Lester in the auditorium Our creepiness rating 💀💀💀💀💀
The Grand Forks Herald reported in 2014 that a paranormal group found three presences and named one Lester, said to linger around the auditorium. Director Emily Burkland said she had never experienced anything. Source: Grand Forks Herald, 2014.
Facts below are drawn from the linked sources.
Real history
The theater opened on Nov. 10, 1919, as the New Grand, became the Paramount after a 1930 remodel and was renamed the Empire in 1954. It closed as a movie house in 1994 and reopened as an arts center in 1998 (Empire Arts Center).
Ghost stories
These are reported legends, not verified events. The creepiness score (1–5) is Spook Atlas's own editorial rating, not a measurement.
Then and now
No openly licensed photo found yet.
Public access
Open to the public The Empire Arts Center says it hosts theater, concerts, films and community events throughout the year (Empire Arts Center). Last checked: Nov 1, 2026.
Explore more
- More places in Grand Forks and North Dakota
- More haunted & abandoned theaters
- Nearby: Bowesmont (Bowesmont, ND), Bonanzaville (West Fargo, ND), Fergus Falls State Hospital (Fergus Falls, MN), Arena (Arena, ND)
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