The Ghosts of Lincoln Heights Jail

By Crusader1307

 As we have seen, Los Angeles, California (US) – has it's share of ''Haunted Places'' and ''Haunted Legends'' (some going back Centuries). One such creepy, rather ''modern'' one – is the former Lincoln Heights Jail. Built in 1931, The Jail replaced a 19th Century Los Angeles Police Station and Jailhouse. Some of Hollywood's greatest Film Stars had ''spent a night'' in The 'Drunk Tank''. Conversely, some of California's most infamous Criminals have too. But The Jail became embedded in local History for an event in 1951 known as ''Bloody Christmas''. As is known, The Los Angeles Police at the time was a hotbed of corruption and vice. During World War II (1940s), many riots began between off-duty US Naval Sailors and the largely Male Mexican population. Known as ''The Zoot Suit Riots'' (referencing the style of popular dress), many drunken Sailors took umbrage that Mexican men were not ''serving their Country'' in The War. Often, these bloody fights involved hundreds and mostly out in The City Streets. Usually, The Police ''sided'' with The Military, and gleefully ''bashed'' their share of ''heads''. This deep divide between The Mexican Population and LAPD would continue to simmer until 1951. Several Officers, working at Christmas time – went into a local Bar to make an arrest. A group of Mexican men ''fought back'', injuring The Police. Soon, the entire Department was alerted. ANY Mexican was beaten if encountered. Hundreds of arrests were illegally made. 50 such Arrestee's were taken to The Lincoln Heights Jail (basement) and locked up for the long Christmas Weekend. But many Officers were intoxicated on duty as a result of The Holiday, and most of these wanted revenge against The Prisoners (many Police Officers were seriously injured and in Hospital).

Without any Authority (Command) to stop them, a Group of Officers went to The Jail Basement and proceeded to beat and brutalize The Prisoners. Several died in the process. The ''scandal'' would put Los Angeles squarely in The National Public eye (Newspapers). The event would lead to arrests, lo9ss of jobs and a complete reform of The Department (but no one saw any Jail time and would be common today).Closed in 1965, The Jail was partially renovated for Commercial usage, even a former Gym. But even in this, tragedy would rear it's head. The Owner of The Gym in 1991, was found dead – at the bottom of an elevator shaft inside The Old Jail. The location was used by several Horror Movie Producers to film. But after 1997, The City could find no one who wanted to rent or but The Property. In 2016, it was designated a State Historic Site. But Paranormal Investigators will say, it is a very ''active spot''. In addition to hundreds of hours of Electronic Voice Phenomenon(EVP), allow one to ''hear'' tormented cries for help, crying and angered voices ''demanding'' the Listener to ''leave''. ''Shadow Figures' have been captured on film (especially in The Basement). Mediums are often wary to go inside or remain too long inside. The feelings of ''dread and misery'' are just too powerful.