The Real Annabelle Doll Just Made a Stop in Texas

Only in Texas could a haunted doll roll into town and steal the show. Horror fans across the Lone Star State were both thrilled and mildly terrified as the real Annabelle doll- yes, the one that’s usually locked away by the Warrens, not the porcelain diva from the movies- made a rare appearance in San Antonio.

As part of a tour, this possessed piece of paranormal pop culture stopped by Victoria’s famously haunted Black Swan Inn for the Psychic & Spirit Fest, proving once again that Texas doesn’t just do big hair and brisket- it does ghosts, too.

So what exactly was this cursed celebrity doing in Texas? Annabelle was in town as part of the “Devils on the Run” tour, a nationwide showcase of haunted artifacts curated by the New England Society for Psychic Research—the same group founded by the legendary ghost-hunting duo Ed and Lorraine Warren. Her stop at the San Antonio Psychic & Spirit Fest brought spine-tingling energy (and sold-out crowds) to the famously haunted Victoria’s Black Swan Inn.

Inside the creaky halls of the Black Swan Inn- already known to ghost hunters and brave wedding planners alike- Annabelle was displayed in a thick glass case, complete with the iconic “DO NOT TOUCH” warnings that felt less like suggestions and more like survival tips. She was joined by two other haunted artifacts from the Warren’s infamous occult museum, and yes, there were enough prayers and sage bundles to bless a small town.

The New England Society for Psychic Research brought in serious backup, too: retired Catholic priest Father Bob Bailey was on hand to spiritually secure the scene, just in case Annabelle decided she wanted to take a little Texas souvenir home. Paranormal investigator Ryan Buell decided to get in on the fun and documented a tongue-in-cheek moment with the Annabelle prop from the movies, complete with a Buc-ee’s T-shirt- because apparently, even possessed dolls can’t resist a Texas pit stop!

Attendees lined up for hours to see her, snap photos (from a safe distance), and swap ghost stories with like-minded fans. Between the spirit mediums, tarot readers, and sudden cold drafts that may or may not have been air conditioning, it was a horror lover’s dream- and a skeptic’s worst nightmare. Whether you believe Annabelle is truly possessed or just a very well-traveled Raggedy Ann with a flair for the dramatic, one thing’s for sure: Texas gave her a warm (and slightly nervous) welcome!