Manassas, Virginia is best known for the Battle of Manassas and is a town famously steeped in Civil War ghosts. The Olde Town Inn motel sits right in the heart of the town, just off the small main street. In many ways, it looks like a typical mid-20th century motel (it’s not exactly a haunted mansion), but even for Manassas, it’s home to a surprising amount of paranormal activity.
A few years ago, I planned to attend a reptile expo in Manassas, and naturally, I had to stay at the Olde Town Inn. I didn’t request a specific room when I made the reservation, but I was thrilled when I was assigned room 52—the favorite haunt of the Inn’s resident trickster spirit, Lucy, and possibly the most haunted room in the building.
No one really knows who Lucy was, but she seems to favor rooms 51-54. Someone once told me she was a young sex worker killed and dismembered at the motel in the '70s. *HauntedHouses.com* claims she could be a spirit waiting for a loved one to return from battle. The truth is, no one’s quite sure who Lucy was, but what we do know is that she has an excellent sense of humor. Lucy has dedicated her afterlife to poking guests awake, pulling their covers off, levitating guests, hiding keys, and generally being a playful little pest. Honestly, she’s everything I hope to be in my own afterlife.
When my boyfriend and I first dropped our bags in room 52, I was worried the scariest part of our stay would be the mysterious stains on the floor (we placed bets—blood or coffee?). Fortunately, the night delivered a more interesting experience. At some unknown hour, I woke up with the distinct feeling that I had been gently poked in the shoulder. I glanced around the room, half expecting to see Lucy, but nothing appeared. It seemed she just wanted to say hello. I shrugged it off and went back to sleep.
The carpet was worn, and the beds were hard, but the place had been vacuumed, and the staff was friendly. As far as motels go, I’d recommend it as a decent sub-$100 option if you find yourself in Manassas. But of course, the real attraction is the ghosts.
Lucy isn’t the only spirit said to haunt the Olde Town Inn. Some guests have reported shadow figures darting outside the rooms late at night. Others have heard whispers in empty rooms, seen lights turn on and off by themselves, or felt the unnerving sensation of being watched. There’s also the frequent appearance of disembodied footsteps, believed by some to be soldiers from the nearby battlefield. I heard that one guest claimed to see the silhouette of a man in uniform standing at the foot of the bed, vanishing when they reached for the light switch.
Despite its modest appearance, the Olde Town Inn has become a hotspot for paranormal enthusiasts, especially those interested in playful hauntings rather than terrifying ones. Lucy, in particular, brings a sense of mischief to the ghostly encounters. She doesn’t seem malicious—just a ghost having a little fun with the living. Whether you’re visiting for history or hauntings, the Olde Town Inn offers a unique stay that goes beyond the typical roadside motel experience.
Kit Karlsson
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Publisher: Lake Country Press
Date of Publication: October 29, 2024
Number of pages: roughly 300
Word Count: 97,700
Cover Artist: Fay Lane
Tagline: In a world where magic can save or shatter, Kol Mendona must survive lethal secrets—and an even deadlier love—as he discovers he might not be as human as he believed…
Book Description:
Kol Mendona, one of the last humans on the magical continent of Alon, is desperate to escape his dying underground compound. When Alessi, a fierce dragon slayer with silver eyes, arrives, Kol sees a way out. As they journey together through the deadly wastes, an unexpected bond forms between them – one fueled by passion and dangerous magic.
But as Kol’s strange new powers awaken, their bond becomes increasingly unstable. Something within him is changing in ways he doesn’t fully understand, and if Alessi ever discovers the truth, Kol may lose more than her affections…
Excerpt 2:“So, do you work?” Kol wiped his nose, feeling sand grate against his skin.“Do princesses… need to work?”“Usually, but now I’m a freelancer.” Alessi felt at her hair, tragic and frayed.“You’re unemployed, you mean?” Kol asked.“If you must know, I am ‘available for hire’.” She threw her head back.“But money’s money, and business is business.” She had a severe look on her face. “That’s how things are in the witch kingdom.”
About the Author:
Kit enjoyed writing as a child and rediscovered her passion during the COVID-19 lockdown. She has a degree in finance from Southern Methodist University and recently graduated from Georgetown University Law Center, where she was the administrative editor of an academic publication. When she’s not writing, you can find her running barefoot, taming stray cats, or listening to paranormal podcasts.
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