Haunted Freddo ATX - Part III

Mon Jun 30 2025

In tonight’s episode, the Night Owl team returns once more to Freddo ATX — the historic Victorian café where unexplained activity continues to raise questions. In their last visit, three psychic mediums were brought in separately, blind to the location, and kept apart throughout the investigation. What they uncovered — children’s spirits, multiple women, and even the name Walter — pointed to a complex spiritual presence lingering in the home. But they’re not done yet. Now, they return for a final night inside Freddo ATX, this time with all three psychics together. And with new tools and experimental methods in hand, they’re pushing deeper — to see if the spirits of this place are ready to reveal more. Photo by Meg Blohm EPISODE SPONSORS: LUMI GUMMIES Go to LumiGummies.com and use code NIGHTOWL for 30% off your order. SHADY RAYS Thanks, Shady Rays. Get 35% off polarized glasses at shadyrays.com - code NIGHTOWL AG1 New subscribers, go to drinkAG1.com/nightowl to get a FREE gift with...

Transcript

Stephen Ballew (0:00)

The Night owl Podcast Episode 61 Haunted Fredo ATX Part 3 welcome to the Night Owl Podcast. I'm your host, Stephen Ballew, and this is a place for all you restless spirits out there to tune in and hear true tales of the paranormal. I hunt these stories down, capture them from the mouths of those who've experienced them, and share them with you right here. We're currently looking for more personal ghost stories or haunted locations, so if you or someone you know has one, please submit it to us. For consideration, go to thenight owlpodcast.com click on the submit your story page and let us hear your ghost story in tonight's episode. The Night Owl team returns once more to Fredo atx, the historic Victorian cafe where unexplained activity continues to raise questions. In our last visit, three psychic mediums were brought in separately, blind to the location and kept apart throughout the entire investigation. What they uncovered Children's spirits, multiple women, a male presence, and even the name Walter pointed to a complex spiritual presence lingering in the home. But we're not done yet. Now we return for a final night inside Fredo atx. This time with all three psychics together and with new tools and experimental methods in hand, we're pushing deeper to see if the spirits at this place are ready to reveal more. Stay tuned. Hey Night Owls. We've teamed up with Shady Rays and I'm absolutely loving these sunglasses. They're incredibly comfortable, polarized and have been my go to shades on all my ghost hunting adventures. If you're looking for a solid pair of shades that can keep up with you, go to shadyrays.com and use code NIGHT OWL for 35% off polarized sunglasses. Our Spirit Social is officially back and and this year it's happening on the most perfect night of all. Halloween. We're so excited to invite you to join us on October 31, 2025 for our once a year paranormal gathering that brings together the full Night Owl team, psychic mediums you've heard on the show, guest speakers from past episodes, and trusted friends and collaborators from our own paranormal network. It's an unforgettable evening of panels, experiments, storytelling and and community. This year's event features two full lineups of immersive panels including myth busting, deep dives, live psychic experiments, explorations of spiritual history, ancestral traditions and first hand accounts from the haunted locations featured on our show. Alongside those panels you'll find a massive spirit market with tarot astrology oddities and more. Flash tattoos, food trucks, a photo booth, an after hours mixer and a live taping of the Night Owl Podcast followed by a Q and A with the team. And we're returning to a venue that holds deep meaning for us as well, the Ballroom at Spider House, the very location featured on our first ever episode, now beautifully restored and reopened. Tickets are officially on sale now atthenight owlpodcast.com and there's a direct link in our Instagram bio as well. Patreon supporters get 24 hour early access and and last year our VIP passes sold out in just one minute, all to patrons. So if you want a better shot at VIP or all access passes this year, it's worth joining our Patreon community for as little as a dollar a month at patreon.com thenight owlpodcast we cannot wait to see all you restless spirits on Halloween night. This is our favorite gathering of the year and we're honored to share it with you. But before I let you go, are you a spooky vendor, artist or reader with wares to share? We're now accepting vendor applications for the Spirit Social 