Haunted Lighthouses – The St. Augustine Lighthouse

The St. Augustine Lighthouse sits on the north end of Anastasia Island in St. Augustine, Florida. The current tower, which was built in 1874, rises to 165 feet above sea level. The original lighthouse, built in 1824, was approximately 500 yards northeast of the current lighthouse. Due to the receding shoreline, it fell into the ocean back in 1880.

Throughout its early history, the lighthouse employed up to three lightkeepers at a time. There was a head keeper and two assistants. In 1955, when the lighthouse was automated, there was no longer a need for lightkeepers and the last one left at that time. The lightkeepers, who would actually live on site, were replaced by lamplighters, who would tend the light but didn’t actually live there.

According to the lighthouse’s official website, there have been seven people who have died on the lighthouse grounds: three lightkeepers, a keeper’s wife and three young girls. Several of these are said to have died of natural causes. One man fell to his death from the original lighthouse in 1859, and the three girls died in a tragic drowning accident.

St. Augustine Lighthouse Tour in Pictures

The lighthouse and its surrounding buildings have a long history of paranormal activity and stories of the hautings have been passed on and have been featured in popular television shows, books, and local lore for decades. Visitors and workers say they have seen moving shadows and heard voices along with unexplained sounds. Some tour guides claim they hear someone climbing the tower steps, but the footfalls fade away, and no one is ever there at the top of the tower. There is also said to be a little girl who likes to play pranks residing in the keeper’s house, a tall man in the basement, and a spirit who likes to play with the merchandise in the gift shop. One former keeper was infamous for enjoying his cigars. Today, the scent of his cigar can still be detected several times a week.

Several employees have reportedly seen a hazy male figure walking through the lighthouse. Footsteps from an unseen presence can be heard shuffling on the gravel and the steps outside the lighthouse. Other reports are of a woman seen on the lighthouse stairway or walking in the yard outside the buildings.

Perhaps the most famous tragic story is that of three young girls who died during the construction of the second lighthouse. The story says that there was a rail car or some type of vehicle that went from the light station to the ocean. The children liked to play on it and ride on it for fun. On July 10, 1873, the cart somehow ended up in the water. Five children fell into the water and some of the Workers managed to save a boy and a girl. Two of the construction superintendent’s daughters, Mary and Eliza, and a young black girl, either a servant or the daughter of a worker, drowned.

It’s said that today, the girls can be heard laughing in the tower late at night. The eldest of the construction superintendent’s daughters, Mary, has also been spotted wearing the same blue velvet dress and blue hair bow she was wearing when she died. Reports also say that the the figures of two little girls can sometimes be seen standing on the lighthouse catwalk.

St. Augustine Lighthouse Ghost Hunt

For years there have been reports of a large dark, male spirit that hangs around the water collecting cisterns in the basement. Supposedly he was a sailor or a former lightkeeper who hung himself in the lighthouse in the 1930′s. According to the lighthouse’s website, there isn’t any proof or evidence that anyone ever hung him/herself there.

History says that the original owner of the lighthouse was forced to sell it to the government in 1865 because it was believed that the land under the lighthouse was receding and the ocean would eventually swallow it. The state offered to buy the lighthouse for alot less than it was worth and he refused to sell. The government then threatened to take the lighthouse via eminent domain and give him nothing. At this point, the former owner was outraged and vowed never to leave the lighthouse. Lighthouse staff say he seems to have kept his vow as his spirit is sometimes seen late at night walking in and around the property.

One of my favorite episodes of Ghost Hunters was filmed at the St. Augustine Lighthouse. The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS) stopped by to see if they could prove or disprove any of the hauntings. During the episode, they caught a few interesting things on both video and audio. There was a female voice that seemed to say “help me” a few times on the audio recording. The video camera captured a dark figure moving really quickly up the circular staircase and then stopping to look over the railing down at the camera crew from the top floor. The figure then disappeared. When Jason and Grant went to investigate, they realized the door at the top which would be the only exit was padlocked from the inside. There was also a motion detection light that never came on until the TAPS guys got up there. Overall, with the evidence they captured, the guys determined that they really couldn’t prove the place wasn’t haunted.

