Savannah Specters

2013-09-13T08:13:00.000-04:00

Hey diddle diddle, the cat and the fiddle, a petticoat saturated with blood...

http://www.amazon.com/POPPETS-Dead-Time-Diaries-ebook/dp/B00F0TUJ5M/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1379073858&sr=1-1

The Planter's Inn

2011-11-18T13:48:00.000-05:00

The Planter’s Inn, a charming 60 room boutique hotel, sits proudly on Savannah’s historic Reynold’s Square right next to the Olde Pink House restaurant. Boasting superb hospitality and lovely 19^th century décor, the Planter’s Inn is a favorite choice for travelers looking for the convenience of a Savannah Historic District hotel. Just a block from famed River Street, the Planter’s Inn is located in the heart of Savannah’s action. Some of that “action” seems to have lingered well beyond the grave for a handful of the Planter’s Inn’s former guests.

Located just behind Christ Church on Johnson Square, the Planter’s Inn sits on the site of the first parsonage of John Wesley, founder of Methodism. Later, in 1812, a private residence would be built on this lot by prominent Savannahian Oliver Sturges for one of his twin daughters. In 1913 the house would become the John Wesley Hotel. In spite of its prudent namesake, the John Wesley Hotel would soon become Savannah’s premier brothel. In 1982 the hotel would suffer substantial fire damage forcing it to close its doors. It would reopen two years later, after extensive remodeling, as the Planter’s Inn. Perhaps it was during this period of renovations that the former “guests” were awakened from their perpetual slumber.

There have been several sightings of the odd and unexplainable at the Planter’s Inn. A woman dressed in an early 19^th century gown has been seen on several of the floors rearranging the art work. Perhaps this is the spirit of the Sturges twin, apparently dissatisfied with the choices of décor in her former home. Several guests have seen the spectral figure of a man carrying a body out of the lobby and across the street into the square. This could be a residual haunting dating back to Savannah’s devastating fire of 1820 which destroyed 463 buildings from Franklin Square to Reynolds. Could this apparition be playing out that fateful event when people flocked to the squares to avoid the flames? A bellman at the Planter’s Inn gives an account of seeing the full-body apparition of a woman walking across the lobby dressed in early 20^th century attire. After addressing her, the woman acknowledged the bellman and then turned and disappeared right into the wall!

Visitors to Savannah will not find a more convenient and centrally located hotel than the charming Planter’s Inn. Steeped in history and hospitality, this boutique hotel is an excellent choice for the savviest of travelers. But fair warning is due…some of the hotel’s former guests have ignored the check-out policy. Some guests decided to take up permanent “residence” at the Planter’s Inn.

Martinis at the Mortuary

2011-11-18T10:33:00.000-05:00

Savannah is no stranger to spirits. Whether those spirits are the kind that “go bump in the night”, or the kind that reside on the “top shelf” of the corner bar, Savannah has you covered. And, well, what better way to experience some of those tastier spirits than from a decadently stylish hotspot located in none other than an old funeral home?

700 Drayton Street Restaurant, now part of the beautiful five-star Mansion Hotel, sits grandly overlooking Forsyth Park on the corner of Drayton and Hall Streets. This formidable red brick and terra cotta structure has adorned the landscaping of the Victorian District for more than a hundred and twenty years. Built in 1888 as a private residence for the Lewis Kayton family, the 17,500 square foot mansion would be one of Savannah’s grandest homes. But like a similar property, the Kehoe House on Columbia Square, this grand Victorian lady would become a funeral home.

In 1953 the Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors, one of the oldest operating funeral homes in Savannah, would move into the mansion at 700 Drayton Street, making it the headquarters for their undertaking services. The mansion would remain as Savannah’s finest mortuary for nearly 50 years.

Today the castle-like mansion at 700 Drayton Street houses one of Savannah’s finest restaurants. Boasting an intriguingly eclectic décor and a mouth-watering menu, 700 Drayton Street Restaurant is a sure choice for anyone wanting to experience Savannah’s finest dining. Another experience certain to please is Casimir’s Lounge, located within 700 Drayton. This trendy hotspot offers a rooftop patio overlooking picturesque Forsyth Park and serves up some of the best martinis in the Coastal Empire, including such delectable martini ensembles as the “candy apple” and the “pineapple upside down cake”.

If you’re looking to experience some of Savannah’s finest spirits, deceased or otherwise, a visit to 700 Drayton Street is a must. But be warned…if you order from the enticing menu, your meal will be coming from a kitchen once used as an embalming room. Bon Appétit!

The Owens-Thomas House

2011-11-01T13:24:00.002-04:00

Designed by a young and inspiring architect by the name of William Jay, the Owens-Thomas House on Oglethorpe Square was completed in 1819 for Richard Richardson, a wealthy cotton merchant and banker. The Owens-Thomas House would prove to be one of the finest examples of English Regency architecture in America, boasting an indoor plumbing system that preceded that of the White House by nearly fifteen years.

The Owens-Thomas House is a true example of Savannah's most prosperous time--a time when "cotton was king". These times of prosperity would turn for the worst just a year after the home was built. In 1820 Savannah would suffer her greatest fire, destroying more than 400 homes and businesses between Bay and Broughton Streets. That very same year would witness the greatest loss to Yellow Fever in the city's history. This devastation would take a tremendous toll on Savannah's economy. Richard Richardson would in fact suffer great financial turmoil, culminating in the loss of his grand residence just three years after it was built.

The Owens-Thomas House would become a boarding house for approximately eight years, during which time it would host its most famous guest--the Marquis de Lafayette, a Revolutionary War hero from France. During his historic visit in 1825, the Marquis would address a crowd of hundreds from the ornate veranda on the south facade of the mansion.

In 1830 the Owens-Thomas House was purchased by George Welshman Owens, Mayor of Savannah, for the sum of $10,000. The property would remain in the Owens family for the next 120 years. In 1951, upon her death, Margaret Thomas, granddaughter of George Owens, bequeathed the mansion to the Telfair Museum of Art. It has been a house-museum ever since.

Today visitors to the Owens-Thomas House are guided through this beautiful, early 19th century home. They are greeted by room after room of precious antiques and watchful family portraits--portraits whose eyes seem to follow you about the room, keeping careful guard over their beloved home. Some of the home's former occupants are believed to be lingering about the stately mansion. A gentleman dressed in 1830's attire has been seen in the front parlors. He has stood quietly in the corner observing the home's visitor's, seemingly intent on their conversation, before he simply walks through the wall into what once was a guest room. Could this have been a former boarder that has remained well past his lease? Objects have been known to "rearrange" themselves, and furniture has seemed to have moved on its own accord at the Owens-Thomas House. Housekeepers have noticed a chair in the dining room being "pushed back" from the table which is set up on display with a period china setting. Perhaps a spectral diner had excused himself after a perpetual meal. These types of things will happen quite frequently, typical of a residual style haunting. Past events seemingly repeating themselves over and over.

