Cheryl Nicoles, a Quincy native, provides a unique perspective on the world of paranormal investigation. Nicoles is a paranormal investigator and researcher who volunteers as a tour guide in Virginia City, Nevada, and investigates paranormal phenomena in her spare time.
From an early age, Nicoles sensed the presence of spirits. Her earliest memories are rooted in her childhood home in East Quincy. “It doesn’t necessarily have to be a house that is haunted, but more likely the land it is built on,” she explained. Nicoles believes that paranormal activity often stems from the location itself.
Favorite Quincy haunts
Some of Nicoles’ most memorable experiences come from local landmarks familiar to many Quincy residents. During her time bartending at The Capital Club, now home to Plumas Arts, she frequently encountered unusual occurrences during late-night closing shifts. Nicoles recalled hearing unexplained noises, including doors opening and closing, and the sound of footsteps running upstairs from a locked storage room that was accessible only by a key kept in the cash register. Patrons often reported the sensation of their hair being pulled while seated at the bar, a phenomenon Nichols interprets as a spirit responding negatively to certain energies or individuals.
Adjacent to The Capital Club was Bob’s Fine Foods, which once provided 24-hour service. Even years later, after the connecting door between the bar and the restaurant was closed over, Nicoles said she often heard the sounds of clinking forks and plates from a corner nearest the opening, where no customers were present, further adding to the venue’s eerie reputation.
In 2017, Nicoles and a group of fellow curious hunters received permission to investigate the Town Hall Theater. During their late-night exploration, one of their recording devices captured a clear voice saying “get off the stage,” Nicoles reported. Many residents acknowledge the eerie, storied history of the Town Hall Theater, but they agree that it only adds to its historic charm.
Tools of the trade
Nicoles actively hones her investigative skills in Virginia City, a location renowned for its rich history of paranormal activity. The first step in any investigation is to rule out environmental factors, Nicoles said—factors like plumbing, low power lines, drafts or loose floorboards. If a phenomena can’t be debunked, it’s time to look closer. Various tools can assist in investigations, including voice recorders, K2 meters, used to detect EMF (electromagnetic field), and most essential of all, a flashlight. But, Nichols emphasized, “the best piece of equipment is always yourself.” She believes that everyone has the capacity to sense energies, although some people may be more attuned than others. “If you’re open to what energies spirits bring, you might just notice signs all around you,” she said.
“The best piece of equipment is always yourself.”
Cheryl Nicoles
As local ghost stories continue to captivate Plumas County residents, Nicoles’ insights shed light on the personal experiences that shape the area’s mysterious reputation.
