The Old Spaghetti Factory – HauntedHouses.com

Paranormal Overview

• Nothing like a little murder and mayhem to create restless spirits

I would describe this establishment as being a very classy but versatile joint!

The Old Spaghetti Factory is an Italian Restaurant, a spin off from the original one that started in Oregon. There are Old Spaghetti Factory Restaurants in 13 states, including Oregon.

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The Old Spaghetti Factory – HauntedHouses.com

ADDRESS:

The Old Spaghetti Factory
1418 NORTH CENTRAL AVENUE,
Phoenix, AZ
www.osf.com

LOCATION:

The Old Spaghetti Factory is located about 5 blocks from central downtown Phoenix, in the 1921 historic section in a commercial zone on North Central Ave,; a major street that runs north/south through Phoenix.

DESCRIPTION:

I would describe this establishment as being a very classy but versatile joint!

The Old Spaghetti Factory is an Italian Restaurant, a spin off from the original one that started in Oregon. There are Old Spaghetti Factory Restaurants in 13 states, including Oregon.

This central midtown Spaghetti Factory is an unique Phoenix restaurant as it offers both historic craftsmanship and modern space for both romantic/small group, and group dining and activities. Many other Old Spaghetti Restaurants also are a combination of historic class and practical space. The corporation respects historic places and works with the structure to add their spaces for their Spaghetti Factory restaurants.

The Old Spaghetti Factory in Phoenix has larger rooms for their Murder Mystery productions, fundraising events, birthday parties and other occasions needing banquet or meeting space. The building is quite versatile for any occasion, providing both intimate, romantic dining areas and larger group events; making the most of this grand structure that has space created as well as the space provided by the two historic homes as well.

While there are still some original walls, the houses’ second stories and original woodwork, stained glass and antique cupboards, some walls have been taken out to allow wide spaces for an antique bar and dining tables. The wainscoting along the walls brings a classic feel, along with the wood decor and occasional stained glass windows and skylights.

As it is with many Old Spaghetti Factory Restaurants, there is a trolly /street car inside this restaurant where people can dine at tables. The bar is a vintage one reflecting the historical past. Candy caned poles help to provide support to the ceiling in the bar area because probably a load-baring wall was removed to open up the room to be big enough for the bar.

To do the needed and necessary update to the outside of the building, experts were hired.

“The restoration experts at Fine Point Finishes were hired to do the job along with architects Michael Kiner and John Glenn. With layer upon layer of paint on the exterior of the building, we had to bring in Jim Harrison to chemically strip the paint and bring back to life the wonderful red brick,” Kontaxis said. “Although the building is very old, it was never registered as a historic landmark, which is why we were able replaced the original door with large double doors hand-hewn by Steven Richardson.”

“They were also able to change out the dark stained glass in the front of the building with clear glass to give it a more modern look and added a ramp so that they met ADA regulations.”

HISTORY:

In 1921, two upper class, nice houses with beautiful decor inside were constructed right next to each other on this main drag in Phoenix, North Central Ave., as it was the thinking at this time to build homes near the downtown area, probably within walking distance for convenience of the homeowner. One two story home was bought by the Cole family, and the other two story home was bought by the Baker family.

What the original houses looked like on the first floor can better be seen in a picture taken before the newest remodel, that stripped off all the siding and paint down to the original bricks. They remodeled the front first story to better accommodate handicapped people, and to give a fresh look to this Old Spaghetti Factory Restaurant building.

In 1928, the mob came to this frontier town, and moved in, with the Henley Clan at the head. Local law enforcement often looked the other way, and the FBI had no presence there until 1935. “The Mofia Outfit chose Phoenix as the hub of its proprietary, and illegal, betting wire, the Trans-America Publishing and News Service. Greenbaum was sent to run it. The wire service gained a powerful local ally in land baron and rancher Kemper Marley.”

