MAGOFFIN GHOSTS: Sometimes it's hard to let go ... we'll 
explain on Passport to Texas ... 
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Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

When Texas Parks and Wildlife purchased the Magoffin 
Home in 1976, the El Paso dwelling came with its original 
furnishing, and - some say -- ghosts.

"You know - a lot of folks believe that. And what old house 
doesn't have a few stories of things that have happened?"

Mary Kay Shannon is site superintendent. One piece of 
furniture in the house that gets a lot of attention by more 
than visitors is Uncle Charlie's rocking chair. 

"Uncle Charlie is Joseph Magoffin's brother-in-law. The obituary 
for uncle Charlie, front page of El Paso Times: Charles 
Richardson Dies in Chair. And it's true. He died in his sleep 
sitting in that chair. And it's that chair that has been known to 
start rocking all by itself."

The adobe house, built in 1875, was home to Joseph 
Magoffin, a major civic and political leader in the late 
1800s. And his dearly departed wife, Octavia, is said to 
still visit the gardens around the home -- much to the 
chagrin of the neighbors.

Our neighbors are calling the police and making police reports 
about this woman in a bustle dress walking around the 
perimeter at night."

The second Saturday of every month, visitors can take 
part in the Magoffin House ghost tour. And on October 
21, you're invited to participate in a special candlelight 
tour of the house. The building will be lit solely by candles 
and kerosene lamps, to give visitors a taste of what life 
was like in the nineteenth century. At the end of the tour, 
head out to the tent for a night of ghost stories. 

For more information ... including times and fees ... visit 
the Texas Parks and Wildlife Events Calendar. That's our 
show ... for Texas Parks and Wildlife ... I'm Cecilia Nasti.