Special Documentary
Written by Jackie Meador
Did you ever wonder what it would be like to sleep in a haunted hotel, eat in a haunted restaurant or wander around, in and out of a haunted building? Sure, all those ghost hunter shows on TV go to all those spooky places they say are haunted, like Tombstone Arizona; Eastern State Penitentiary in Pennsylvania, the Gettysburg battle fields; Myrtles Plantation in Louisiana and lets not forget England and Ireland with all those nifty haunted castles and such. I would love to venture to all those places the TV ghost hunters travel to and experience the paranormal activity for myself. Oh yeah, don’t forget they get paid for having all that fun!
But and it’s a big BUT, like no cash Jack, no Moola, no Dinero, no Euro’s and no way to get any extra. So it looks like I won’t get in any of those places and you know what? A lot of people here in Central California can only dream the same as you and I. Many would like to have a chance to explore and experience paranormal phenomena but don’t have the bucks to spend on getting to those faraway destinations.
Well, it occurred to me after watching yet another paranormal reality show where ghost hunters take the viewer on a journey to places purported to be haunted that there are two things missing. One, most of those great places that are highlighted are located east of the Mississippi River, far enough from Central CA they might as well be on the Moon and two, since I am a huge history buff, there just doesn’t seem to be enough historical information about those sites to satisfy me. I mean, I want to know what those people were like, how did they live, who were the movers & shakers of the day and are they still hanging around? But what if I told you, no wait, what if I showed you where you could visit places like that right in your own backyard? Or see and hear them right from your own Barcolounger in your living room? Or find out why some say certain places are still occupied by previous tenants from over 100 years ago? And where could you learn about the history and what the place was like 50, 100, 150 years ago? And as a bonus, an average 2 hour drive will take you to most of them so you can sleep in a haunted hotel, eat in a haunted restaurant or wander around haunted buildings with a chance to experience paranormal phenomena for yourself.
So it started with an idea to make a film about supposedly haunted places closer to home, Central California. And then by chance, fate or design, I met Marilyn & Leo McMahon, a retired couple, who as it turns out, have made short films as Hangin’Tree Productions. Two weeks later over dinner, I pitched my idea and they were definitely enthusiastic to join CCPI in this project filming special documentaries highlighting haunted places around Central California. Unbeknown to us, this would be the beginning of a partnership that would take all of us on a journey into the paranormal and TV land.
After completion of our first documentary, I sent our film to three TV stations and an amazing thing happened. One actually answered and was interested in seeing what we had, their motto, local TV programming for and by Central California residents. Well, needless to say, our first special documentary, “Hauntings in Central CA-The Sierra Sky Ranch” aired October 25, 2009 at 8:00 pm on KAIL TV and was a resounding success. Viewers actually called in to say how much they enjoyed it and wanted to see more. Imagine that!
Our first episode takes place in Oakhurst, the gateway to Yosemite National Park at a place that stretches back to 1875 called The Sierra Sky Ranch. We travel back to the middle 1800’s and discover what the area was like at that time and who were the people that settled in a little town called Fresno Flats and later known as Oakhurst. Then we went to the Mother Lode in a town called Coulterville and the Historic Hotel Jeffrey. Next we found a haunted place where spirits dwell here in Fresno called The A. Nonini Winery which aired on TV, June 25, 2011. And now we are currently scouting locations for our next episode.
Did I mention these DVD’s are for sale? You can help us in our research so we can continue investigating and filming haunted sites in Central California by purchasing our documentaries. They are loaded with historical information through pictures and then sit back and watch the CCPI team as they work researching, investigating and analyzing their findings. There is nothing scary and may even be suitable for some children to watch.
And if that hasn’t piqued your interest then think about this: out of 1700 entries, our first special documentary won a 2009 Gold International AVA award for outstanding writing & editing and our second episode won the Videographers Award. CCPI and Hangin’Tree Productions are very proud of our work on this film and hope you all enjoy these episodes as well the ones to come.
Anyone wishing to purchase a copy of the special documentary episodes, “Hauntings in Central California,” please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or go to CCPI Stuff on our website to buy your copy through PayPal. And don’t forget to watch our series on the Valley’s local station, KAIL TV, Ch 7.1, Comcast Ch 13, Satellite Ch 53. Check your local listings for dates & times or call the Station at (559) 299-9753 for upcoming shows.
Enjoy!