Investigation Date: 26 February 2006
Location: Bullshead Inn Drayton Road Drayton
Investigators: Kevin G, Karen B-G & Kevin W
Location: Bullshead Inn Drayton Road Drayton
Investigators: Kevin G, Karen B-G & Kevin W
Background of Location
The Bullshead Inn was built in 1847 by ex-convict William Horton. The Inn was used by Squatters as a meeting place. It was also a rest point for travellers making their way through the Darling Downs. The Bullshead Inn was considered very stylish in these early settlement days. Many social functions in the district were held at the Inn in the early days of its history. Governors, the clergy, squatters and politicians were some of the people who patronised this establishment. The two storey building standing today was built in 1859. The Inn operated as a public house until 1879 when it was bought by the Lynch family whom renamed it “The Terrace”. The building remained a private residence and continued to be occupied by the Lynch family until 1973. The property was purchased by the National Trust of Queensland in that year. The building and its surroundings underwent extensive refurbishments before the Inn was opened as a public museum.
The Inn is currently owned and under the management of the National Trust of Queensland.
Alleged Paranormal Activities
It is claimed that the ghost of a long haired women in a nightgown was seen in the old building which has long since been pulled down. It is claimed that this ghost has appeared throughout the years in the existing building.
The alleged presence of ghosts of two drovers has been reported on the 1st floor section of the building. A story has it that two drovers died of arsenic poisoning in a room on the 1st floor. Apparently the arsenic was used in their chewing tobacco for medicinal purposes.
There have also been reports of an apparition of what appears to be the ghost of a girl near the old well behind the Inn.
Date and Time of Investigation
The investigation was conducted on the evening of Sunday 26 February 2006.
Equipment Used During Investigation
The Bullshead Inn was built in 1847 by ex-convict William Horton. The Inn was used by Squatters as a meeting place. It was also a rest point for travellers making their way through the Darling Downs. The Bullshead Inn was considered very stylish in these early settlement days. Many social functions in the district were held at the Inn in the early days of its history. Governors, the clergy, squatters and politicians were some of the people who patronised this establishment. The two storey building standing today was built in 1859. The Inn operated as a public house until 1879 when it was bought by the Lynch family whom renamed it “The Terrace”. The building remained a private residence and continued to be occupied by the Lynch family until 1973. The property was purchased by the National Trust of Queensland in that year. The building and its surroundings underwent extensive refurbishments before the Inn was opened as a public museum.
The Inn is currently owned and under the management of the National Trust of Queensland.
Alleged Paranormal Activities
It is claimed that the ghost of a long haired women in a nightgown was seen in the old building which has long since been pulled down. It is claimed that this ghost has appeared throughout the years in the existing building.
The alleged presence of ghosts of two drovers has been reported on the 1st floor section of the building. A story has it that two drovers died of arsenic poisoning in a room on the 1st floor. Apparently the arsenic was used in their chewing tobacco for medicinal purposes.
There have also been reports of an apparition of what appears to be the ghost of a girl near the old well behind the Inn.
Date and Time of Investigation
The investigation was conducted on the evening of Sunday 26 February 2006.
Equipment Used During Investigation
The following equipment was used for the investigation:
Digital Thermometer
Digital Thermometer
Determine room temperature.
Determine if any cold/hot spots in location
Infrared Thermometer
Determine if any cold/hot spots in location
Infrared Thermometer
Check for any unusual cold/hot spots from a distance
Electro-Magnetic Field Meter
Electro-Magnetic Field Meter
Check for electro-magnetic fields in location.
Check for unusually high readings.
Check for EM fluctuations
Tri-Field Meter
Check for unusually high readings.
Check for EM fluctuations
Tri-Field Meter
Check for ‘natural’ electro-magnetic fields
(EM fields are emitted by humans and animals among other things)
Anemometer
(EM fields are emitted by humans and animals among other things)
Anemometer
Check for any drafts coming from doors, windows or any cracks or cavities.
Infrared Camera
Infrared Camera
Recording of rooms at location under very low light.
Video Recorder
Infrared Spotlight
Infrared Spotlight
Increase lighting for infrared camera
Digital Camera
Digital Camera
Still photos of location
Camcorder
Camcorder
Recording progress of investigation for record of any unusual occurrences.
Equipment Readings and Conditions at Location
The following readings were recorded during the investigation:
Equipment Readings and Time Comments
Digital Thermometer Drawing Room - 25 Celsius @ 6:40pm
Nursery Room – 25 Celsius @ 7:10pm
Conclusion: Nothing unusual
Equipment Readings and Conditions at Location
The following readings were recorded during the investigation:
Equipment Readings and Time Comments
Digital Thermometer Drawing Room - 25 Celsius @ 6:40pm
Nursery Room – 25 Celsius @ 7:10pm
Conclusion: Nothing unusual
Infrared Thermometer No reading required.
Electro-Magnetic No readings over 1 milliguass in all areas investigated (Drawing Room, around any Nursery Room, Sitting Room & Well) electrical outlets.
Electro-Magnetic No readings over 1 milliguass in all areas investigated (Drawing Room, around any Nursery Room, Sitting Room & Well) electrical outlets.
