Sparta House Tea Room
Sparta, Ont.
June 1, 2024
“I can’t un see this now!” Rachel yelled as she drove down the road towards the little town of Sparta. “My eyes!” she continued yelling. It wasn’t the kind of welcome that she was expecting as the team made their way to the location. Driving along, she noticed two men, wearing jeans and no shirts, standing by their pick-up truck in the driveway of a private residence. As she got closer, so noticed one of the men point up. Naturally, she looked up and over as well and was graced by the sight of three naked men, standing on the roof of the house. Complete full Monty and the most terrifying experience of the evening. “What a way to welcome us,” joked Rachel. Thankfully they were only a short distance away from the museum, and Rachel couldn’t wait to park and stretch her legs (and wash her eyes). Soon the speed limit slowed down to 50 kms an hour and the location was visible to our right. Rachel rounded the corner and found a parking spot. We had arrived in the little Quaker town, with the Sparta House Tea Room standing directly in front of us.
The little town of Sparta began in 1813 when Jonathan Doan, a Quaker, was looking for a safer place for a settlement. He purchased 100 acres and began to built up the settlement. Early settlers in the area were Quakers and United Empire Loyalist who came from a couple of the Upper States. Jonathan’s youngest son, Joshua, was very much associated with the Rebellion in 1837. Due to his involvement, he was tried and convicted of Treason. He was sent to the gallows on February 6, 1839 and buried in the cemetery in Sparta. The community would begin to grow from there. In 1838, David Mills began construction of a two-story building. It was considered a grand structure with a double-deck verandah and a second floor Ballroom. The building was operated as hotel that as eventually known as the Sparta House. John McDowell purchased the business from his Father-in-law and continued the business. When he died in 1864, the hotel went with him.
The little town of Sparta began in 1813 when Jonathan Doan, a Quaker, was looking for a safer place for a settlement. He purchased 100 acres and began to built up the settlement. Early settlers in the area were Quakers and United Empire Loyalist who came from a couple of the Upper States. Jonathan’s youngest son, Joshua, was very much associated with the Rebellion in 1837. Due to his involvement, he was tried and convicted of Treason. He was sent to the gallows on February 6, 1839 and buried in the cemetery in Sparta. The community would begin to grow from there. In 1838, David Mills began construction of a two-story building. It was considered a grand structure with a double-deck verandah and a second floor Ballroom. The building was operated as hotel that as eventually known as the Sparta House. John McDowell purchased the business from his Father-in-law and continued the business. When he died in 1864, the hotel went with him.
The building was then purchased by Ira Hilborn, who turned it into a General Store. Mr. Hilborn would open his doors at 6:00AM to accommodate farmers that were taking their milk to the cheese factory. When Mr. Hilborn died in 1903 of Typhoid Fever, his widow, Emma Elizabeth Baily, took over and continued on the business. Isaac Millman took over the business in 1890 and continued operating as a General Store. Louis Moedinger would move in to the building next door, which was known as “The Abbey”. He was a cabinetmaker by trade and when the opportunity came to buy out his competitor, he took it. In doing so, he needed a larger space so he moved into the old building next door – the old hotel. He took over the western portion of the building and used it for his hardware and undertaking business. Eventually he would come into owning the whole building. Once this occurred, he rented out the old section that was under the hardware store to a local Blacksmith. Later on, this space would solely be used to store his hearse. Upon his death, Mr. Moedinger’s, son, Louis, would take over the family business. He would live and run the business successfully in the building until his death on March 13, 1940. His official cause of death was Myocarditis. His wife, Agnes Elisabeth Laidlaw, would pass away eight days later of March 21, 1940. Her cause of death was listed as Cerebral Hemorrhage. Their daughter, Margaret Helen, and her husband, Robert “Bob” Lee Harvey, would take over the family business. Bob and Helen would go on to found and operate the St. Thomas Dragway.
The building would house more business throughout the years. It would house a barbershop, trophy shop, a bar and club for men, amoung others. In 1996, Ken and Norma would obtain the property and open their Tea Room. For the last 28 years, the Sparta House Tea Room has been delighting customers and visitors with high tea and a welcoming atmosphere.
The building would house more business throughout the years. It would house a barbershop, trophy shop, a bar and club for men, amoung others. In 1996, Ken and Norma would obtain the property and open their Tea Room. For the last 28 years, the Sparta House Tea Room has been delighting customers and visitors with high tea and a welcoming atmosphere.
