Hundreds of shoppers file through the 'Rolling Hills Country Mall' each weekend. Though apart from local residents most are seemingly unaware of the buildings macabre history. Such is the case of Rolling Hills, a former asylum that now operates as a craft and antique mall. This brooding four-story structure is a place of dark secrets. A place where silent screams echo through abandoned corridors and wispy apparitions stalk the night.

"You've heard the rumors. now read the exclusive story of one of the most haunted historical sites in upstate New York."

Overlooking Bethany, located at 11001 Bethany Center Road, in Genesee County stands Rolling Hills Country Mall. This typical 1800's structure has been the subject of fantastic stories since it opened in 1827 and well worth the 2 hour drive we (Theresa Anderson, my photographer, and myself) made! Genesee County is also home of the 'Infamous Linden Murders'. Seventy years ago the name Linden (less than a mile southwest of rolling hills) evoked instant recognition. Reporters and sightseers by the dozens converged on the small hamlet. Linden had about 100 residents then, 4 of whom were brutally murdered. The crimes remain unsolved.

Also known as 'The Genesee County Poorhouse', 'Cobblestone Insane Asylum' and 'The Genesee County Nursing Home and Infirmary' Rolling Hills Country Mall is "undisputedly haunted" claims owner Lori Carlson.

In 1824 a state law was passed requiring counties in New York State to construct and maintain institutions to house individuals who could not support themselves. In accordance with the law, Genesee County purchased an old stage coach tavern near the intersection of Bethany Center and Raymond Roads. In 1827, the former tavern opened its doors to the public as 'The Genesee County Poorhouse'. The following year an additional structure was built, adjoining the poorhouse, for the confinement of lunatics and as a repository for paupers committed for misconduct.

Poorhouse and asylum inhabitants were sorely disadvantaged. Poverty, Insanity, Old Age, Terminal Illness, Discrimination, and Physical and Developmental disabilities were but a few of the problems they faced. Children were indentured as farm servants to area families, while mothers, fathers, and other able bodied residents were forced to work the poorhouse farm. Lunatics were confined to their beds by chains at night, though allowed to roam freely about by day. There was little or no recourse or protection against Rape, Torture or Abuse. In 1875 with the regulation of poorhouses becoming the responsibility of the state board of charities, laws were passed prohibiting children and mentally ill patients from residing there. Eventually these poorhouses evolved into nursing homes.

At least 1,000 people are known to have died at the facility currently known as the Rolling Hills Country Mall, according to records compiled by the Genesee County Historical Society. Unmarked graves riddle the property, though an actual cemetery register or plot map has yet to be discovered. Last year, county historians, dedicated a marker honoring those who died at the site during its 147-year history. "In every set of pictures we took at the dedication there is a blue line, a white line or an odd image" says the historian.

Lori Carlon, owner of The Rolling Hills Country Mall was a wealth of information. This pleasant, energetic mother of four greeted us cordially and spent hours reviewing the history of the building with us, answering questions and relating episodes of ghostly activity that had transpired over the years. "So many things have happened here," says Carlson. Doors that have been locked are found open or will suddenly slam shut when I know I am alone in the building, cold drafts are felt when no windows are open, unexplained noises and a woman's voice calling "Hello, Hello" while Carlson was talking on the telephone are but a few examples of the mysterious phenomena that is Rolling Hills. I asked her to tell me about the rumors of witchcraft and her expression suddenly became intense. "I've seen ritual items on the third floor" she said. "Pentagram drawings, candle wax and human hair hanging from a rafter. That's what I found after a break-in." The 'witches room' as it is called, is where nurses were said to have performed satanic rituals. "I also heard abortions were performed and fetus's were used in rituals," Carlon said. Another story involves a blond nurse running from a room where a ritual was being held. She fell, hit her head and died in a connecting hallway." "I won't go up there at night" she told us "It's not so much I'm afraid, I don't think I can handle what I might see." Carlson has also experienced what she describes as 'a sensation of pressure against her chest' when she climbs the stairs to the nurses quarters. Photographic images retained by Carlson, taken in the room are indeed disturbing. Besides mists, one photo clearly shows a face! "These pictures were taken before the psychics came in." Did the hair standing up on my arms give me away? "Tell me about the psychics?" I ask. "Six psychics have gone through the premises and bound the negative entities during a 'cleansing'" she answers but doesn't elaborate.

Four floors with more than 100 rooms, underground tunnels, a morgue, solitary confinement, the 'pink room' where faces in a window are seen, the 'rec room' where orbs and EVP's have been recorded, the 'stinky room' where a strange odor permeates your clothes and follows you from room to room, the 'witches room', the 'organ room' and the 'furnace room' where a tour guide eludes to someone being buried behind a wall is what you will find at the old asylum. "And children", Carlson says. She has seen children in the first floor solarium more than once. A little girl with long brown hair in a pale blue dress. Carlson is not the only person to have seen things. Jeffrey, Carlsons 11 year old son has seen the faces in the second story window. Carlson's oldest son Joe maintains the building is haunted as well. Carlson relates an experience Joe had when he came home (a white 4-bedroom house, once a maintenance barn, behind the mall) from college. "When all the kids were home there weren't enough bedrooms" she explains "So I put Joe up in a room in the mall. After only two nights though he refused to sleep in the room" she says "because of people walking through the walls!" He slept on the living room couch for six weeks! We laugh. Though Joe is married now with a family (wife Melissa and 1 year old son Ethan) of his own. Carlson says he's never forgotten the experience. Janine Age 9, Carlson's youngest, thinks living on a haunted site is "very cool" and husband Jeff says, "As a big old building, the place is a bit spooky."

Of course Carlson's reports of ghostly phenomena coincide with evidence collected from several ghost-hunting groups investigating the supernatural activity. One group said, "Rolling Hills is loaded with haunted activity. On a scale from 1-10 I'd give it a 9 ½!" Another group captured poltergeist activity on an EVP recording. "Aren't you afraid?" I ask, " There's no reason to be afraid" Carlson replies because she's not sure if the people she sees are aware of the fact that she or other people are around. "Besides, I'm too busy to be afraid" and she is! Apart from operating the mall, Carlson also runs a craft business, and an Amish furniture business as well as Rolling Hills Ghost hunts. She has been a Girl Scout leader since 1995, is involved with the Boy Scouts and other activities too numerous to mention. In spite of her busy schedule though, Family is Carlson's number one priority.

The interview concluded about 4:00 p.m. with Carlson telling us about the ghost hunts. Rolling Hills Country Mall is the first historical site in New York State open to the public for overnight ghost hunts. The ghost hunts run on prescheduled dates throughout the year from 9:00 PM until 5:00 AM. Ghost hunt participants (18 or older) are provided a brief history of the building along with an informal tour. The "Rolling Hills Ghost Hunting Society", while encouraging participants to explore halls and rooms makes certain everyone stays safe on their spooky adventure. For more information on Rolling Hills Ghost hunts log onto www.rollinghills-ghosthunt.com T-shirts, Magnets and bumpers stickers are also available.

Anna Borick, freelance writer, also hosts a Bi-Weekly column in the Palladium Times newspaper "In view of the Supernatural" and is too, currently writing a book related to ghosts and hauntings." I'm always looking for a good story," she says. Got Ghosts? Tell me about it at inviewof@yahoo.com

Theresa Anderson, Bookkeeper, is currently studying for her associates degree and moonlights as a photographer.