Many folks have witnessed an elderly woman strolling about the beautiful English garden behind the mansion. She is seem wearing a gray shawl and large hat, reminiscent of that which was worn by the last occupant Margaret Thomas. In life Ms. Thomas was quite found of her garden and would quite frequently stroll about admiring it in the waning light of dusk.

For anyone visiting Savannah wishing to experience the true style and "spirit" of this charming city, a stop by the Owens-Thomas House is a must. Architectural enthusiasts, history buffs, and ghost hunters alike, will find themselves transported back in time, where Savannah's grandeur has been encapsulated within her gracious walls; and where it seems some of her previous occupants have lived on well beyond the grave.

The Hamilton-Turner Inn

2011-10-26T10:48:00.001-04:00

Savannah's Second Empire French Gothic mansion known as the Hamilton-Turner is a formidable presence on Lafayette Square. Sitting in the shadows of St. John's Cathedral, this stately mansion is today one of Savannah's most elegant bed & breakfast inns. Her romantic guest rooms, richly appointed in period antiques, have inspired many honeymooners, and ghost enthusiasts alike. In fact, the Hamilton-Turner would inspire Walt Disney to create the famed "Haunted Mansion" ride in Walt Disney World. The beloved Disney attraction was modeled after the Hamilton-Turner mansion in Savannah, even deriving its name "The Hamilton" from this grand Savannah home.

Built in 1873 for Samuel Pugh Hamilton, a wealthy businessman and prominent Savannah citizen, the Hamilton-Turner mansion was the first in Savannah to have electric power. In fact, scores of Savannah citizens turned out for the inaugural lighting of the salon in 1883. Spectators feared that the house might actually explode when the new electric lights were turned on. Later in 1888, electricity was installed in the entire mansion. Its illuminated presence on Lafayette Square would attract all of Savannah, which marveled at this new invention.

The second owner of the home, Francis Turner, was a prominent physician in Savannah. He would use the bottom floor of his stately mansion as offices for his practice. It is even rumored that Dr. Turner would perform autopsies on this lower level. Members of Savannah's social elite, the Turners would host lavish parties at the mansion. During such festivities the Turner children were sent to the top floor of the mansion where Dr. Turner had his billiards table. The children were allowed to amuse themselves by playing with the pool balls while the adults enjoyed themselves below. The children, not content with the arrangement, devised a way of spying on the party. They would pretend like they "accidentally" rolled one of the pool balls down the stairs; when they went to retrieve the ball they would get a glimpse into the parlor. This would be repeated over and over again as a sort of game...a game that would end in tragedy. It was one of the little girls turns to roll the pool ball down the stairs, when she got a little too close to the top step. She would tumble down to her death. Guests who stay in the Hamilton-Turner Inn today have heard what sounds like someone playing a game of pool on the top floor. They have even heard something being rolled down the stairs. What's interesting to note is that there are no pool tables in the Hamilton-Turner; there haven't been in many years.

If you are looking for an elegant stay in Savannah Georgia, certainly consider the Hamilton-Turner Inn. If you are looking for a chummy game of pool, you will need to look elsewhere. The only billiards play going on at this inn is from, well, beyond the grave.

Savannah Ghost Tours

2011-10-25T17:57:00.000-04:00

A visit to Savannah Georgia is not complete without a ghost tour…or two…or three. Claiming the title of America’s most haunted city, there are no shortage of ghost tours in Savannah. Narrowing down the ghoulish fun can be, well, quite grueling. But never fret; there is a ghost tour for every soul in this sultry city. From guided walking tours, to haunted pub crawls, creepy trolley tours, and even hearse tours, you can be sure to get more than your fair share of chills.

If you are interested in getting up close and personal with Savannah's paranormal, you may wish to stroll along the shadowy streets of the old city on a haunted walking tour. Take your chances walking through a town lovingly nicknamed "A city built upon her dead". Linger beside the chilling Colonial Park Cemetery as you listen to centeries old tales of the strange and unusual. Perhaps you will spot a disturbing apparition in a window of the 17Hundred90 Inn, or the Kehoe House, which was once used as a mortuary.

If you would like to hear about Savannah’s many spirits while enjoying a few “spirits” of a different nature, you may wish to sign up for a haunted pub crawl. These jovial tours emphasize the darker side of Savannah’s many famous watering holes, pubs so popular that the some patrons have remained well past “last call”.

Perhaps you are looking for something unique, something you don't see every day. Well, look no further than Hearse Ghost Tours. The only ghost tour in Savannah to offer you the experience of riding around town in a real hearse...a hearse that was used to transport countless souls to their final resting place. Your morbid limosine will pick you up at your Historic District hotel and take you on a chilling journey through Savannah, an experience you are sure to remember!

Whatever your preference, be sure to treat yourself to one of these unique and intriguing tours. See a side of Savannah you never knew existed....experience the darker side of this city built upon her dead.

The Sorrel-Weed House

2011-10-24T12:31:00.000-04:00

Built in 1839, the Sorrel-Weed House has long been a formidable presence on Madison Square. This pumpkin colored Greek Revival Mansion has hosted such notable guests as Civil War generals William T. Sherman and Robert E. Lee. But its not just her history that lures visitors to this popular house museum today; it is most certainly the mysterious paranormal occurrences that seem to enchant curiosity seekers, as well as professional ghost hunters alike.

In 2005 the Sorrel-Weed House attracted the attention of Sci-Fi channel's Ghost Hunters. These world-renowned paranormal investigators, also known as TAPS, traveled to Savannah Georgia to film their Halloween episode live. Neither they, nor their viewers, were disappointed with the strange findings at the Sorrel-Weed House. During an EVP session conducted in the courtyard behind the mansion, a most disturbing voice was captured on a digital voice recorder. It was a voice so clear that it could actually be heard with the naked ear; a woman's voice pleading for mercy when it said "Get out...get out...help me! My God...my God!" After conducting research on the property, it is believed that the EVP is the disembodied voice of a slave woman whose dead body was discovered in the carriage house. It is not fully known whether the woman, known as Molly, committed suicide or was the victim of murder, as the strange EVP would suggest. It is widely believed, however, that the master of the house, Francis Sorrel, was having an affair with a servant girl. Could this be the voice that was captured?