Uh oh! When bad ones team with local dishonest folks, and there is no one to police them, crime and corruption grow. The Mofia were to operated their illegal betting wire undisturbed for years to come, often in cahoots with Phoenix big wigs. Their presence became stronger and stronger. By the 1970s, Phoenix Mofia folks began to be influenced by east coast Mafia.

Twenty years later, in 1941, the homes were no longer just on the outskirts of town, but actually located now in the business district, as Phoenix had grown due to all the activity invested by the Mafia and their local partners, as well as other factors that endured growth.

A descendant of the Cole Family bought the Baker home and decided to connect the Cooper House with the Baker Home with an addition. The plan was to evolve the structures into one commercial business instead of tearing them down and starting from scratch. They decided to re-purpose both structures, using their beautiful interiors to enhance their new business endeavor.

These two connected homes became the new place for a furniture store, in the now commercial area close to midtown PHOENIX. The beautiful interiors would create great atmosphere to showcase furniture and home decor.

The Cole family sold their building to the Barrow Family in the 1970s’ who opened their business here. Finally, the Barrow Family sold the building once again in the 1990s’ to the Old Spaghetti Factory chain, with the family of Krisann Kontaxis owning the franchise. They opened for business in 1996.

HISTORY OF MANIFESTATIONS:

By 1931, the downtown area drew people with disputable character due to the infestation of the Mafia and their local bigwig partners. Also, The Great Depression caused desperation in people, pushing them to do things they normally wouldn’t do. It is also possible that the murders listed below could’ve been from people the victims knew; out of revenge, or retribution from rubbing bad ones the wrong way, or getting in the way.

The forceful taking of life often leaves restless spirits behind. Two murders at different times happened in the Baker House.

In 1931, a woman was brutally murdered in the basement of the Baker House, and an older gentleman was murdered while sleeping in his bed by an intruder, probably in the 1930s.

After suffering a violent death at the hands of another, some victims as spirit people cannot go on, and get stuck in the moment of their death, not able to let go of their strong feelings or wanting justice.

(The Lumber Barons Inn – CO * Old Faithful Inn – WY * The Ham House – IA * Paso Robles Inn – CA * Captain Bailey House Museum – NE * Shaker’s Cigar Bar – WI)

Paranormal activity suggests that the murdered female is still suffering and is stuck here.

Sometimes when people are brutally killed & murdered, they don’t want to admit they are dead, and try to continue in their life as a spirit the best they can.

(Kahler Grand Hotel – MN * Brumder Mansion-Doug – WI * USS Lexington – TX * Cary House – CA)

Paranormal activity on the staircase and upper floor of the Baker Home suggest that the spirit of the murdered gentleman is still going about his business.

MANIFESTATIONS:

Spirit of female murder victim

Is still very upset about having her life taken from her; perhaps wanting justice. Staff who have to go down to the cellar are sometimes treated to the full paranormal sports package.

She lets them know that she is still there, and how unhappy she is about having her life end in a bad way: She appears, turns lights on and off, cries, Shrieks, screams, and makes cold spots that chatter teeth.

She whispers in the ears of staff who have to come down to the cellar.

Spirit of male murder victim

He has been spied by the living floating down the halls of the original Baker house.

His foot steps are heard going up the stairs in his house.

He likes to move the furniture around upstairs to suit himself.

As he goes around on his business, he turns lights on and off.

He was personable while alive and is still that way as a spirit. He knows the names of the members of the staff and greets these individuals by name in a friendly way.

PARANORMAL FINDINGS:

Staff and the owners have reported the paranormal activity that they have experienced, listed above.

No caught evidence or EVPS have been shared with the public, though a private investigation may have been done to see if the spirits were dangerous ones.

STILL HAUNTED?

Most Probably So! The two spirits who stay here look at their murders in different ways. The gentleman spirit is making the best of it, enjoying his house and being who he was while alive.

The female spirit is stuck in the negative emotions of grief and anger, not willing or capable of letting go and crossing over to loved ones on the other side. It may be wise to have a medium in to talk to her and offer counseling, letting her tell her story of what happened to her, and perhaps even helping her to leave her pain behind and pass over.