Haunted Alabama

Old Bryce Asylum &
Jemison Nursing Home

Northport, AL

The Alabama Paranormal Research Team  was given a rare opportunity to investigate the Bryce State
Mental Hospital. Now abandon A.P.R.T. & D.C.P. (Druid City Paranormal) got together with a few guest
investigator to document paranormal activity associated with Bryce. The simple structure of the building is 

that of intimidation. Large and over powering the hospital is 3 stories high with a sub basement. Also located
on the property is an abandon nursing home also said to have paranormal activity. The investigation of this
establishment was a true honor to be able to travel back in time to the days of Bryce being an active and
working establishment. A.P.R.T. would like to Thank Liz Chandler of Druid City Paranormal, our guest
reporter and members of the Northport PD for helping us conduct a safe and productive investigation.
THANK YOU!

Bryce Asylum is the oldest mental asylum in the state of Alabama. During the working days of Bryce patients
here where treated well in the beginning. Due to cut backs, under staffing, and over crowding, Bryce as well
as the Jemison Nursing home where forced to close there doors. Segregation in the early 60's made life for
black patients here very difficult, though slavery was long abolished segregation laws allowed the center to
force black patients to work the surrounding farm land. If living in bad conditions wasn't enough adding to the
hardship by having to work long hours, in already bad conditions made the circumstances of some patients
at Bryce and the Jemison center a terrible place to be. I can honestly say aside of the paranormal activity that
takes place here, it's truly a sad and painful place. With lingering feelings that seem to live in this place it's
not a wonder that there are some really bad things still left here. Outside investigators have reported being
pelted with glass in certain location inside the Jemison center as well as a dark and demonic force that
seems to lurk inside the surgical areas. I don't recommend this investigation to just anyone. Only a very
experienced and open minded persons should take this particular case.
Bryce Asylum and the Jemison center (abandon nursing home) located just across the street from Bryce. Are
definitely at the top of the list for places with paranormal activity within the state. Our investigation turned up a
tremendous amount of activity in both buildings. The nursing home seemed to be almost alive with activity
seemingly breathing at times, we witnessed many disembodied voices, shadows that moved in the dark,
stigmata, ETC. The first episode of activity took place in the surgical room inside the nursing home. As we
sat and waited for reactions to our questions we experienced direct responses to our questions by the
asking for entities to walk toward our K2 and Tri-field meters, and upon request our meters would register a
reading off our charts. These electrical spikes where very common within the buildings.

  USS Alabama

 

Late at night, people have reported hearing eerie footsteps echoing on the decks of the War World II-era battle ship USS Alabama. When they turn to look, nothing is there. At least, nothing human.
A shadow, a moan, a creak lead visitors to wonder if the five crew members who died in a 1944 turret explosion are still on duty, refusing to let even death end their watch.
For decades, even before the great ship’s arrival in Mobile Bay in 1965 when she was established as a tourist attraction, people have reported hearing strange noises and seeing shadowy figures below decks.
Despite her 37 months of active service during World War II, during which she earned nine Battle Stars, the USS Alabama never suffered any casualties from enemy fire, with the deaths from the explosion being the only ones reported aboard ship. But the legends persist, making the USS Alabama a prime destination for paranormal investigators. A quick search of the internet leads to reports that crews from reality TV shows have been aboard the ship, but these reports, too, are legend. According to Karen Conner, marketing director for the Alabama, no paranormal investigators have ever been allowed on board.
“We’ve always declined,” she said.

Fort Gaines in Alabama

LOCATION:

Fort Gaines can be found in a strategic spot on Dauphin Island, part of the Dauphin Island Park, maintained by the Dauphin Island Park and Beach Board, funded by the Alabama Department of Conservation. Fort Gaines is just south of Mobile, and has a glorious view of Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Parts of the Fort are open to the pubic via a paid tour.

Exit at I-10 at 193 South to Dauphin Island. Turn left at large water tower on island.