There was for certain at least one suicide that occurred in the Sorrel-Weed House. Matilda Moxley Sorrel, Francis Sorrel's wife, leaped to her death from the second floor porch above the courtyard. It is believed that she took her own life after learning of her husband's affair.

In addition to the strange voices that have been caught in and around the house, visitors have experienced extreme cold spots in the basement, which was originally used as the kitchen. Visitors touring the Sorrel-Weed House have felt a cold rush of wind in the parlors, heard the sound of whispering, and even experienced an unexplained touch as they have descended the stairs to the basement level. Spirit photography capturing orbs of light and unexplained shadow figures, is also quite common at the Sorrel-Weed House. One thing is quite certain, no paranormal visit to Savannah is complete without a stop at the old Sorrel-Weed House on Madison Square. Just be sure to keep your eyes, and ears, open for an unexplainable encounter in one of Savannah's most haunted houses.

The East Bay Inn

2011-09-09T11:30:00.000-04:00

The East Bay Inn, a long time favorite amongst travelers looking for a quaint and intimate hotel experience, sits just above Savannah's riverfront. With only twenty-eight well appointed guestrooms, the East Bay Inn offers its guests an opportunity to step back in time to an era when Savannah saw its greatest prosperity under the reign of "King Cotton". Built in 1852, the East Bay Inn was originally used as offices for cotton merchants, known as factors. They would buy and sell this white gold, much like stocks are traded today. Great wealth was to be had in those years before the onset of the Civil War, referred to by many southerners as "the war of Northern aggression".

Eventually other tenants would move into the Greek-Revival style building at 225 E. Bay Street. A steam bakery would set up shop in the 1860's. In the late 1880's the building would house foreign consul offices. The longest term tenant would be the Columbia Drug Company which took over the building in 1920. After sitting empty for nearly twenty years, the property was renovated in 1984 into the East Bay Inn. However, it is believed that one of the former tenants has remained to keep an eye on things. The staff at the East Bay Inn lovingly call him "Charlie".

The figure of a man wearing a dark suit and a top hat has appeared both to staff and guests at the East Bay Inn. He has been seen walking about the lobby and down the corridors as if he were simply taking note of things. He has been seen quite clearly by front-desk staff late at night who are caught off guard by a strange figure standing in the lobby. He makes his presence known and then he simply disappears. Guests have heard the sound of someone pacing outside their guestroom late at night, with the occasional jiggling of the doorknob. This strange activity is recorded in guest journals that are on display in several of the rooms.

Could Charlie be a cotton factor? Perpetually taking inventory of his goods, making eternal calculations? Whatever the case, he is seen as harmless. Just another Savannah specter, lingering about his business at the East Bay Inn.

River Street Specters

2011-09-08T14:19:00.000-04:00

For over thirty years tourists have flocked to the many restaurants, pubs and shops of Savannah's famous River Street. It has in essence become quite the tourist epicenter, as well as a popular nightspot. But good times have not always been had along Savannah's riverfront. In fact, the stretch of old warehouses that now are filled with delicious cuisine, hand-made pecan pralines and frozen adult beverages, were once used to store cotton, resin, and slaves.

During the 19th century the port of Savannah was the world's largest exporter of cotton, known at the time as "King Cotton". Many cotton brokers became exceedingly wealthy from this "white gold". But there was another product, far more sinister and shameful, that would be traded through Savannah...slaves. Savannah in fact was a major port for the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Slaves were brought up the Savannah River and stored in many of the warehouses that line the riverfront. They would in turn be sold on the slave block which was located in the area that is now City Market, another popular tourist center in Savannah. The conditions in which the slaves were kept in these warehouses were quite poor. The warehouses were crowded and disease-ridden. During the day the slaves were used to unload cotton and at night they were chained to the walls and floors of the warehouses to prevent their escape. There was no shortage of suffering in Savannah in those years. Many slaves would die in these warehouses. It is believed that some of these slaves are still haunting the Shrimp Factory restaurant on E. River Street.

Known by its red and white striped awnings, the Shrimp Factory has been a popular restaurant on River Street since its founding in 1978. But this restaurant is known for more than its delectable variety of shrimp dishes. Since it opened its doors over thirty years ago, there have been strange happenings that have left staff and patrons alike quite puzzled. Employees at the Shrimp Factory have long noted a particular cold spot on the stairs leading up to the restaurant's storage rooms. One particular spot on the stairs, normally hot and stuffy during the summer months, always feels notably cooler. This bizarre coolness is just the beginning of the unusual "activity" at the Shrimp Factory. Waitstaff have heard strange sounds coming from an upstairs room, now used to store liquor. The sounds include that of a low groaning, whispered chattering, as well as the clanging of chains being drug across the floor. No one likes to go to that upstairs room alone for fear of encountering the source of these mysterious sounds. Downstairs at the bar bottles have mysteriously fallen of the shelves and objects seem to move on their own accord.

The Savannah Harley-Davidson shop is located just a couple of blocks east of the Shrimp Factory. A long time tenant of the warehouses that are also home to the Old Harbor Inn, the Harley-Davidson shop is a popular stop for biking enthusiasts visiting Savannah. But its not just the living that are attracted to the trendy motorcycle paraphernalia. The dead have been known to browse about the shop as well. There have been several instances when employees working at the Harley-Davidson shop have noticed what appears to be a woman dressed in period (19th century) clothing walking about the store. Looking just as real as you or I, she has been mistaken for a local tour guide dressed in costume. She will appear to browse about the shop and then simply walk right through the wall!

Are these ghosts on River Street simply residual haunts, memories from the past being played out as tape recordings or picture shows? Or is there more to the haunts along Savannah's "tormented" riverfront? Local legend has it that the very waters of the Savannah River are haunted. The strong currents that have claimed the lives of many unfortunate drowning victims, are actually the vengeful spirits of slaves. Some of which would take their own lives by throwing themselves into the river to avoid the tortures of slavery. Whatever the case, there is no mistaking that Savannah's riverfront, with its cobble-stone streets and time-worn buildings, now vibrant with laughter, still contain the echo of a tormented past.

"The Birthplace": A Tale of Endless Love

2011-09-07T13:10:00.000-04:00

Each year hundreds of Girl Scouts make their pilgrimage to Savannah Georgia, where the Girl Scouts of the USA was founded in 1912. At the top of their list is a visit to the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace, lovingly called "The Birthplace", where founder Juliette Gordon was born on Halloween night 1860 to William and Nelly Gordon.

