Where does Martha go on vacation?

Well you think it might be this? A zoo maybe...

…or it might be this!

Actually this:

Recognize it.  It is the same view, well one window down, from the very same window Lee Harvey Oswald vantage point in his assassination of United States President JFK.  Martha was looking down into the area called "The Grassy Knoll" right where JFK took his first shot.  The place is the Texas School Book Depository currently known as The Sixth Floor Museum.

This spot is actually caged off from museum guest.  It is set up exactly the same way the Dallas Police force found it when they past Lee Harvey Oswald inside the building and asked him if he heard or saw anything.  How eerie is that?

The museum does an incredible job of JFK's history and the last 24 hours leading up to his assassination.  It is very powerful and chilling.  Talk about chilling, here is a picture of lee's ring he left his wife, Marina on his last visit before returning to work at the book store.  They were separated at the time and he came home to visit his two little girls and no doubt to say good-bye.  The museum does touch on all the conspiracy theories; however little doubt it was all Lee.

I'm sure if Martha visited at 3:00am (what we call dead time) we have felt Lee's presence.  Too many visitors during the day to pick up a ghost vibe, but all in all  haunting.

Across from "The Knoll" is a memorial fountain.  Although it was a bit of a blustery day, there are hundreds taking their picture in the area as if they were envisioning the president cable of cars going past them as they waved their flags and smiled at the president.

Yes, that is where Martha travels to…the eerie, the hauntings and the places that sends chills through your bones.

Next time the Shang-HI tunnels.

Where to Ghost Hunt

Want to ghost hunt?  An easy place to start is find a popular antique village.  Lots of old buildings from the late 1800's.  Feel free to ask the owner or sales help the history of the building and if any spirits or ghost are lurking (Feel free to research a few old buildings too).  Trust me, they don't mind bragging about their place.  Turn on your ghost tracker.  Downloads are available.  I personally use Ghost Radar and have fun.  The owner Gina Sisbarro and her hubby Phil enjoyed time at the State Theatre Antiques in Plant City, FL where a friendly spirit lead her around the props from movie sets.

The Mist is REAL!

The owners daughter revisited the ghost tour, she was instrumental in identifying who is at certain locations. The picture shows how the room looked when she sat on the edge of the bed. We call this Anna's room. As soon as she sat, Anna entered. Look at the mist surrounding her.

Still don't believe, than book a trip and see for yourself.

The Cat is Back

Marco Island biggest celebrity is returning back to her roots on January 26^th with a big celebration from 9:00am – 4:00pm at the Marco Island  Museum.  Thanks to the efforts of the Historical Society on the island, our little princess will be celebrated in a big way after raising 4.5 million to build the museum and install a three jewel cases display windows to house her and several other artifacts from the Cushing Expedition dating back to 1896. 

The Marco Cat is one of the most important finds in Florida History.  For the first time we discovered evidence of Pre-Columbia native American Heritage.  Assumptions regarding the Calusa Indians were now fact.  The Calusa were no longer the simple hunter and gatherers, the were artisans and warriors with sophistication compared to civilizations in Egypt.

Marco Mystery and History gives you and up close and personal side of the cat when it was discovered on the property of our founder W.D. Collier.  The museum and the beautiful murals on the outside of the building introduces you to the history and the early settlers of the island.  The cat is mystifying and life for the early pioneers…well let’s just say have tales of their own to tell.

The cat will be here for two years and the tour is seasonal between the months of October – April.

Cheers!  Martha Horror

 

Seeing is believing!

A big thank you to our last set of ghost riders on 12/7/18.  Martha had two lovey couples who had several encounters during the history and mystery trip.  The photo is from one of our stops called "The Otter Mound".  We have a lovely gentleman whose ghost still to this day resides on his property.  He thoroughly enjoys visitors and doesn't mind our guest visits to take a look at his beautiful property and shell wall.   If you haven't figured out our ghost it is  it is Mr. Otter himself.  Martha our tour guide identified that Ernest was standing right in back of her.  Take a look at the picture.  Rest assure it is not her grey hair (that's in the front!).  Look closely, it is a mist hovering over her head and slightly to the left.