2025 vendor market. We're looking for Tarot astrology, psychic readers and practitioners, oddities, dealers, artists, crafters, jewelry makers, vintage sellers, haunted collectibles and more. If your work vibes with the weird, witchy or paranormal, we'd love to hear from you. Apply now at www.thenightowlpodcast.com or hit the direct link in our Instagram bio. In Part one of our investigation into Fredo atx, we explored the history of the property and collected first hand accounts from the cafe's staff, owners and even a local ghost tour group that frequently visits the location. The stories range from sightings of children in the upstairs windows to chilling voices and footsteps and an overwhelming presence felt on the first floor. Some speculated that the energy might be tied to the home's most notable former residential Mr. Walter tips, a wealthy merchant and state senator who lived and died in this house. Then in part two, we took things a step further, bringing in three psychic mediums, each kept completely in the dark about where they were going that night. They arrived separately, were given no information, and were not allowed to interact. Yet despite that, their readings aligned in uncanny ways. All three sensed the presence of children, a strong maternal energy, and a second unidentified woman. And in our final hybrid estus sessions of the night, two of the psychics working in isolation reported hearing the name Walter multiple times. Now in Part three, we return for one last night at Fredo atx. This time all three psychics will work together and we're armed with new techniques, including advanced estus and multi person Ganzfeld experiments. Our goal? To peel back the final layer of this mystery and see what the spirits might still be wanting to share with us. However, before returning to this historic home, I had needed a full history lesson to decipher fact from fiction about Walter Tips, his family and the home itself. So our team researcher, my father, had begun digging through records, old newspapers and ancestry sites to help do just that. From all we were able to uncover and piece together, I thought now would be the perfect time to lay out the most accurate factual timeline of Walter Tips, his family and the history of this beautiful home. So let's dive in. The house was built in 1876 for Mr. Walter E. Tipps Senior and was originally located just west of downtown Austin at what was then 307 W. Boisdark St. It was home to his family, which included his wife Johanna, Mary Jane Pierce and their children Julia, Walter Jr. Laura, Grace, Eugene and Mary Elizabeth. But before we jump ahead to his later story in this home, let's start at the very beginning of Walter's life. Walter Tipps Sr. Is considered a true rags to riches success story. He was born on July 23, 1841 in Eberfield, Germany. He and his entire family immigrated to Texas in 1849, arriving at Indianola on the Texas coast. The 1850 census indicates the family was living at Live Oak Hill Farm near Seguin, Texas, just a little over an hour drive away from Austin. That same year, Walter's father Johan Tibbs died, leaving his wife and six other children to survive on their own. Walter was sent to live with his sister Hermione and her husband Johann Stachley, who operated a store in New Braunfels, Texas. Walter is listed as a store clerk in the J. A. Statchely store in the 1860 census. On April 6, 1862, Walter enlisted in the Confederate army and served with the 6th Field Artillery Battery. After the Civil War, he returned to New Braunfels and opened a business with his partner Willem Clemens, selling goods under the name Tips and Clemens. In 1867, Walter became a naturalized US citizen and married Johanna Mary Jane Pierce. The couple had six children. In 1872, Walter's brother Edward, who owned a successful hardware store in Austin, passed away. Walter and his partners purchased the business and moved to Austin. Eventually, Walter bought out his partners and grew Tip's Hardware and into one of the city's most successful businesses. The Walter Tips Company later expanded into manufacturing steam powered machinery and housed a steel foundry that supplied structural steel and related products. Many manhole covers throughout Austin still bear the name Walter Tipps Foundry. This company operated in Austin from 1857 to 1985, a span of 127 years. In addition to his business success, Walters served as a Texas state senator and was a member of the State Penitentiary Commission and the Austin School Board, the Board of Public Works and the State Historical Commission. He was also a member of the Elks, the Masons, a volunteer fireman and