Recently, I've gotten caught up in life and working on a related project for possible inclusion in a book. So, I've decided to do a bit of a photo essay on Florida. A future project will expand this entry.
Belleview Biltmore Hotel
25 Belleview Boulevard
Clearwater
 |
| This historic, 1897 hotel has drawn controversy when developers proposed demolition in order to build a retail and condominium development. In January, the owner applied for a permit to raze the grounds, but there is still controversy. Like so many historic hotels, the Belleview Biltmore's halls are still stalked by guests who have long since checked out. Photo, 2007, johncoxphoto.com. |
Boca Raton Resort & Club
501 East Camino Real
Boca Raton
 |
| Spanish for "Rat's mouth," Boca Raton has evolved into a vacationer's paradise. Originally opened as the Ritz-Carlton Cloister Inn, the Boca Raton Resort & Club retains its 1926 grandeur and also a few spirits. The most legendary of the hotel's spirits is that of "Esmerelda," a hotel maid who died in a fire in the 1920s. Photo, 2005, by Charlie Anzman. |
Castillo de San Marcos
1 South Castillo Drive
St. Augustine
 |
| Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry fort in the United States, having been started by the Spanish in 1672. The centuries of standing guard over the city have left spiritual marks. Moans and screams have been heard, exotic orange blossom perfume has been smelled and soldiers have been seen walking the ancient battlements. Photo, 2006, by Flattop341. |
The Colony Hotel and Spa
525 East Atlantic Avenue
Delray Beach
 |
| The Colony Hotel and Spa, built in 1926, boasts a good deal of paranormal activity some possibly relating to the spirits of the original owners. Shadow figures, pulsing lights and spiritual noise has been witnessed within this luxury hotel. Photo 2005, by ElvertBarnes. |
Flagler Museum
1 Whitehall Way
Palm Beach
 |
| Whitehall Mansion was built by the inimitable Henry Morrison Flagler, the businessman who developed the Florida East Coast Railway. Flagler and his wife took up residence here in 1902 and it was here that Flagler died in 1913 after falling down the stairs. Within these halls, the spirits of Flagler and his wife have been seen by visitors and staff. Photo, 2008, by Ray_from_LA. |
Fort Pickens
Santa Rosa Island
 |
| Part of the string of forts built in the early 19th century to protect the coast of America, Fort Pickens saw action during the Civil War. Later in the century the fort was used as a prison for the Apache chief Geronimo and his warriors. His spirit may be among the active spirits who are felt and heard throughout this historic fort. Photo, 2011, by jennylynndesign. |
Gibson Inn
51 Avenue C
Apalachicola
 |
| The 1907 Gibson Inn is a noted example of the popular Cracker Style of architecture that was predominant if the state in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Among the spirits here is one who plays the piano in the bar. Photo, 2009, by Gregory Moine. |
Hard Rock Cafe
313 Duvall Street
Key West
 |
| Here the rock music is hard and hauntings are active. Located in an 1888 mansion, the Hard Rock Cafe is possibly haunted by the spirit of an unhappy resident who hung himself in the house. Staff has heard the man whistling and walking about. Shadow figures have also been seen here. Photo, 2010, by Charlesboesel. |
Huguenot Cemetery
San Marco Avenue
St. Augustine
 |
| This cemetery was founded in 1821 to inter the dead from a Yellow Fever Epidemic. This cemetery served the Protestant citizens of St. Augustine, while the Catholics used the Tolomato Cemetery a short distance away. After dark, both cemeteries have a reputation of being quite active with spirits. One particular spirit here is the shade of a judge whose gold teeth were stolen by grave robbers just before his corpse was buried. Photo, 2010, by Cliff1066. |
Pensacola Light
2081 Radford Boulevard
Pensacola
 |
| Guiding ships into Pensacola Bay for almost three centuries, this lighthouse still echoes with apparitions and voices from the past. Legend speaks of a murder that took place in the 19th century here. Photo, 2010, by Digitizedchaos. |
Silver Springs Nature Park
5656 East Silver Springs Boulevard
Silver Springs
 |
| One of the largest artesian spring formations in the world, Silver Springs has been the scene of filming for a number of movies. This nature park is home to a ghostly pair of lovers who legend says were swallowed by the rocks in a place called "The Bridal Chamber." Photo, 1996, by ptrktn. |
Tampa Theatre
711 Franklin Street
Tampa
 |
| The 1926 Tampa Theatre is one of the great movie palaces designed by John Eberson. This magnificent theatre is haunted by the spirit of a loyal projectionist who had a heart attack while working in the theatre in the late 1960s. His spirit has been seen and heard especially in the balcony. Photo, 2010, by gordontarpley. |
Vinoy Park Hotel
501 Fifth Avenue Northeast
St. Petersburg
 |
| When the TAPS team of TV's Ghost Hunters investigated the massive 1025 Vinoy Park Hotel, they discovered a very active haunting. One investigator staying in a room on the fifth floor was awakened by a voice stating "Just get out!" Which was caught on tape. Photo, 2011, Fifth World Art. |
Sources
Belleview-Biltmore Hotel. Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Accessed 13
February 2012.
Boca Raton Resort. Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Accessed 13
February 2012.
Castillo de San Marcos. Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Accessed 13
February 2012.
Episode 418, "Ghosts of the Sunshine State. Ghost Hunters. Aired 1 October
2008.
Flagler Museum. Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Accessed 13 February
2012.
Jenkins, Greg. Florida's Ghostly Legends and Haunted Folklore: Vol. 1
South and Central Florida. Sarasota, FL: Pineapple Press, 2005.
Jenkins, Greg. Florida's Ghostly Legends and Haunted Folklore: Vol. 2
North Florida and St. Augustine. Sarasota, FL: Pineapple Press, 2005.
Jenkins, Greg. Florida's Ghostly Legends and Haunted Folklore: Vol. 3
The Gulf Coast and Pensacola. Sarasota, FL: Pineapple Press, 2007.
Lapham, Dave. Ghosthunting Florida. Cincinnati, OH: Clerisy Press, 2010.
Pensacola Light. Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Accessed 13 February
2012.
Silver Springs, Florida. Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Accessed 13
February 2012.
Tampa Theatre. Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Accessed 13
February 2012.
Vinoy Park Hotel. Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Accessed 13
February 2012.
SUPER post, Lewis! Having lived in FL and visited many of these places, I found this such a fun post. A way to revisit some haunts. THANKS!
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