Is the Fresno Memorial Auditorium haunted?

The Fresno Memorial Auditorium in Downtown Fresno

There are rumors that the Fresno Memorial Auditorium, in downtown Fresno is haunted. Stories have been told since the early 1980's that one of the rehearsal areas was haunted.

Built between 1935 and 1936 and hosting everying from Broadway plays and musicals, concerts, and even the 1956 California Democratic Convention (the fact that a Democratic convention was even held in Fresno is weird enough given the staunch conservatism of the area), the auditorium was one of Fresno's most significant cultural facilities for over three decades until a new convention center was constructed. At that time changes were made to the auditorium and the most significant was a 500 seat theater (the original auditorium had rooms for 2000 people on the main floor and 1500 on the balcony). The new theater now occupied roughly two-thirds of the orignal space and the rest was used for rehearsal space.

It's this rehearsal area that is rumored to have some sort of paranormal activity. Not much is know really about the space except that people feel uneasy when they enter the rehearsal area. Perhaps there is some unseen presence that is there watching those that rehearse. Honestly it's hard to say and if I added anything more it would be pure speculation.

I believe the auditorium is open during the day. Perhaps I'll take a quick trip downtown one day and see if there is any truth to the rumors.