William Washington Gordon II (Willie) was a native Savannahian and son of William Washington Gordon I, founder of the Central of Georgia Railroad and former Mayor of Savannah. Willie left Savannah in 1842, at the age of eight, with his mother Sarah and siblings after his father contracted malaria and died suddenly. Sarah Gordon moved the family to New Jersey so that her children could attend the favored northern schools. It was at Yale University that Willie Gordon met his bride to be, the high-spirited and adventurous Eleanor "Nelly" Kinzie. Willie and Nellie would return to the Gordon home in Savannah where they would raise a loving family of six children. Their second child Juliette (Daisy) would go on to found the Girl Scouts of the USA.

There was a bond between Willie and Nelly Gordon that saw past differences that would normally hinder other relationships. Nelly, a native of Chicago, was staunchly against slavery. Willie, a Georgian by birth, would remain loyal to his state. He would go on to fight with the Georgia Hussars during what Nelly referred to as the "Confederate War". Nelly would lose a brother in the Union Army, while two others would be taken as prisoners of war. Even her beloved Willie would go missing while fighting for the confederate cause. True to her determined and high-spirited nature, Nelly Gordon would solicit the help of two opposing generals, Robert E. Lee and William T. Sherman, in finding her lost love. Both generals would treat Mrs. Gordon with the utmost respect. She was a commanding presence all her own. Willie was eventually found in Virginia and would soon return to his native Savannah and the loving arms of his faithful and determined wife.

Their lives together did not go unchallenged, as they both sought the greater good of others. Willie would do so through military service, Nelly through aiding the sick and poor. Though they were frequently separated by these causes, they were never far from one another's hearts. When Willie Gordon passed away in 1912 he left a grief-strickened wife behind. She would go on serving others and offering her home as a place of utmost hospitality for another five years. However, on February 22, 1917, after a long illness, Nelly Gordon died in the front bedroom of her Savannah home. Each of her five living children were present at her side. The family would later recall how their father William Gordon appeared at the moment of his wife's death.

Nelly's daughter-in-law Mary Stewart Gordon Platt had said her farewells to Mrs. Gordon and was sitting quietly in an adjoining room. She was quite surprised to see the familiar figure of her late father-in-law William Gordon, dead five years, standing in the hallway looking into the room where his wife lay. She would later describe the expression on his face as being one of "grave gladness". He proceeded through the room where Mary Gordon was sitting and down the front stairs. Just moments later Mary's husband came into the room to inform her that his mother had passed. Mary tried to explain what she had seen to her husband, who in his grief dismissed what she was saying until they reached the bottom of the stairs and saw the old family butler in tears. Before anyone had told him the news, the old servant had already known that the lady of the house was dead. For he had just seen William Gordon himself come down the stairs in his favorite grey suit and walk right out the front door. The servant expressed his joy at seeing the familiar figure "Lawd, 'twas good to see him again....I thought you lake to know de General come fetch her hisself, suh." The family would recall that at the moment of her passing, their mother had a peaceful and radiant look on her face...like she was going to meet her bridegroom.

Today the "Birthplace" is a memento to both the founding and service of one of the world's most charitable organizations; as well as to the legacy of a family rooted in a timeless and enduring love for one another.

The Old Harbor Inn

2011-09-06T09:28:00.000-04:00

There is no shortage of charming hotels and bed & breakfasts in Savannah Georgia. Selecting just one can be an overwhelming experience. There is a good chance, however, that the one you select will be haunted.

If its convenience you seek, look no further than the Old Harbor Inn. Located between River Street and Factor's Walk, the Old Harbor Inn is just steps to restaurants, shopping and all the city of Savannah has to offer. But be warned, this once cotton warehouse has quite the past...a past that seems to have lingered beyond check out time.

Many of the old buildings along Savannah's famed River Street were once warehouses used to store cotton. Built in 1892, the Old Harbor Inn was originally one such warehouse. Legend has it that the Old Harbor Inn is haunted by the spirit of one of the old warehouse's employees, an unfortunate fellow lovingly nicknamed "Hank".

As the story goes, Hank was a disgruntled employee. He resented his job in the sweltering warehouse. He was a real lazy bones; he would rather sit around smoking cigars than working at all. One day he approached his boss asking for a raise. His boss, none-to-impressed by Hank's boldness, told him to get back to work and forget about a raise. In a gesture of sarcasm, Hank reached into his pocket and retrieved a coin. He then flicked the coin at his boss threatening if he didn't get a raise nobody would benefit from all the cotton stored in the warehouse. But what did he mean? Was he implying that he was going to do something nasty and vengeful? Ironically, that very night the warehouse caught on fire destroying all of the precious cotton. But what's even more ironic, when the ruble was being cleared a very gruesome discovery was made. The charred remains of a body was found in the smoldering ashes, burned beyond recognition. Was it Hank? Many seem to think so.

Guests at the Old Harbor Inn have experienced very unusual things. The smell of cigar smoke in empty hallways, objects being moved on their own accord, even mysterious coins falling out of nowhere. Could it be old Hank paying them a tip? Or perhaps he's still making his empty threats from beyond the grave.

The Eliza Thompson House

2011-09-02T13:44:00.000-04:00

You would be hard pressed to find better hospitality in Savannah than at the Eliza Thompson House bed and breakfast on Jones Street. But be warned, there's something strange going on on the first floor--particularly in room 132.

The very first home to be built on Jones Street, hailed as the prettiest street in Savannah, the Eliza Thompson House was constructed in 1847 for Joseph and Eliza Thompson and their seven children. Some of these children may still be in residence, making their presence known in the R. Bruce room (132). Guests in this room have seen what appears to be the torso portion of a confederate soldier. He has been seen sitting on the couch as well as standing in front of the window. Interestingly, passers by have seen a confederate soldier standing in the window looking down onto Jones Street. This apparition is believed to be that of James Thompson, one of Eliza and Joseph's two sons. Ironically, James Thompson survived his tenure in the confederate army, only to die of wounds inflicted after a horse kicked him in the stomach right in front of the house. His spirit, apparently, has not gone far.

James is not the only Thompson thought to haunt the Eliza Thompson House. Also in room 132, guests have experienced the sound of children's laughter...playful, joyful laughter. Guests have even felt the imprint of someone sitting on the edge of the bed next to them, almost urging them to get up and play.

A stay at the Eliza Thompson House, with its richly decorated guestrooms and award-winning hospitality, is sure to please the most discriminating of travelers. Just don't be surprised when the friendly resident ghosts show a little "hospitality" of their own.

