Frightful, Haunted or Hoax?

“Everyday is Halloween, isn’t it? For some of us,” author Tim Burton has said. One of the stories he wrote, “The Nightmare Before Christmas” lifts you up with a tantalizing dance of characters. His story’s interpretations were successful in making us think twice about the things the mind can perceive. Read on about some of the stories we found about this area.

Tales of Haunted Here At the Gulf Shore, we continuously seek to uncover the not-so-ordinary places for our readers to visit. Since we have not done an article about “unusual” places that might make you a little inquisitive, we thought this issue would be a good time to publish it. We may not have all the “real” facts here, but gathering tales and stories from different sources makes any journey worth looking into. Whether you believe in ghosts and spirits is up to you.

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge

Some of us have crossed this bridge many times and some of you may not like bridges. Maybe for a reason?

This massive bridge connecting the Tampa Bay region is considered haunted by some. Stretching for five and a half miles, when driving across it you do not even realize that you are driving for that long because of the beauty that surrounds it. On a clear day, it is a majestic work of architecture and in the evening also a sight to see. Part of the old bridge is a fishing pier providing a great day of fishing on the bay.

Back in 1980, the previous old bridge was hit by a freighter. This catastrophe caused the bridge to collapse. Several cars and a Greyhound bus plunged into the water and only one man survived. It has been said that a “ghost bus” has been seen by people who visit the fishing pier. Also, it’s been told that when the wind blows a certain way, you might even get a gasoline scent!

So if you do believe in ghosts, motorists have claimed that late at night they saw a woman standing alone on the bridge. The story claims that she gets into the vehicle and then disappears from the passenger seat. Others have claimed that the woman appears to be hitchhiking and then is extremely anxious to get to the other side,. After appearing with this anxiety she then vanishes.

Are you spooked yet?

May-Stringer House, Brooksville

The May-Stringer House, located in downtown Brooksville is one of few stops to see in this growing, charming town. Set back in a treelined corner, this Victorian home has stunning gingerbread trim and sits on what was once a 160-acre plantation. Today, it is a museum with a few not necessarily wanted visitors.

Every haunted story usually stems from a tragedy and the May-Stringer House has just that. In 1855, John L. May purchased the house with 160 acres of plantation fields. He lived there with his wife Marena and two daughters. Three years later, John died of tuberculosis. His widowed wife, Marena remained in the house and later remarried Frank Saxon, a Confederate soldier hero. They wanted a child and so Jessie Mae was born in 1869 but Marena died during the birth. Jessie unfortunately died three years later of unknown causes.

All the families are buried on the property which is why their spirits may never have really left? At this museum, you can browse the museum documents from many ghost hunting groups that have come. Even some of SciFi’s “Ghosthunters” team has been here. Noting this, then this has to be a naturally “haunted” scene! In fact, you can test this place out for yourself on a Ghost tour. There are individual two-hour tours for $20.00. These tours must be made in advance and are a fun evening for support of the May-Stringer Museum..

What was that? Unexplained Booming…

For over 50 years, Floridians have heard unexplainable booming sounds. People have stated that it may be the supersonic aircraft breaking the sound barrier. Some even believe that the sounds come from underground.

On January 25 and 26th, 1994, several of these booms were felt across areas that include Ocala, Gainesville, Dunnellon, and Deland, but studies from the American Federal Aviation Administration have maintained that they had no explanation for the sonic booms experienced. And the fact is that there were no shuttles flying during this time. So what were these boom sounds?

Florida’s Giant Penguin

In 1948, people in Clearwater Beach claimed to have seen an enormous penguin. Tales tell us that this creature was fifteen feet tall and left its huge tracks in the sand. During the same period of time, a large penguinlike bird was seen by people in a boat. Later in the year off the banks of the Suwanee River, another penguin-like bird was said to be seen by a private air pilot. Is this a coincidence?

Later on, there was an inquiry made by Ivan Sanderson. Sanderson was a biologist who became known for writings on topics such as cryptozoology, a word Sanderson coined in the early 1940s, with special attention to the search for made this giant penguin continue his story for many years on. Prints were appearing on occasion on and off for 10 years.

Bradenton’s Miracle Wall

At the Palma Sola Presbyterian Church’s outdoor brick wall, is a phenomenal picture. The face of Jesus can be seen. In 2000, the church was pressure washed and a 15-foot image appeared. The church has been through storms and pressure washed time and time again but still, the image remains. Is it really a miracle?

Whether you are a believer in ghosts, apparitions, spirits, or miracles, these places are definitely worth a stop if you are in the area. Our imagination can drive our thoughts into what we want to believe, which can be either true or a hoax. I think we will have to leave that up to the individual’s judgement!