This Haunted Mississippi Theater Has A Bone-Chilling Past
On an unusually warm day in April of 1936, Tupelo faced one of the deadliest storms in history. The entire town was affected, including the Lyric Theatre. One of Tupelo’s largest surviving buildings, the theater served as a meeting place for the injured and dying, which according to many, is the cause for the inexplicable occurrences that have taken place at the Lyric Theatre over the years.
On April 5, 1936, an F5 tornado that was 3 city blocks wide with wind speeds up to 300 mph struck the town of Tupelo with no warning.
The final death toll was just over 200; however, the number is actually much higher since the names of African Americans weren’t reported. It is estimated that the storm claimed approximately 350 lives that day. The horrific tornado is still considered one of the worst in history.
The Lyric Theatre was one of two large buildings that survived the disaster, so it was transformed into a makeshift hospital.
Antoine has also been heard walking around the theater and moving things around.
Want to learn the truth about Antoine and any other spirits that may be lurking around the theater? Visit the Lyric Theatre at 201 North Broadway in Tupelo. Still a fully-functioning theater, the Lyric features a variety of great shows. For more information, click here.
Though Daniella was born in New York and has lived in a couple of other states, Mississippi has been her home for the past 25 years. After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, Daniella began to hone her writing skills through various internships, working for The Royal Obsession and Anatomie clothing. In the years since, she’s had the privilege of having her articles appear in several publications, such as Parents & Kids Magazine and Girl Meets Strong. She’s also had the honor of interviewing actress Sela Ward for The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience.