The team were welcomed into the building by Ken and Norma. After introductions, we set our equipment down and began a walk thru. Ken and Norma took us on a tour throughout the building, including up to the second floor. The second floor was their own private residence. You could tell how much Ken and Norma loved the Sparta House and the history that surrounds the building and the town. Norma had created a wall dedicated to such history so that patrons could see how everything came to be. When the walk through concluded, the team decided that we would investigate the upper level first. As it was their private residence, we did not want spend too much time in their personal space, and wanted to make sure that they had a place to retreat to if they wanted to stay out of the way. The team gathered equipment and made their way up the stairs. The team immediately placed the EMF Trip wire lights on the stairs, and up and around into the living room. The Music Box was placed in the kitchen area, while the Dead Bell was situated in the living room. Rachel was operating the Ovilus 5 and SLS camera, Paula was operating the infra-red camera, and Cathy was operating the K2 meter. “Why is that light red?” Rachel asked, pointing to one of the EMF Trip wire lights that was sitting on the stairs. It was decided to reset the device and see if that changed anything. “That one’s blinking, this one blink,” Rachel said pointing to different lights on the wire. “Could be wiring,” stated Paula. “Unless someone is on the stair with us,” added Kaz. “But maybe there is something under? And now they aren’t blinking,” she continued. The Ovilus 5 was heard speaking – ‘Watch’, ‘Afraid’. “Oh, don’t be afraid of us,” exclaimed Kaz. “I’m sorry. Did we scare you when we came up here?” she asked. “Thank you for making the lights blink,” she continued. Cathy was now using the K2 to see if it picked up on the same EMF that the trip wire seemed to be picking up on. “Nope, nothing,” said Rachel. “Is there someone who would like to talk to us?” asked Kaz. “If someone is here with us, can you light up the green light over here?” asked Cathy, referring to the K2 meter that she was holding. The Ovilus 5 was heard – ‘Stretch’. At the same moment, the K2 meter activated. “Oh, thank you!” said Kaz. The Ovilus 5 was heard – ‘But’, ‘Chief’. “But Chief,” repeated Rachel. “Who is the Chief?” asked Kaz. It was then that Kaz noticed a draft of air come around her. Rachel questioned if was coming in through the open door. Paula also noticed that her IR camera was acting strange. Her screened was flashing and jumping, like we were at a rave. “Is it from my camera?” asked Rachel, referring to the SLS and the grid it gives off that can be seen in IR lights. “Nope. I’m facing over here,” Paula said as she pointed away from Rachel. As the team tried to figure out what was going on with Paula’s IR camera, Rachel felt someone touch her arm. “I felt somebody brush up against my arm,” she said calmly. “Hello to who ever is here,” greeted Kaz. “Come out to play. We’d love that,” added Cathy. “Is there somebody standing right here with me?” Cathy asked Rachel. Rachel scanned the area with the SLS camera but nothing mapped. The REM pod was then placed at the top of the stairs, while the sensor balls were placed on the floor surrounding the EMF Trip Wire. “Feel free to come forward and let us know you are here. There are balls on the floor you can light up,” said Cathy. “The REM pod is beeping over there,” Rachel pointed out. “Thank you! Hello!” exclaimed Kaz. The Rem pod beeped once. “Thank you. Thank you so much. Who is over by the REM pod?” asked Kaz. “Can you touch it harder? It’ll make a louder noise and light up,” she added. “If you could do that for us, we would appreciate it. Helps us communicate,” said Cathy. The REM pod beeped once. It was at this point that Rachel noticed a figure mapping on the SLS camera. “Oh, oh! Someone is on the stairs,” exclaimed Rachel. “Don’t move. I think its over by you,” she told Kaz. “Hello, whats your name?” greeted Kaz. The REM pod beeped twice. The SLS camera was now mapping two figures. “One is over by the chair and one is in the chair,” described Rachel. “I have a lot of cold energy around me now,” described Cathy, as she was the closest to the chair that the SLS camera was mapping a figure in. “Thank you for allowing us in to your home. It’s beautiful here. Can you tell us your name?” asked Kaz. “Is this the Moedingers? If you are, can you make the REM pod beep?” asked Rachel. No responses were heard. “Is this Louis and Catherine?” she asked. All remained quiet. “That’s who the Rescue Mediums pick up on,” Rachel told the team. “Perhaps its not them anymore,” she added. “I have crazy jaw pain,” Kaz blurted out. The SLS camera was mapping two figures again. “Oh, they are both together,” described Rachel. As quickly as