Spirits Unite by CARRIE RESCH
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DISCOVER JACKSONVILLE’S HAUNTED HISTORY WITH THE RIVER CITY HAUNTS GHOST TOUR
ave you ever been led through the streets of downtown by a ghost with a lantern? Now’s your chance. Just in time for Halloween, AdLib Luxury Tours & Transportation Inc., the folks that have the acclaimed Jacksonville “Top to Bottom” walking tour, have launched another kind of hauntingly delightful tour to their agenda — the “River City Haunts” tour. The inaugural tour took place Saturday, Sept. 28 with a gathering of 25 people who were guided by Ad Lib Tours creator, Gary Sass dressed as Lewis Zachariah Hogans. Hogans was the first settler of downtown Jacksonville. He and the “ghosts” you meet along the way are based on real-life historical figures who once lived in Jacksonville, but due to circumstances, remain to haunt city residents until they can be vindicated. Sass said he designed the tour to “show you the darker side of
The “ghosts” of the River City Haunts tour. Left to right: Lauren Mosley, Michael Smiley, Kira Sass, Gary Sass, and Susan Sass
16 OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2013 | FIRST COAST REGISTER
Jacksonville.” The tour combines a narration of history blended with a few surprises along the way. Jacksonville resident Mattie Davis took the inaugural tour. “I enjoyed the tour,” she said.“I’ve taken the Top to Bottom tour, so I was really looking forward to this tour. We need to learn about our history, and it’s nice to have a tour like this available.” The River City Haunts tour costs $20 per person. Groups of 25 or more can call and schedule a private tour. The tour is offered every Friday night at 8 p.m. and lasts about an hour and a half. Reservations are required. The walking tour is about one mile in length and meanders through 12 city blocks including the Northbank Riverwalk, Market Street, Forsyth Street and Hogan Street. For more information or to make a reservation call AdLib Luxury Tours & Transportation, Inc. at (904) 827-1845, email gary@ adlibtours.com, or visit www.adlibtours.com.