The Moon River Brewing Company

2011-09-01T11:56:00.001-04:00

There is more than an ample selection of fine craft beers awaiting the thirsty visitor at Savannah's Moon River Brewing Company. There are "spirits" of an other-worldly nature as well. Housed in a circa 1821 building that once served as Savannah's first hotel, known as City Hotel, the Moon River Brewing Company is the perfect setting for ghostly encounters. In fact, one the signature brews at the Moon River Brewing Company is appropriately named 'Apparition Ale', a fitting tribute to the specters that claim this old building as their home.

The staff at the Moon River Brewing Company have had several strange encounters with these resident apparitions. One such entity, a shadow figure frequently seen in the downstairs billiards room, has been lovingly named "Toby". Toby apparently is a bit of a trickster. He likes to "brush past" employees giving them quite a fright. Old Toby has even been caught on film by the notorious Sci-Fi channel's Ghost Hunters. During their 2005 investigation of the brewery, they caught a very interesting shadow figure move out of the wall and pass behind one of the pool tables. The strange apparition then turned and disappeared right back into the wall!

On the third floor of the Moon River Brewing Company, a section of the old building that has not been renovated, staff has experience the uneasy feeling of a female presence. Seen at times as a woman dressed in white period clothing, this presence seems to be unsettled--even disturbed. There is a heavy feeling on the third floor of the brewery--a feeling of unwelcome.

Strange happenings seem to be quite the normal experience at the Moon River Brewing Company. Staff have experienced silverware moving on its own.They have even had bottles thrown from shelves! One account tells of a ghostly figure sidling up to the bar as if to order a drink and then simply vanishing right in front of the bartenders. Perhaps the lure of this active Savannah hot spot, with its delicious house brewed beer, has left the dead thirsty for a taste of their own.

The Candler Hospital

2011-08-31T09:34:00.000-04:00

There is perhaps no building in Savannah that has witnessed as much misery and death, as the old Candler Hospital. Founded in 1808 as a seaman’s hospital and poor house, Candler is the oldest hospital in the state of Georgia. Formerly known as Savannah Hospital, the hospital was originally operating out of a private residence. In 1819 it was moved to the current location on Drayton Street, just across from Forsyth Park. This structure, which has been empty for nearly two decades, was once used as a Union hospital, as well as a hospital where hundreds of people died of Yellow Fever. It is purported to have been briefly used as a mental institution as well.

In the summer of 1876, at the height of one of Savannah’s greatest Yellow Fever epidemics, 276 people died in a period of 48 hours. So great were the number of corpses that doctors feared the further spread of disease. They also feared the panic that would ensue should citizens of the fair city witness the caravan of bodies being transported from the hospital. And so they dug a tunnel. Approximately 10 feet beneath the surface of the ground there is a tunnel that stretches nearly the entire width of the current parking lot. This tunnel was known as the "Dead House" and was used as a makeshift morgue for the hospital. Victims of yellow fever were stored in this Dead House awaiting burial in one of several mass graves that litter the City of Savannah. Though the people of Savannah were well aware of the epidemic, as it had claimed nearly 10% of Savannah’s population each year, the “ugliness” of it was kept concealed.

Although there have been several prospects for the old Candler Hospital building, including converting it into condominiums, as of this post the magnificent building sits empty. It's commanding presence off Forsyth Park a reminder of a time of prosperity, as well as death, in the City of Savannah.

The Foley House Inn

2011-08-27T15:29:00.002-04:00

Charm certainly abides at the quaint little bed & breakfast known as the Foley House Inn on Savannah's Chippewa Square. But something else seems to be in residence as well; something that has lingered for nearly 130 years.

As Savannah's oldest inn, the Foley House served as a boarding house in the late 1800's. The inn keeper was a woman named Mrs. Foley, a widow who took in boarders in order to make ends meet. Mrs. Foley was a kind and gracious woman, but a prudent woman as well. She was said to have been very concerned with checking references for those who sought to rent her rooms.

As legend has it, a fellow came calling on Mrs. Foley one afternoon to inquire about renting a room. He was something of a smooth talker and was able to convince the shrewd widow into renting to him even though he possessed no references. Against her better judgment she let him in.

As the story goes, one evening Mrs. Foley was in her bedchamber when this less-than-gentlemanly man burst through the door intent on doing her harm. Unfortunately for him, he had underestimated this old cookie. She jumped up and quickly grabbed the heavy silver candlestick from her nightstand and bashed him over the head with it, killing him. Mrs. Foley kept this a secret. Until her death bed that is.

While lying on her death bed she proceeded to tell the tale of a man that she had killed one night in self defense, a man whose body she had sealed up between the very walls of her boardinghouse. No one of course believed her. Especially not since she was dying of dementia. They simply thought she was a crazy old woman telling stories. Until...nearly a hundred years later, when the inn was going through renovations, workers discovered something quite gruesome indeed. The skeletal remains of a man were found literally inside the wall.

Today guests at the Foley House Inn experience the gracious hospitality that has been this inn's trademark for nearly a century and a half. But they experience other things as well. Guests in certain rooms will feel a passing gust of wind coming through their guestroom door, as if someone were rushing into the room. An added perk for this inn is that they allow small pets. These pets, however, seem to behave strangely in the Foley House Inn; staring intently at the wall and growling at the end of an empty corridor. In the late afternoons the figure of a man dressed in black and wearing a top hat has been seen in the garden.

A stay at the Foley House Inn, with all of its 19th century charm, is sure to please the most discriminating of travelers. In fact, some travelers seem to have never checked out.

Little Gracie Watson

2011-08-24T11:33:00.000-04:00

Perhaps the most endearing of all ghost stories in Savannah Georgia is that of little Gracie Watson. An ambassador to Savannah both in life and from beyond the grave, Gracie has won the affection of countless visitors with her undying charm.

Born in 1883, Gracie was the beloved only child of W.J. and Frances Watson of Boston Massachusetts. Gracie's parents had moved to Savannah where the Watson's took over management of the posh Pulaski Hotel on Johnson Square. The hotel would be the only home little Gracie ever new.

As northerners trying to fit into an exclusive southern community, Frances Watson sought membership amongst Savannah's elite. Not readily accepted in the tight circles of deep-south society, Mrs. Watson would use her husband's influence as Pulaski Hotel manager to their benefit. Savannah high-society would be courted by the Watson's at the Pulaski Hotel, a fitting setting for Savannah's upper echelon. But the grace of this elegant hotel would soon be overshadowed by the charm of a bright-eyed little girl named Gracie.

Visitors to the Pulaski Hotel would be greeted by a bubbly little girl who was quite the hostess. Always present at parties, Gracie would entertain guests and local visitors alike. Mrs. Watson's quest to fit into Savannah society had been sealed. Savannah was rapidly falling in love with little Gracie Watson. No one could predict that the warmth of her presence at the Pulaski Hotel would be short lived.

