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City of Bakersfield saves (Haunted?) 24th Street house

Posted at 7:08 PM, Apr 11, 2017
and last updated 2017-04-11 22:08:38-04
https://www.facebook.com/AdamBowles23ABC/
 
On the drive through downtown and 24th, you may notice something different on your commute. Now, empty lots scatter this street which marked homes that were demolished because of the widening project on twenty fourth.  But, one house is still standing. Two three one two twenty fourth street or also named as the Speak Easy house is a colonial revial-style home which is 95 years old and full of history and some say full of those from beyond the grave.  July Thomas, a friend of a former owner of the home, remembered unusual activity in Speakeasy.
 
“The man that lives in the house he is not a human being. He is a spirit and would come up to the kitchen at night, his favorite time of night one o'clock two o'clock in the morning and come out and start opening all of the cabinets and all of the drawers, slamming pops and pans. It was an ongoing thing.  There was also a woman who would just walk up the stairs and disappear through the stairs.”
 
Even though some say this house is haunted, they don’t want the wrecking ball near it for one thing.
 
"Because its history. Its history, there is so much history in this part of town.  Just don’t touch it or there will be something following you. That is what I'm going to say. Don’t touch it.”  
 
Richard Young and his wife have lived in this house for thirty three years, waving at the cars passing by that would admire the home until they found out they soon would have to leave.
 
“We knew it was coming along. We started going to meetings 25 years ago. You know, I kind of figured then and there that something soon would happen.”
 
He also has had some run ins with the spirit world.
 
“I've had a several relatives and a young child said they seen stuff here. Ill probably have to watch ghost busters again.”
 
Even though this house is said to be haunted, this house is 95 years full of history, which is sparking protest to save it by preserving it in the city.
 
“There is only one thing you can do with it.  Its just to pick it up and turn it like they said at first over towards Bay Street.”
 
Public works told me that the city answered residents wishes and decided to auction off the house and relocate it within the neighborhood north of twenty fourth street.  This 95 year old gem is now being saved and its history and haunted past will remain intact---just in another direction.  In Bakersfield, Adam Bowles 23ABC.