In their photo. Martha just made the comment that he is right by her hand and her right arm was freezing.  See the mist right on top of her hand!!  This is not trick photography, these photos were submitted and neither of our guest admitted to working in "special effects"!! 

IN addition to this experience one of our gentleman made direct contact with our Sea Captain at Cazambas Cemetery.  Martha was told you can smell his cigar smoke.  The connection was made and shyly admitted prior to boarding the van.  I believe the comment made by our guest was "I'm freaked out right now."

Later at The Old Marco Inn orbs the size of beach balls came right towards them as seen through their camera lenses.

Still don't believe - come on out and see for yourself!!  As Martha says "We don't guarantee encounters, however in five years we haven't missed yet!!"  

Although we are in the throes of trick or treating, this is the first sign that the "Spirits of Christmas" are drawing nearer! Sign up for our special holiday tour on December 14th. Don your Santa, elf or reindeer hats and celebrate with the spirits of Marco while learning the history of the island. Martha Hatta, your guide will decide whether you are naughty or nice…

Hear the tale of how a Christmas Carol came to be. Find out who spirits haunt only on Christmas. Plenty of tales to tell and plenty of holiday spirits…our kind of spirits!!! Don't be left off Martha's sleigh…book now to reserve your seats!!!

No, it is not snowing in the picture.  For all you who wish to "Debunk" the photo; I'm not a trick photographer or master manipulator on the web, it is not dust particles because they are way too large and the Olde Marco Inn does not have an infestation of fireflies in their attic!! These are orbs, flat cloudy disk.  It is believed orbs are visible evidence of spirits.  At times you can see faces in the orb.  Orbs manifest to communicate, at times they can come in a range of different colors.

White - As you see in the picture is a connection with a spirit with a higher source of energy.  White is a positive energy.  It means either the spirit is there for protection or may be trapped in a dimension.

Clear - Is the spirit is trying to communicate with you.  It is letting the living know that something significant happened at this location and the spirit wants help moving on.  Many of these Orbs appear in battlefields.

Blue - Is associated with physic energy and truth.  It is a spirit offering their guidance.

Gray or Smokey - It represents a spiritual depression or fear.  This entity lacks total spiritual awareness.

Black or Brown - Can be associated with evil, not always the case.  These orbs may be showing you an area that is unsafe or negative in nature.  If you feel uncomfortable…leave!!

Red or Orange - Associated with safety and security.  There are strong emotions attached to these entities such as anger, and passion.  Whatever the case may be, they could be assigned to look over your wellbeing, your protector.

Green - Green is not envy, it is associated with the heart.  These orbs don't have to be human forms.  Could be your pet that never left your side.  Most associated with nature  's energy.

So…got Orbs?

Antiques and Haunts…Arcadia FL has both!!

If you love history, antiquing and small town flavor, place Arcadia on your top ten list of things to do!  Head downtown and you will be hit with antique shops and malls from all different directions.  If you love antiques as much as Martha (that’s me), you are in collection heaven.

Every nook and cranny has history, after all the early settlers arrived way back in the 1850’s; however if you dig even deeper you can trace snippets of history dating back to 1835 when the second Seminole War began.  The Peace River natives were men of the cloth (always trying to change the Indian ways), saw mill and general store operators and of course ferry captains to transport goods.

I was so intrigued by the area, I found the last copies of Foot Prints and Landmarks I & II by local historian Howard Melton.  So, pick a building and hear a ghost story.  Let’s talk about the Arcadia Opera House.  Currently the building is an antique mall and museum with the original theater still in place with pieces from days gone by including the original balcony, an old organ, theater seats, theater posters, pieces of scenery and tarps on display and many wonderful mementoes of the old opera/movie house.  As you know I do dabble in theater, hence the Sisbarro Acting Studio on the island, so it is no small wonder I was drawn to the building and found myself right on stage exploring every corner as if I was back in 1906 when it was built.

The downtown area experienced a great fire in 1905 that literally took out most of the buildings on main street.  A John J. Heard built the theater where he housed his banking business Florida Loan & Trust on the first floor.  Upstairs he rented offices to other businesses, including the post office.  The gemstone of the building was the theater, with box office located on the second floor.  Not only was it used for theater performances, it housed vaudeville acts, black faced comedians, dances, town meetings, church and school functions, silent movies and later the talkies.