one of the original organizers and directors of the Austin National Bank. Musically inclined, Walter played cello and served as a conductor at the Sangerund, founded in 1879 by German immigrants to sing, play and socialize. This list of accomplishments is all the more remarkable considering Walter immigrated at age 8, lost his father at age 9, began working for food and shelter shortly after, and found himself embroiled in the Civil war by age 21. And sadly, tragedy struck the Tips household in 1885 when Walter's mother, Caroline, died on June 27, and shortly afterward his son Walter Jr. Passed away on August 4. Walter Jr. Was only 16 years of age. Caroline's obituary in the Austin American Statesman notes that she died at 2:30am and the funeral would take place at Walter Tipps residence. She was listed in the 1885 Austin City Directory as residing in the same address. As well, Walter Jr. Was actually living on the Goethe Ranch in Cypress mill, Texas, about 40 miles west of Austin. At the time of his death. Carl Goethe owned the ranch and his son Adolf was married to Walter's daughter, Julia. Walter Jr. S obituary in the August 5, 1885 edition of the Statesman does not list a cause of death, however, but again, the funeral and viewing were held at his father's residence at 307 W. Boisdark St. At the time, American funerals often included a wake lasting several days, with the body displayed in the home's parlor for mourning and viewing before burial. One side note here. Although these two deaths in the family occurred during the time the Tips owned this house, there was one other significant loss in the Tips family, however. It was in 1870, before they built this home, that we're investigating now. Records show that Mr. And Mrs. Tips lost an infant only four weeks old named Clara. There was no other information regarding this loss or this child, but we were able to confirm Clara's death in 1870, which was six years prior to the Tips building this beautiful home. In 1896, Walter's widowed daughter Laura and her two children, Walter and Mary, moved into the home. The house was remodeled at the time to create an apartment for them. According to family members, the Tips home had the honor of hosting two US presidents as well. The first was President William McKinley, who is said to have visited Senator Tips at his home during a trip to Austin in 1901. The second was Theodore Roosevelt, who visited in 1905. Senator Tips was listed as a member of the host committee for both visits. As reported in the May 4, 1901 Austin Daily Statesman and the April 2, 1905 Austin American Statesman, Walter Tip's long and accomplished life came to an end on April 20, 1911. He died in his own home, apparently a heart attack while sitting at the breakfast table. But his family members continued to reside in the house until its sale in 1924 to the Royal Arch Masons, Lone Star chapter number six. In 1926, Theo P. Myer purchased the property. According to the application for the historical marker for the home, Meyer made modifications in 1936, dividing this house into apartments and office space. Although he did not initially live in the home, Thiel was residing there at the time of his death on October 1, 1966. Both his death certificate and the obituary list 315 W. 7th St. Which was formerly 307 W. Bois d' Arc St. As his residence. The property remained with his son Theo P. Meyer Jr. Until 1971, when it was sold to Robert Fowler. In 1973, Lamar Savings association acquired the new condemned property with plans to demolish it and build an office complex. Before it could happen, Franklin's Savings intervened, taking possession of the house. They relocated the large Victorian structure to its current site on South Congress Avenue and began remodeling and restoration. The home operated as a uniquely designed Wells Fargo branch from 1997 until its sale in 2016. Texas National Outfitters ran a custom boot store there in 2017, and in 2021 the the stunning Victorian house became the new home of Fredo atx. We had planned a return visit to Fredo ATX with my full team and the same three psychic mediums from our initial investigation. But before heading back, I did a bit of digging on my own and discovered that a paranormal content creator known as the Paranormal Princess had conducted an investigation at Fredo ATX some time ago. With cases like this, I always try to gather and document as much as I can about the reported activity at the location. Fortunately, Danielle, AKA the Paranormal Princess, was kind enough to speak with me and share everything that she could remember from her time at Fredo atx. Here's what she had to say hi.