The St. Augustine Lighthouse is currently owned and maintained by the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum, Inc. The lighthouse is operational and is is an official, privately-owned, active aid to navigation. The museum is open to the public and the admission price funds preservation of the lighthouse and programs in maritime archeology and education. The lighthouse offers night tours of the site, though they don’t promise any ghosts.

Author: Denise Villani is an author and the webmaster of several websites and article directories. Find more articles and information on haunted stuff by visiting HauntedStuff.net.

Ghosts of Chillingham Castle

Chillingham Castle, Northumberland, UK is said to be the most haunted castle in the UK and not surprisingly since the castle houses dark dungeons and macabre torture chambers. This ancient fortress dates back to 1246, when the Earl Grey lords built this remarkable building and where the Earl Grey ancestors have resided for centuries.

The castle is presently the home of Sir Humphry Wakefield Bt., his wife The Hon. Lady Wakefield and their family. The family claim it is the most haunted castle because of the many ghosts which frequently haunt their home.

The most notable ghostly apparition is the ‘blue boy’ (or ‘radiant boy’) who is said to haunt the castle’s Pink Room. Many guests, whilst occupying the room, have heard terrifying wailing sounds soon to be followed by a halo of blue light appearing above their bed.

Although that particular haunting ended when a gruesome discovery during renovation work revealed the bones of a young boy and a man who had been bricked inside a wall. It was intended that no one should ever hear their piteous cries for help, as the wall was built 10 feet thick.

A Short Tour of Chillingham Castle

This was not the end to the hauntings in Chillingham Castle. The owners have also witnessed a much more sinister energy which wanders the halls…the terryfying spectre of the once evil torturer – John Sage.

JOHN SAGE – A GHOST OF EVIL PAST

When nightime falls around Chillingham Castle, one of the most feared sounds to be heard on occasions is that of ‘something’ slowly dragging its foot as it wanders the corridors. It is believed to be the spirit of former Lieutenant, John Sage who earned the nickname ‘dragfoot’, when in life, his leg was injured by a spear during his final battle in the ongoing wars with his Scottish neighbours.

After his injury he was desperate for a position of work and was proud to be given the title of Chillingham Castle torturer by the castle owner Edward Longshanks (1200 AD). Sage was a monster of a man and his gruesome work would give him immense satisfaction for the next 3 years, where he would go on to torture at least 50 of his Scottish enemies per week.

Sage would revel as the Scots were captured and tossed into the castle’s dungeons. These poor souls would wish they had perished on the battlefield, as Sage was renowned for carrying out the most hideous tortures in history. One torture device came to be known as one of the most feared…’the cage’. This apparatus would trap its victim and then be placed over a blazing fire – roasting the captive for hours, whilst Sage sat studying his enemy – writhing and screaming for their death.

Sage’s insatiable thirst for torture would eventually lead to his downfall, when one day his lover Elizabeth Charlton paid him a visit. During their sexual liaison, Sage decided to place Elizabeth on one of his other torture devices – ‘the rack’. Sage then began strangling her during the height of her sexual pleasure, but he went too far and accidentally killed her.

Chillingham Castle Ghosthunt – Orbs & Ghosts

Elizabeth’s father (a Border Reiver, clan leader and outlaw), upon hearing of his daughter’s death, warned the now almost penniless Longshanks, if he did not have Sage killed he would join in an allied attack with the Scots against the Castle.

Longshanks’ dwindling resources due to the war and the fact that the Border Reiver’s were a powerful force gave him little choice but to put Sage to death. He was hanged on the grounds of the castle on ‘Devil’s Mile’ (aka, Devil’s Walk) before a crowd of jeering onlookers.

As Sage’s body still twitched with life, the crowd set about him – slicing pieces from his body, including his nose, toes, and testicles. A rather ‘cutting’ fate, some may say, for one who’s greatest rapture was the sight of an ungodly end.

Sightings – Ghosts of Chillingham Castle

Author: Jackie Reynolds – http://www.worldmysteriesandtrueghosttales.com

Tips For Choosing a Haunted Doll on eBay

Everyone has seen a doll at some time that just gave them the creeps. Maybe it was a toy you received when you were small that scared you at night or maybe it was something you saw in an antique shop as an adult. These toys just seem to have something ominous about them.

