See my post, The History of Bonaventure. It's a great story with more photos.
Showing posts with label savannah. Show all posts
Showing posts with label savannah. Show all posts
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Bonaventure - Savannah, GA ~ Day 16
The Bonaventure Cemetery is considered the most haunted in Savannah, Georgia. Which, for a place like Savannah, is saying something.
See my post, The History of Bonaventure. It's a great story with more photos.
See my post, The History of Bonaventure. It's a great story with more photos.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
The Legends of Savannah's Tunnels ~ Day 6
Savannah is a city built on her dead. Well, what does that mean? Exactly??
Creepy.
I don't know about you but the thought of mysterious underground tunnels gives new meaning to walking down the street at night. A series of centuries-old tunnels exist beneath much of Savannah's historic district. And to know what might've gone on down there is enough to keep you up at night.
Not much is known for certain about these tunnels. They were most likely built at different times and for varying purposes. For example, some were likely built by the British as part of the city's early defense system. And not surprisingly some were most likely built as part of the underground railroad. But it's those other tunnels that make the little hairs stand up on my arms.
Adjacent to the old Candler Hospital is the entrance to one tunnel. It's actually where the old morgue used to be. But before it was Candler Hospital, legend has it, doctors used this secretive area to perform illegal autopsies and human experiments. (Can you say Frankenstein?!) It runs under the hospital parking lot to Drayton Street.
Savannah's first major yellow fever epidemic occurred in 1820 and 666 people died. The 1854 epidemic followed killing 1,040 and it culminated in a final yellow fever outbreak in 1876, killing 1,066. By September of that year 5,000 of Savannah's 28,000 residents had fled. During the yellow fever epidemic, it is believed that some of the underground tunnels were used to hide the bodies of the dead until nightfall when they would be buried in secret away from the prying eyes of Savannah's frightened citizens.
Yellow fever was a mysterious and frightening illness causing uncontrollable hemorrhaging and sudden death. Also according to legend, many were believed to have slipped into a coma and been buried alive.
VIA
About a block away from the Old Candler Hospital, on Calhoun Square - the only square with all it's original buildings still intact, sits a dilapidated Greek Revival structure known as 432 Abercorn. The house was built in 1868 and belonged to Civil War general Benjamin J. Wilson who's wife was one of Savannah's yellow fever victims.
She left behind a young daughter who is said to have died from heat stroke after being punished by her father and according to witnesses the little girl and her father never left. Years later 432 Abercorn is purported to have experienced a triple murder (of 3 little girls) and a missing person. You might also hear that the bodies of 10,000 slaves who died on their trip from Africa were deposited here. Most Savannians will tell you just walking by the place will give you goose bumps.
And, if it's pirates ye fancy, well mateys, they had a tunnel, too!
Dug directly beneath the Pirates' House Inn & Restaurant, built way back in 1753, is a tunnel known as the Pirate's Passage. It is said to have extended from the rum cellar to a dock on the Savannah River a block away. Druken patrons of the tavern sometimes awoken to find themselves aboard ship headed to China having been "shanghaied" by pirates through the passage.
And according the Pirates' House place mat, Robert Louis Stevenson was once a guest and it was here he is said to have met the real Captain Flint and inspiration for his classic novel, Treasure Island. Of course, Captain Flint is among the myriad of restless souls who are said to haunt the place but I'm guessing none of them look like Johnny Depp.
HOPE YOU'RE GIDDY WITH GOOSE BUMPS......
.........CONTINUES
Creepy.
I don't know about you but the thought of mysterious underground tunnels gives new meaning to walking down the street at night. A series of centuries-old tunnels exist beneath much of Savannah's historic district. And to know what might've gone on down there is enough to keep you up at night.
Not much is known for certain about these tunnels. They were most likely built at different times and for varying purposes. For example, some were likely built by the British as part of the city's early defense system. And not surprisingly some were most likely built as part of the underground railroad. But it's those other tunnels that make the little hairs stand up on my arms.
Adjacent to the old Candler Hospital is the entrance to one tunnel. It's actually where the old morgue used to be. But before it was Candler Hospital, legend has it, doctors used this secretive area to perform illegal autopsies and human experiments. (Can you say Frankenstein?!) It runs under the hospital parking lot to Drayton Street.
