Multimedia
SLIDESHOW | One night in The Grand Midway Hotel
When Blair Murphy described his vision for The Grand Midway to paranormal investigators from New York, he referred to it as his "living, breathing canvas."
What blooms from every corner of this artists' commune is a vibrant, unapologetic clash of the religious and the occult against the backdrop of a pop culture wasteland.
Here's a slideshow of the best photos from our stay at The Grand Midway Hotel on All Hallows' Eve. There were no apparitions or orbs to be found in the album but it's still difficult to take an uninteresting photo at this haunted house.
The grounds
A front view of The Grand Midway Hotel along Graham Avenue in Windber. When The Tribune-Democrat arrived on All Hallows' Eve, owner Blair Murphy's ash-white Alaskan malamute - named Lucien - stood guard. The style
The Grand Midway Hotel's morose, gothic stylings are consistent throughout the building, lending an otherworldly essence - or just sucking up all the light. The art
The mural that consumes the dining room ceiling was - like nearly all the artwork seen in The Grand Midway (and there's a LOT) - contributed by one of the artists that has paid the hotel a visit or has called it home for a time. The people
The quote beneath the dining room mural reads, "teach what you would learn." In the more than 10 years since Blair Murphy bought The Grand Midway, creative types from all over the country have communed in this common house of the arts, including horror culture celebrities. The history
This safe appears in historical photos from The Grand Midway Hotel's miner boom heyday in the 1800s. Over the years, The Grand Midway Hotel has been many things to the Windber community - including the local brothel. The macabre
A skull bearing long protrusions that resemble demon horns rests among other snapped horns on a table in the dining room. Behind it is the Hebrew symbol for Yahweh that is spray-painted on many of the dining room chairs. The beasts
At any given moment during a stay in The Grand Midway, a piece of taxidermy is within line of sight. This second floor gallery gives off an impression of being watched. And for good reason. The icons
In the Edgar Allen Poe room, an animatronic raven watches over a table frequented by Dungeons & Dragons players. The Grand Midway Hotel is like a magnet for curios and one-of-a-kind crafts. The magick
In the "magick" room, various magickal props are shelved or scattered about - dozens of card decks, a metal-tipped wand and a crystal ball for divination. Good luck finding this secret alcove of the hotel. It's well hidden and we're sworn to secrecy. The demonic
This third-floor room belongs to one of The Grand Midway's resident demonologists. Employed by the Catholic church in exorcisms and sanctifications, demonology is a discipline this resident does not take lightly, according to owner Blair Murphy. He prefers to discuss and teach his craft only to clergy, who use the knowledge for defense against evil entities. The painting on the door is a slightly modified version of Raphael's "St. Michael and the Dragon." The holy
A Buddha bust assumes wall space next to a portrait of Ganesha. According to paranormal experts, blanketing the building with religious or spiritual effects helps keep evil spirits at bay. |
- Multimedia
-
-
VIDEO | Sci-Fi expo connects with fans
The Force is strong with Casey Bassett.
In two years of feverish planning and laborious love, the 24-year-old has roughly tripled the size of his homegrown geek convention, Sci-Fi Valley Con, being held this year at the Jaffa Shrine in Altoona. Today is the 2013 convention’s final day. -
VIDEO | Deer gets on, off city bus
A CamTran bus picked up an unscheduled passenger on Tuesday evening – a white-tailed deer.
-
VIDEO | Bards behind bars
In the latest endeavor for Brian Murphy, the 33–room Grand Midway Hotel in Windber might be refitted to become a penitentiary – a commune for delinquents, but specifically for delinquent writers. He calls it “Writer’s Jail,” and it serves the artistic community by forcing writers to do the one thing they often cannot bring themselves to do: Actually write.
-
Internet sales tax bill to hit roadblock in House
A bill to require Internet shoppers to pay sales taxes for online purchases may be cruising through the Senate but it will soon hit a roadblock in the House.
-
Setting standards for cyber sharing
A cybersecurity bill that riled privacy advocates when it was approved in the U.S. House of Representatives last week is looking like a non-starter in the Senate this week. And both opponents and proponents say its best chance at resurrection is to put a leash on exactly what types of information companies can share.
-
VIDEO | Drill provides glimpse of reality: Responders stage grim demonstration of accident scene
Police, fire and EMS responders from Patton and Carrolltown rushed to Cambria Heights High School Thursday afternoon, responding to a call that detailed a two-vehicle accident with entrapment.
Although it was a drill, designed to be a graphic depiction of what happens when unsafe driving practices lead to a wreck, the message sent to the dozens of students surrounding the scene was clear. -
New app helps Icelanders avoid accidental incest
You meet someone, there's chemistry, and then come the introductory questions: What's your name? Come here often? Are you my cousin?
In Iceland, a country with a population of 320,000 where most everyone is distantly related, inadvertently kissing cousins is a real risk.
A new smartphone app is on hand to help Icelanders avoid accidental incest.
-
In Boston manhunt, online detectives flourish
The intensive manhunt for the bombers behind the deadly Boston Marathon attacks didn't take place only on the streets with professional police officers and SWAT teams. In an era of digital interactivity, it also unfolded around the country from laptops and desk chairs filled with regular folks.
-
Senate bill jeopardizes tax-free online shopping
States could force Internet retailers to collect sales taxes under a bill that overwhelmingly passed a test vote in the Senate Monday.
-
VIDEO | Historic theater now only a memory
Dozens of Gallitzin residents young and old gathered on a brisk Saturday morning to watch the historic Victoria Theater along Jackson Street come down.
- More Multimedia Headlines
-
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