Address:

51 Bienville Boulevard
Dauphin Island, Alabama 36528

Phone: 251-861-6992
E-Mail: fortgaines@dauphinisland.org
Web-Site

DESCRIPTION/HISTORY:

Because of the need for a southern coastal defense, brought to light by the war of 1812, Congress decided that the United States needed a fort or two along the southern coast, to be part of comprehensive system of national defense. One logical location was Dauphin Island, which had been in the past a sought after strategic site by various military forces; France, who first established a small colony there as well, Spain, and Great Britain, who had used it as a platform to attack the city of Mobile during 1812 War. With the best intentions, in 1821, the wheels were started to construct a fort which was supposed to be finished in 1858.

However, the government didn't hire the most experienced people to build this fort, who turned out to be not the brightest bulbs in the pack. Engineers on this project built the fort so close to Mobile Bay, that the water entered the structure at high tide. OOPS! The contractors needed another course in money management, as they over spent their budget, leaving a shambled mess of a fort, in need of more money to pay for more massive construction.

The Army doggedly tried to renew money allotments to build this fort, and finally in 1845, Congress gave another $20,000, but other problems popped up like a fight over land rights. Finally, the Army was given a clear deed to Dauphin Island site in 1853. The chief engineer assigned to this task was a skilled, bright, military-savvy man, Joseph G. Totten. Joseph took one look at the original plans, which by this time were outdated and not very good in the first place, and decided to begin a new.

     

Totten started over and designed a completely new fort, a city within itself, which featured the most up to date military architecture. The 22.5 ft. walls, which were 4.5 ft. thick at the top, were built of brick and sand construction, which gave them the ability to absorb any artillery fire. Totten hired brick craftsmen who really knew their craft, as today the rock solid gorge bastions are showcases of intricate masonry, all without keystones. The northwest bastion is preserved in its original condition.

To seriously hamper enemy ships from attacking the fort from western Mobile Bay at the fort's vulnerable land side, he built a dry moat, crossed by a drawbridge, which extends outward about 35 feet from the fort's wall base. Fort had plenty of firepower for the time installed. Each of the five walls sported 10 guns mounted at their top, while each bastion held four flank howitzers. There were cannon ports places in the side walls, and the entire roof of each bastion had catch basins for rain water, which was strained through a bed of shells and sand, winding up in large storage cisterns beneath the fort's floor and in the yard, providing a water supply in times of siege.

All of the bastions are connected to the main courtyard via large tunnels, making everything accessible to personnel. About 500 feet from the entrance, an assortment of buildings were built to provide services and shelter for troops stationed there.

In 1858, this well designed, well built fort, nearing completion, was named after a War of 1812/Indian Wars military hero and skilled leader, General Edmund Pendleton Gaines, who had passed away in 1849. By 1861, most of the work on Fort Gaines was done. The rest of the finishing touches were finished by Confederate States of America.

Fort Gaines became an important military asset to the Confederacy during the Civil War. It was the center of operations for Confederate blockade-running efforts, which led to the important Battle of Mobile Bay in August 2-23, 1864. Union commanders Adm. David G. Farragut and Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger came with 14 wooden ships and 4 monitors, and in coordination with Union land army forces near Mobile took on the awesome task of shutting down these blockade-running efforts, which they did.

The guns on the fort walls along with the ship mines in Mobile Bay caused damage and death to the Union fleet. Adm. David G. Farragut gave the order to ignore the risks, now a famous quote: "Damn the torpedoes! Full steam ahead!"

Once the ships got by the gun power of Fort Gaines, the Union fleet defeated the modest Confederate fleet, and Fort Gaines surrendered soon after, avoiding a bloody hand to hand encounter. Combined casualties only totaled 1,822 - a small number compared to other battles.

Despite being sold to the City of Mobile in 1926, becoming the property of Alabama, Fort Gaines has a long hiThe story of military service, and modifications were done to make it up to date.

In 1898, for the Spanish American War, 3 six inch disappearing naval guns and 3 rapid fire 3 inch naval guns were added to the eastern walls, eliminating the need for the corner bastions.

