The Lincoln Theater was been mentioned as our list members have been discussing Decatur and their memories there. The Friday night reception for the 45th reunion of DHS Class of 1956 was held at the old Lincoln Theater 2½ years ago. The theater has been cleaned up after being closed for many years. The back stage and under the stage areas were the most interesting to visit. The trap door in the stage floor constructed for Houdini when he played the theater is still there. I remember attending a Halloween show at the theater when I was in high school and being chosen to be on stage during the magic act. I use to ride the bus downtown and attend the matinee double feathers at the Lincoln. The spire metal stairs in the back corner of the back stage area is still there. It leads to the catwalk above the stage. Legend has it that a stage hand named "Red" fell from the catwalk, 75 feet to the floor below, and died moments later. He always joked that when he died, he hoped to spend eternity in the Lincoln Theater. His ghost has been seen and heard in the theater. I climbed part-way up the stairs at the class reunion, but not to the top for fear of falling like "Red." I didn't care to join him. The projection booth is also reported to be haunted. At the reunion, I attempted to enter it, but the metal ladder to it is blocked and the door is locked. I enjoyed freshly popped popcorn at the concession stand and meeting my classmates in the lobby during the reunion. BTW, the Avon Theater still exists and is also reported to be haunted. There are many haunted places in Decatur, the whole town having been built on an old Indian burial ground. Jerry Blaylock Houston, Texas DHS Class of 1956

On the tv show, "Ripley's Believe It Or Not", just the other day, there was an episode on the Avon Theatre being haunted. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see it (my husband told me about it ... said it was good.) Marsha Email: marsha.mcw@mchsi.com -----Original Message----- From: Jerryblay@aol.com [mailto:Jerryblay@aol.com] Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2004 5:57 AM To: ILMACON-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [ILMACON] Lincoln Theater BTW, the Avon Theater still exists and is also reported to be haunted. There are many haunted places in Decatur, the whole town having been built on an old Indian burial ground. Jerry Blaylock Houston, Texas DHS Class of 1956