ALONG COMES MARY

It’s nearly Halloween. Wh-ooo! Earlier this month, I went on my very first ghost tour courtesy of the Roswell Ghost Tour in Georgia. I’ve felt like ghosts are around me. And being a fan of hotels with resident ghosts, I knew this tour would be intriguing. I actually ended it feeling as though I knew many more of the Atlanta locals.

The Roswell Ghost Tour hosts tours year-round. The ghost-ly excursions tour is the brainchild of Joe and Dianna Avena. Both long-time residents of Roswell, the couple’s interest in ghost hunting does not stop with their often-sold-out tours. They are also the founders of Roswell Georgia Paranormal Investigations and have appeared on Sci-Fi’s Ghost Hunters.

The night begins at eight pm with meeting up with the group and evening tour guide at the gorgeous Roswell Town Square (I just introduced you to their picturesque park in my last post). On our chilly evening, I had heard much about the horrible “heat wave” Georgia was in the midst of. That afternoon had been nice and warm. So, like a fool, I wear my Capri jeans. Do yourself a favor and wear pants. My hoodie alone did not cut it and it got brisk.

The Roswell Ghost Tour

Meghan would be our tour guide for the evening. A Roswell resident most of her life, Meghan’s fascination with the paranormal traces back to her childhood. Her Mom was an insomniac and would be up late into the night listening to AM radio favorite, Coast to Coast. As she heard countless listeners calling in with their experiences, it sparked young Meghan’s interest. She has a wealth of knowledge about the lives of past Roswell residents and is quite the historian as she explained tales from the Civil War-era.

When we arrived at the Bulloch Hall, we learned about the seemingly innocent rocking chairs on the front patio. Apparently, many people have felt someone is pushing them out of the third chair in, to the right. I sat in all three, and no one seemed to mind. In the back, there is a rather creepy (in the dark, anyways) well from the 1800’s that apparently a young slave girl drowned in. The home is now has several lighting issues. Many flicker like crazy. Just so happens that young girl was responsible for the lighting in the home.

Call me crazy, but we were each given a flashlight for our tour. Mine FLICKERED like mad most of the night. Was she saying hello?

Also at Bulloch Hall, there’s a common sighting of a little boy running back and forth out by the slaves quarters. A recurring sighting of one doing the same activity each time they’re seen is called a “Residual Haunting.”

Walking the Ghostly Streets of Roswell

When we moved on from Bulloch Hall, we got to take a glimpse of Jimmy Carter’s Aunt Sissy’s home and where the President announced his campaign in 1976. The locals knew Aunt Sissy’s home as “Carter’s Roswell White House.” Just across the street from Sissy’s home is another infamous residence said to have some ghosts not afraid to stand their grounds. A soldier has been seen and a nicely dressed home staff member (most say looks like a butler) who often makes sure the driveway gate is closed.

Over the course of our nearly three-hour walk, we covered much of this historical city. Did it ever feel creepy to be walking these dark streets at night, with not much more than a flashlight to guide your way? A little. I found it more exhilarating to see these landmark mansions in the late hours. I had my IFWTWA group and Meghan to protect me, too!

Having just been at the Mill House, we returned to their multi-business building to hear that they are not just serving up some of the best food in town. They might be serving ghosts, too. There have been issues of owners constantly coming into their space to find it drenched in water and destroyed. There is also a rather sly guy who enjoys flirting with the ladies and peeking out the window onto the parking lot.

The Eerie Residents of Roswell

The most eerie story of the night we heard had to be at the old apartment buildings where many of the mill workers lived. There is Fred, a Confederate soldier who enjoys parties and is disgruntled if his soirees are disturbed but another story concerning little girl.

While she’s been spotted down the street from this complex at a park in her Sunday best, her most infamous story occurred when a group of schoolgirls were in front of this building learning about its ghostly history. Apparently, the young ghoul girl skipped back and forth in front of these young ladies when she suddenly jumped at them abruptly. Sending the group screaming and running up the street for their lives. It was then that the Roswell Ghost Tour enforced waivers to take their tour. Can you blame them?

As you let that tale sink in, Meghan guided us up the street where we would be concluding the tour (returning back to the Town Square).

A Roswell Romeo and Juliet

Looking across the street at the Public House, it seems that quite the town lovebirds still reside in this building. Now a small restaurant and bar, this building was a commissary during the Civil War. The owner’s daughter, Catherine, fell in love with a Union soldier named Michael. This was quite the scandal back in the day. Michael was charged with treason and ultimately hung right in the Square. Much like a Romeo and Juliet story, heartbroken Catherine subsequently hung herself. The couple have been said to be seen in the upstairs window as if they’re on a date.

A young boy was once upstairs after using the restroom, talking animatedly to someone. When his Dad came searching for him and asked who he was talking to, the boy replied that his father had scared “Mikey.” No one appeared to be upstairs.

Some of these tales remind me of the Grand Canyon ghosts I’ve heard about over the years. The spirits could easily be among us.

Book a Roswell Ghost Tour

These are just a few of the haunting and mysterious stories when on the Roswell Ghost Tour. If you go, be ready with a jacket, pants, water, and maybe a flashlight. Good walking shoes, too. The tours can easily last two to three hours. It feels like a good three mile we walk. There are some mild hills and steps.

To learn more about the Roswell Ghost Tour (and even their dog friendly night), visit them HERE.

(*Disclosure: I was a guest of the Roswell Ghost Tour. All opinions are my own.)