Summary

The Night Owl: True Ghost Stories

Episode 61 – Haunted Freddo ATX, Part III (June 30, 2025)

Overview

In this climactic third part of the Haunted Freddo ATX series, host Stephen Belyeu and the Night Owl Paranormal Research Society return for one last investigation at Freddo ATX, a historic Victorian-era home turned cafe in Austin, Texas, known for persistent paranormal activity. Building on revelations from earlier episodes—where psychics detected child spirits, a strong maternal presence, a second unidentified woman, a male entity (Walter), and the recurring name Mary—this episode is the most experimental to date. The team brings back all three psychic mediums, integrates advanced techniques (Estes and Ganzfeld experiments), seeks answers from the lingering spirits, and thoughtfully examines the family history behind the home.

The episode transitions between historical research, interviews, and extensive live-channeling sessions. The ultimate aim: to pierce the mysteries of Freddo ATX and give voice to the spirits—particularly Walter and Mary Tipps—while striving to understand how history and hauntings intertwine.

Episode Structure & Key Segments

1. [00:00–09:13] – Introduction

Stephen contextualizes the investigation, recaps previous findings, and outlines new goals and experimental methods (tri-psychic collaboration, updated equipment).
He details the process of bringing psychics together, contrasts past isolation protocols, and previews a deeper historical dig into the Tipps family and the house.

2. [09:13–22:18] – Historical Deep Dive: The Life of Walter Tipps & the Home

Stephen gives an exhaustive, carefully researched account of Walter Tipps’ life, family, career, and the home's migration throughout Austin’s history.
Key facts:
- Built in 1876 for Walter Tipps Sr., a German immigrant, Civil War veteran, merchant, banker, and state senator.
- House hosted funerals and presidential visits, and witnessed several family tragedies—most notably the early death of an infant daughter (Clara), Walter Jr. (age 16), and Walter’s own passing at home.
- The building has been relocated, repurposed, and restored multiple times, eventually becoming Freddo ATX cafe.

3. [13:59–20:51] – Guest Interview: Danielle "Paranormal Princess"

Danielle shares impressions from her own investigation at Freddo ATX, conducted without historical context or prior knowledge.
Notable insights:
- Felt unusually comfortable upstairs, especially in the right/front room.
- Esteemed method session produced names (“Alex”, “Sarah”, “Walter”), repeated themes of “dad” and “family,” and the numbers 4 and 6.
- EMF activity matched reported hotspots; SLS camera detected possible movements.
- Spirits seemed eager to talk about family, but became reticent or told them to "stop" when pressed.

“Right after I heard the name Walter come through the headset, I just sat there, stunned.” – Danielle, 18:05

Cross-validation: Danielle’s session echoed names and dynamics picked up by the Night Owl team—especially the children, the “dad” figure, and “Walter.”

4. [22:18–31:55] – Psychics’ Baseline Impressions & Historical Validations

Each psychic is briefed to listen to part one, shifting focus toward new revelations.
Jeffrey (Psychic Medium):
- Visualizes children (possibly twins), maternal figure, and Walter very much “living in the house.”
- Notes a gentle, non-angry energy, especially strong on the second floor.
- Indicates the spirits seem “still just living in the house.” ([23:28])
Kate (Psychic Medium):
- Immediately recognizes “Mary” as the dominant female presence; feels her desire for recognition.
- Identifies playful, familial dynamics among spirits—particularly children, but notes confusion about their actual historic identities.
- Detects a more shadowy, unrelated male spirit lingering downstairs (possibly Edward, a coachman per newly found records).
- Observes: “It feels like Walter especially is very particular… he'll slam drawers or things like that.” ([36:56])
Meg (Psychic Medium):
- Emphasizes a non-threatening environment; dynamic, but not dark.
- Senses lost babies, women’s unspoken stories, and possible residual trauma from miscarriages (“It just sort of happened, and the women would deal with it… not discussed.” – [54:24])
- Distinguishes between family spirits and those who may be transient or land-attached.

5. [62:25–84:27] – Experiment 1 & 2: Dual-Psychic Channeling Sessions (Estes + Ganzfeld)

Session 1: Kate (Estes) + Jeffrey (Ganzfeld)

Findings:
- Both independently describe children (“a little girl with braids… five years old”), a maternal figure, and Walter (“the guy with the mustache”).
- Themes: crying, loss, trying to communicate (“It’s hard for me to communicate, but I am trying.” – Kate, [64:11]), confusion about timelines, music (“I hear music. Almost like singing.” – Jeffrey, [63:31]).
- Family references (grandchild, sons, granddaughter), mention of specific names (“Mary,” “Walter,” “Ann”).

“Walter giggling... speak the truth.” – Kate, [65:11]
“He winked at me.” – Jeffrey, [70:10]

Session ends with clear signs of agitation (“Get out”, “Frustration”), as well as consistent musical interruptions whenever deeper truths are approached.