During World War 1, a coastal artillery unit garrison were on duty, manning the disappearing guns, becoming an anti-aircraft gunnery school, even after the War ended.

During World War 2, Fort Gaines was used as a camp site for both the Alabama National Guard and as a base of the U.S. Coast Guard who went after prowling enemy submarines, looking for merchant vessels in the Gulf of Mexico.

Even today, the Coast Guard still has a base here, and uses it when they take part in crash rescue boat incidents.

MANIFESTATIONS:

This historically active military fort saw a lot of action throughout the years, and was the military base where many were stationed. It goes to reason men died here during their tour of duty, either by accident or in battle. Or perhaps they died attacking the Fort itself. Either the entities which now observe the living don't know they are dead or continue serving because they weren't ready to move on to the other side, feeling perhaps they still had duties to perform. Ghosts have been described as what is left of people with dysfunctional personalities, fixated and not able to go forward.

For sure, we know that in the Battle of Mobile Bay, there was a total of 1,822 combined Union-Confederate deaths from the sea and land battles.

* Phantom foot steps have been heard all other the areas of the Historical Fort Gaines. Cold spots have probably been felt as well.

* Apparitions of soldiers described as spooky figures have been observed by the living; tourists and Park employees as well, all over the Fort.

* People who leave the Fort are sometimes followed by an apparition, checking up on them, which disappears after the living leave the front gates.

PSYCHIC RESEARCH:

1) Ghoststudies.com work as Paranormal Investigators who, as a side job, look for extremely haunted places for MTV's FEAR. Fort Gaines has been put on the list. Investigating for MTV, gives the team the advantage of going to areas not normally opened to the public, and spend time there. Check out the pictures taken, some of which show shadowy figures.

2) Sapi, which is a paranormal research group based in Mobile, Alabama, holds its annual Ghost Hunt at Fort Gaines. This year it will be on March 11, 2006 through March 12, 2006, 5 p.m. to 8:30 a.m., to give novice ghost hunters the thrill of hunting ghosts using real equipment, and be educated through lectures on basic ghost hunting techniques.

Still Haunted?

Yes indeed!

Many entities call the Fort Gaines home, and go about their business at hand, keeping an eye on the living civilians and an eye out for the enemy which probably ended their lives.

Tinker Place

 

LOCATION:

This house is located in Greensboro, Alabama. It is a private residence, with no tours.

DESCRIPTION:

This old southern-style home was built in 1835, for a beautiful southern lady, Susian Truman Tinker, who did a lot to enhance the cultural development in Greensboro. While little is known of her life and of the many events which were held in her house, it seems that Susian was so attached to her house that she never left, and has been the friendly guardian of the home.

CHARACTERISTICS:

The apparition of Susian prefers to wear gray clothes, is occasionally helpful, likes to warm her hands by the fire, likes to look at the crystal and china on display in the cabinet. While she generally will disappear when anyone living looks directly at her, or tries to talk to her, she has a happy disposition and will smile pleasantly at people like a well-mannered, cordial, southern lady.

MANIFESTATIONS:

1. Mrs. Turpin was the first owner of "The Tinker Place" to see Susian, who was standing in a doorway, dressed in gray, and smiled pleasantly at Mrs. Turpin. It wasn't a frightening experience and Mrs. Turpin shared it with her family.
   
2. In 1934, Mrs. Turpin's daughter, Mrs. Waller, was entertaining her family and grandchildren at the dining room table. The grandchildren, not the adults, saw a gray lady standing a few feet from the table and curiously asked who she was. She went through the doorway across the living room and glided up the staircase and disappeared.
   
3. A sick, bedridden woman friend of the Wallers, who was recovering in one of the upstairs bedrooms, called to Mrs. Waller, requesting her to come upstairs to turn on her overhead light. Mrs. Waller didn't have to come up after all, because the unseen hands of Susian Tinker obligingly turned on the overhead chandelier, much to the surprise of this recuperating guest.
   
