explained as a residual energy,” Martinez said.‘“ Now, my beliefs have changed. There are these amazing energy beings that can form into a state of matter, and they are aware of us.”
According to Martinez and Janz, the jail has hosted over 50 investigative teams in its 12-year history. It gained even more notoriety when it was featured last year on Global Ghost Hunt, live-streaming a worldwide investigation to thousands. It also hosted one of the first Parapalooza conferences held in Texas, where attendees explored vendors, heard from authors, channelers, and collectors— all inside the jail’ s historic jail cells.
“ Every ghost-hunting team brings a different perspective and approach to their investigations,“ Martinez said.“ For some, it’ s a retirement hobby; for others, it’ s a group of friends united by a shared passion. There’ s no single type of ghost hunter— people of all genders, ages, races, and religions participate in this pursuit. And they all love visiting” Palestine!”
In 2024, Janz recalls a humorous moment with the team Ghost Trip Investigation Ltd from the UK. They arrived by Uber from DFW Airport, unloading crates of equipment on the sidewalk in front of the jail. It wasn’ t until their ride pulled away that one of them asked,‘ Hey mate, does your town have Uber to take us back?’ The group shared a laugh, and Janz ended up driving them back to Dallas for their return trip.
“ The UK team has quite an online following, and one of their fans had suggested the Texas Jailhouse for an investigation,” Janz said.“ They sold thousands of tickets to the livestream of their investigation. So, these teams are successfully promoting the Texas Jailhouse and our treasured little town as a paranormal hot spot.”
The Texas Jailhouse continues to intrigue believers and skeptics alike. Its combination of history and supernatural activity makes it a compelling destination for professional and novice ghost hunters eager to explore the unknown.
Ultimately, Martinez and Janz continue to bring awareness to the preservation of historic Palestine through their unique events.
“ We love sharing the rich history of this town, and if we can help entice visitors from near and far, Palestine will continue to grow in tourism, and tourism is the heart of historic communities,” Martinez said.
22 SUMMER EDITION 2025