No matter how creepy they are they all seem to find a home on eBay. Haunted dolls are very popular with the online auction crowd. They can be delicate antiques or Barbies from just a few years ago, but what they all have in common is a good story.

This doll is certified by HauntedBox.com and a rating of B+ haunting. and is for sale at eBay

The story usually involves a child who passed on much too soon. The doll may have been a favorite possession or possibly the child’s new home in the after life. Imagine spending eternity inside a plastic doll. Read more

Alcatraz Haunting – Exposing the Ghosts of a Haunted Prison

Alcatraz is the home of something unexplainable; perhaps only the word “ghost” could describe the strange happening in and around Alcatraz. From times immemorial, the Native Americans used to avoid the place because they believed that it was haunted by evil spirits. The island is the home of weird happenings and sightings, and a large number of ghost stories revolve around it. The island’s mysterious reputation, however, did not stop the US government from using the place to confine prisoners.

The US military first began using the place. Dangerous civil war prisoners were confined on this eerie island. Later, the Prison Department took control of this place. The worst and the most dangerous criminals of America were taken to this island and confined there. Read more

Haunting At The Station Hotel In Dudley

Featured on television by ‘Most Haunted’ the Station Hotel Dudley in the UK, holds many dark secrets, particularly in the cellars. The story tells of a hotel manager who enticed a servant girl into the cellar. Spurning his advances and threatening to tell his wife, the girl was murdered by him.

When ‘Most Haunted’s’ resident psychic Derek Acorah went to the hotel, he reported the name of a male spirit George Williams/Williamson who was having an affair with a female by the name of Elizabeth Hitchen. George Williams allegedly murdered Elizabeth by strangling and stabbing her. Acorah then revealed that Williams disposed of Elizabeth’s body by means of a chute within the hotel, which would have been used, at the time, for the delivery of bottles and barrels. Williams was then reported to have buried the body near the front of the hotel. According to Derek Acorah, Elizabeth Hitchen’s body remains there.

Originally built in 1910, the Station was demolished in 1936 in order to build a larger Hotel. This became particularly popular with theatrical artists playing the Hippodrome Theatre, once situated opposite. Laurel & Hardy, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and George Formby are amongst the famous names that have stayed at the Hotel.

It is still a nice comfortable hotel with a good restaurant decorated to reflect its former glory. Ask to be seated at ‘Georges’ table.

I have held a number of public paranormal investigations at the Station Hotel and have never been disappointed with the level of paranormal activity. If you visit make sure it’s on a cellar tour night, we have had people touched, pushed, slapped and in the case of one unlucky customer; thrown back off a chair just as the Planchette was about to start, all in the cellar, and don’t forget your camera, ‘orbs’ a plenty at the Station Hotel, currently rated as my number one hotel for paranormal activity.

If you do decide to stay the night ask for a room on the haunted landing, 214 is the one in which the bed and chair moved when ‘Most Haunted’ filmed there. Nice!

Moving Bed and Chair in Room 214

John Blythe is Senior Executive Manager for Haunted Weekend http://www.hauntedweekend.com who organizes public paranormal investigations in haunted hotels and castles throughout the UK. He has appeared on television with Haunted Weekend clearing a haunted house and has featured in and written for many paranormal magazines. He is also a featured expert on the paranormal for World Reviewer, a website that specialises in unique experiences; http://www.worldreviewer.com

Ripley’s Museum – Believe It’s Haunted Or Not!

“Are there ghosts in there mommy?” asked a little girl responding to her father’s comment about the Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum in St. Augustine, FL being “haunted as heck”. “Of course not, honey, there are no such things as ghosts!” The reality is, many people agree with her father’s comment about the place being haunted – believe it or not!

