Liberty resident Brenda Berger has found that researching ghost stories in Liberty is not so different from digging into the genealogy of her family that settled in the area in the 1820’s.

“I am fascinated by history,” explains Brenda, “There is so much to be learned by those who have gone before us. Being a part of the ghost tours is a great way to share these stories, since we believe that without the history, there are no haunts”.

Brenda and fellow Ghost Tours of Missouri guide Kim Ariel believe that the Liberty tour is unique because of the Civil War and outlaw history.

 “We are thinking about naming this the ‘James, Jail and Jewell’ tour, since so many of our stories include the college, the James family and the courthouse” comments Kim.

The guides don’t try to talk anyone into believing in the paranormal; they simply relay the ghost stories and history associated with each location and let tour guests decide for themselves. Although private homes are usually not included on tours, they do visit businesses, cemeteries and other public places that may have paranormal activity. Stops on the Liberty tour include the courthouse, downtown business district, William Jewell College and the cemetery.

“One of our favorite stops is at a former doctor’s office,” says Brenda, “the doctor used to throw body parts into the alley for the stray cats.”