4. While on her way to the kitchen to make coffee one morning, Mrs. Waller was startled to see Susian Tinker, dressed in gray, standing in the doorway that Mrs. Waller was going to pass through. After giving a good morning smile, this gray lady turned around and made her way through the room and disappeared up the stairs.
   

STILL HAUNTED?

It is presumed to be.

University of Montevallo

 

LOCATION:

Located in the town of Montevallo, 35 miles south of Birmingham, 7 miles off Interstate 65.

Address:

University of Montevallo
Montevallo, Alabama 35115

DESCRIPTION:

The University of Montevallo is spread out across a 160 acre main campus, surrounded by lawns, groves, and flower beds.

Twenty-eight campus buildings or sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The University of Montevallo is a high-quality, small liberal arts college with a student body of 3,100 students and a well educated faculty. Many beautiful buildings both old and new house the students, the four colleges and their support staff, classrooms, administration, libraries and everything else needed and wanted on this university campus.

Four colleges make up the University of Montevallo: The College of Arts and Sciences, The Michael E. Stephens College of Business, The College of Education, and The College of Fine Arts.

HISTORY:

The land where the college now stands has a hiThe story of its own, before the very beginnings of the present college. Wealthy businessman Edmond King moved to this area in the 1820s with his wife and son and carved a homestead on top of a hill, and lived there with the neighboring Indians who still occupied the land, naming his lovely home, Mansion House. Mansion House (known now as The King House) was considered the most glorious mansion in the county, possibly the state. His family and his money were two things which were near and dear to his heart.

As time passed more people developed the area. During the Civil War, an existing building was turned into a Confederate hospital building (now known as Reynolds Hall), as the area became a rest and regroup area for the Confederate forces. Underground tunnels were supposedly also constructed to be used as a safer way for Confederate soldiers to move about. Nearby in town, there was the Brierfield Ironworks where high quality iron ore was made for the Confederate army's war effort. When a group of the Union army, lead by Sherman swept into town to destroy the Brierfield Ironworks, it is said that they also made a stop at the Confederate hospital and massacred all the sick and wounded men. The story goes that many of these victims were buried in Kings Cemetery, which is located on the present day campus.

In October 1896, the old hospital and other existing buildings became The Alabama Girls' Industrial School opened up as a great educational experiment, with the goal of educating young women to be self-supporting by being trained to be teachers, bookkeepers, artists, musicians, dressmakers telegraphers and milliners. This school began because of a dream of Julia Tutwiler, on a mission to provide educational opportunities for women. Captain Henry Clay Reynolds was one of the main backers for this college and worked hard to have this college established in Montevallo. So, It wasn't surprising that Captain Henry Clay Reynolds became the first President of this institution. The old hospital building was renamed Reynolds Hall in honor of the good Captain. Unfortunately, Captain Reynolds was asked to leave as President when it was discovered that students were sending their tuition money directly to him, which he was using for a personal investment.

The 4 story west wing of the Main dormitory Hall for the students was built and ready for occupancy by the fall of 1897. By 1899, the student body was made up of 400 young women. It is in this dormitory that Condie Cunningham died in a fire on the fourth floor in 1908.

In 1907, a new man, Thomas Waverly Palmer became the President. After the demand for teacher training programs became evident, Palmer instituted a more ambitious teacher training program, which blossomed throughout the years. In 1911 this industrial school was upgraded to Alabama Girls' Technical Institute. In 1919, the words "and College for Women" were added. In 1923, the name evolved to Alabama College, State College for Women, a degree-granting institution.

In 1956, men were admitted and the school became Alabama State College. {Pre-professional programs in medicine and law and business administration were added. The Alabama State College had evolved and grown so much that by Sept. 1, 1969, the college graduated into The University of Montevallo.

MANIFESTATIONS:

Many entities have made their home on this campus. All are basically well-behaved despite whatever the reason is why they can't or won't go to the other side.