As a matter of fact, it is considered one of the most haunted locations in the United States. There are numerous reports from credible people who have visited or worked at the museum. There are cold spots; there are things that move and several places where people become extremely nauseous. Music has been heard, things are moved and a huge Buddha is found lying on its side. From time to time visitors report the smell of a smoky fire and hear crying and whimpering sounds. Read more

Robert – The Haunted Doll

Key West is home to a real life “Chucky” doll. The doll was given to artist Robert Otto in 1904 by a servant who practiced voodoo. Robert named the doll after himself and blamed all bad events on the doll. To most people Robert the doll gave off a very bad vibe but not to Otto, in fact, he loved the doll so much that it became a conflict between he and his wife who insisted the doll be kept in the attic. Instead the doll was given his own bedroom where strange occurrences took place. Local children became terrified to walk past the home because they were convinced the doll would watch and actually mock them on the street below. A plumber in the home once swore he heard the doll laugh and noticed that every time he passed the room the doll would be in different areas.

Robert, the possessed doll, is now on display in the East Marello Museum where he continues to spook those who visit. The doll is housed within a display case and yet the doll’s toy lion mysteriously moves from one knee to the other. Knocks can be heard from behind the glass where he sits. It is also said that cameras stop working only when near Robert – some believing the doll itself prevents pictures from being taken.

Robert the Haunted Doll Videos

Robert The Haunted Doll

Author Heather Graham talks about the real-life doll that inspired the “Chucky” horror movies.

Is the White House Haunted?

Michele Obama, America’s current first lady recently spoke about hearing strange noises in the hallway outside their bedroom, awakening both the President and his wife. The haunting of another first family in their official residence, has now been confirmed by another first couple. What are the ghostly goings on in the White House?

The White House over the years has always had its ghostly legends, especially the legend of Abraham Lincoln himself who throughout history has been seen by numerous residents, including none other than Winston Churchill himself.

After staying in the White House one night during the Second World War. Churchill had retired to take a hot bath, and sip a brandy before retiring to bed. He left the bathroom, walking naked, a cigar in his mouth, into his bedroom. To his surprise, he saw Abraham Lincoln himself standing warming himself by the fire. Being Churchill he just remarked, “Good evening, Mr. President. You seem to have me at a disadvantage.” Lincoln left with a smile. Read more

Top 5 Haunted Hotels in England

Haunted houses are a very successful tourist location but haunted hotels have even more exposure because more people have lived in them for time periods which can lead to more interesting stories and experiences for visitors.

Ancient Ram Inn

One of the most haunted hotels in all of England is the Ancient Ram Inn which was built in the year 1145. The sights are perfect for a haunted location with bare walls, dim areas, musty smells, and old creaking floorboards. The current owner, John Humphries, saved it from destruction in 1968 when he bought it for 2,600 pounds. Many TV and radio personalities have visited the location along with paranormal investigators who bring their technical equipment to pick up on strange activity. Odd smells, locked doors slamming themselves, and water pools randomly appearing are things that John frequently deals with. Many people also think that a ghost by the name of Elizabeth lives there after she was buried beneath the bar. Read more

Haunted Ships – The Queen Mary

The Queen Mary has been a permanent feature in Long Beach, California for a couple for decades and is one of the most famous cruise ships of all time. The ship has become a hotel, museum and popular tourist attraction, and the historic ship is internationally recognized and attracts thousands of visitors every year. Besides the living guests, the ship is said to play host to several ghosts. It has been speculated that the Queen Mary might be one of the most haunted places in the world. Reports say that as many as 150 known spirits have taken up residence and lurk in various locations all around the ship.

The Queen Mary sailed her maiden voyage on May 27, 1936. Built in Scotland to be used as part of a two-ship express service from Southampton to Cherbourg to New York, the Queen Mary is 1,000 feet long, and in her day was said to be bigger, faster and more powerful than the Titanic. She also held the record for the fastest-ever North Atlantic crossing. The historic ocean liner’s passengers included the most celebrated people of the time, including royalty, top entertainment figures and important world leaders.

At the start of World War II in 1939, luxury travel stopped and the ship was turned into a carrier ship that was used by allied forces to carry troops from March of 1940 to September of 1946. It was during this time that she would become known as “The Grey Ghost”. By the end of World War II, the ship had carried more than 700,000 troops, traveled over 500,000 miles and played a significant role in almost every major Allied campaign. She also survived a collision at sea, set the record for carrying the most people ever on a floating vessel (16,683), and participated in the D-Day invasion.