Too everyone's dismay, Gracie would succumb to pneumonia. Dying just two days before Easter 1889, at the age of six, the city of Savannah mourned the loss of young Gracie Watson. She was buried in the family plot in Bonaventure Cemetery. Gracie's father would sink into a deep depression. He would leave the Pulaski Hotel for employment at Savannah's new luxury hotel, the Desoto on Madison Square. This employment would be brief as he would soon move with his wife back to Boston leaving Gracie interred alone in Bonaventure. The Watsons would not leave Savannah, however, before commissioning the services of rising Savannah sculptor John Walz. From a photograph Walz would sculpt a life-size statue of Gracie out of Georgia marble. Posed gracefully, this image of Gracie Watson has captivated visitors to Bonaventure for over a century. Her grave site had become so popular that the cemetery erected an iron fence around it in an attempt to protect the legendary statue.

It is said that Gracie still greets visitors to Savannah. The spirit of a little girl dressed in late 19th century clothing has been spotted playing in Johnson Square, particularly around a bronze sundial. Patrons at a bank that now occupies the spot on what used to be the Pulaski Hotel have heard the sound of a little girl's laughter. Gracie has also been spotted in Bonaventure cemetery in the late afternoon playing amongst the graves of other children. Still captivated by her charm and gracious hospitality, visitors will leave tokens such as crayons and coins at her grave site. Gracie Watson, Savannah's little ambassador, is certain to enjoy the attention.

The Pirates' House

2011-08-23T14:38:00.001-04:00

Any trip to Savannah is sure to include a delectable meal or two. Why not enjoy that meal in the company of some other worldly diners at the Pirate House restaurant and tavern. Located just a block from the Savannah river, The Pirates' House is one of Savannah's most popular attractions.

Situated on a section of land that was once known as Trustees Garden, this ten acre plot was set aside during the founding of the city of Savannah in 1733 as a botanical garden to see what would actually grow in the new colony of Georgia. High hopes were shattered when the much desired mulberry trees which produced the coveted silk worm failed due to poor soil and unsuitable climate. However one crop would flourish...the peach tree. One room in The Pirates' House complex, known as the "herb room", dates back to 1734 making it the oldest building in Georgia. It was used as the gardener's cottage. Today it is a quaint dining room in which patrons can experience the architecture and feel of early 18th century Savannah.

In 1754 the city of Savannah no longer needed an experimental garden. Located just eighteen miles from the Atlantic, Savannah was beginning to thrive as a port town. What it needed was an inn and tavern to accommodate the many seafarers who required lodging. As Savannah was attracting an increasing number of merchant vessels, so would she attract seafarers of a more questionable nature--pirates who could hardly resist the lure of this south Georgia port. The marshes and tributaries about Savannah provided these scalawags with sufficient routes by which to navigate their ships containing stolen goods. Savannah would in fact become a haven for pirates. The Pirates' House would become their chief lodging place. Serving as a brothel as well as an inn and tavern, this rowdy hang-out on the bluff above the Savannah river would witness countless ill-doings, including the occasional shanghaiing of some unsuspecting visitor. It is rumored that there is a tunnel that runs from the old rum cellar beneath The Pirate's House out to the Savannah river. Many an innocent patron would experience the false hospitality of a cunning pirate. After enjoying an evening's rum, on the house of course, the poor fellow would wake up the next morning miles out to sea headed for some distant port. He had been kidnapped into slavery aboard a pirate ship, never to been seen again.

Savannah Georgia is certainly no stranger to legend and lore. Many a writer and artist have been inspired by her timeless charm. One such writer, Robert Louis Stevenson, would mention Savannah quite prominently in his famous novel Treasure Island. A swashbuckling tale of pirate adventure. In Stevenson's classic the famed and feared Captain Flint would die in the second floor bedroom of a tavern widely believed to be The Pirates' House.

Many people passing by the candlelit windows of The Pirates' House will feel the urge to snap a picture of this early colonial building. In doing so many have captured the image of a pirate, or even a barmaid, staring back at them from beyond the grave. Perhaps at The Pirates' House there's "still room at the inn" for these scrupulous visitors.

The Marshall House Inn

2011-08-19T11:06:00.003-04:00

Savannah is no stranger to tragedy, with large portions of its population wiped out by the Yellow Fever epidemics of the 19th century. The spirits of those who knew great suffering seem to have lingered behind. At the Marshall House Inn on E. Broughton Street those sufferings seem to play themselves out over and over again. Built in 1851 by Mary Marshall, this 68 room inn served as a hospital during two Yellow Fever epidemics as well as a hospital for Union soldiers during the Civil War. It seems as though some of her patients and their caregivers have remained. There have been reports of guests waking up in the middle of the night to the sensation of someone holding their wrist, perhaps a spectral nurse routinely checking her patient's pulse. During renovations in the 1960's human bones were found under a floor. Upon closer investigation a room was discovered where it appeared amputations had been discarded before an addition was built, closing in the room. The sound of disembodied voices can be heard laughing and running up and down the halls accompanied by the jiggling of doorknobs. Apparently the ghosts of the Marshall House do not heed the "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door. Poltergeist activity has also been witnessed at the Marshall House with bathtubs filling on their own accord. There is one account of a guest who upon discovering that her toilet had overflowed for no apparent reason quickly sopped up the water with bath towels before calling the front desk. When maintenance arrived at the room they found a dazed and confused guest with perfectly dry towels hanging on their rack!

The Hanging of Alice Riley

2010-03-25T20:00:00.002-04:00

One of the first squares in Savannah, Wright Square was the hanging square. Permanent gallows once stood where tourists now tread. Gallows upon which swift “justice” was served to those so condemned. But justice didn’t always favor the innocent…nor did it favor the fairer sex. For it was with Irish immigrant Alice Riley that the first woman in Georgia was executed. Ms. Riley, like the majority of poor immigrants at the time, was an indentured servant—paying back through labor, the price of her passage to the new world. William Wise, the man to whom she was contracted, was a wealthy but particularly cruel bloke. He beat and abused Alice daily until she could take it no more. One night while giving the less than charming fellow a bath, Alice and a fellow servant held the old chap’s head beneath the water, drowning him. The servants fled but were quickly captured, convicted and sentenced to death. After watching her accomplice drop through the gallows, his neck snapping and body writhing, Alice began begging for mercy, claiming she was with child. The local physician verified her claim and Alice was allowed to live—for eight more months. She was held in the city jail until the time in which she delivered old William Wise’s son, then she was dragged back out of the jail, up the gallows and was hung by the neck until dead. Witnesses have claimed to have seen a woman in Wright Square, dressed in rags and wondering about looking for her lost baby. It is believed to be the spirit of Alice Riley. Unfortunately, Alice's search is in vain. Shortly after she was executed the infant died as well. Poor Alice will forever roam Wright Square looking for her lost baby.

