In Danville,Va is a place that few people probably know about, however as forgotten as it seems it is NOT vacant. Looking at the place, it is intimidating, and not only that, but the building has this dark mystique about it that cannot be comprehended. The building dates back to the 1800's and is a big reason for the abnormal fish that swim in the Dan river, or so speculation says. The fish which were found on the shore of the river, were not only very abnormally shaped but also oddly colored, almost glowing. The building has many claims of paranormal activity seen from the shore and also from the location of the buildings themselves. Unaware that I was not allowed to be near or around, let alone IN this building, I was wandering outside of it, and eventually made my way inside. While outside though there was an aura of active energy, almost like a radiation of it, that couldn't be detected because there's really nothing here, and hasn't been for many years,let alone any electric currents. I, however continued to be in awe of this place and it's mystique and so I wander up to the door of one of these buildings.
First off, it was locked, of course. The sheer size of this place is just something that cannot be explained online, you would have to be there. Looking up at the building I was looking at, which was the one on the far right end of the place. It seemed pretty common, for an old building, bricks were missing on some of these places, I assume they were stolen and sold. I toggled the door handle, knowing it was locked anyways. So I'm toggling this thing and the strangest thing happens, I get this ringing in my ears almost like silverware hitting a glass cup. I didn't think much of it at first, but as it continued I started to feel uneasy almost like being shocked by a faulty plug-in I, still, stubbornly didn't think it was in relation to anything I was doing or this place I was at, this mysterious place. I continued to toggle with things and look around, as the ringing subsided, I started to relax, but not fully because in a distance I could hear a faint thudding sound. Almost like someone working with metal. It was very faint and distant, but present nonetheless, I hesitantly made my way towards this sound or where I suspected it might be coming from. I got as close to the sound as possible, but it seemed to just get more distant as I went along. It was the strangest thing, almost like it was an episode of the twilight zone or something. I continue to look around, kicking rocks and being bored.
After approximately 25 minutes of dead stillness and boredom I was ready to leave, feeling a bit unsatisfied with my findings. As I'm leaving I felt a tap on my shoulder, and it gave me the CHILLS. It was a cold touch, but my skin was hot, almost irritated feeling, like a heat rash. It was not cold nor hot out just kind of comfortable so this was a bit strange. I turn around to find nobody there, and not only was nobody there but there was no footprints, no nothing to indicate I was in the presence of either something paranormal or something else, like another person who broke into this place. I decided to go back in, because I felt like I was onto something now, something exciting. As I was in there, I notice a boat was going by on the Dan River, nothing really too surprising, it was mid day and the river has had boats on it for god knows how long. I tried to not let them see me, but they did, me fearing the worst, I assumed the owner was there or something, however this was just a tourist like me, and I was in luck because he had some information on this place.
He told me that the building used to be a textile mill and all that, I thought that's well and good but I knew that already, I asked him some more about the place and he said he used to know someone who worked there, well he didn't know them but his ancestors did and have passed down stories to him. He said that not only were there things going on there right now, but things have gone on there for a long time, even when it was in service and operating. Things happened that were hidden and not reported, deaths, diseases, accidents, the cheery fare I usually deal in. He said of one instance where a man was arguing with another in the building and after work they met up outside and had a heated debate, supposedly over a woman, now I won't bore you with details, but the one guy ended up saying meet me back here tonight at a disclosed time so we can settle this. Pretty proper I would say, lol.
Remember this was the 1800's. The guy agreed and the date was set for them to meet back up there, when no one was around. So night came, and the one man who initiated the challenge was there, waiting. The other man was on his way but not like you'd suspect, the guy ended up coming by boat, and very silently as well. In his pocket, a rusty sporting knife used to kill deer and other wild animals. Somehow the man miraculously made it behind the guy without him noticing, supposedly he snuck threw the locked building with an extra key, get this, giving to him by the owner and boss of the place, who were not only on his side, but were watching from shore, they did not like this guy and agreed to have him dealt with. So he makes his way behind the guy and well, he just grabs him, puts the knife to his throat and slices away, blood pours, mixes with rust and the ground is stained, and will forever be stained with this deceit.
The men disposed of his body, and they did it by hiding him somewhere inside the building, whereabouts were unknown and will forever be because this was not even reported. The men left by boat, and the next day at work all was well, but someone was missing, and reportedly this guy told me that all of the employees were in on it, and were paid to keep quiet. Supposedly this was also a money laundering scheme tied to the mafia in NY who had connections this far into VA, and were making profit from the mill. All of this speculation paints a dark shadow across the Dan River, that shadow? Is cast by this mysterious building, towering in height, not vacant, but forgotten by those who do not know the truth. As I was leaving this place I felt a sigh of relief. More recently one of these buildings is reported to be made into an apartment complex. The people better just hope they don't pick the building the likes of which the man was disposed of.
Danville, VA