When the war ended, the Queen Mary was refurbished and started up her elegant cruises again in July, 1947, with weekly service between Southampton, Cherbourg, and New York. By the early 1960′s, the popularity of transatlantic cruises greatly decreased due to the increasing affordability of air travel. The ship attempted to revive its popularity, but without central air conditioning, outdoor pools, or other amenities offered on most other cruise ships, the attempt was unsuccessful.

In 1967, the Queen Mary was pulled from service and was sold to the city of Long Beach, California, to be used as a maritime museum and hotel. On December 9, 1967, she made her final voyage to Long Beach.

During her 60-year history, the Queen Mary was the site of 49 reported deaths, opening the doorway for potential spirits to haunt her. Reported hauntings include a young crewman in the engine room, swimmers in the first-class pool, a man in black, and a woman in blue. Some of the Queen Mary’s most haunted places include the propeller box, engine room, boiler room, cargo hold and first class swimming pool.

Ghosts on the Queen Mary

One of these hauntings is thought to be the spirit of John Pedder, a fireman in his late teens who was crushed to death by a watertight door in 1966 during a routine drill. Unexplained knocking has been heard around the door, and a tour guide reported she saw a figure dressed in dark clothing as she was leaving the area where the young man had been killed. She saw his face and recognized him from his photographs. He was dressed in blue coveralls and sporting a beard. The young man has often been seen walking along Shaft Alley before disappearing by door number 13. This famous door was used in the filming of the Posiedon Adventure and has reportedly crushed at least two men during the ship’s history.

The first-class swimming pool seems to be a hot spot for ghostly encounters. Wet footprints mysteriously appear even though there’s not a drop of water in the pool. These footsteps lead from the deck of the pool to the changing rooms. Women in vintage bathing suits are occasionally seen stopping by for a swim ,even though the pool has been closed for more than 30 years. There have also been reports of seeing the spirit of a young girl carrying her teddy bear along with disembodied voices, laughter and splashing sounds.

In the second class pool area the spirit of another little girl named Jackie is often been seen and heard. The girl drowned in the pool during the ship’s sailing days and doesn’t seem to want to move on. Her voice and the sound of laughter has been captured in this area.

In the room that was used as the third class playroom, there have been reports of the sound of children crying in the nursery room. There is also a report that a single baby’s cry has been heard. This crying is thought to be that of an infant boy who died there shortly after he was born.

In some of the first-class staterooms there have been reports of a tall, dark haired man wearing a 1930′s style suit showing up in various places. In addition to sightings of the man, the faucets and lights get turned on in the middle of the night, and phones ring in the early morning hours but no one is ever on the other end of the line.

There are several other reports of sightings about the ship including a beautiful young woman in an elegant white evening gown who dances alone in a shadowy corner of the salon, which was once used as the ship’s first-class lounge. Another mysterious woman in white has been seen close to the front desk. She will usually disappear behind a pillar.

Other phenomena that has been reported throughout the ship include the sounds of knocking, doors slamming and high pitched squeals, drastic temperature changes, and the recurring smells of another time.

The Queen Mary has been investigated by a number of paranormal professionals, printed publications, television shows like Ghost Hunters and Most Haunted, and several others. In addition to portions of the movie “The Poseidon Adventure” being filmed there, the X-Files filmed a 1998 WWII era episode about a time warp in the Bermuda Triangle aboard the ship. That was a great episode – it was called “Triangle” – you should check it out if you missed it!

On the Ghost Hunters episode, what was thought to be a fantastic paranormal event caught on tape turned out to be not so fantastic as it appeared someone had tampered with the video camera. So is the Queen Mary really haunted or not? The Ghost Hunters are heading back out there in February of 2008 to see if they can find out. Hopefully there won’t be any tampering this time and they can capture some evidence to support all the claims of paranormal activity on the Queen Mary.

Weird Encounter on the Queen Mary

Article by:Denise Villani

Denise Villani is an author and the webmaster of several websites and article directories. Find more articles and information on Haunted Stuff by visiting [http://www.hauntedstuff.net]HauntedStuff.net.

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