A Colonial Ghost at The Olde Pink House

2010-03-25T17:15:00.001-04:00

One of the few 18th century homes to survive the Great Fire of 1796, The Olde Pink House is perhaps Savannah’s most elegant restaurant. It is also her most haunted.
The mansion was built in 1771 for James Habersham Jr., a successful rice planter and shipping baron. Unlike his father James Habersham Sr. who remained loyal to the British Crown, Junior used his wealth to help finance the War for Independence. In fact secret meetings of the Sons of Liberty were held in his home here on Reynolds Square to plot the arrest of the Royal Governor.
Habersham leant his elegant home to the colonial freedom fighters much the way he still lends it to visitors today…presiding proudly as its gracious host. Witnesses have reported seeing an elegant looking man dressed in colonial attire in the downstairs tavern. His appearance being so clear that they merely thought him to be a staff member dressed in costume. Upon leaving the restaurant they notice the painting hanging in the foyer to be the same gentleman they just saw strolling about the tavern. Perplexed, they inquire about the gentleman’s identity only to be advised that the man in the painting, James Habersham Jr., has been dead for two hundred years. And why is the house pink,you might ask? It’s because the original bricks beneath the plaster facade, intended to make the house look more elegant, have bled through over time. And though we’re not sure the gracious Mr. Habersham would approve of the whimsical color, we Savannahians believe she is quite pretty in pink.

The Old Burying Ground

2009-10-23T17:39:00.002-04:00

Colonial Park Cemetery on Oglethorpe Avenue has long haunted passers by. Now a popular stop on any reputable “Ghost Tour”, this cemetery of scattered brick tombs and disheveled grave markers, was the main burial ground in Savannah from 1750 until 1853 when it was closed to interments. In 1896 the cemetery was turned into a park with benches and tabby paths, making it a popular “strolling” ground for locals.

At first glance it would appear that there are no more than about 600 bodies buried in Colonial Park, but don’t let the scarcity of tombstones fool you. Beneath the gnarled branches of moss-draped oaks lie nearly 10,000 of Savannah’s dead. For the dead of Colonial Park are different than the dead of other cemeteries. Nearly 700 souls are buried together in a mass grave near the south side of the cemetery. These deceased are the victims of the great Yellow Fever epidemic of 1820; a plague which claimed the lives of thousands that year. Perhaps it is for this reason that visitors to Colonial Cemetery experience strange sensations and areas of disturbing “coolness”.

Colonial Park Cemetery was closed to burials before the Civil War, and so it is no surprise that there are no Confederate soldiers interred there. The Civil War, however, did play a role in the cemetery’s history, as it was largely desecrated by Union soldiers who encamped in it during the winter of 1864. During this time several gravestones were vandalized and tombs were raided. Bodies were actually cast out of the brink tombs which were in turn made into bunkers for the soldiers.

Over the years there have been several ghostly tales involving the old brick cemetery. One such tale involves a maid who worked at the old City Hotel on Bay Street. One evening she became intrigued by a man whom she had met at the hotel. She decided to follow him home only to witness him disappear into the gates of Colonial Park.

Perhaps the most famous of Colonial Park specters is Rene Rondolia Asch, a disfigured and disproportionately large orphan who was said to have called Colonial Park his home in the early 1800s. Rene had the gruesome habit of killing and mutilating young animals for fun. Rene was accused of murder after the bodies of two young girls were discovered mangled in the cemetery. Dragged to the nearby swamps, Rene was lynched, his body left hanging in a tree. But the murders did not cease with Rene’s death. Several more bodies began to turn up in the cemetery immediately following the Rene’s lynching. The townspeople of Savannah soon became convinced that it was Rene's ghost seeking vengeance. A large, mongoloid figure has been witnessed over the years in the cemetery, which is still known as “Rene’s playground”.

Disturbed Female Presences at the 17Hundred90 Inn

2009-06-07T21:35:00.001-04:00

A tale of unrequited love and vengeance has long haunted the 17Hundred90 Inn on E. York Street. Named after the year in which it was built, this white clapboard inn is a popular inn and restaurant. It is also the home of Annie Powers, the ghost of a young woman who is said to have taken her own life. Grieved over the departure of her seafaring lover, she watched from the widow’s walk as the sails of his ship left the harbor. She then threw herself from the third floor balcony to the courtyard below. Miss Powers has been heard weeping about the second floor of the inn and is especially fond of room 204, her former room. Guests in room 204 have reported awakening to the strange sensation of an unearthly female presence.

Annie Powers is not the only female presence to haunt the 17Hundred90 Inn. The spirit of a slave woman is said to linger about the kitchen. It is rumored that this spirit is that of a Gullah, or Geechee, servant who was deeply involved in Voodoo. Employees have heard the sound of clanging bracelets and the sashaying of fabric in the kitchen along with the distinct feeling of being watched. Perhaps this slave woman was the house cook and is eternally set on keeping order.

