Haunted Lighthouses – Point Lookout Light
Denise Villani asked:
The Point Lookout Lighthouse sits on a peninsula that marks the entrance to the Potomac River in Chesapeake Bay, Maryland. The area was known as a pleasant vacation place prior to the Civil War. It was originally part of St. Michael’s Manor, which was owned by the first governor of Maryland. The point had been used as a summer resort, complete with beach cottages and a wharf. The addition of the lighthouse had served to add to the charm of the region.
In 1825, the Federal Government determined that a light needed to be built at Point Lookout to warn ships of the shoals and to mark the entrance to the Potomac River.
The lighthouse was constructed in 1830 as a one-and-a-half story wood and masonry building. This first lighthouse was of little use in navigation since the lantern stood only 24 feet off the ground. It was rebuilt in 1883 as the current two-story structure and the light was raised to 40 feet.
A fog bell tower was added in 1872 and then upgraded in 1889. In 1883, the second story was added to the house to enable the dwelling to house two keepers and their families. In 1927, the house was enlarged to its present size and turned into two separate apartments, each with six rooms and a bath. Electricity was also added around the same timeframe.
Civilian keepers continued to tend the light full-time until 1979, even though it had been transferred to the Coast Guard back in 1939. In 1951, the Navy started buying and building up the property around the lighthouse. In 1965 the light was deactivated and the structures completely turned over to the navy.
The Civil War completely transformed the point from a pleasant vacation spot to a place scarred with permanent reminders of what had occured on the landscape. Hammond General Hospital was constructed in 1862 to care for wounded Union soldiers. The next year, the Union began holding Confederate prisoners at the hospital. As a result, Camp Hoffman, the civil war’s largest prison camp, was constructed near the hospital. The prison camp held as many as 20,000 prisoners at one point. The prison grounds were filthy, very overcrowded and quickly became a breeding ground for disease.
When all was said and done, nearly 4,000 men had died at the camp from disease, starvation or exposure. Their bodies were buried in various locations on or near the lighthouse grounds. In later years when these gravesites were threatened by erosion, they were relocated to a spot just north of Point Lookout.
In the years following the end of the war, the onslaught of reports of paranormal occurances in the area began. There were reports of strange noises such as footsteps, snoring, foul odors, lights going on and off, and disembodied voices carrying on conversations, laughing, singing happy tunes or even calling for help. One woman was reportedly awakened in the middle of the night to someone calling her name, but no one was there. Some of these strange sounds have actually been recorded by paranormal investigators over the years.
In addition to the sounds, there have also been numerous reports of apparitions. The most popular of the appartions reported is that of the first lighthouse keeper, Ann Davis, who has been seen standing at the top of the stairs wearing a long, navy blue skirt and white shirt, her normal daily attire.
There have also been reports of transparent figures, possibly in civil war uninforms, moving around in the basement and roaming the grounds outside the lighthouse seemingly searching for their graves that were moved more than a century ago.
Paranormal investigations have been going on for years at Point Lookout. As previously mentioned, some of the investigators have recorded audio proof of other-worldly goings-on. Audio evidence presents twenty-four distinct voices eminating from various locations in the lighthouse. The voices were of both men and women speaking and singing. One voice, believed to be that of a union guard at the prison camp, was recorded saying: “fire if they get too close to you”. Another appears to be that of the former keeper Ann Davis saying: “My house”.
In 2002, the Navy set in motion a complete restoration of the lighthouse exterior. The structure was painted in accordance with it’s color scheme from 1927. The lighthouse was turned over to the State of Maryland in 2006. A few months later, the Point Lookout Lighthouse Preservation Society was founded to raise funds to restore the lighthouse and making it accessible to the public by turning it into a museum.
The lighthouse remains on Navy property and is currently fenced off and not openly accessible to the public. Around Halloween, the location is occasionally open in the daytime for open houses and sometimes in the evening for limited night-time paranormal investigations.
The Point Lookout Lighthouse sits on a peninsula that marks the entrance to the Potomac River in Chesapeake Bay, Maryland. The area was known as a pleasant vacation place prior to the Civil War. It was originally part of St. Michael’s Manor, which was owned by the first governor of Maryland. The point had been used as a summer resort, complete with beach cottages and a wharf. The addition of the lighthouse had served to add to the charm of the region.
In 1825, the Federal Government determined that a light needed to be built at Point Lookout to warn ships of the shoals and to mark the entrance to the Potomac River.
