Halloween 2011: Some Florida Stories to Chill Your Spine

The Orman House in Apalachicola

Florida has an amazing number of stories of ghosts, monsters and strange happenings. And while many enjoy these tales for the touch of excitement they offer, fans of such stories often do not realize that they are a significant parrt of the folklore and history of Florida.
Stories of ghosts and monsters often bring the tales that surrounded tragic historical events through to the present. Here are a few that you might enjoy reading this Halloween!

Ghost of Bellamy Bridge
Is an old iron bridge on the Chipola River north of Marianna haunted by the ghost of a young woman who died in a long ago wedding night fire?  Find out by visiting www.exploresouthernhistory.com/bellamybridge.

The Plowing Ghost
This fascinating story grew near Fernandina during the years after the Civil War. Learn about the ghost that came to help a local farmer at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/plowingghostofflorida.

Ghost of the Orman House
The beautiful old Orman House in Apalachicola is said to be haunted by the ghost of a former resident. Read the story at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/ormanhouse.

The Russ House in Marianna

Ghosts of the Russ House
The historic Russ House in Marianna is one of the most beautiful old homes in Florida. Now home to the local chamber of commerce, it is reported that strange things take place in the house. www.exploresotuhernhistory.com/russhouseghosts.

Ghosts of the St. Augustine Lighthouse
A terrible accident claimed the lives of children during the construciton of the historic St. Augustine Lighthouse. Some say their spirits linger in the old tower. www.exploresouthernhistory.com/staugustinelighthouse.

Two-Toe Tom - Alligator Monster of Northwest Florida
Are the ponds, lakes and rivers of Holmes, Washington, Jackson and Walton Counties haunted by a red-eyed, demon-possessed, alligator monster?  www.exploresouthernhistory.com/alligator2.

The Wild Man of Ocheesee Pond
Was a Big Foot (Sasquatch or Skunk Ape) captured by citizens of Jackson County during the 19th century?  www.exploresouthernhistory.com/ocheesseewildman.

Two Egg Stump Jumper
The tiny community of Two Egg, as might be expected, has its own miniature sized monster!  Learn more at www.twoeggfla.com.

If you enjoy these stories and want to read more from other Southern states, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/ghosts

New Photos of the "Ghost of Bellamy Bridge" - Marianna, Florida

Bellamy Bridge

I've added several odd new photos to my pages on the Ghost of Bellamy Bridge. Set on the Chipola River north of Marianna, the story is one of Florida's best known ghost legends.
The new photos were taken in September and show some unusual anomalies on and around the old bridge structure.  Check them out at: www.exploresouthernhistory.com/bellamybridge.

If you aren't familiar with the tale, it surrounds the 19th century death of a young woman named Elizabeth Jane Croom Bellamy. According to the legend, she died in a tragic wedding night accident after her luxurious gown came into contact with an open flame.  She was horribly burned and died within a few days, her last words a promise to her young groom - Dr. Samuel C. Bellamy - that she would love him, "always."

Bellamy Bridge near Marianna

Bellamy buried his bride on the plantation of his brother, Dr. Edward C. Bellamy, near today's historic iron frame bridge structure. He later became an alcoholic and eventually committed suicide. The story holds that Elizabeth's restless ghost roams the swamps around the bridge at night, supposedly looking for her long lost husband.

The true story of Elizabeth Bellamy is quite a bit different from the legend, but the evolution of the tale from events surrounding a prominent early Florida couple to today's popular ghost story is a fascinating story in and of itself.

To read the complete story of the ghost, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/bellamybridge. Be sure to follow the link there to the In Depth version of the story.

You can also read more about the Ghost of Bellamy Bridge and an array of other Northwest Florida legends in my book: Two Egg, Florida: A Collection of Ghost Stories, Legends and Unusual Facts.

It looks at a variety of stories, including the naming of the unique little community of Two Egg, Florida; Two-Toed Tom, Northwest Florida's demon-possessed alligator monster; the Fiddling Ghost of Boynton Island; the Washington County Volcano; Liberty County's Garden of Eden; the Bible of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Marianna, and others.

The book is also available as an instant download for Amazon Kindle by clicking here: Kindle Version: Two Egg, Florida.