1. Reynolds Hall - Now is the theatre building where students go to class to study and practice performing their craft.

HISTORY of Hauntings:

There are two stories/theories as to why Captain Henry Clay Reynolds is haunting the building named for him. One story says that during the Civil War, Captain Reynolds was given the duty of providing security for the sick and injured men in the Confederate hospital which was in this building. When he heard about the upcoming siege which would happen at the Brierfield Ironworks in town, he left his post with some men to help in the battle. When he returned afterwards, he discovered rooms full of massacred men, whom he may have been able to save if he had stayed. He vowed never to leave the building unprotected again in his lifetime or the next.

The second story claims that Captain Reynolds wasn't even stationed there during the supposed massacre, which some say never happened. (Civil War soldiers who did die in the hospital, are buried in The Kings Cemetery) Some say that the haunting is because Captain Reynolds was asked to step down as college president because of his taking of student money to invest in a bank, which flopped. He was very bitter about this, because he had been so instrumental in getting the school established here, and he truly loved his job.

The blue spectre of Captain Henry Clay Reynolds has been seen, heard and his presence is felt wandering around the building.

He has been known to follow students late at night.

Doors and windows shut by themselves

In certain areas of the hall, there are cold spots and areas which give the living chills.

When the picture of Captain Henry Clay Reynolds was taken down in the lobby of Reynolds Hall where it hung, and replaced with another picture, his picture was mysteriously hung back up again and its replacement was on the floor.

2. Old Main Hall (Women's Residence) - Fourth floor of the Old West Main Hall is haunted by one or two female entities.

HISTORY of Hauntings:

On February 4th, 1908, Condie Cunningham and her friends were either heating up hot chocolate or making fudge on a burner. An alcohol bottle was inadvertently knocked over, causing a fire in their room to start. Condie's nightgown caught on fire, and soon she was a human torch, screaming down the hall as she ran before she collapsed. She died soon thereafter.

An apparition of a young woman running down the hall with flaming hair and body has been observed on occasion.

Sometimes the sound of running feet down the halls is heard when no one living is there.

Her blood-curdling scream is sometimes heard in the shower room or hall.

Doors and windows open and close at will.

Sometimes a disembodied voice is heard, saying "HELP ME!"

The door of Condie's old room, which is wooden, has an apparition of her face, with flames around it.

It is said that a young woman committed suicide by hanging herself in her room.

Some think that it is she as well who comes in and out of rooms, opening and closing doors.

Some think it is her face on the door, and not Condie's.

3. The King House

HISTORY of Hauntings:

Edmond King loved his Mansion House and his money. In 1863, just before he died, he decided to bury his money under a peach tree, to prevent the Union Army from taking his treasure. Also his wife and son died before he did, at the age of 82.

An apparition of a old man has been seen wandering around the outside yard, carrying a lantern and a shovel as if to check up on his buried treasure, or to perhaps also visit the graves of his wife and son.

While walking by the house at night, students saw a lantern at the window traveling across the second floor when no one was in the house.

An apparition of an elderly gentleman was seen inside, sitting at his table, counting his coins.

Students walking by during the day were startled by an slightly see-through elderly gentleman dressed in 1800s garb, waving in a good natured way at them from the second floor window.

During a wedding reception held in this house, a huge, white-robed phantom became visible underneath the dining room table and floated out the window in front of all the guests. Who says ghosts don't like parties?

There are cold spots felt in his old bedroom.

4. Palmer Hall - Named after Thomas Waverly Palmer. Palmer Hall is a huge building with a 1100 ft. auditorium, with an organ, and stage area, and a downstairs.

HISTORY of Hauntings:

W.H. Trumbauer, known as Trummy, was one of the designers of Palmer Hall. His name was left off the cornerstone by mistake. OOOPS!

Student was practicing the organ in Palmer Hall. She had stopped and was getting ready to go home, when she heard a disembodied voice asking her to continue playing. She was alone in the hall, or so she thought!