The lighthouse was constructed in 1830 as a one-and-a-half story wood and masonry building. This first lighthouse was of little use in navigation since the lantern stood only 24 feet off the ground. It was rebuilt in 1883 as the current two-story structure and the light was raised to 40 feet.
A fog bell tower was added in 1872 and then upgraded in 1889. In 1883, the second story was added to the house to enable the dwelling to house two keepers and their families. In 1927, the house was enlarged to its present size and turned into two separate apartments, each with six rooms and a bath. Electricity was also added around the same timeframe.
Civilian keepers continued to tend the light full-time until 1979, even though it had been transferred to the Coast Guard back in 1939. In 1951, the Navy started buying and building up the property around the lighthouse. In 1965 the light was deactivated and the structures completely turned over to the navy.
The Civil War completely transformed the point from a pleasant vacation spot to a place scarred with permanent reminders of what had occured on the landscape. Hammond General Hospital was constructed in 1862 to care for wounded Union soldiers. The next year, the Union began holding Confederate prisoners at the hospital. As a result, Camp Hoffman, the civil war’s largest prison camp, was constructed near the hospital. The prison camp held as many as 20,000 prisoners at one point. The prison grounds were filthy, very overcrowded and quickly became a breeding ground for disease.
When all was said and done, nearly 4,000 men had died at the camp from disease, starvation or exposure. Their bodies were buried in various locations on or near the lighthouse grounds. In later years when these gravesites were threatened by erosion, they were relocated to a spot just north of Point Lookout.
In the years following the end of the war, the onslaught of reports of paranormal occurances in the area began. There were reports of strange noises such as footsteps, snoring, foul odors, lights going on and off, and disembodied voices carrying on conversations, laughing, singing happy tunes or even calling for help. One woman was reportedly awakened in the middle of the night to someone calling her name, but no one was there. Some of these strange sounds have actually been recorded by paranormal investigators over the years.
In addition to the sounds, there have also been numerous reports of apparitions. The most popular of the appartions reported is that of the first lighthouse keeper, Ann Davis, who has been seen standing at the top of the stairs wearing a long, navy blue skirt and white shirt, her normal daily attire.
There have also been reports of transparent figures, possibly in civil war uninforms, moving around in the basement and roaming the grounds outside the lighthouse seemingly searching for their graves that were moved more than a century ago.
Paranormal investigations have been going on for years at Point Lookout. As previously mentioned, some of the investigators have recorded audio proof of other-worldly goings-on. Audio evidence presents twenty-four distinct voices eminating from various locations in the lighthouse. The voices were of both men and women speaking and singing. One voice, believed to be that of a union guard at the prison camp, was recorded saying: “fire if they get too close to you”. Another appears to be that of the former keeper Ann Davis saying: “My house”.
In 2002, the Navy set in motion a complete restoration of the lighthouse exterior. The structure was painted in accordance with it’s color scheme from 1927. The lighthouse was turned over to the State of Maryland in 2006. A few months later, the Point Lookout Lighthouse Preservation Society was founded to raise funds to restore the lighthouse and making it accessible to the public by turning it into a museum.
The lighthouse remains on Navy property and is currently fenced off and not openly accessible to the public. Around Halloween, the location is occasionally open in the daytime for open houses and sometimes in the evening for limited night-time paranormal investigations.
Paranormal Phenomenon and Mystical Occurances in Itbp
SUDHAKAR NATARAJAN asked:
SUDHAKAR NATARAJAN
DEPUTY COMMANDANT
SVO,ITBP
PARANORMAL PHENOMENON AND MYSTICAL OCCURANCES IN ITBP
A Soldier who has been dead for more than two decades, alerts ITBP sentry at Hot Springs in Ladakh Sector? Avoiding visiting Changla Baba during journey to Forward Posts in Ladakh leads to mechanical problems in your vehicle and unforeseen delays? Seeing Ohm Parbat at dawn on Vaikunt Ekadashi brings luck in the Kumaon Sector? See four black neck cranes in Dungti and your promotion is just around the corner? If you don’t visit Kali Temple in Leh then you will be posted to Ladakh for the second tenure? Always blow the horn of your vehicle while passing a war memorial so that unforeseen problems during transit are nullified? Salute when you approach ‘Captain Mor’ on way to Karu for an uneventful passage?