Session 2: Meg (Estes) + Alexis (Ganzfeld)

Findings:
- Immediate feeling of overwhelming masculine energy; “too many men” in the room seems to impede contact (“It’s too many men, it’s too hard.” – Meg, [76:41]).
- Classical music again appears as a distraction.
- Alexis feels physically affected (“Pressure… Like on the body… being crushed” – [78:05]); mentions of “baby,” “accident,” “get up.”
- Unclear, possibly land-tied or non-family female presence described as “oppressed,” resistant to speak, and feeling watched.

Reflections:

Reactions indicate distinct, possibly overlapping, spirits exist on separate “timelines.”
Spirits seem sensitive to group energy (especially males), suggesting the environment impacts communications significantly.

6. [87:19–95:23] – Experiment 3: Franklin (Skeptic Team Member) Solo Hybrid Session

Findings:
- Jumps at a spirit woman’s face, feels overwhelmed.
- Encounters classical music manifestations, repeated mentions of “babies,” and strangely profane language not typical for an AM band scan.
- Spirit shows personality (and some attitude) — believed to be Walter.
- Suggests spirits may have hidden “something in the walls or floor,” which is always blocked out by classical music after being mentioned.

“Every time I would want to say like ‘floor, hardwood, wall, balcony,’ classical music would cut me off.” – Franklin, [95:07]

Strong impression of multiple presences: “There was a younger man’s voice, an older man’s voice, and a woman’s voice.” – Franklin

7. [96:20–107:41] – Experiment 4: Kate (Ganzfeld) + Alexis (Estes)

Findings:
- The session captures back-and-forth banter, interruption, and crosstalk between a strong male (Walter) and the female spirit (Mary).
- Unusually modern and profane language comes through (“You look stupid,” “shut up,” “stupid head”), all within the parameters of the AM scan.
- Each side continually tries to “talk over” the other.
- Kate and Alexis seem to debate—sometimes sound like an argumentative, yet familiar, couple.
- There are direct, sometimes protective, instructions about the business (“Be respectful. No smoking, OK, near the pipe.” – [100:42]).
- Kate/Mary: “We want our voices heard. Our stories to be told… we can’t be pushed out. This is our home too.” ([103:05–103:10])

Humor & Personality

Walter’s personality surfaces: direct, occasionally rude but witty, seemingly enjoying the attention (“I love Walter so much… That was his personality. I wish I knew more about him.” – Stephen, [107:23])

8. [111:44–118:55] – Conclusions & Final Reflections

Jeffrey emphasizes the importance of historic respect (“He comes from a different time. His name is Mr. Tipps… seeing him almost as a silent partner or mentor might change the energy.” – [112:20])
Alexis: Proposes ceremonial intervention to “get them on the same page,” allowing spirits needing to cross over to do so, while integrating others as positive presences tied to the home and business.
Stephen reflects: “We didn’t walk away with clear answers, but maybe that’s okay… Not every haunting is a mystery to solve; sometimes it’s just stories that need telling.” ([118:55])

Recognition of Stories Previously Unheard

Mary’s narrative, largely lost to history, is finally honored:

“I’d like to believe what my psychics felt and described: that Mary was a kind, nurturing soul… If she still lingers here, it’s not to haunt, but to remain with the people and place that shaped her most.” – Stephen, [118:55]

Core Episode Themes & Insights

- Complex Haunting, Layered Presences

Core family spirits: The evidence most clearly supports the continued presence of Walter (“Mr. Tipps”) and Mary Tipps.
Children and others: Multiple child spirits are seen, but their ages and details don’t match the Tipps’ known children; psychics lean toward these being “passersby” or land-tied spirits.
A younger, agitated woman may be connected to the land or previous house sites along the structure’s relocation path (per Alexis).
Downstairs male presence (possibly “Edward”) not easily tied to the family—may be coachman Edward Erickson; remains much more shadowy.