Savannah's first major yellow fever epidemic occurred in 1820 and 666 people died. The 1854 epidemic followed killing 1,040 and it culminated in a final yellow fever outbreak in 1876, killing 1,066. By September of that year 5,000 of Savannah's 28,000 residents had fled. During the yellow fever epidemic, it is believed that some of the underground tunnels were used to hide the bodies of the dead until nightfall when they would be buried in secret away from the prying eyes of Savannah's frightened citizens.
Yellow fever was a mysterious and frightening illness causing uncontrollable hemorrhaging and sudden death. Also according to legend, many were believed to have slipped into a coma and been buried alive.
About a block away from the Old Candler Hospital, on Calhoun Square - the only square with all it's original buildings still intact, sits a dilapidated Greek Revival structure known as 432 Abercorn. The house was built in 1868 and belonged to Civil War general Benjamin J. Wilson who's wife was one of Savannah's yellow fever victims.
She left behind a young daughter who is said to have died from heat stroke after being punished by her father and according to witnesses the little girl and her father never left. Years later 432 Abercorn is purported to have experienced a triple murder (of 3 little girls) and a missing person. You might also hear that the bodies of 10,000 slaves who died on their trip from Africa were deposited here. Most Savannians will tell you just walking by the place will give you goose bumps.
And, if it's pirates ye fancy, well mateys, they had a tunnel, too!
Dug directly beneath the Pirates' House Inn & Restaurant, built way back in 1753, is a tunnel known as the Pirate's Passage. It is said to have extended from the rum cellar to a dock on the Savannah River a block away. Druken patrons of the tavern sometimes awoken to find themselves aboard ship headed to China having been "shanghaied" by pirates through the passage.
And according the Pirates' House place mat, Robert Louis Stevenson was once a guest and it was here he is said to have met the real Captain Flint and inspiration for his classic novel, Treasure Island. Of course, Captain Flint is among the myriad of restless souls who are said to haunt the place but I'm guessing none of them look like Johnny Depp.
HOPE YOU'RE GIDDY WITH GOOSE BUMPS......
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Haunted Savannah Ghost Stories Series ~ Day 5
Depending on who you ask, America's Most Haunted City might be New Orleans. I've never been to Louisiana so I can't comment, but Savannah, Savannah I know. In my humble opinion, October is the best time to visit. The heat isn't so bad and the gnats are all but gone. In fact, it's quite cool here right about now, for the south anyway. But Savannah in October is spectacular regardless of the weather....or the gnats. There's October Fest, there's the film festival, the Greek festival and, oh yeah, there are ghosts, too. Lots of 'em.
There are always ghosts in Savannah but this time of year is perfect for a ghost tour. Pick your poison: go on a walking tour, a haunted trolley, in a hearse and if you're really brave, go on the All Hallows Eve Paranormal Hunt of the Dead tour.
If you're strapped for cash or it's too late to plan a trip, how about you join me for my Haunted Savannah Blog Tour. I'll tell you all the ghost stories I know....for FREE. How's that sound?
Starting tomorrow, and various days during October, I'll post a special Savannah ghost story. If you can't wait and you need one tonight, search my blog. You'll find some really great ones, my own ghost story's here somewhere, as a matter of fact. That should tide you over until tomorrow. Just try not to scare yourself too much. You'll need your rest for tomorrow night.
ARE YOU HAVING FUN YET?
Monday, February 21, 2011
New Baby + Old Friends + Great Art =
1 Really Good Weekend
1 Really Good Weekend
You know those kinds of friends that no matter how long it's been since you've seen them you just pick right up where you left off. Like it was only yesterday instead of years. I have those kinds of friends. And I love them.
My "Girl's Weekend" began in a way that I was not expecting. At all. Our niece, who was due to arrive St. Patrick's Day, decided she'd rather be here early enough to properly enjoy that party and arrived almost exactly a month early. She's my newest "girl".
Girl's Weekend officially kicked off at City Market in Downtown Savannah at the A.T. Hun Gallery where one of my girls has her mosaics featured.
They are so good, it borders on ridiculous.
There's just nothing like good friends. They make you laugh. Even when you don't feel like it. And then, before you know it, you feel like it.
Then they make you laugh some more.
And though you still think of them as your high school friends, you see them with your kids and you realize things have changed. But not how much you love them.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
