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Waxahachie Journal Archives
 Have
you ever eaten fried catfish and had a spoon levitate right in front
of you? Or listened to your waitress describe strange noises or
glowing apparitions she has personally witnessed? Folks in Waxahachie
and North Texas know where ghosts spice up their dining experience –
at the Catfish Plantation.
Tom and Melissa Baker have owned and run the famous restaurant since
1984, and now find that it is time to move on. They have listed the
restaurant for sale on ebay, and did not charge extra for the 3 ghosts
who inhabit the property.
Based on research into the home’s history and occupants, the Bakers
have identified three different ghosts – Will, Caroline and Elizabeth.
The Bakers noticed strange things occurring in the home almost
immediately. Chairs were moved to block doorways, sugar packets were
thrown around and a pot of coffee was freshly brewed after the home
was locked up for the night.
In 1987, a psychic by the name of Dwanna Paul contacted the Bakers and
told them that these incidents
were the classic signs of a haunted house. Ms. Paul held a séance and
identified the three active ghosts.
Will was a farmer who died in the house sometime during the Great
Depression. He has only been seen standing in overalls on what was the
front porch (and is now the front entrance to the restaurant). Will
may be responsible for some of the cold spots felt in the house, as
well as doors opening and closing for no reason. Waxahachie Police
Force Officers have approached the house to investigate strange
noises, and have seen an elderly man in overalls standing at the front
of the house. When the Police Officers got closer, the man disappeared
into the shadows and could not be found.
Caroline is the most active of the ghosts. She lived in the house with
her husband and family from 1953 until her death at age 80 in 1970.
According to researchers, Caroline does not seem to realize that she
is dead. She stays mostly in the kitchen area, and has been known to
throw objects.
 Elizabeth seems
more benign. Elizabeth was the daughter of the farmer who originally
built the home. In 1920, she was murdered on her wedding day,
presumably in her wedding dress, in the area of the ladies’ restroom.
She has been seen standing in that same area, wearing a white gown.
The Bakers have kept a scrapbook of notes and letters they received
from their customers over the years. Reports of cold spots, objects
suddenly being relocated and the feeling of something brushing against
them are recorded by numerous people.
The restaurant was almost destroyed in 2003 by a fire that started in
the kitchen. Fire Chief David Hudgins was looking at the photos taken
by fire marshals the night of the fire, and noticed a milky white haze
that appeared in the front window. The shape is in the form of a
person, and is distinguishable from the smoke that was inside the
building. The photographs are now displayed on a table in the front
entrance of the restaurant.
Catfish Plantation has always provided a wonderful dining experience,
and much fodder for conversations and speculation. But will a change
in ownership cause a change in the resident ghosts? That question can
only be answered over a big platter of fried pickles and a wonderful
plate of fresh catfish, beans and slaw.
For more information on the Catfish Plantation, please visit their
website, at
www.catfishplantation.com.
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