they appeared, they were gone. The REM pod now beeped twice. “Can you touch it a little bit longer? It will go louder,” said Cathy. The REM pod beeped once. “Are you a female spirit? Can you touch that if you are? Are you male?” she asked. The REM pod remained silent. “I’m feeling like female,” said Cathy. The REM pod beeped once. “Thank you,” replied Cathy. “So, you are female. Is this your home, or was your home? Did you use to live here? Where you just visiting?” asked Kaz. The REM pod beeped once. The SLS camera mapped a figure on the couch behind where Kaz was standing, but again it disappeared quickly. The REM pod beeped once. “Have you been here for a really long time?” asked Cathy. All remained quiet. “Would you like to show us around the house?” The REM pod beeped twice. “Yes, yes!” Rachel laughed. The REM pod beeped twice again. “Ha! Yes, Yes,’ Kaz laughed. “Oui, Oui,” added Rachel. The REM pod beeped once. “What would you like us to see? Is it up here on this level?” asked Kaz. The REM pod beeped once. “Yes?” questioned Kaz. The REM pod beeped once. “I guess we should establish that once beep is yeas, two beeps is no. Does that work for you?” Kaz questioned. The REM pod beeped once. “Okay, dually noted,” she stated. The REM pod beeped twice. “Can I go for a little walk? Will that be, okay?” asked Cathy. The REM pod beeped once. “Thank you,” Cathy said, as she left her spot and headed towards the kitchen. It was decided that now would be a good time to try some communication with the Necrophonic. Rachel turned the device on and a male voice was heard right away – ‘Gone’. The REM pod also beeped once. Rachel also felt someone touch the back of her arm again. “Hello? Who’s here with us tonight?” asked Kaz. A voice was heard through Necrophonic – ‘Me’. “Hello Me. What’s your name?” she asked. A voice was heard through the Necrophonic – ‘Tom.’ “Tom?” questioned Kaz. “I heard Tom as well,” said Cathy. “Who’s Tom?” questioned Rachel. “Tom? Is that who you are?” asked Kaz. Unknown to the team at that time, the audio recorder captured a female voice saying Thomas. Which seems to answer Kaz’s next question before she even asked it. “Is it Tom or Thomas?” she asked. “Thomas, whats your last name? I have my notes downstairs. I can find you,” said Rachel. The REM pod beeped once. “Who else is up here with us right now?” she continued. Although it wasn’t captured, both Kaz and Cathy though they heard the name Maria said through Necrophonic. “Maria?” questioned Rachel. The REM pod beeped once. “Do you want us to somewhere else in this building?” she asked next. A male voice as heard through the Necrophonic – ‘No’, ‘Sure’. “Where would you like us to go?” asked Kaz. No responses were heard. “Could you tell us what little town we are in?” she asked next. A male voice was heard through Necrophonic – ‘Yup’. “What is the name of this town?” asked Rachel. The REM pod beeped once. The team now tried to whomever was with them to use the different pieces of equipment to communicated but everything remained quiet and inactive. “Who’s up here with us right now? Can you please tell us your first name?” asked Rachel. A male voice was heard through Necrophonic – ‘Angus’. The team asked more questions, but again everything remained silent and inactive. “Do you want us to go downstairs? Tea room or basement?” asked Rachel. A female voice was heard through Necrophonic – ‘Tea house’. A male voice as head through the Necrophonic – ‘Under’. “Like the basement or the undertaker side?” Rachel asked. No responses were heard. The team continued to asked questions about who was with them. At one point Rachel thought she heard the name Louis and Paula was convinced she had heard the name Ellie. While we could place the name Louis, we could not figure out the name Ellie. Was this a former hotel guest? A patron of the general store? Or even a nickname of someone who had lived there? After a few more minutes of asking questions, with no responses and inactive equipment, it was decided to try our luck on the first floor. With that, we gathered the equipment and headed back downstairs.
Braving the unknown, the team opened up the basement door and took a peek. Being the brave souls that they are, Cathy and Kaz ventured to the bottom of the stairs, only to be met by a plethora of cobwebs and the possibility of spiders. This area of the building was once a stable. The stable door faced the east side, and at the time it was built, was accessible. Over the years, and with roadwork, the door had been bricked up and the earth around it had be filled in to provide a much more flat and stable ground .Although the basement was cold, dark and creepy, it didn’t give off the feeling that we should investigate the area. After a few pictures and a good look, Cathy and Kaz returned to the first floor and the team headed in to the front side room.