The ghost of Dr. W. H. Trumbauer was an enthusiastic supporter of the annual College Night, an event where a contest is held to see who can put on the best play, which takes place during homecoming festivities. Trumbauer still gives his opinion; never mind that he is dead! He lets the living know which play he thinks is the best by swinging the battens over the performance of his pick, during the final dress rehearsal of all the shows in the contest. Because Trumbauer was a perfectionist, his opinion is valued.

Trummy has been known to appear to students as he wanders around backstage.

The old mirrors which used to be on the dressing room walls downstairs used to be a place to see entities of women dressed in long dresses, getting ready for a performance long ago.

Hanson Hall Women's Residence - The third floor houses a sorority.

A dedicated entity who was a strict housemother is still on the job, watching over the women in her residence hall.

Residents who are up late studying feel like they are being watched, like an unseen presence has been patrolling the halls and has come inside the room to investigate.

One student left her mug on her desk. It mysteriously disappeared one day, but reappeared in the same spot a few weeks later.

Still Haunted?

Oh yes indeed! 

Lucas Tavern

 

    

LOCATION:

Lucas Tavern is part of a grouping of historical buildings, called Old Alabama Town that can all be found in Old North Hull Square, in the Old North Hull Historic District.

The address is 310 North Hull Street, Montgomery, Alabama 36104.

DESCRIPTION:

Lucas Tavern is a building with a main tavern room, a kitchen, an eating area and bedrooms, that was fully restored by 1979, when the group of historical buildings it is apart of were all revitalized and returned to their original condition. It became the Visitor's Reception Center and the home of the offices of the Historic District, an organization that runs this living museum of historical buildings, popular with tourists. It is open to the public for a small fee, Monday through Saturday, from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM. On Sunday, it is open form 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM.

The back door of the Tavern opens up onto a square of historical buildings. All the buildings have been equipped with the furniture, details of their past. The third building from the Tavern is the 1890, one room school house, complete with a potbellied stove, an old pine school teacher desk, a kerosene e lamp, pupils' desks, an abacus and the children's writing slates, plus various books used in the instruction of the class.

Guides are dressed in period costumes, ready to explain and help the visitor experience life of that period.

They also do their best to welcome visitors in the same spirit as a former owner of the Lucas Tavern, Eliza Lucas.

HISTORY:

During the 1820 - 1840 era, Lucas Tavern was a favorite, upscale place for travelers to spend the night in clean beds, and enjoy a good meal, and the warm southern hospitality of its owner and hostess, Eliza Lucas. Travelers like General Lafayette, who stayed there in 1825, enjoyed a dinner feast of a variety of Tavern fare, that offered such items as chicken, ham, five vegetables, pudding and sauce, sweet pies, preserved fruits, and a wonderful dessert of strawberries and plums, along with wine and brandy.

Eliza loved what she did, and raised her family here. She had had little education, but was a motivated, hard worker, who put her all into her Tavern. Her warm hospitality, pleasant disposition and wonderful service she offered her guests made her Tavern business a success.

In the 1840s the Lucas Tavern became a private home for over 100 years. The building was abandoned in the 1960s, but fortunately the Landmarks Foundation stepped in to rescue it during 1978, and moved the famous Tavern into Old Alabama Town. Restoration of Lucas Tavern was completed in 1980.

HISTORY OF MANIFESTATIONS:

The spirit of Eliza Lucas became active in 1980, after the renovations of the Tavern was complete, and the living had moved into the offices, located in the old bedrooms. Not only was her beloved Tavern restored, but she once again had people coming, visiting and occupying her Tavern.

She also was pleased that the buildings she spent her life around were also restored, as she began visiting them as well.

MANIFESTATIONS:

The most common sighting of Eliza Lucas, is that of a 5 ft., 3 inch woman, dressed in a Victorian dress, waving cordially and smiling at people passing by, while she stands at the doorway of the Tavern, a favorite place of hers.

On one Saturday morning in 1985, a man came inside the Tavern earnestly wanting to meet Eliza, whom he had first encountered just inside the front door of the Tavern.

