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| True Florida Ghost Stories
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Stringer House
Brooksville, Florida
The Stringer house, built in 1855 tells us a story of what life was like over 150 years ago. One of the first owners of the house, Mr. John May and wife Marena had purchased over 15 acres of land surrounding the house, unfortunately Mr. May had past away and was unable to enjoy his property. His wife Marena remarried a man named Frank Saxon and had a daughter named Jessie May. Again tragedy struck the Saxon family while they lived on the property. Marena died during delivery and Jessie May died at the age of three, leaving Mr. Saxon alone. Mr. Saxon continued to live in the house for a few more years before selling it to Dr. Sheldon Stinger. Sheldon’s plan was to use the house as a medical center for his practice as well as his residence. Dr. Stinger added a room for his patients and was sure to build the new extension so that it didn’t interrupt his family time. Through the years this house has seen its share of tragedy from deaths to fires but we will never know all of what this house has gone through due to a fire at the courthouse destroying all records that pertain to May-Stinger residents. Researchers rely on the help of the community and the memories the house has left behind. Some say the Stringer house is more of a legend and folklore than it is a ghost story, but others will argue that this property is haunted by the lost souls of the daughter, Mother and Mr. May, the 1st husband to Marena. The house is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the community has worked very hard to keep it looking like its original standings. The community volunteers try to recreate the life of the 18th century, and will walk through what life was like with visitors to the museum. During these tours don’t be surprised if a few ghost stories are told or for that matter witnessed by a visitor themselves. It is believed that Jessie May roams the property looking for her mother. Some have heard a little girl yelling for her mother but no one is there. On several occasions things have moved from one place to the next, such as; toys, dishes and paperwork. Jessie May has been known to move the display toys around. Another incident that left the volunteers wondering was when a tea table was set for 2 and when they came back the next day it was set for 3 and the day after that it was set for 4. The cups had been moved from the china cabinet to a small table on the other side of the room. The volunteers believe that Jessie likes things a certain way and will go out of her way to arrange them in a way she likes. The Volunteers have learned to live with Jessie and her demanding ways and have come to appreciate her presence; they look forward to Jessie’s antics.
Old Courthouse
Bartow, Polk County
In 1909 Polk County’s third courthouse was built by Mutual Construction Co. of Louisville, Kentucky. It was transformed into a museum and library in 1989. Many years ago when the building was a courthouse, there was a huge explosion in the boiler room that killed one of the male staff members. There have been many reports from staff and visitors alike of the sounds of someone screaming in agony coming from the boiler room. It is believed that the ghost of the dead worker is making the noises. In 1886, when the first courthouse on this land was in use, the Mann Brothers were lynched for murdering Marshall Silas Campbell. There bodies were put on display for several days on the second floor for everyone to see. In the building that exists now, there is a feeling of terrible sadness and grief, and apparitions have been seen wandering in the area where the bodies were displayed years earlier. There is another ghost that haunts the Old Courthouse. She is referred to as “The Lady in White” and she has been seen by many people. She wears a white dress and is usually seen near the second floor bathrooms, but has also been seen on the third floor. There are reports of cold spots in the building, specifically the room containing ancient Native artifacts in the first floor and the courtroom. People have said they felt something brushing against them as they made their way through the building. It is believed that there is at least twelve different entities in the Old Courthouse.
Artist Bed and Breakfast
Key West, Florida
Key West is known for having some of the most beautiful homes of the 18th century, and the home of painter Robert Otto is no different than the others. Built somewhere between 1890 and 1898, the Artist house is a magnificent fixture of it’s time. Its Colonial style with beautiful columns and verandas makes it stand out more than the history that follows it. Robert Otto who was a famous painter and his wife Anne who was a concert and jazz pianist owned one of the most photographed houses in the Key West, next to the “Hemingway house”. It participates in many historic walking, biking and ghost tours. The house was built by the Otto family and eventually Robert would inherit the house from his parents, and would settle down with his talented wife Anne. Robert and Anne met in Paris where at the time he was studying at Academie Juilienne. They married in 1930. Before they settled down in the Artist house they lived in New York City and it is rumored that Anne performed at the Rainbow Room in Rockefeller Center. For the next 40 years that Robert and Anne lived on Eaton Street, she dedicated a lot of her time to volunteering while Robert continued his passion of the arts. Robert also displayed his talents within the community by building beautiful monuments throughout the town. Robert’s family had a wonderful life and was able to afford luxuries that other families couldn’t. Such as; beautiful clothing and a house full of servants. In 1904 one of the families poorly treated servants gave Robert a doll. Robert named the doll Robert because people around him called him Gene after his middle name Eugene, so he decided the doll should have his first name. Robert blamed his doll for all his poor behaviours and anything that went wrong. The doll was a companion to Robert and at times Robert’s parents would overhear Robert talking to his friend. The creepy thing was Robert would answer himself in a different voice. There were other unexplained happenings in the life of Robert the doll, many people passing by the Otto house would be shocked to see Robert the doll crossing in front of the window, and no one was home in the house at the time. The family themselves would experience many strange occurrences and swore that the doll would giggle as soon as you turn your back, Other reports claim that the doll was seen running in the house. The doll stayed with Robert all throughout his life. During Robert’s adult life he demanded that the doll have a room of his own. The doll was placed in what was called the Turrent room. And again many people claimed that the doll would stare out the window or even taunt the young children as they walk to school. The Otto house began to be a frightening fixture in the community. Until Robert died in 1972 he knew where his doll was at all times. After Robert passed away, his wife Anne put the doll in the Attic. She did not like the doll and felt weird whenever it was around, like it didn’t like her. So she was more than happy to dispose of the doll in the attic. No matter how creepy this doll was she felt as though if she discarded it she would lose a piece of Robert. The doll remained in the attic for the rest on Anne’s life, which ultimately was only two years after Roberts’s death. The doll was later discovered by the new occupants of the house, by their 10 yr old daughter. The young girl was quick to discover this was not a normal doll and went to her parents claiming that the doll made her feel weird and upset. Her parents grew concerned and wanted nothing to do with the doll. Now the doll is on display at the East Martello Museum in Key West. Whether the doll was responsible for all the horrible things Robert did as a child is still question but one thing is for sure and that is the look of the doll is enough to send shivers through the toughest of men. Reports claim that the doll while on display does not like to have his picture taken and after developed a lot of visitors have report that their pictures of this doll never turn out. Robert the doll has been known to tap on the display glass and move small items. This doll has been labeled “The real Chucky doll”. The Artist house today is now a Bed and Breakfast and not only has Robert the doll left an impression but so has Anne. Anne loved her house in life and continues to ensure it runs properly in death. Reports claim that Anne spends time in one room in particular and that is the room Robert was kept in, she moves objects and shuts doors. Could Robert, the doll, be holding on to Anne in death for all the years she disliked him? It will never be known if Robert was a voodoo doll set out to cause harm to the family for their poor treatment to their servants. Or a nice gesture, like a peace offering.
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