This room was originally the entrance area to the building back. It would have seen a lot of traffic. It was now a smaller dining area for the Tea House, and considered the gentleman’s room. The REM pod was set up on one side of the mantle, while the dead bell was set on the other side. The EMF Trip wire was laid across the floor, from the front of the room and through the doorway into the small hallway. The K2 meter, Ovilus 5, IR camera and SLS camera were also still being operated. “We have lots of little fun things to use,” said Cathy. “Is there anybody who wants to talk to us?” she asked next. The Ovilus 5 was heard – ‘Recuse’, ‘Drive’. Everything else remained quiet and inactive. Cathy noted that the air felt very still. “Would you like us to go over to the Undertaker’s quarters?” asked Kaz. Again, everything remained quiet. Rachel decided to turn the Necrophonic device on to break the eerie silence. “Who is Ellie?” questioned Kaz. “Is it Ella or Ellie?” she asked. No response was heard. “Was that a nickname for your real name?” asked Cathy. A voice as heard through the Necrophonic – ‘Amazing’. “Ella, Ellie, can you tell us your last name please?” Kaz asked. A male voice was heard through Necrophonic – ‘Ugh’. “Is Ellie short for Elizabeth or Helen?” asked Rachel. “Or Eleanor?” quizzed Cathy. A female voice was heard through the Necrophonic. – ‘Partner’. “Are you a Quaker?” asked Kaz. A male voice was heard through the Necrophonic – ‘Us’. Kaz thought it had said Jesus. A male voice was heard through the Necrophonic – ‘Can I help you.’. A second male voice was heard through the Necrophonic – ‘Yes’. “They’re talking to themselves now,” noted Rachel. “Is this still a hotel?” she continued. A male voice was heard through the Necrophonic – ‘Is it.’ “The gentleman that said Jesus, whats your name?” asked Kaz. No responses were heard. Rachel continued to ask questions about the building but again, everything remained quiet and inactive. “If I say a last name, can you say if they are here or not?” she asked. “Is there a Hilborn here?” No response. “Is there any Millman’s down here?” No response. “Is there any Moedingers in here?” No response. “Fishleigh?” asked Kaz. No response. “Any McDowells here? And can you tell us your first name please?” A female voice as heard through the Necrophonic – ‘That’s one. That’s two’. “The McDowell’s are here?” asked Cathy. A female voice was heard through the Necrophonic, but was indiscernible. “Okay, so there are some McDowell’s here. Can you tell us your first name?” asked Rachel. No response. “We would like to speak with you,” said Cathy. Still no response. The other equipment also remained inactive. “I am sure there are lots of stories from this location,” she continued. “What use to be below us?” asked Kaz. “Where there ever horses here?” she added. A voice was heard through the Necrophonic – ‘Below’. “There horses were below us?” she repeated. A male voice was heard through the Necrophonic – ‘They were.’ “Thank you,” said Kaz. The team continued to ask more questions but no responses were heard and the equipment remained in active. “Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?” asked Rachel. A voice as heard through the Necrophonic – ‘No’. Upon hearing that answer, the team thought it would be a good time to take a small break and prepare for the live video. Gathering up the equipment, the team moved back to the main Tea House room. Soon they were outside preparing to go Live. Check out the video below to see what happened!
This room was originally the entrance area to the building back. It would have seen a lot of traffic. It was now a smaller dining area for the Tea House, and considered the gentleman’s room. The REM pod was set up on one side of the mantle, while the dead bell was set on the other side. The EMF Trip wire was laid across the floor, from the front of the room and through the doorway into the small hallway. The K2 meter, Ovilus 5, IR camera and SLS camera were also still being operated. “We have lots of little fun things to use,” said Cathy. “Is there anybody who wants to talk to us?” she asked next. The Ovilus 5 was heard – ‘Recuse’, ‘Drive’. Everything else remained quiet and inactive. Cathy noted that the air felt very still. “Would you like us to go over to the Undertaker’s quarters?” asked Kaz. Again, everything remained quiet. Rachel decided to turn the Necrophonic device on to break the eerie silence. “Who is Ellie?” questioned Kaz. “Is it Ella or Ellie?” she asked. No response was heard. “Was that a nickname for your real name?” asked Cathy. A voice as heard through the Necrophonic – ‘Amazing’. “Ella, Ellie, can you tell us your last name please?” Kaz asked. A male voice was heard through Necrophonic – ‘Ugh’. “Is Ellie short for Elizabeth or Helen?” asked Rachel. “Or Eleanor?” quizzed Cathy. A female voice was heard through the Necrophonic. – ‘Partner’. “Are you a Quaker?” asked Kaz. A male voice was heard through the Necrophonic – ‘Us’. Kaz thought it had said Jesus. A male voice was heard through the Necrophonic – ‘Can I help you.’. A second male voice was heard through the Necrophonic – ‘Yes’. “They’re talking to themselves now,” noted Rachel. “Is this still a hotel?” she continued. A male voice was heard through the Necrophonic – ‘Is it.’ “The gentleman that said Jesus, whats your name?” asked Kaz. No responses were heard. Rachel continued to ask questions about the building but again, everything remained quiet and inactive. “If I say a last name, can you say if they are here or not?” she asked. “Is there a Hilborn here?” No response. “Is there any Millman’s down here?” No response. “Is there any Moedingers in here?” No response. “Fishleigh?” asked Kaz. No response. “Any McDowells here? And can you tell us your first name please?” A female voice as heard through the Necrophonic – ‘That’s one. That’s two’. “The McDowell’s are here?” asked Cathy. A female voice was heard through the Necrophonic, but was indiscernible. “Okay, so there are some McDowell’s here. Can you tell us your first name?” asked Rachel. No response. “We would like to speak with you,” said Cathy. Still no response. The other equipment also remained inactive. “I am sure there are lots of stories from this location,” she continued. “What use to be below us?” asked Kaz. “Where there ever horses here?” she added. A voice was heard through the Necrophonic – ‘Below’. “There horses were below us?” she repeated. A male voice was heard through the Necrophonic – ‘They were.’ “Thank you,” said Kaz. The team continued to ask more questions but no responses were heard and the equipment remained in active. “Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?” asked Rachel. A voice as heard through the Necrophonic – ‘No’. Upon hearing that answer, the team thought it would be a good time to take a small break and prepare for the live video. Gathering up the equipment, the team moved back to the main Tea House room. Soon they were outside preparing to go Live. Check out the video below to see what happened!
After the team had concluded the live video, it was decided to try a dual Estes Method in the main tea house. Due to Alison being absent this investigation, Rachel volunteered to take her spot. Kaz and Rachel got set up across from each other and began the session. Paula and Cathy were in charge of asking questions and monitoring the responses. Watch the video below to see what happened during the session.
It was now decided to call it a night and end the investigation. The Tea House was quiet and it seemed that everyone was happy to have been able to share their stories. We gathered up the equipment while Kaz went to retrieve Ken and Norma to let them know we were finished. Ken and Norma, both delighted us with more stories of their experiences and what had happened when the Rescue Mediums were there in 2009. The stories were heartwarming, funny, and without a doubt turned Ken into less of a skeptic than he started out as. We bid farewell to the living and the dead, thanking them for their hospitality. The team loaded all the gear and themselves into the vehicle and ventured off into the night. Thankfully, this time there were no parting gifts, thanks to the locals.
Is the Sparta House Tea Room haunted? We believe that the past does interact with the present. However, it is a very comfortable, happy haunt. The Sparta House Tea Room use to be the place where the locals would meet up for gossip and talk. It seems that the locals still do such – but no longer do they stand around a fireplace, but instead drink tea and eat delicious treats amoungst the tables. As for who is still present, it seems that there are various spirits at different times. Some rooms have a heavier presence than others, but it still remains a happy place. We would definitely recommend you take the drive to Sparta and enjoy a high tea! Perhaps Louis Moedinger may join you.
For more information or to plan your trip to the Sparta House Tea Room, visit their website: Sparta House Tea room
Is the Sparta House Tea Room haunted? We believe that the past does interact with the present. However, it is a very comfortable, happy haunt. The Sparta House Tea Room use to be the place where the locals would meet up for gossip and talk. It seems that the locals still do such – but no longer do they stand around a fireplace, but instead drink tea and eat delicious treats amoungst the tables. As for who is still present, it seems that there are various spirits at different times. Some rooms have a heavier presence than others, but it still remains a happy place. We would definitely recommend you take the drive to Sparta and enjoy a high tea! Perhaps Louis Moedinger may join you.
For more information or to plan your trip to the Sparta House Tea Room, visit their website: Sparta House Tea room
ovilus 5 words
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GLOVE
WATCH AFRAID PULLED LIFT STRETCHED BUT CHIEF FELL MAXIMUM PLANET SCAN LEAVEN ITS MASTER JACKIE STRONG AND PAGE ABOVE 9 CONDITIONS PERCENT HURT LASH MAMMOTH |
SUGAR
LAW THOUGHT RADIO ROADWAY SALVATION GOOD JAMES MIND COW NANA PUDDLE FRANK UNHOLY KIM SURFACE KNOWN YANK BEWARE SCORE DIRTY TWEAK SHUTTLE MUSTARD RULE ARMS FRESH RAIN |
FOCUS
SLAIN SCREW OFTEN EQUAL MATERIAL EYE CHEAT CALL RECUSE DRIVE AIM CUBE COULD DRESS HISTORY NONE THANK JULY BASEMENT CABLE HIM EIGHTY MAGIC FOREVER |