Comments for House Of Blue Lights

Comment on Dog Pictures by Tom Brinkman

Tom Brinkman — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 02:36:46 +0000

1st picture Kim was about 2 years old. I was 12 years old . That summer we had weighted Kim the dog in the picture with me weighted 240 pounds; we used a scale that was used to weight bags of cow grain. He was not crazy about setting on the scale but the dog yummies helped,. that was the way I could make him behave. Always keeping them in my pocket. I sure loved the dogs. Kim did not like cats.but Fuzzy was okay with the cats.
Kim would speak, shake. sit, and sometimes lay down. love to swim.
Fuzzy was not trained as well.
Both loved to be shampooed and brushed. Brushing everyday when time allotted. When I was working the pens were cleaned everyday. James cleaned them during the week days. Most likely Mon Wed Friday cause that was Vivians scheduled days.Sunday Vivian, Skiles and myself took them out. I groomed them before the walks.1 oclock I would go to the west pourch bath room window and call Mr. Test he and Vivian would come out and we would take the dogs. I loved that part of the job Mr. Test was allot of fun with the dogs. Except Kim would bully him on the leach. He did not know the secret to Kim Make him set than lead him off. I was afraid to tell Mr. Test that part. I was just a kid.When I pulled 2 times on the leach he would sit; Well what a great opportunity raising such large dogs. I still love St Bernards. I just have horses now sense 1974. The picture are great description of the life at the House Of Blue Lights. Yes the lights in front and on the trees worked we lighted them on time.
They were beautiful

Comment on Video about the House of Blue Lights by Alex Duncan

Alex Duncan — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 02:47:49 +0000

I am obsessed with the local history of the northeast side of indianapolis. I was at the skiles test nature park today and even found an arrow head. Great time.

Comment on Swimming Pool and Pool House Pictures by Dan Russell

Dan Russell — Tue, 10 May 2011 03:12:22 +0000

I am Lauren Russell's Dad. She works in the US Embassy in Bangkok. I have hiked and haunted the woods and ravines In Skiles Test Park since 1974.

Comment on Contact Us by Doug Rollison

Doug Rollison — Thu, 05 May 2011 22:50:28 +0000

Great site! I love seeing the history preserved. I wondered about the "Four-story Bathhouse". Is it the same as the Pool House? It doesn't look four stories in the pictures. Also, what is the North-South building on the West side of the 1937 aerial map? The pictures indicate the pool and pool house ran East-West. Also, when I was at the current park I saw a small piece of frosted glass with chicken wire inside it, what building would that be from? Lastly, why did they tear it down? What a shame, it was all so unique.

Comment on Cemetery by Elaine Dunn Lotz

Elaine Dunn Lotz — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 05:03:30 +0000

I have a couple of pictures of my mother next to the pool with the St. bernards around late 1930 or early 1940. Her name was Inza Lois Everett at the time, then married Ora M. Dunn in 1945. She told us she used to date Skiles Test and that was when the pictures were taken. I also have some letters he wrote her when he was traveling for work. I'd love to send you copies to post if yoy are interested. Thank you, Elaine Dunn Lotz

Comment on House Pictures by Phil Stroup

Phil Stroup — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 23:54:36 +0000

As a teen we use to drive out there from the inter city and we would drive up to the gates, I remember pulling up to some gates that had big spikes on them, I guess it was to keep people from ramming the gates. Was this a fact ?

Comment on Legend by kai Binford (Kay Thompson)

kai Binford (Kay Thompson) — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 16:57:24 +0000

I remember the story well and the times we tried to get a close up look at the house. We never actually saw the house but the act of trying to get a view was an adventure. I seem to remember that Skiles Test had massive collections of "stuff" Rolls of string. Stacks of bags. etc. Perhaps this is a myth. I would like to join you 8 May if I am in Indianapolis at that time. Please send more information. I graduated from BRHS in 1956.

Comment on House Pictures by Chuck White

Chuck White — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 17:13:58 +0000

Thanks for sharing the most interesting photos of the famous "House of Blue Lights." I never had a car until I was out of high school and was never the daring sort who would think of trespassing on someone's property, so I never saw the place while a teenager. Heard several other kids talk about going there (or at least claiming to). Questions: Did Skiles Test REALLY keep his deceased wife in a glass-top coffin? Did he REALLY have a live bear on his property? What about a pack of vicious dogs? Any other animals? When you look back on this from the perspective of adulthood, it's a shame the way that kids back then harassed this poor man. I went to Manual on the southside of Indianapolis. I'm sure that kids from many of the other area high schools must have heard the same legend and tried to go see for themselves. Mr. Test was probably "invaded" most every weekend night by such kids. Did he ever say anything about it? Was he really aggravated by it? Or did he not let it bother him? Would love to know. Any feedback appreciated. Thank you.

Comment on Stories by John Powell

John Powell — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 03:58:54 +0000

I lived in Lawrence and attended Lawrence Central High School, graduating in 1957. Yes, I and other members of the football team and our dates ventured to the "House of Blue Lights" one dark, cloudy evening in the summer of 1956. We were scared to death because of the things we'd heard and the fear of "getting caught". The biggest discovery/disappointment was the huge fence we ran into in the driveway. There was a "rumor" that the fence was electrified and if you touched it, you'd be shocked to death. Needless to say, that was the end of our venture. Our dates stayed in our cars and locked the doors. They were scared of the "ghost" rumors….and truthfully, at the young age of 16, we were scared too with our imaginations running wild….ghosts, electric fences, etc. I'm now 71 and happilly retired. Over the years, When people find out I went to Lawrence Central, I'm almost always asked about the House of Blud Lights, asking "did you ever go there?" At first we had to play the macho role and told people "yeah…we went up there". It's a good thing our noses didn't grow. The joy of our experience was the maximizing of our imagination. Over the years, even though all the "rumors" have been dispelled, I still smile and chuckle to myself when I think of House of Blue lights caper and enjoy telling my story. Thanks for the wonderful memories and fun.
Best regards,
John Powell

Comment on Property after Death by Holly

Holly — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 18:02:08 +0000

I imagine it was once a beautiful place. Too bad someone didn't take an interest in refurbishing it and saving it from the disrepair that ended it's existance. That's really sad. Also, I wonder how the myths got started. It seems mean of someone to make up a story like that.