Eliza Lucas has also not only appeared to various staff and guides, she also considers herself a member of the governing Old Hull Historic committee. She is well thought of by the staff who appreciate her warm, friendly, helpful, cordial presence, a spirit who appreciates them as well.

Main Fireplace - Far left in picture.

At one late afternoon meeting, that took place in front of the fireplace in the main Tavern room, a controversial matter was being discussed. One committee member became quite agitated, and angry while expounding his/her point of view. Suddenly, a great puff of smoke and ashes blasted from the fireplace, covering this angry person with a coat of gritty chimney soot, much to the amazement of the people there. (It was assumed that Eliza Lucas didn't approve of this person's hostile tone and opinion, that didn't meet her southern hospitality manner standards of being pleasant and finding ways to settle disagreements amiably.)

The staff has to watch what they say as well. During a lunchtime break, two staff members were discussing the Historical District and how it operates, perhaps being a little too critical, in Eliza's opinion. Suddenly, the door to their room began to slide off its hinges and hit the floor with a thud. (Eliza seems to supervise the staff as well, letting them know that she hears what they discuss, and will let them know if their behavior doesn't meet her standards.)

Eliza also takes objects and puts them in different areas. She likes to rearrange, straighten up or put in disarray various objects/things/displays.

Eliza Lucas also has visited the other historical buildings, materializing in front of both staff and visitors. She especially likes the school room, and has even filled in as a photographer's model, like a regular guide would do.

In the late afternoon, on one August day in 1986, an amateur photographer talked the staff into letting him take pictures after the museum had officially closed. He went to the school room first, because it would soon be too dark to take natural light pictures. As he walked toward the school, he wished that he had one of the guides to act as a model, pretending to be the teacher. He entered the room, and quietly closed the door. When he looked up, much to his surprise he saw what he thought was a guide, dressed in her 19th century Victorian costume. She was standing by the window, studying a McGuffy Reader, used by the children, setting up the perfect picture.

After taking some pictures from various positions of this guide, his tripod hit the leg of a nearby desk with a loud crack, startling the woman, causing her to hurriedly start to leave. He pleaded with her to sit at the teacher's desk, so he could get some more photos. She didn't answer him, but went to the picture of George Washington, hanging on the wall, and stood under it. She then looked directly at the photographer, smiled at him, and waved deliberately and slowly at him. He noticed something strange in her eyes. She didn't react to him as a person, but looked directly at his face, making eye contact. Despite it being a warm August day, the photographer was enveloped with chills which permeated his being. Much to his astonishment, the woman floated through the wall under the Washington picture, and disappeared!

The photographer came back the next day and talked to the guide on duty in the Visitor's Center in the Tavern, where he learned of Eliza Lucas. As he was about to leave, he found the McGuffy Reader from the school room laying right at his feet, which wasn't there the moment before.

When he developed the film taken of Eliza Lukas inside the school, the pictures were blank, except for the bright golden light, which was seen in the place where Eliza was standing in each picture, which varied, according to how the photographer had framed his shot.

STILL HAUNTED?

Yes, Eliza happily haunts her beloved Tavern, and the other historical buildings, very pleased with the fine renovations work. She is pleased with the friendly people on staff that welcome the living to her own establishment, a place that she nurtured and ran with dedication while she was alive.

Saint James Hotel

 

HAUNTED DWELLING: St. James Hotel

LOCATION:

The St. James can be found in the heart of Selma's revitalized historic district, on the banks which have a fantastic view of the Alabama River as well as the city of Selma itself.

Snail mail:
1200 Water Avenue
Selma, Alabama 36701

DESCRIPTION:

The St. James Hotel, which is the only surviving antebellum riverfront hotel in Selma, was built in 1837, making it one of the oldest hotels still up and running in Alabama. In 1997, this fine old lady was completely renovated and meticulously restored, keeping its old Southern and historical charm, while adding modern perks to please 21st century guests. It has 42 guest rooms and suites, many with glorious views of the Alabama River or the majestic courtyard. Four Riverview suites have "private, wrought-iron balconies, whirlpool tubs and gas-burning fireplaces."