The Perpetual Party at Bonaventure Cemetery

2009-06-02T21:46:00.002-04:00

Bonaventure Cemetery has been likened by many as the most beautiful cemetery in the world. Poised on a bluff above the Wilmington River, nearly 600 acres of mausoleums, exquisite statuary and ornate tombstones are veiled beneath moss-draped oaks. The massive, gnarled branches of which have witnessed more than two centuries of merriment and mourning.
Bonaventure has not always been the final resting place for many a prominent Savannahian. She was once a great plantation, and part of the original 1760 land grant of an English Colonel named John Mulryne. Bonaventure was known for its then beautiful plantation home and terraced gardens, picturesquely situated along the river. It was a colonial-era estate unrivaled in its elegance.
As with many a prominent southern family, proper breeding was held in high regards. Mary, the lovely daughter of John Mulryne wed a Mr. Josiah Tattnall, another name upon which the city of Savannah rose to prosperity. It is rumored that the mighty live oaks of Bonaventure were originally planted in a pattern which exemplified the letters M and T entwined, as a symbol of the union of these two great Savannah families.Just as the Bonaventure plantation became famous for its elegance, so did it become noted for its lavish parties. Josiah Tattnall Jr., son of Josiah and Mary Tattnall was renowned for his sense of hospitality. After returning from England, and the clutches of war between the motherland and the colonies, Josiah Jr. took up residence at the Bonaventure mansion where he held the most notable parties in the region. Perhaps it is one such party, a party which seems to go on without end, that has proven to be the most famous of all. One late fall evening around the year 1800, Josiah Jr. was hosting one of his lavish parties. The great house was decorated with dried greens and fresh flowers and welcoming fires blazed in each of the home's fireplaces. In the middle of dinner a slave approached Josiah asking to have a word with him in private. The slave then proceeded to tell his master the unfortunate news--that the mansion was on fire and there was nothing that could be done to save it. Rather than offend his party guests with the slightest inhospitality, Josiah simply requested that his servants move the table and chairs and all of the food outside to the front lawn. There the festivities continued as the house burnt through the night. It is rumored that several toasts were made in honor of the fine, dying mansion. One of which would immortalize the evening "May the joy of this occasion never end...". After toasting, the guests, as well as Josiah Tatnall, threw their crystal glasses into the fire.The first interments at Bonaventure were Josiah Tatnall Jr.'s wife and four children, followed by Josiah himself. The grounds became an official cemetery in 1869 and ownership eventually passed to the state. Bonaventure is unique in its eternal beauty and mysterious charm. She is the final resting place of poets and authors and song writers, folks who understood her peculiar allure. Today, on quiet nights in late fall, some have claimed to hear the sound of laughter and the distinct clanking of broken crystal. Perhaps Bonaventure is home to more than the dead--perhaps she is the hostess of a great party, a party which is celebrated perpetually.

Kehoe House: Savannah's Most Haunted Inn

2009-02-23T08:21:00.002-05:00

When traveling to Savannah one must experience the local color, so to speak. Many of Savannah's gracious inns provide a taste of southern tradition and hospitality, as well as a few dark secrets. Perhaps the most famous of Savannah's haunted inns is the Kehoe House. Built in 1892 by William Kehoe for his wife and ten children, the Queen Anne style mansion with its massive red brick facade, rounded windows and Corinthian columned porches is a formidable presence on Columbia Square. The fact that the Kehoe House served as a funeral parlor for much of the 20th century only adds to its intrigue and share of ghosts. The second floor of this stately mansion is said to be the most "active" with guests in rooms 201 and 203 having reported awakening to the touch of a caress on their face and the imprint of someone sitting next to them on the bed though there was no one else in the room. There have been accounts of guests waking up to the sensation of being watched only to find a group of transparent "mourners" looking down at them as if they were laying in wake! The sound of children has also been heard on the second floor laughing and playing though there were no children in the inn at the time. Perhaps these children are the spirits of the Kehoe twins who died tragically while playing in one of the house's massive chimneys, each of which have been bricked up. Whatever the occasion, a stay at the Kehoe House promises to be "surreal".

Exorcism at The Hampton Lillibridge House

2009-02-20T09:58:00.004-05:00

The quaint home at 507 East St. Julian Street was built in 1796 by Rhode Islander Hampton Lillibridge and is one of very few 18th century residences to survive the great fire of 1820. Designed in true New England fashion, complete with widow's walk, one might derive that this charming white clapboard home would be better suited on Cape Cod than the southern port city of Savannah.

After Hampton Lillibridge's death his wife remarried and the home was sold. It passed through several owners and at one time stood as a rooming house. The house experienced a period of vacancy before being purchased in 1963 by famed antiques dealer Jim Williams. It is important to note that when Mr. Williams purchased the Hampton Lillibridge house it was not located on East St. Julian Street at all. Rather, it sat some four blocks away on East Bryan Street where it was rapidly deteriorating. Next door to it sat a similar residence which Jim Williams had also purchased with the intention of restoring both homes. Tragedy soon befell the endeavor as the second home collapsed while being moved, killing a workman.

Several tales of paranormal activity have surfaced over the years in connection with the Hampton Lillibridge residence. Tales that have only added to the mystery of Savannah's most haunted house. One such tale is that of a young sailor who lived in the home during the time when it was a rooming house. For whatever reason this young man decided to commit suicide by hanging himself in one of the upstairs bedrooms. Perhaps his disgruntled spirit was one to later torment the workmen who were hired by Jim Williams to restore the home, now located on the East St. Julian Street lot. During restoration several of the workers reported hearing voices in the house, as well as the sound of footsteps and the unnerving sensation that they were not alone. One afternoon Jim Williams and some friends were walking about the ground floor level of the house checking out the work that had been done that day. Suddenly they heard the sound of voices and footsteps on the level above them, though the workmen had all gone home for the day. They quickly ascended the stairs to investigate only to realize that the sounds were coming from above them again. They worked their way all the way up to the widow's walk on the roof when they heard the sounds once more--below them. In the empty room they had just passed through.

The noises in the house on East St. Julian Street persisted into something far more diabolical. On one occasion, a group of Mr. William's friends were walking through the garden level of the house when they heard sounds above them. One of the men went to investigate. Later, the others found him on the top level of the house lying face down on the floor, paralyzed with fear. After they were able to calm him down he explained what had happened to him. Apparently, upon entering the room to investigate the noises, he felt as though he were being submerged into a pool of cold water. He was overpowered by some strange force and actually felt as though he were being drawn to the open thirty foot chimney shaft. He did the only thing he knew at the time to avoid certain death--he dropped to the floor.

During the period when the house was vacant and being restored, several neighbors witnessed the sound of a woman screaming as well as the image of a man in a black suit with a bow tie standing in the upstairs window. One night, when Mr. Williams was away and the house was empty, a neighbor heard the sound of singing coming from the house. Upon investigation, lights were seen in the upstairs window as were the images of dancing figures.

Finally, on December 7, 1963 an exorcism was performed by a bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia. It lasted 45 minutes--to no avail. Within a week the activity persisted. Jim Williams found it difficult to keep a maid in the house on East St. Julian Street. More than one fled the premises after hearing voices and being overcome by the terrible sensation of a male presence.

Perhaps the paranormal activity at the Hampton Lillibridge House is connected to a gruesome discovery made before it was transported to the East St. Julian location. Workers, while preparing the foundation for the house, discovered an old crypt half filled with water. The crypt was made of tabby which was a common building material of the colonial period consisting of lime and oyster shells. The workmen told Jim Williams that the crypt was empty and they covered it over. Mr. Williams was hastily on his way out of town and didn't have time to investigate the matter on his own, for which he later regretted.

Today the house at 507 E. St. Julian sits grandly off Washington Square. A beautiful example of 18th century architecture. All is at peace, or so it seems......

Reference: Savannah Spectres: And Other Strange Tales, by Margaret Wayt DeBolt