Where is Spengler’s Farmhouse from Ghostbusters: Afterlife?

In real life, Harold Ramis, the man who played Egon Spengler in the original Ghostbusters movies, died in 2014. Fittingly, even though he can’t physically be part of the much-anticipated third movie in the franchise, his spirit will still very much be a part of Ghostbusters: Afterlife. In fact, the plot wouldn’t work without his character since it’s Spengler’s farmhouse where the sequel takes us next.

Specifically, upon Spengler’s death, he leaves some property to his daughter, who finds herself needing to relocate herself and her children. The house doesn’t seem all that great until the kids discover his cache of equipment and learn their grandpa was once a Ghostbuster.

Speaking of that “creepy old farmhouse in the middle of nowhere,” as Finn Wolfhard’s character “Trevor” describes it in the trailer, what’s its story? Is it a real place or just a movie set? Where is it? If it’s a real place, is it haunted?

Let’s see if we can track it down and learn more about it. But let’s first take a look at what Ghostbusters: Afterlife is about and get a feel of it from its trailer.

Ghostbusters: Afterlife Storyline

From director Jason Reitman and producer Ivan Reitman, comes the next chapter in the original Ghostbusters universe. In Ghostbusters: Afterlife, when a single mom and her two kids arrive in a small town, they begin to discover their connection to the original ghostbusters and the secret legacy their grandfather left behind.

Ghostbusters: Afterlife Trailer

Ghostbusters: Afterlife Setting

New York City provides the setting for the first two original Ghostbusters movies. Although, with the exception of the library, the most popular Ghostbusters locations weren’t filmed in New York.

Ghostbusters: Afterlife keeps that tradition alive. It also moves the story to one of the most unlikely places I ever thought I’d see it go: Oklahoma.

While some NYC scenes used this time were filmed in New York City, it was predominantly shot in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Not Oklahoma.

Specifically, Summerville’s street scenes were filmed in the town of Fort Macleod, a town south of Calgary. Filming also took place in Crossfield, Beiseker, and Drumheller, which are all just north of Calgary.

But what about the inherited farmhouse? Where can we find it?

Spengler’s Farmhouse

One of the things Screen Rant noted after watching MythBusters Adam Savage’s behind-the-scenes sneak peek tour of the Ghostbusters: Afterlife set was what went into creating Spengler’s farmhouse.

Well, not so much the house as the barn. As they explained, the production team found a “unique-looking barn” they liked and had it moved to the Alberta ranch set. Which so far is an “unspecified location.”

The barn’s probably the movie’s more important setting rather than the farmhouse. It’s where Ecto-1 and all of the Ghostbusters paranormal equipment is stored. And that’s where Egon Spengler’s grandkids will discover who he was and what he used to do.

From Savage’s behind-the-scenes sneak peek, we also see, as Fantrippers confirmed, that, Spengler’s farmhouse is a constructed set. It’s not a real gem of a creepy, haunted-looking, dilapidated farmhouse the production team stumbled upon. Bummer.

Easter Eggs, Dinosaurs and Other Ghosts

One of the highlights Screen Rant pointed out from Savage’s behind-the-scenes Ghostbusters: Afterlife set tour was the mirror. Specifically how they rigged it to move for filming purposes to avoid reflections, but SR hinted that it will also likely provide savvy and sharp-eyed fans an Easter egg or two.

Also, among the filming locations Fantrippers pointed out was the water tower. It belongs to the town of Drumheller, which is where you’ll find dinosaur country and the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology as well as the World’s Largest Dinosaur.

Speaking of Drumheller, I don’t know if there are any dinosaur ghosts roaming about, but the Drumheller Guided Ghost Walk explores 100 years of haunted history in 90 minutes. So for those who “set jet” to check out Ghostbusters: Afterlife filming locations but who are also interested in real ghost stories, that tour might be one to take.

Fort Macleod’s Empress Theater is another place in the movie that’s rumored to have paranormal activity. Depending on who’s telling the story, some say it’s haunted by the ghost of a former manager named Dan Boyle. Others say the restless spirit is a former janitor named Ed. Maybe both of them haunt the theater?

Who knows? But it’s something those who take a jaunt to explore Ghostbusters: Afterlife filming locations might find out. If that’s you, be sure to Check-In and let me know what you learned…or if you ended up having any real paranormal experiences!

For More Info

Visit ghostbusters.com.

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Did you ever picture Egon Spengler ending up leaving NYC and living on a farmhouse in Oklahoma?