HauntBound archive · catalog record
Reported phenomena, as catalogued
Phantom Shower Ghost in Historic Vermont Inn
2057 N Main St, Montgomery Center, VT
Research updated May 2026
Age
All Ages
Cost
$$
Hotel room rates, check website for current pricing
Access
Wheelchair OK
Historic inn building
Equipment
Photos OK
Est. 1803 · 1803 Inn Establishment · Vermont Hospitality Heritage
The Black Lantern Inn has operated in Montgomery, Vermont since 1803, reflecting the area's long hospitality history. The inn closed abruptly in 2015; a group of community members then purchased the property and reopened it in 2017.
The current physical plant consists of the main inn building plus the Burdette House, a separate structure. The main inn contains six rooms, while the Burdette House provides four suites for guest accommodations. The inn operates lodging; the restaurant is currently closed with no announced reopening date, so confirm dining directly with the inn before visiting.
The facility continues to maintain Victorian-era hospitality traditions including complimentary coffee and homemade muffins served in self-serve style each morning—amenities reflecting nineteenth-century inn customs adapted for contemporary travelers.
Sources
The paranormal phenomenon in Room 3 centers on the shower fixtures in the private bathroom. Guests and inn staff report the shower autonomously activating—water flowing from the showerhead without any manual operation. The shower operates for brief periods before deactivating, producing a pattern consistent with a person taking a quick shower.
The phenomenon has been investigated by professional plumbers who examined the shower mechanics, fixtures, and plumbing systems. Despite thorough mechanical inspection, no explanation for the autonomous operation has been identified. The fixtures function normally under standard operating procedures but exhibit autonomous activation inconsistent with mechanical malfunction patterns.
The phantom shower operator phenomenon is interpreted as either intelligent haunting behavior—an undocumented former occupant recreating their personal hygiene routine—or residual haunting imprinted by repeated shower use. The benign nature of the activity (no water damage, no interference with guest comfort, predictable operation patterns) suggests a non-malevolent presence.
Notable Entities
The Black Lantern Inn (established 1803) offers overnight stays in its main building and the Burdette House. A local shower-ghost story is attached to a Room 3; guests there have reported the shower turning on and off on its own, with no mechanical explanation found.
See current room rates and availability at Black Lantern Inn – Room #3.
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