FORT YARGO STATE PARK
Winder, GA
Investigation Dates: May 31st, 2008 & June 6th, 2008
Investigators: Mark Sr., Ben, Mark II, Christy, Dave, and Penny
At the time of the investigations Omer was present with the team. Outside noise consisted of automobile and aerial
traffic, wildlife, and recreational activities in the park. The solar and climate data are listed below.
Solar Activity
Solar X-Rays: Normal
Geomagnetic Fields: Quiet
Moon Phase:
Waning Crescent
13% Full
Climate:
The temperatures ranged from 85°F to 73°F at the start to finish of both investigations. The humidity was above
average on the June 6th investigation. No precipitation occurred before or during each investigation. The cloud
cover ranged from mostly clear to clear.
Areas Investigated:
-The “Blockhouse” at the new location
-The old location of the “Blockhouse”
-The unknown cemetery near the old location
Investigation Details:
-Upon arrival to Fort Yargo, A.P.I. members met with Omer for a walk-through of the above stated locations. Omer
discussed the history and first hand experiences associated with the blockhouse and the surrounding lands. Our
members did take note that no paranormal activity had been experienced at the new location of the blockhouse
since being moved two years ago.
-After meeting with Omer, A.P.I. set up the equipment and began obtaining base readings at the locations. The
equipment used is as follows:
(3) Sony Mini DV Night Shot Plus Video Camera’s
(1) Sony Mini DV Super Night Shot Plus Video Camera
(4) Sony Infrared Spotlight Attachments
(2) EMF (Electromagnetic Field) Detectors
(2) DVR’s (Digital Voice Recorders)
(2) Digital Camera’s
(2) Black Light Lamps for Infrared Illumination
May 31st Investigation:
(Blockhouse) One Mini DV camera was placed downstairs and one camera upstairs on tripods. A third camera was
placed on a tripod outside looking towards the front door of the blockhouse. The fourth camera was mobile, in-
hand, monitoring outside and inside the blockhouse. The digital voice recorders were placed upstairs and
downstairs along with the EMF detectors. Still pictures were shot with the digital cameras around the entire
property. The EMF detectors gave a consistent base reading of 0.2 milliGauss inside the blockhouse. There were
fluctuations outside with the EMF ranging from 0.8 to 2.3 milliGauss (all of which did not remain in permanent
locations). There were bats inside of the fireplace producing noise on the cameras and digital voice recorders.
(The old location and cemetery) Three Mini DV cameras were mobile, in-hand, at the old location of the
blockhouse and the surrounding areas. One digital voice recorder, one EMF detector, and one digital camera were
used at this location as well. One Mini DV camera, one digital voice recorder, one digital camera, and one EMF
detector were used at the cemetery. The EMF readings resulted with base readings from 0.0 to 0.2 milliGauss at
both locations with no fluctuations.
Onsite Experiences: At the blockhouse, there was a series of knocks on the roof while standing upstairs. It was
thought to be settling of the structure. One investigator felt a feeling of pressure at the top of the stairs, as if
bumping into something at the waist line, while nothing appeared there. At the old location, two investigators heard
what sounded like foot steps around the perimeter of their position.
June 6th Investigation:
(Blockhouse) Two Mini DV cameras were set downstairs and two more cameras were set upstairs covering each
floor. Black light lamps were used on each floor to provide additional lighting for the night vision cameras. One
audible/visual alert EMF detector was placed on the table downstairs in view of the cameras. The base reading for
this investigation was consistent with the first investigation. There were minor fluctuations inside and outside of the
blockhouse. One digital voice recorder was placed on each floor. Still pictures were shot with digital cameras inside
and outside of the blockhouse. There were bats in the fireplace again, creating noise on the cameras and digital
voice recorders.
-On this investigation, we invited Omer to participate inside the blockhouse with the questioning procedure of the
investigation for possible EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena) capture.
Onsite Experiences: Omer and one A.P.I. member witnessed flashes of light at the base of the table on the first
floor. A park ranger drove towards the building and shined a spotlight at the building at the same approximate time
of the encounter. We later tested the lights by having two investigators sit in the same positions inside the
blockhouse while shining a spotlight from where the ranger was parked. This test was thought to explain the odd
color/shape lights witnessed earlier. More taps and bumps were heard from upstairs approximately at the ceiling
level, which were thought to be the structure settling as stated before.
A.P.I. Assessment of Investigation:
Leading into this investigation we were informed that there has not been any recent activity or experiences since
the blockhouse was moved. There are references of spirits following or being attached to artifacts, houses, or even
property. Our mission was to determine just that! We set out to see if the paranormal activity was still attached to
the blockhouse or to the property of the old location. The unknown cemetery was an added bonus that we thought
might produce some evidence.
Our members thoroughly reviewed approximately 32 hours of video and audio footage. We examined the audio for
any sounds or voices that might have been imprinted that was not heard while we were there. We also looked for
moving objects or apparitions on the video. We did not catch anything on video from both investigations, except
something at the old location that could have possibly been an animal. The second investigation was performed
because of some noises that were caught on audio recording devices from the first investigation. We tried to
recreate some of the noises and were able to determine a natural cause for most of them. There were some loud
knocks and bumps on the second floor that could not be explained on both investigations. These noises occurred
each time the house was empty with no human presence. There is a possible voice that was caught on a DVR that
could represent a direct answer to a question, but no other voices were caught on both investigations.
* We cannot conclude that the blockhouse or the property of the old location has paranormal activity.
The noises caught on the second floor could be the house settling or could actually be a paranormal
presence, but we do not have enough supporting evidence to officially say that it is paranormal activity.
All of the members of A.P.I. are deeply appreciative of working with the historical society and becoming a part of the
history of the Fort Yargo State Park. It is an honor to step foot in such a historical place in time, in the search for
possibly some of the ancestors that roam these premises. We would like to thank Omer for his support and giving
us this rare opportunity to further our research and to also help bring some kind of answers about the paranormal
activity at Fort Yargo.