So who haunts?  There are a number of apparitions.  The most widely seen is a little girl in a frilly early 1900^th dress.  This makes sense because the parents used to leave their children in the hallway to play as the adults enjoyed the show.  Nobody was watching because this little girl fell out the second story window.  John Heard himself did not go far, ghost seekers have seen a man who looks exactly like Mr. Heard  with his dark, distinguished, good looking features (full beard and mustache).  Although he left Arcadia in 1911 after he divested himself the balance of the stock to Ira J. Johnson, he and four others connected to the bank were arrested and found guilty on 43 counts.  He escaped jail by paying back all the depositors in full and the case against the bank was dismissed. Who knows, the guilt of having taken advantage of hard working townsfolk could be keeping him in toe.

The current owner of the antique mall does run “ghost nights” and claims to have many bookings for the season.  I believe you get to “hang out” in the theater from 8:00pm – 2:00am.  The owner does claim there was a suicide in the theater and a murder.  When I asked “what happened”; I was told back in the day when you had hard drinking and entertainment going on, some wild things happened in the crowd.  Someone insulted and someone settled the insult their own way.

Great day trip with lots of friendly shop owners with interesting stories.  Happy Haunting,
Martha

 

 

Mable Paige - One of the many newspaper clippings displayed in and around the theater

 

 

Right side backstage - Case for Harp that was used during productions

 

View of balcony seats (underneath is a good view of the antique mall)

 

Back left hand corner is old movie reel machine to show pictures, roman figure on chariot used in play, light board switch, and on the wall a tarp from one of the original painted backdrops.

 

A view of the stage from the floor - notice date on upper molding 1906!

One of my favorite cites to visit is Chicago and I love the history and ghost tours associated with "My Kind of Town". The Congress Hotel has been known to have more guest die than any other local hotel. Don't know if that is a good selling point for the hotel, however for Martha "book it". By the 1930's it was world famous from housing presidents, movie stars, mega business men and of course gangsters. Rumor has it Al Capone owned the Congress Hotel. No, not an owner, but a frequent guest of the hotel, at times renting out an entire floor. Other known gangsters are Tony Genna, of "The Terrible Genna Brothers". He had a suite to the toon of $100.00 per night, which is a lot of cabbage in the mid 1920's. Another frequent gangster guest is Vinnie "The Schemer" Drucci. According to mob legend there was an actual shoot out in the service hallway alongside the Florentine Ballroom. You are wondering in that direction, it is said you can hear the gunshots from that exact hallway. The Florentine Ballroom boast a famous ghost, Theodore Roosevelt. It was in this room, he made his grand announcement that he was leaving the GOP party to lead his own radical party; The Bull Moose Party in 1912. He never held office again, therefore his decision to leave GOP haunted him for eternity. A silhouette of him was taken in 2008 confirming the rumor.

Speaking of ball rooms (see photo), The Gold Room is also haunted. This ballroom is the most impressive ballroom of it's kind, a throwback to the days where ballrooms where the glitz and glory of the city's most luxurious hotels. One of the stories is a homeless man with a peg leg that was reported murdered in the 1920's. He was initially murdered on the 7th floor; however he has seen around the ballroom. Security guards have reported see him on their screens and charge to the area thinking a vagrant may have drifted inside the hotel, only to find an empty hallway that was preoccupied only minutes before. A bride and groom have been seen walking around the balcony and at times guest have heard an orchestra playing. The décor of the room is a haunting beautiful where many a wedding takes place. It can be booked starting at $5,000. The lowest fee must be a one hour cocktail hour for 100 persons.

The most haunting and heartbreaking is the story of Adele Langer. She and her family escaped from Prague when Hitler took over Czechoslovakia. In a state of temporary insanity she checked into the hotel. She was in total fear that she would be sent back to Prague after her Visa expired. Together with her two sons; Karel age six and Jan age four checked into a room on the twelfth floor. It is here in early August 1939 she threw both boys out the window before jumping herself. All three died. It is said the older son Karel is stuck on the twelfth floor and is said to chase guest down the hallway. The security staff still to this day claims this floor as the creepiest. By the way, the hotel does not give out this room, unless you specifically ask for it! Not recommended by hotel staff.

