HISTORY
The Rendall Building was built in the late 1800’s as a drug store. This drug store
was one of the first buildings here Shreveport, Louisiana, to have an electric
refrigeration unit. Next door to the Rendall Building stands the Shreveport City
Courthouse. In the 1800's gallows were located on the top of the courthouse were
executions were carried out. The walk-in refrigerator unit, located in the
basement of the Rendall Building Pharmacy, was used as a temporary morgue.
Bodies from the courthouse and overflow from local funeral homes were housed
there until their burial. Since the completion of the buidling in the early 1800's it
has house several other businesses, including but not limited to, The National
Weather Service from December 1, 1880 till April 17, 1888, the U. L. Coleman
Properties Limited, Cox Media, and Interstate Circle Managament and Leasing. It
has also been night clubs and restaurants.
Today the old Rendall Building houses Caliente's Restaurant. There have been
strange occurances reported in the buidling over the years, such as a woman in a
white 1940's era dress can be seen walking in the hallways, and you can smell a
faint odor of perfume. A victrola can be heard, but there is not a victrola in the
building. After Caliente's closes for the evening the sound of a large metal ball can
be heard rolling across the upstairs floor, but upon investigation there is nothing
there. Employees have reported seeing people upstairs in the building when they
know they are alone, hearing noises coming from behind closed doors, hearing
people talking, things being moved from place to place, and even items flying off
shelves as they pass by.
The basement is closed and no longer in use and the refrigeator unit has been
removed. The restaurant is still in use and there are a couple of other offices in
the building. Both manager and employees assure us that they are not alone in the
building.
ACTIVITY
According to the owners, the most common experiences are strange odors on
the third floor, sounds of someone walking on the stairs, music being played, and
the sounds of items moving around near the elevator shaft. A majority of the staff
are very hesitant to go into the basement alone.
INVESTIGATION
The group arrived in usual fashion, set up equipment, took base readings, and
quickly went to work. Throughout the night, members heard strange noises and in
one case, James witnessed one of the basement doors closing on its own.
Unfortunately, this event was not captured on video.
Analysis of all the evidence produced no useable and/or definitive evidence,
keeping us from truly labeling the Rendall building "active". Although, strange
personal experiences were felt by our members during the night, we were unable
to use that as evidence. However, based on what was reported by team members
and the countless number of current and former staff of the Caliente Restaurant,
we definitely feel that the place is worthy of a follow-up investigation. We have
also been speaking with the owner and are entertaining the idea of one day
conducting a seminar there, similar to our previous "Dinner and a Ghost" event.
Again, thank you to the staff of the Caliente for allowing us in such a great place!