These are a few of the mystical beliefs in ITBP that are difficult to prove but traditions have a way of seeping into our psyche and percolating into to the very core of our unworldly and psychic belief systems that is far removed from logical, rational and scientific thinking.
Though it goes against your scientific upbringing, one cannot but listen with awe to a upright and simple soldier’s report that he was indeed slapped by someone on OP duty at Hot Springs when he dozed off on duty. It was as if the dead soldier’s slap was a warning to the Himveer to ensure fool proof border management. Or you could attribute the experience to hallucinations of the sentry on a lonely duty in subzero high altitude terrain due to oxygen deficiency. Simple rustic ITBP soldiers have told me that the slap is always followed by some good news from home. Nearly all soldiers who received the slap at the observation post received news either about their marriage being fixed or alliance for their sister being finalized or his name being approved in the promotion list. Call it coincidence or the mind playing tricks, for me it will always remain a mystery.
During my first tenure at Ladakh in 1992, the late Assistant Commandant Lakhan Singh Khair told me to visit the Kali Temple near the Airport to avoid a second tenure in this cold desert. I ignored the advice thinking that the ramblings of a old soldier are best ignored. Exactly after 10 years I was again posted to Ladakh in 2002. It was only then that I ensured that I visited the temple to avoid my third tenure at the excruciatingly debilitating forward locations. Still keeping my fingers crossed, though I belatedly followed the so called unscientific advice. Many other officers who forgot to visit the temple during their first tenure have been forced to go to Leh again. I just can’t give a logical explanation for this. Thanks Lakhan Sir, you must surely looking down at us from your heavenly abode.
Previously I had held the record of having the dubious distinction of being the senior most directly appointed Assistant Commandant in Indian Paramilitary Forces upto 2005 putting in nearly 14 years in the appointment rank. One day during my visit to Dungti I saw 4 black neck cranes flying in an arrow head formation and I reported this back to my boys at the post. They said that Sahib aap ka promotion aane wala hai. I replied that that it was impossible since there were no vacancies in the cadre. But lo and behold within a week I at least got my Deputy Commandant pay scale, thought without rank, due to a change in policy to give ACP to stagnated Assistant Commandants putting in 6 years service. Now it has been reduced to 4 years. Therefore it was at least a partial fulfillment of my subconscious desires, which was a mere coincidence but my troops attribute it to the rare bird sighting.
On way to forward posts in Ladakh there is a spot where a Captain’s Jeep went down the gorge into the Indus river in the early 1960s. As a mark of respect to him the border roads personnel have named the turning as “ Captain Mor” by marking the spot on the mountain face with white and green paint. An old tradition has it that a crisp salute from the party commander keeps all obstacles at bay and the Captain’s spirit helps the party during trouble. As a personal tradition, whenever my convoy used to pass the spot I used to wish the good Captain with a shout, “Morning Sir” coupled with a smart salute, all of this from the moving vehicle. One day my vehicle broke down on the way back from the posts and my driver reported that nothing could be done for the major fault and we would have to spend the night in the wilderness till some help arrived. I took out my sleeping bag and with a heavy heart tried to wriggle into it. Just then my driver shouted,” Sir, I see headlights of a heavy vehicle coming our way” . As luck would have it the heavy vehicle was a Army EME 5Xtonner carrying spares for the Army Post at South Dungti. They stopped and the Army Captain in the vehicle happened to have served as an Adjutant to my Brother-in-law, Col Bala, during his previous tenure at Kankinara. The Captain immediately authorized the repair of my vehicle and told his mechanic to change a costly spare part in my off-road ITBP vehicle. A Captain came to my rescue, all thanks to spirit of the dead Captain at “Captain Mor”. When we become helpless, one falls back on the supernatural. This miracle was difficult to explain scientifically. Coincidence or a miracle?
In my days during my first tenure, the road to Tsogtsalu used to be a 2 days walk from Phobrang via Bao-nala. This small transit camp was a tin-shed and tent affair with only two jawans deployed there. On my way back, there was a blizzard and the morale of my troops saw an all time low due to our extended halt at this camp. An old Ladakhi soldier told us that there was a rock where an ITBP soldier named Kailash had died just 3 months back. I remembered Kailash because I was involved in evacuating his body to the Army Hospital at Tangtse for Post Mortem. The troops took some halva and agarbatti to pray at the rock where dear old Kailash had breathed his last. One of the boys shouted,’ Kailash sir, rasta khol de. Yahan humko mut phasa”. A slow miracle took place. The weather improved and the sun shone brightly and it seemed as if the dark clouds over Marsmikla at 18500 feet above sea level, had just disappeared. Was this a miracle or just a chance occurrence?. I find it difficult to explain.
