Author Joel P. Rhodes talked about his 6 years old book related to ghost stories in town as part of Heritage Day events. The speech showed the most important haunted locations and the stories behind them and took place at Crisp Museum on Sunday, oct. 7.

The presentation involved the content of Rhodes’ 2013 book “Haunted Cape Girardeau: Where the River Turns a Thousand Chilling Tales,” including presumed to be haunted houses and other places in Cape Girardeau.

Rhodes is a ghost enthusiast but also a historic preservationist, and he works at Southeast as professor of history.

Rhodes’ interest in Cape Girardeau continues to bring him back to town. His curiosity has led him to discover several interesting locations. Rhodes said this town is by far his favorite and that’s the reason he decided to stay.

A historian by trade, Rhodes originally became interested in paranormal locations by chance. As a child, Rhodes explored old, abandoned homes with his mother which would soon become a fascination with the paranormal.

Although he has few paranormal experiences of his own, he enjoys hearing other peoples’ stories and sharing their experiences with the general public. He has done specials on KRCU including “Ghosts of Cape Girardeau” and “Ghosts of the Mississippi,” alongside Jacob McCleland.

McCleland was the producer at KRCU when he approached Rhodes to collaborate on the stations. Rhodes never went out seeking the stories; in fact, people have contacted him seeking his expertise.

“Since I've always had that fascination, it was kind of natural,” Rhodes said. “Collecting stories as a historian led to collecting ghost stories, as well.”

Rhodes said he would love to tell stories from different towns along the Mississippi River, since he considers water a source of paranormal activity.

“There’s enough here in Cape to keep anybody busy for the short term. Along the Mississippi River, that would be fascinating, with Hannibal, Memphis and New Orleans,” Rhodes said. “The same thing that drives ghost stories in Cape drives the ghost stories there, too.”

Rhodes’ new book is scheduled to release later this month.He said he loves paranormal stories but also has a commitment with books about his area of expertise.

Ghost stories are only a hobby, although Rhodes said he would think about collaborating with Southeast faculty member Christy Mershon on a possible sequel of “Haunted Cape Girardeau.”

The proposed sequel would be telling stories he couldn’t fit in his first book among other stories he’s been told after the publication of the first book.

Rhodes' wife Jeanie was the photographer for his first book, and Rhodes said the same would be true for a sequel.