Many strange deaths and suicides; however the most ironic is the death of G.H. Palin who coined the phrase "Safety First" died at the hotel. It has been rumored he slipped in his tub, but we have confirmed it was a heart attack! It just makes for a better story to say he died of an accident.

Is it safe to stay as a guest? Yes, Martha is a frequent guest and has enjoyed many a calm evening in the hotel. Admittedly so sometimes you do feel as if you are at the Stanley Hotel from the shining; especially when you look at the old pictures of the dining room. I find myself looking for Jack Nicholson (see photo). Good walking location to the famed Buckingham Fountain, one of Chicago's most stunning landmarks from 1927.

Happy Haunting,
Martha

 

Amazing enough the start of Route 66 begins in the Chicago on the corner of E. Michigan Ave and E Adams St. So can you get your "kicks from Route 66"? Well if kicks means CREEPY than you will get a big kick! Route 66 has in total 2,451 miles that runs across the United States. Let's talk about a few locations along the stretch. Just like the Bates Motel in the film "Psycho" you don't want to check in at the Hotel Monte Vista in Flagstaff, Arizona. There are 10 known ghost that haunt this hotel. As a matter of fact, they advertise a ghost of a good time and encourage you to speak with staff and explore haunted areas of the hotel. Why not book room 306; in the early 1940's two prostitutes were hired and thrown out of the window either during or after services. You have the feeling of being watched and if you are a male guest you may experience hands over placed over your mouth and throat enabling you to breath. You can encounter the friendly Bellboy dressed in an old fashion red coat with brass buttons still taking care of his guest. You will get a knock on the door with a muffled announcement of "room service". The only thing you are served is his presence! Even John Wayne experienced the ghostly bell boy in front of room 210. Mr. Wayne said the boy was friendly enough and was not disturbed by his presence, yet we are not John Wayne stature. His size may have scared our bellboy!!

In Missouri there is a stretch of the road called Lawler Ford Road; however the locals call it Zombie Road. Reports include the ghost of a man who was hit by a train in 1970, a old woman who screams at people from a house at the end of the road. Patrons must have made way to many U-turns in her driveway. Della Hamilton McCollough who was also hit by a railroad car in 1876. She haunts as a phantom with a bluish-white glow.

Here is one for the record book, there is an off-shoot of Route 66 called Route 666. Not a heavenly road to travel on late at night. There is a good possibility you will see a flaming truck come up from behind you. If this happens, we advise you pull over to the side of the road (rather quickly) and let the vehicle pass! As a matter of fact, one traveler pulled off the
road and literally ran for his life about 20 feet from his car to avoid getting hit all together. Smart man!

If you need to stop and visit a tourist attraction, why not stop at one of the primary attractions off of Route 66. This is the Meramec Cavers near Stanton, Missouri. The cavern boast limestone deposits over a million years old. Pre Columbian Native American Artifacts can be found in the caverns, so it is no surprise that a native American woman can be seen standing in a distant pool of water. The caverns also boast a mysterious man in black who is believed to be Jessie James himself!

Hint, hint...never skimp on your loved ones burial. Honor your dead because in a cemetery named Oak Hill, in Kansas (Route 66 has a thirteen mile stretch through Kanas, a widower did not bury his wife in glory and opted on the cheapest funeral he could get away with. A cheap coffin, no funeral service and a headstone that continually cracked. The cheap widower out of guilt replaced the headstone numerous time until he decided to move away from the town to rid himself of the responsibility. It is said his wife got her revenge by continually cracking her headstone in order to make him pay! She is still seen roaming through the cemetery, most likely admiring all the beautiful headstone and damaging hers.

Those are just a few stories, want to read more? There are several books published Haunted Route 66: Ghost of American's Legendary Highway or Route 66 Ghost Towns and Roadside Relics.

Cheers and Travel Safely,
Martha