Did you hear of the incident when ITBP troops saw a large monkey at Nabhidang in the Kumaon Sector, believed to be the Great Hindu Monkey God. Have you heard of how 14 ITBP jawans were saved by the great spirits of Baralacha when their Mazada got struck in the snow for 7 days in 1993?
Well, I will save these stories for my next article.
Believe it or not, it is all up to you.
(SUDHAKAR NATARAJAN)
DEPUTY COMMANDANT
SVO,ITB
SUDHAKAR NATARAJAN
DEPUTY COMMANDANT
SVO,ITBP
PARANORMAL PHENOMENON AND MYSTICAL OCCURANCES IN ITBP
A Soldier who has been dead for more than two decades, alerts ITBP sentry at Hot Springs in Ladakh Sector? Avoiding visiting Changla Baba during journey to Forward Posts in Ladakh leads to mechanical problems in your vehicle and unforeseen delays? Seeing Ohm Parbat at dawn on Vaikunt Ekadashi brings luck in the Kumaon Sector? See four black neck cranes in Dungti and your promotion is just around the corner? If you don’t visit Kali Temple in Leh then you will be posted to Ladakh for the second tenure? Always blow the horn of your vehicle while passing a war memorial so that unforeseen problems during transit are nullified? Salute when you approach ‘Captain Mor’ on way to Karu for an uneventful passage?
These are a few of the mystical beliefs in ITBP that are difficult to prove but traditions have a way of seeping into our psyche and percolating into to the very core of our unworldly and psychic belief systems that is far removed from logical, rational and scientific thinking.
Though it goes against your scientific upbringing, one cannot but listen with awe to a upright and simple soldier’s report that he was indeed slapped by someone on OP duty at Hot Springs when he dozed off on duty. It was as if the dead soldier’s slap was a warning to the Himveer to ensure fool proof border management. Or you could attribute the experience to hallucinations of the sentry on a lonely duty in subzero high altitude terrain due to oxygen deficiency. Simple rustic ITBP soldiers have told me that the slap is always followed by some good news from home. Nearly all soldiers who received the slap at the observation post received news either about their marriage being fixed or alliance for their sister being finalized or his name being approved in the promotion list. Call it coincidence or the mind playing tricks, for me it will always remain a mystery.
During my first tenure at Ladakh in 1992, the late Assistant Commandant Lakhan Singh Khair told me to visit the Kali Temple near the Airport to avoid a second tenure in this cold desert. I ignored the advice thinking that the ramblings of a old soldier are best ignored. Exactly after 10 years I was again posted to Ladakh in 2002. It was only then that I ensured that I visited the temple to avoid my third tenure at the excruciatingly debilitating forward locations. Still keeping my fingers crossed, though I belatedly followed the so called unscientific advice. Many other officers who forgot to visit the temple during their first tenure have been forced to go to Leh again. I just can’t give a logical explanation for this. Thanks Lakhan Sir, you must surely looking down at us from your heavenly abode.
Previously I had held the record of having the dubious distinction of being the senior most directly appointed Assistant Commandant in Indian Paramilitary Forces upto 2005 putting in nearly 14 years in the appointment rank. One day during my visit to Dungti I saw 4 black neck cranes flying in an arrow head formation and I reported this back to my boys at the post. They said that Sahib aap ka promotion aane wala hai. I replied that that it was impossible since there were no vacancies in the cadre. But lo and behold within a week I at least got my Deputy Commandant pay scale, thought without rank, due to a change in policy to give ACP to stagnated Assistant Commandants putting in 6 years service. Now it has been reduced to 4 years. Therefore it was at least a partial fulfillment of my subconscious desires, which was a mere coincidence but my troops attribute it to the rare bird sighting.
