Old Johnson House Inn

Old Johnson House Inn, Hugo Oklahoma

By Tonya Hacker

(Not authorized for reuse without written consent from thacker)

Arriving at the Old Johnson House Inn , I noticed it had a familiar sense, as if I had been there before. Heading up the porch stairs I suddenly realized that the Old Johnson House was very similar to another infamous Bed & Breakfast in Guthrie, Oklahoma that I have had the opportunity to visit and investigate as a ghost hunter. I moved closer to the front door and the familiar sense of something unknown grew stronger. Walking across the historic wrap-around porch toward the front door, we were warmly welcomed by the innkeeper, Metra Christofferson and her dog, Oliver *a.k.a*. Ollie.

The house was built in 1910; this Victorian beauty was the home of the Johnson Family up until the mid 1980's. After being converted into a Bed and Breakfast some say that Mrs. Johnson still lingers the halls. My eyebrow rose, I'm sure of it.

While sitting and listening like a little kid during story time, Metra started to explain the history. Judge Johnson built the home for his wife and adult children. It is believed that Judge Johnson was one of the last "hanging" judges in Oklahoma Territory.

The home was built as a gift to his wife, Mrs. Johnson, the estate being her dream home where she shared memories and kept a close eye on her family. It is not definite how many adult children lived with the Johnsons, but we are certain there were no less than three.

One of the Johnson's children was Edgar Allen. Edgar moved into the home upon its completion in 1910. Directly after graduating medical school he set up his practice in Hugo. It is understood that Edgar became a doctor of obstetrics after the birth of his first and only child. His wife and child perished during the delivery. Edgar never remarried, but vowed to save lives of future mothers and their unborn children. Mrs. Johnson had a firm grasp on her family even when they were adults. Judge Johnson's past was not one to be proud of and rumor is that his wife tried even harder to be a prominent and good citizen of Hugo.

When the current owner Metra Christofferson purchased the home, she was approached several times from strangers walking by who continued to ask her, "Have you met Mrs. Johnson yet?" She was puzzled, but stated that she does not easily succumb to the power of suggestion. She continued on her minor renovations. Locals who finally told her about footsteps on the staircase, shadows in the mirrors, Mrs. Johnson’s rocking chair and blowing curtains unrelentingly approached Metra. Metra was perplexed as to why she had not experienced such things while she spent so much time alone in the house. Speaking more with Metra we discovered that she is extremely comfortable in the home; perhaps this is why she had not experienced anything unusual?

A former housekeeper of the Inn contacted Metra one day with the intention of finding out if she had yet witnessed the ghost of Mrs. Johnson walking to her room on the 1st floor. The former housekeeper insisted that Mrs. Johnson was still in the home, "just there, being Mrs. Johnson." She continued to explain the eerie occurrences that took place during her time working at the home. Merta still awaits this type of proof, but she leaves it up to her guests to report any strange phenomenon. "I have grown accustomed to the house, that's my explanation."

Staying at the Inn I will have to admit that some parts of the
house seem to have a slight personality, but nothing scary and nothing malicious, just a sense of being watched and that warm tingling sensation that I actually kind of dig.

Mrs. Johnson's portrait still hangs strong in the main hallway heading to her former bedroom, now called the Red Room. The setting is just like it was so many years ago. In fact there are some of the original Johnson furnishings throughout the house. Mrs. Johnson's favorite rocking chair still faces toward the windows in the Red Room. Many things are left untouched in the Old Johnson house, and that is how Metra wants to keep it.

During renovations many hidden items were discovered, including toddler sized nightgowns packed into the walls. To this day the nightgown discovery is still a mystery. Nobody is sure whom the gowns belonged to. Small children were not included in the vague legacy of the Johnson Family.

During our visit to the Old Johnson House Inn I personally did not witness anything that I would declare remarkably paranormal. But like I mentioned, there are parts of the house that seemed to have a personality of their own. I ran my tape recorder to attempt to catch the voice of Mrs. Johnson but I had no luck this time around. I snapped a few photos and nothing vaporous showed up. But I did want to report that while relaxing in my bubble bath I did hear what to me sounded like someone whisper in my ear. I was totally alone and the air in the bathroom seemed to have shifted, as if someone entered. It was not a daunting feeling, just a feeling as if your grandma came in to check on you to see if you're still alive in the tub.

While spending time in the Red Room, I stood alone and stared at the rocking chair, for some reason I couldn't make myself sit in it. I felt it was not my place and I also felt that if I did, I would sit on someone. It is never polite to sit on someone's lap without permission, so I hear. The Red Room had a strange sense to it, as if it was to this day someone's personal space. The feeling of not being alone was strong but comforting.

Perhaps the ghost of Mrs. Johnson still lingers in the halls of her dream home. Her family lived with her up until her death; maybe she just could never find the strength to leave such a place that holds so many memories? Whatever the circumstances may be, the ghost of Mrs. Johnson is not going away and she is welcomed and highly recognizable to the locals.

The innkeeper of the Johnson House invites all of her guests to visit and enjoy what she has to offer. Private stationary journals are a new thing at the Johnson house. Metra invites you to write your Johnson House experience in these journals that are placed in each and every room.

Ms. Christofferson invites everyone to document their ghostly experiences in these journals, read previous entries and if nothing strange happens, at least make a comment on how you enjoyed your stay.

GHOULI's Report: No EVP's were obtained during our first trip to the B&B, we will be returning this summer for follow up. Outside of the heavy feeling of being watched, nothing major happened while we were there. But, in my opinion the B&B is "different".

The Old Johnson House
Inn is located at *1101 E. Kirk Hugo, Oklahoma 74743

580-326-8111 or email
for reservations at metra@oldjohnsonhouse.com

The Old Johnson House is soon to host Murder Mystery dinners,
available for multi-day meetings and private weekend retreats.

Attention Ghost Hunters: The innkeeper does not mind teams
coming in for paranormal investigations or research. But keep in mind she
is running a business. Most B&B's are slow during the week and if you rent
your rooms during those times there is a better chance of getting the B&B
without other guests present. It is no secret about the mysteries and the
Old Johnson House Inn. Metra invites teams to come and investigate, but she
is unable to allow teams in for free in exchange for online
advertising. Experience
the B&B for what it is, and wake up to fresh coffee and a fabulous breakfast
after your investigation. Experience it all or experience nothing.

One more thing, the majority of paranormal experiences happen to
guests, not sterile investigative teams. Perhaps Mrs. Johnson has something
to do with that?

If you are interested in visiting the Old Johnson House as a guest
or a paranormal fan, you are invited. No matter what you will be 100%
satisfied with your stay at the Old Johnson House Inn.
If you are aware of a Bed & Breakfast with a haunting past please
contact me, I will be happy to check it out!