There are two restaurants to choose from. The Troup House Restaurant, for elegant, fine dining, offers traditional Southern cooking. For more informal, casual meals, one can go to the St. James Drinking Room, which also offers contemporary music and a wide-screen TV.

For special events, meetings, both large and small, the St. James Hotel can accommodate, offering two rooms. The elegant Brantly Ballroom, which opens up onto the Alabama River Terrace, is used for formal affairs, receptions, or other large gatherings of up to 200 people.

For smaller events or meetings, the Old Bridge Room is the perfect size for 20-35 people.

HISTORY:

The St. James Hotel was originally called The Brantly, a name it operated under for its first 50 years of being a place to rest and unwind, becoming a home away from home for visiting plantation owners, business men and some other less than upstanding citizens on occasion. During the Civil War years, this fine hotel became the headquarters of the Union forces during the Battle of Selma, and becoming the home of Union occupation forces in what was left of the city afterwards. Unfortunately, most of the city was burned because of the high number of Confederate arsenals and factories. Luckily, this hotel and some of the other buildings on Water Street were spared a fiery end.

After the war, the hotel was run and operated by Benjamin Sterling Tower, an African American who was the first black man ever elected to Congress. In 1881, famous outlaws, Frank and Jesse James and their gang, took a break robbing people and decided to take a holiday in Selma, Alabama, staying at The Brantly, developing a fondness for the place. During this time, the hotel was more of a tavern, and one could rent a room on a longtime basis, like an apartment.

Around 1892, the hotel went down hill, hit hard financial times and closed its doors for 100 years. In the 1990s, a group of investors and the community of Selma began a 6 million restoration effort which was completed in 1997. The hotel was returned to its original splendor, and opened its doors with a new name, The St. James Hotel, becoming the highlight of the restored old historic section.

MANIFESTATIONS:

According to the Library of Congress, there are at least three known entities who still enjoy their favorite hotel.

Jesse James - A male apparition dressed in 1880 cowboy threads, complete with spurs has been seen coming out of upstairs guest rooms 214, 314, and 315.

Jesse has been spotted in the bar as well. Employees have seen him sitting at his favorite corner table, which is left of the bar.

His girlfriend, Lucinda - Her picture hangs downstairs. Her entity has been described as being that of a tall, beautiful, black-haired woman with a calm demeanor, who has a lavender scent. She floats around the hotel, sometimes stopping merely to look at the living.

A phantom dog has been heard running around the upstairs, barking. It is thought to be the canine companion of Jesse James.

Other entities which have made their presence known.

Inner Courtyard Area

Odd, unexplainable sounds have been heard coming from the courtyard when no one living was there.

The sound of barking dogs have been heard, coming from the courtyard when no dogs were there.

Apparitions have been seen by psychics standing around the courtyard, dressed in 1800s clothing, socializing, unaware of the living.

Bedrooms

Room 304 - A new cook stayed here until he found an apartment.

The cook observed flashes of light repeatedly coming through his room's window. The curtains in his room would move by themselves without any help from the wind or from the cook himself.

A psychic had a conversation with an angry apparition, mad because he had died before finishing what he had to do.

Bar

An entity started to clang together the glasses behind the bar. This behavior stopped when an employee yelled at this mischievous spirit to stop it.

   

Dining Areas - Ballrooms

St. James Drinking Room

An apparition of an older man wearing a hat has been seen sitting on a bench

Brantly Ballroom

A disembodied male's voice was heard by the manager and some employees at the same time, while walking through the room.

A psychic research team did some EVP recording in this room, asking "Is anyone there?" When playing back the tape, a scratchy voice of an older man said, 'Well, that's a stupid question."

PSYCHIC RESEARCH:

Alabama Foundation For Paranormal Research conducted some investigations, including recording some EVPs and found evidence of entities in the hotel.

Still Haunted?

Yes.