- Spirit Personalities (Notable Quotes and Moments)

Walter/Mr. Tipps:
- A dominant, direct, sometimes playful energy, frustrated by lack of respect for history, yet interested in the home’s present.
"He comes across as intelligent and direct. And that tone was beginning to surface again here." – Stephen [74:00]
“Short, impatient replies, interruptions from classical music overriding other voices.” – Stephen [110:19]
Mary Tipps:
- Persistent desire to have her story told; nurturing, occasionally overwhelmed by Walter’s force of personality.
“She was like, ‘I want my story told. They always just talk about him, but never about me.’” – Kate [36:56]

- Communication Barriers & Paranormal Phenomena

Classical music interruptions:
- Whenever deeper questions are asked (especially about the past, hidden things, or the more oppressed female spirit), classical music flares up, making it hard to get straight answers.
Profanity and modern language:
- The channeling sessions frequently produce profanity and pointed insults, despite AM bandwidth restrictions—suggesting a spirit deliberately aiming for impact.
“I was just repeating it the way he was saying it… and you really were hearing that, like, clear.” – Alexis [109:01]
Environmental & Group Energy:
- Spirits appear more or less communicative depending on the psychic’s technique, group makeup, and gender balance ("too many men" theme).
Residual vs. Intelligent Hauntings:
- The psychics sense both: sometimes events seem replayed (children playing), other times there’s direct, live interaction (banter, jokes, requests).

Timestamps for Key Segments

[13:59] Danielle’s investigation at Freddo ATX (EMF findings, names Alex & Sarah, Estes session results)
[23:28] Jeffrey’s baseline impressions: twins, children, “still living in the house”
[36:56] Kate validates “Mary”, describes the overlooked story of Walter’s wife, and highlights motherly energy
[52:34] Meg discusses lost babies, untold women’s stories, and possible land-tied spirits
[62:25] Dual-Psychic Experiments begin: session highlights include “Speak the truth,” “Walter giggling,” “I can almost hear a voice”
[70:10] “He winked at me” – Jeffrey
[76:41] “Too many men. It’s too hard.” – Meg, as female presence resists dialogue
[87:27] Franklin’s solo session: “I saw this woman face just come right at me… yelling at me in my face.”
[100:42] “Be respectful. No smoking, OK, near the pipe.” – Alexis (Estes)
[107:16] Banter, insults, and humor peak: “You look stupid.” – Spirit via Alexis
[112:20] Jeffrey’s recap: Reverence for Mr. Tipps, role of historical protocol in reducing friction
[118:55] Stephen’s closing thoughts: Mary’s story honored; not all hauntings need solving, some need telling

Summary Table of Recurring Entities

| Entity | Connection | Evidence/Phenomena | Psychic/Investigator Comments | |------------------|---------------------------|------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------| | Walter Tipps | Patriarch, main owner | Classical music, “Mr. Tipps”, mustache, directness | “Treat him as a silent partner or mentor” | | Mary Tipps | Matriarch, wife | Wanting her story told, window, nurturing, name “Mary” | Felt overlooked, “always just talk about him”| | Child Spirits | None confirmed as Tipps’ | Young boy/girl, “Sarah,” play, window sightings | May be land-tied/passerby, timelines unclear | | “Edward” (Coachman?) | 1910 census, servant | Shadowy figure downstairs, technical malfunctions | May explain electrical phenomena | | Young woman | Unknown (land?) | Resists men, overlapped voices, anger, feeling watched| Possibly picked up during house relocation |

Final Takeaways

Fredo ATX’s haunting is multilayered—anchored by Walter and Mary Tipps, but also colored by transient or land-tied spirits, the effects of the home’s relocation, and a potent mix of residual and intelligent presences.
Walter’s personality is undeniable: proud, protective, sometimes comical, seeking respect and acknowledgement.
Mary steps out of the shadows at last, her longing to be remembered validated through psychic impressions and historical research.
Communication blocks (music, banter, attitude) seem to reflect both the personalities of spirits and a possible friction between past and present—needing negotiation, respect for history, and inclusive narrative.
Not every mystery is meant to be solved; sometimes, “the activity seems to carry one consistent thread – the desire to be seen, heard and remembered.” (Stephen [118:55])

“Thank you for letting us share your stories, Mr. And Mrs. Tipps. Thank you Walter and Mary.” – Stephen Belyeu ([closing])

For more information, future episodes, or to attend the annual Halloween Spirit Social event, visit thenightowlpodcast.com.

This summary provides an immersive, accurate retelling of episode 61, capturing every key discussion, major revelation, and memorable moment—as if you experienced this eerie, fascinating night at Freddo ATX firsthand.