Haunted Florida: The Ghosts of Fort Clinch

Florida seems to be a hot spot for ghosts, spirits, or entities; whichever you choose to call them. But numerous visits to Fort Clinch have left me with only one theory: that it is haunted. I have studied Parapsychology in depth for the past 12 years and have witnessed my share of unexplained phenomenon. One place you can go to try to reach out to those departed would be Fernandina, Florida. There are many reports of ghosts or paranormal events surrounding the Old South especially St. Augustine and the old unfinished fort known as Fort Clinch. Fort Clinch, started in 1847 but never finished due to a lack of government funding, is now a historic state park in North East Florida where, during World War II, Union soldiers defended the Florida shores against German invaders. Many of the loyal defenders of the Sunshine State lost their lives during this battle. Many people, to this day, still believe that the Fort is haunted not only because of the deaths from the war, but also from a plague that swept over the residents, known as "The Black Death".

When you walk into the historical Fort Clinch area there are many sites to take in, but it's better to get a tour guide and let them tell you all about the Fort and each of the rooms you will encounter. There are parts of the Fort that have been closed off due to erosion and dangerous building conditions, but a long time ago access was not so restricted and you could even venture up some of the old stairs tucked in the corridors. If you intend to visit in the fall to early spring bring a hat to help shield your face and ears or the heavy, biting winds can leave your ears sore and aching for days after. Your guide will take you to the old hospital area and show you where some of the more barbaric medical tools of the time are located and how they were used. By the 1900's the Fort was not needed any longer because the Civil War had ended so the troops stationed there were sent home and the fort was closed, until about 1935 when the state of Florida bought it and turned it into a historical landmark of Southern and Confederate history.

Footsteps or whispers are common signs of residing spirits, but sometimes they feel compelled to manifest themselves visually. A Confederate soldier dressed in the traditional uniforms from the time can sometimes be seen out of the corner of your eye standing in or walking around the courtyard. Legend has it that he was a soldier who was shot after promising his love in a letter that he would not die until he saw her again. Perhaps he is trying to still find a way to make it back to his true love. And more notably a nurse or lady dressed in white can be seen walking about, vanishing into walls or thin air. There have been numerous reports of spirit orbs that seem to wait for the opportunity to make their presence known and will appear in pictures taken by tourists to the location. Many strange and sometimes frightening images have been captured at Fort Clinch by visitors who come to pay their respect to Southern history. The cold and dark brick corridors seem spooky and foreboding with their rusting iron gates. In the southwest tunnel a baby's cry can be heard at times and is believed to be because in the late 1920's a family of homeless people lived there and suffered the loss of their infant daughter.

Located north of Jacksonville, in Fernandina on Florida's East Coast, Fort Clinch State Park expands over one thousand acres with numerous sand dunes and an expansive shore. The Fort itself is open from 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year with an admission of $5 per vehicle for up to 8 visitors. Reservations are required for a the more personalized candlelight tours on Saturdays, which are available from May to Labor Day. Re-enactments of history including bread-making, blacksmithing, woodworking and candle-making and even kids dressed in period clothing play games from the era are carried out on the first weekend of every month (Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 9 a.m. until 12 noon). With a gift shop, fishing pier, nature trails, and 62 campsites surrounded by over 1,000 acres of protected wilderness there is something for everyone to do if you decide you'd like to enjoy a little bit of life instead of chasing the undead.