The Haunted Southeast (Paranormal Insider: Unexplained Phenomena, Paranormal Activities & Encounters)

If you're like me when traveling, one of the first things you pick up in a welcome center is a ghost tour brochure. Of course, some tours are rather silly and others are just boring — so it's best to do a little research to find the good ones. I have found that some of the best places in the country to partake in a worth-while ghost tour are in the southeastern United States — and the following cities are definitely must-tour zones.

Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina is one of the most gorgeous cities in the country and it's also overflowing with ghost tales. The weight of the city's history feels heavy as you progress down the streets, past the shops and beneath the palmettos toward The Battery. With a very distinct sea-town feel, you half-expect a swarm of pirate ships to appear on the watery horizon.

Charleston was first settled after Charles II of England was restored to the British throne following Oliver Cromwell's Protectorate. Charles granted the chartered Carolina territory to the Lords Proprietor in 1663. The first settlement was Charles Town, seven years later. Charles Town was frequently attacked from sea and from land, receiving assaults from Spain and France, Native Americans and pirates.

• Take this Tour: Bulldog Tours

While there are several good companies for ghost tours in Charleston, you're going to get the best stories on this one. You have your choice of five different tours — not just one. Plus, you'll get access to locations that other tours don't offer such as the haunted dungeon and city jail.

Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia often gets labeled "most haunted city in the USA" — and for many good reasons. Savannah was founded in 1733 by James Oglethorpe. Its port-city beginnings include early populations of colonists, slaves, voodooists, sailors, traders and pirates. The location was a battleground during the American Revolution and was captured by Sherman during the Civil War. On top of that, Savannah weathered hurricanes, fires and two destructive outbreaks of yellow fever.

• Take this Tour: The Ghosts and Legends of Savannah

This tour should be called "The Morbid History of Savannah." According to my highly entertaining tour guide Bobby Davis, the earth beneath Savannah's streets is littered with skeletons. Nearly all construction efforts that take place in Savannah uncover human bones. Try your luck at catching a ghost sometimes seen hovering above Savannah's John Wesley statue.

St. Augustine, Florida
Founded in 1565 by the Spanish, St. Augustine, Florida is the oldest continuously occupied settlement of European origin in the United States. The first Christian worship service held in a permanent settlement in the continental United States was a Catholic Mass celebrated in St. Augustine. It is also the location of Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth.

St. Augustine's early history tells the story of survival against all odds: It was attacked and burned down in 1586 by Sir Francis Drake and after surviving this attack, the city was completely burned down by a fire in 1593. In 1599 a hurricane hit Florida and flooded St. Augustine, nearly washing it away. The Spanish built the grand Castillo de San Marcos, which still stands today, to protect St. Augustine from attack by sea.

• Take this Tour: Ancient City Tours

It's the only St. Augustine ghost tour that lets you tour the inside of the very haunted Old Spanish Military Hospital.

[image courtesy of Brian Pennington]

The Haunted Southeast

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	The Haunted Southeast Tuesday April 1, 2008 8:19 AM If you're like me when traveling, one of the first things you pick up in a welcome center is a ghost tour brochure. Of course, some tours are rather silly and others are just boring — so it's best to do a little research to find the good ones. I have found that some of the best places in the country to partake in a worth-while ghost tour are in the southeastern United States — and the following cities are definitely must-tour zones. Charleston, South Carolina Charleston, South Carolina is one of the most gorgeous cities in the country and it's also overflowing with ghost tales. The weight of the city's history feels heavy as you progress down the streets, past the shops and beneath the palmettos toward The Battery. With a very distinct sea-town feel, you half-expect a swarm of pirate ships to appear on the watery horizon. Charleston was first settled after Charles II of England was restored to the British throne following Oliver Cromwell's Protectorate. Charles granted the chartered Carolina territory to the Lords Proprietor in 1663. The first settlement was Charles Town, seven years later. Charles Town was frequently attacked from sea and from land, receiving assaults from Spain and France, Native Americans and pirates. • Take this Tour: Bulldog Tours While there are several good companies for ghost tours in Charleston, you're going to get the best stories on this one. You have your choice of five different tours — not just one. Plus, you'll get access to locations that other tours don't offer such as the haunted dungeon and city jail. Savannah, Georgia Savannah, Georgia often gets labeled "most haunted city in the USA" — and for many good reasons. Savannah was founded in 1733 by James Oglethorpe. Its port-city beginnings include early populations of colonists, slaves, voodooists, sailors, traders and pirates. The location was a battleground during the American Revolution and was captured by Sherman during the Civil War. On top of that, Savannah weathered hurricanes, fires and two destructive outbreaks of yellow fever. • Take this Tour: The Ghosts and Legends of Savannah This tour should be called "The Morbid History of Savannah." According to my highly entertaining tour guide Bobby Davis, the earth beneath Savannah's streets is littered with skeletons. Nearly all construction efforts that take place in Savannah uncover human bones. Try your luck at catching a ghost sometimes seen hovering above Savannah's John Wesley statue. St. Augustine, Florida Founded in 1565 by the Spanish, St. Augustine, Florida is the oldest continuously occupied settlement of European origin in the United States. The first Christian worship service held in a permanent settlement in the continental United States was a Catholic Mass celebrated in St. Augustine. It is also the location of Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth. St. Augustine's early history tells the story of survival against all odds: It was attacked and burned down in 1586 by Sir Francis Drake and after surviving this attack, the city was completely burned down by a fire in 1593. In 1599 a hurricane hit Florida and flooded St. Augustine, nearly washing it away. The Spanish built the grand Castillo de San Marcos, which still stands today, to protect St. Augustine from attack by sea. • Take this Tour: Ancient City Tours It's the only St. Augustine ghost tour that lets you tour the inside of the very haunted Old Spanish Military Hospital. [image courtesy of Brian Pennington] Posted by Emily Jeanne Eppig in Otherworldly Encounters - Link - Comments (1) - [+] add to yahoo add to del.icio.us related at technorati Share on Facebook