AWAY

Trespassing jeopardizes our opportunities to do legitimate ghost investigations and share their locations with you. Serious ghost hunters wouldn't think about trespassing or breaking laws to conduct research.

Please stay away from private property such as this Katy, TX home.