On way to forward posts in Ladakh there is a spot where a Captain’s Jeep went down the gorge into the Indus river in the early 1960s. As a mark of respect to him the border roads personnel have named the turning as “ Captain Mor” by marking the spot on the mountain face with white and green paint. An old tradition has it that a crisp salute from the party commander keeps all obstacles at bay and the Captain’s spirit helps the party during trouble. As a personal tradition, whenever my convoy used to pass the spot I used to wish the good Captain with a shout, “Morning Sir” coupled with a smart salute, all of this from the moving vehicle. One day my vehicle broke down on the way back from the posts and my driver reported that nothing could be done for the major fault and we would have to spend the night in the wilderness till some help arrived. I took out my sleeping bag and with a heavy heart tried to wriggle into it. Just then my driver shouted,” Sir, I see headlights of a heavy vehicle coming our way” . As luck would have it the heavy vehicle was a Army EME 5Xtonner carrying spares for the Army Post at South Dungti. They stopped and the Army Captain in the vehicle happened to have served as an Adjutant to my Brother-in-law, Col Bala, during his previous tenure at Kankinara. The Captain immediately authorized the repair of my vehicle and told his mechanic to change a costly spare part in my off-road ITBP vehicle. A Captain came to my rescue, all thanks to spirit of the dead Captain at “Captain Mor”. When we become helpless, one falls back on the supernatural. This miracle was difficult to explain scientifically. Coincidence or a miracle?
In my days during my first tenure, the road to Tsogtsalu used to be a 2 days walk from Phobrang via Bao-nala. This small transit camp was a tin-shed and tent affair with only two jawans deployed there. On my way back, there was a blizzard and the morale of my troops saw an all time low due to our extended halt at this camp. An old Ladakhi soldier told us that there was a rock where an ITBP soldier named Kailash had died just 3 months back. I remembered Kailash because I was involved in evacuating his body to the Army Hospital at Tangtse for Post Mortem. The troops took some halva and agarbatti to pray at the rock where dear old Kailash had breathed his last. One of the boys shouted,’ Kailash sir, rasta khol de. Yahan humko mut phasa”. A slow miracle took place. The weather improved and the sun shone brightly and it seemed as if the dark clouds over Marsmikla at 18500 feet above sea level, had just disappeared. Was this a miracle or just a chance occurrence?. I find it difficult to explain.
Did you hear of the incident when ITBP troops saw a large monkey at Nabhidang in the Kumaon Sector, believed to be the Great Hindu Monkey God. Have you heard of how 14 ITBP jawans were saved by the great spirits of Baralacha when their Mazada got struck in the snow for 7 days in 1993?
Well, I will save these stories for my next article.
Believe it or not, it is all up to you.
(SUDHAKAR NATARAJAN)
DEPUTY COMMANDANT
SVO,ITB
Haunted Lighthouses – The St. Augustine Lighthouse
Denise Villani asked:
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.
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 constuction 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.
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 archaeology and education. The lighthouse offers night tours of the site, though they don’t promise any ghosts.
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.
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 constuction 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.
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 archaeology and education. The lighthouse offers night tours of the site, though they don’t promise any ghosts.
The Basics of Paranormal Investigation
Denise Villani asked:
The word paranormal comes from the words “para” meaning beyond, and normal. So the term paranormal really means something that is beyond the normal scope of science or being beyond a scientific explanation. According to the Journal of Parapsychology, the term paranormal describes “any phenomenon that in one or more respects exceeds the limits of what is deemed physically possible according to current scientific assumptions.”
Ghosts generate strong electro-magnetic fields. These fields cause disruptions in the magnetic field of a location which makes it detectable by both specialized equipment and psychics. Ghost hunters use many different types of equipment to detect an paranormal phenomena. A 35mm or digital camera is probably the easiest and least expensive way to begin. Pictures, whether digital or recorded on film have the ability to capture paranormal activity that is usually invisible to the ***** eye. In addition to a camera, it’s important to have a flashlight since most paranormal investigations will be in dark places like cemeteries, basements, attics, or old buildings. Also, most investigations occur between 9pm and 6am when it’s dark. This is believed to be the best time to record paranormal activity. Along with the flashlight you’ll need extra batteries, since batteries will sometimes mysteriously lost all their charge during paranormal investigations, literally leaving you in the dark.
Once you have these basic items, you’re ready to start exploring the world of paranormal investigation. Some important things to remember are: never go on an investigation alone, and be respectful of the of the people, places and situations you encounter.
The first step in an investigation is selecting the place you’re going to investigate. Once you choose a location, be sure to get permission to access the property to ensure you won’t get into any trouble for trespassing. It’s also very important to do some research on the location before you go out and physically investigate it. You can go to the library and look up old newspapers, visit the local historical society to find out about the history of the place and if anything strange has happened there, and of course talk with the owner of the property.
