Entry No. 26 — the Houston file — filed under: haunted library

Julia Ideson Building

This 1926 Spanish Renaissance library still houses the city's archives — and the legend of Jacob Frank Cramer, a night watchman who climbed to the third floor to play violin for his dog every night until librarians found his body in the basement in November 1936.

The move: Wander the wrought-iron courtyard and the Texas Room's archive stacks at closing time, then stand still on the third floor and listen — staff and visitors have reported hearing a faint violin and a dog's nails on the floorboards for decades.

• 📍 Downtown / Houston Public Library
• 💸 $$
• ⚡ Up for anything
• 🌗 Indoors

Where: 550 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77002

Hours: Added 2026-07-19 — confirm current hours before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Further reading: Official site · hauntedplaces.org · Wikipedia

last checked: 2026-07-19