Tri-Field Meter No high readings over 1 milliguass in all areas investigatedDrawing Room, Nursery Room, Sitting Room & Well).
Anemometer recorded No unusual drafts.
Physical Conditions
Ground Floor
Drafts from hallway off Drawing Room. Drafts from gaps under French doors from Drawing Room.
Physical Conditions
Ground Floor
Drafts from hallway off Drawing Room. Drafts from gaps under French doors from Drawing Room.
Very slight floorboard creak.
Slight noises noted from hallway off Drawing Room. Wind noises were noted coming from gaps below French doors in Drawing Room.
1st Floor Area
Considerable drafts from windows and calico covered walls and roof.
Considerable drafts from windows and calico covered walls and roof.
Considerable noise from drafts through windows and calico covered walls and roof. Regular Cracks from timber frame were recorded. Floor boards produced slight movement noise when walking through upstairs area.
Calico walls produced noticeable noises from wind draft. Windows also produced draft noises.
Brief description of construction and condition of building
The main building appears to be in sound condition. The building is constructed of timber and appears well maintained.
Observations During Investigation at Location
The following observations were made throughout the investigation. The Investigation team continued to remain alert to all sensory perceptions. The purpose of this stage of the investigation was to scan the area under investigation for any activities that may have offered a natural explanation for alleged paranormal activities. The Investigation team noted all activities explainable or not.
This observation included all three Investigators remaining in the Drawing Room, Nursery Room, Sitting Room and near the old well.
An I.R. camera and video record was set up in the Drawing Room and Nursery Room. The recording equipment was activated before the investigation team left the site for the remainder of the evening. The purpose of this part of the investigation was to produce approximately three hours of video and audio recordings undisturbed by any human activity. The building was locked and secured by a local representative of the National Trust of Queensland.
Drawing Room
The main building appears to be in sound condition. The building is constructed of timber and appears well maintained.
Observations During Investigation at Location
The following observations were made throughout the investigation. The Investigation team continued to remain alert to all sensory perceptions. The purpose of this stage of the investigation was to scan the area under investigation for any activities that may have offered a natural explanation for alleged paranormal activities. The Investigation team noted all activities explainable or not.
This observation included all three Investigators remaining in the Drawing Room, Nursery Room, Sitting Room and near the old well.
An I.R. camera and video record was set up in the Drawing Room and Nursery Room. The recording equipment was activated before the investigation team left the site for the remainder of the evening. The purpose of this part of the investigation was to produce approximately three hours of video and audio recordings undisturbed by any human activity. The building was locked and secured by a local representative of the National Trust of Queensland.
Drawing Room
Nothing to report
Nursery Room
While setting up video equipment Karen heard what she believe to be the sound of two foot steps behind her coming from the hallway off the room.
Sitting Room
Nothing to report
Old Well
Nothing to report
Nothing to report
Findings From Audio and Video Recordings
Digital Cameras
Recorded no unusual events.
Audio Recordings
A puff like sound was recorded during the 3rd recording in the Nursery Room. This sound seems to resemble the release of air from a person’s mouth.
A puff like sound was recorded during the 3rd recording in the Nursery Room. This sound seems to resemble the release of air from a person’s mouth.
3 separate Recordings were made in both the Nursery and Sitting Rooms. A puff like sound was recorded during the 3rd recording in the Nursery Room. This sound seems to resemble the release of air from a person’s mouth.
No unusual audio from other recordings made in other locations around building.
I.R. Camera
Approximately 3 hours of video and audio was recorded
in the Drawing room. Nothing to report
Approximately 3 hours of video and audio was recorded in the Nursery room.
Nothing to report
Conclusions From Investigation
Extensive readings and recordings from all listed equipment were conducted in the Drawing, Nursery and Sitting rooms. Tri-field readings, video, still photography and digital audio recording were made around the old well. Still camera shots were taken around the front exterior of the Inn. The EMF, Tri-field, thermometer and Anemometer readings recorded showed no significant or unusual activities.
Karen reported the sound of what she believed to be two foot steps behind her in the hallway off the Nursery Room when she was setting up video equipment. This may have been an echo effect caused by one of the other investigators or the Museum representative walking around inside the ground floor of the building.
The unusual sound picked up in the 3rd audio recording from the Nursery Room was a ‘puff’ sound. This sound resembles a sound that could be produced from a person exhaling quickly. While the Investigators can not explain this sound it may have been produced by Kevin G who was the closest to the digital recorder.
A ‘hah’ sound was found on the 3rd recording taken at the old well. This ‘hah’ sound is similar a short and sharp exhale that a person may make. The closest person to the recorder was Kevin G. The natural explanation for this sound may be:
1. Kevin G may have produced this noise
Or;
2. A lizard may have been near the old well. It is possible that it may not have been seen in the darkness and may have ‘hissed’ at investigators near by.
Observation of both the video and audio recording taken in the Nursery and Drawing rooms showed no unusual visual or audio activities.
Reference
Lillie, M. The Royal Bullshead Inn. National Trust of Queensland.
Talbot,D. (2004) Ghostly Tales of Toowoomba. Greenridge Press, Toowoomba, Australia.