Once you get all your data collected you have to analyze it. Every picture, video, audio recording is reviewed to look for any sign of a haunting. When doing your analysis, be sure to be skeptical. Make sure you rule out any explainable causes for anything odd that may show up. Check for mirrors, shadows, light sources or anything else that may cause something weird to be seen or heard in your collected data. Most of the time, the things you initially detected during your investigation will have real world explanations as opposed to supernatural ones. It’s important to make sure your evidence will stand up to any scrutiny by eliminating any other explanations. This will give your data more credibility.
Once you complete your analysis, you need to present your findings property owner. At this point you would recommend whether the owner needs to seek additional help, such a having the property blessed or if there is really nothing that needs to be or even can be done. Sometimes just having someone investigate the place and find nothing can help ease the mind of the person experiencing the haunting.
The word paranormal comes from the words “para” meaning beyond, and normal. So the term paranormal really means something that is beyond the normal scope of science or being beyond a scientific explanation. According to the Journal of Parapsychology, the term paranormal describes “any phenomenon that in one or more respects exceeds the limits of what is deemed physically possible according to current scientific assumptions.”
Ghosts generate strong electro-magnetic fields. These fields cause disruptions in the magnetic field of a location which makes it detectable by both specialized equipment and psychics. Ghost hunters use many different types of equipment to detect an paranormal phenomena. A 35mm or digital camera is probably the easiest and least expensive way to begin. Pictures, whether digital or recorded on film have the ability to capture paranormal activity that is usually invisible to the ***** eye. In addition to a camera, it’s important to have a flashlight since most paranormal investigations will be in dark places like cemeteries, basements, attics, or old buildings. Also, most investigations occur between 9pm and 6am when it’s dark. This is believed to be the best time to record paranormal activity. Along with the flashlight you’ll need extra batteries, since batteries will sometimes mysteriously lost all their charge during paranormal investigations, literally leaving you in the dark.
Once you have these basic items, you’re ready to start exploring the world of paranormal investigation. Some important things to remember are: never go on an investigation alone, and be respectful of the of the people, places and situations you encounter.
The first step in an investigation is selecting the place you’re going to investigate. Once you choose a location, be sure to get permission to access the property to ensure you won’t get into any trouble for trespassing. It’s also very important to do some research on the location before you go out and physically investigate it. You can go to the library and look up old newspapers, visit the local historical society to find out about the history of the place and if anything strange has happened there, and of course talk with the owner of the property.
Once you get all your data collected you have to analyze it. Every picture, video, audio recording is reviewed to look for any sign of a haunting. When doing your analysis, be sure to be skeptical. Make sure you rule out any explainable causes for anything odd that may show up. Check for mirrors, shadows, light sources or anything else that may cause something weird to be seen or heard in your collected data. Most of the time, the things you initially detected during your investigation will have real world explanations as opposed to supernatural ones. It’s important to make sure your evidence will stand up to any scrutiny by eliminating any other explanations. This will give your data more credibility.
Once you complete your analysis, you need to present your findings property owner. At this point you would recommend whether the owner needs to seek additional help, such a having the property blessed or if there is really nothing that needs to be or even can be done. Sometimes just having someone investigate the place and find nothing can help ease the mind of the person experiencing the haunting.
Angels And Spirit Guides Are Unique Too
Kevin Sinclair asked:
A lot of information has been produced in recent years about angels, spirit guides and ascended masters and more and more people are calling upon them for help in dealing with the challenges of life. The information that is surfacing about these other-worldly beings is the result of intensive study into ancient texts that are thousands of years old.
Furthermore, normal people are increasingly experiencing paranormal or supernatural events as they live their daily lives. This is happening across the globe, in the lives of all sorts of different people whether they live in cities or towns, the countryside or even on the streets.
People who have personally witnessed the presence of supernatural beings or have experienced paranormal events have different educational levels, occupations and ages. They include men and women, girls and boys. Interestingly, they represent all faiths and religious groups as well as people who are not involved with any formal church or spiritual fellowship. Some of these people have explored their experiences in articles and even books.
However, the vast majority of those who have had these amazing experiences have not described them formally in writing at all. They just keep living their normal, everyday lives, but have incorporated the supernatural quietly by seeking direction from spirit guides, ascended masters and archangels.
These beings are not experienced in the same way by different people. Sometimes they appear as visions, sometimes they simply speak and at other times they are felt as a presence. However, their presence is detected, the people they connect with have very interesting stories to tell.
We are gaining more understanding over time about how these beings operate. For example, we now know that archangels, ascended masters and spirit guides have specific expertise and areas of specialty. Archangel Michael, for example, is charged with helping us overcome fear both individually and as a whole.
To better understand how to relate to and cooperate with spiritual beings, we can seek the guidance of Archangel Metatron who also specializes in helping children. To create more beautiful lives we can turn to Archangel Jophiel and if we are seeking solutions to health problems, Archangel Haniel can guide us to create the appropriate healing remedies.
If you desire to understand your life purpose, Archangel Chamuel is the one to turn to along with Archangel Michael, Saint Francis or Saint-Germain. Surprisingly, we can even get help to fix mechanical parts from Archangel Michael or Apollo. For grief and loss we can turn to Archangel Azrael for comfort and healing.
Down through the ages, these amazing, extraordinary experiences have also been very natural. However, the supernatural experiences and contacts with other-worldly beings that have occurred throughout our human history are still mind blowing to human beings. Yet, our growing awareness of other beings, dimensions, and realities is finally beginning to be validated by quantum theory and the growing body of research in quantum physics.
When we realize that even spirit beings such as angels, spirit guides and ascended masters have special gifts and areas of specialty, we may be able to more easily accept and appreciate what we can uniquely offer as human beings. We also have things in which we are particularly gifted.
The combination of unique talents and interests that we all possess indicate our life purpose. These important elements of who we are combine to create our personalities and develop into the motivations, desires and decisions that create our destinies. Understanding this, should help us become more patient and understanding of both ourselves and other people.
A lot of information has been produced in recent years about angels, spirit guides and ascended masters and more and more people are calling upon them for help in dealing with the challenges of life. The information that is surfacing about these other-worldly beings is the result of intensive study into ancient texts that are thousands of years old.
Furthermore, normal people are increasingly experiencing paranormal or supernatural events as they live their daily lives. This is happening across the globe, in the lives of all sorts of different people whether they live in cities or towns, the countryside or even on the streets.
People who have personally witnessed the presence of supernatural beings or have experienced paranormal events have different educational levels, occupations and ages. They include men and women, girls and boys. Interestingly, they represent all faiths and religious groups as well as people who are not involved with any formal church or spiritual fellowship. Some of these people have explored their experiences in articles and even books.
However, the vast majority of those who have had these amazing experiences have not described them formally in writing at all. They just keep living their normal, everyday lives, but have incorporated the supernatural quietly by seeking direction from spirit guides, ascended masters and archangels.
These beings are not experienced in the same way by different people. Sometimes they appear as visions, sometimes they simply speak and at other times they are felt as a presence. However, their presence is detected, the people they connect with have very interesting stories to tell.
We are gaining more understanding over time about how these beings operate. For example, we now know that archangels, ascended masters and spirit guides have specific expertise and areas of specialty. Archangel Michael, for example, is charged with helping us overcome fear both individually and as a whole.
To better understand how to relate to and cooperate with spiritual beings, we can seek the guidance of Archangel Metatron who also specializes in helping children. To create more beautiful lives we can turn to Archangel Jophiel and if we are seeking solutions to health problems, Archangel Haniel can guide us to create the appropriate healing remedies.
If you desire to understand your life purpose, Archangel Chamuel is the one to turn to along with Archangel Michael, Saint Francis or Saint-Germain. Surprisingly, we can even get help to fix mechanical parts from Archangel Michael or Apollo. For grief and loss we can turn to Archangel Azrael for comfort and healing.
Down through the ages, these amazing, extraordinary experiences have also been very natural. However, the supernatural experiences and contacts with other-worldly beings that have occurred throughout our human history are still mind blowing to human beings. Yet, our growing awareness of other beings, dimensions, and realities is finally beginning to be validated by quantum theory and the growing body of research in quantum physics.
When we realize that even spirit beings such as angels, spirit guides and ascended masters have special gifts and areas of specialty, we may be able to more easily accept and appreciate what we can uniquely offer as human beings. We also have things in which we are particularly gifted.
The combination of unique talents and interests that we all possess indicate our life purpose. These important elements of who we are combine to create our personalities and develop into the motivations, desires and decisions that create our destinies. Understanding this, should help us become more patient and understanding of both ourselves and other people.
