My experience investigating the paranormal and top places to do so
By Alice Mary Herden
When Ghost Hunters and Ghost Adventures aired almost a decade ago, thrill seekers and paranormal enthusiasts created their own paranormal groups to explore locations and encounter spirits.
This time of year there is always those that seek to experience that of the unknown, a ghost or a spirit. Reason may vary from person to person, but the main reason is to have that experience.
Paranormal investigators invest in many types of equipment to conduct investigations, like EMF (to measure fluctuations in electromagnetic fields), Ghost or Spirit boxes (devices that use very loud radio frequencies to contact spirits), motion sensors that claim to detect the presence of a spirit in the area, as well as high tech video equipment.
My husband and I formed a paranormal group called Dust and Shadows, nine years ago. Our main purpose was to collect evidence of the paranormal through photography, digital recordings and video as well as to understand their existence. We have explored places here in Hernando County as well as locations when we traveled including Sloss Furnace in Alabama and Clay County Jail in Green Cove Springs, Florida.
One of our favorite places and most conclusive activity was at the Old Clay County Jail in Green Cove Springs.
Our first investigation we captured many evps (electronic voice phenomena) on our digital recorders. I experienced being tapped on the head and my husband had been touched on his hand while standing in one of the jail cells. But the most prominent evidence was when we were finally able to capture a shadow figure while taking multiple pictures.
Many don’t think that open land could hold much paranormal activity and only concentrate on cemeteries and buildings. However, paranormal activity is common in open areas such as battlefields and we have captured evps at Dade Battlefield Historic State Park as well as Olustee Battlefield.
Sadly, locations that had been labeled “haunted” became “burned-out” from too much paranormal contact and groups who did not conduct investigations ethically. These challenges made it very difficult for paranormal investigation groups to research and gather any evidence of the paranormal.
After years of exploring the paranormal, it was time to let the spirits be at peace. We walked away from paranormal investigations understanding that there is no true answer of why spirits are here, however the curiosity will always be there. We have learned that life is something truly remarkable and to enjoy every breath.
There are two places here in Hernando County that you can visit where you may have a chance to experience something unexplained. The first place is the May Stringer House. Many people have claimed to have experienced paranormal activity and it is listed as a top haunted location in Florida. Bonnie LeTourneau gives tours every Friday and Saturday night for those wanting to explore the house during the dead of night. The museum has individual tours and paranormal groups are able to conduct late night investigations. The second place is the 1895 Train Depot which also has tours given at night.
You can check out their website here for more information: http://www.hernandohistoricalmuseumassoc.com/ghost_tours.htm
A list of top five places to visit during the day that are open to the public:
1: Old Clay County Jail | 21 Gratio Place & SR 16 Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 (tour – $$) History: http://archives.clayclerk.com/ghosts.html
Green Cove Springs is about 2 hours from Hernando County. It’s is a small town with a big history. A guided tour of the archives and jail are fantastic. Keep your recorder on at all times. If you go make sure you check out the park, just down the street.
2: Micanopy | Micanopy, Florida (town) History: http://www.micanopytown.com/
Just under 2 hours north on 75 is a quaint little town with a history dating back to the 1500’s. Little shops and a café make this day trip wonderful. Don’t forget to check out the bookstore.
The cemetery.. It has been awhile since we visited, but if you go bring marbles. There is a little boys headstone decorated with marbles. Some may be missing, just a good gesture if you choose to replace them.
3: Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park, 5815 Battlefield Trail Road Olustee, FL 32087 (self tour) History: http://battleofolustee.org/
If you go.. Read the history of this park and stop in the Visitor’s Center. Take your time when walking the trail. Be quiet and listen.
4: Dade Battlefield Historic State Park | 7200 Cr 603 South Battlefield Drive, Bushnell, FL 33513 (self tour) History: http://exploresouthernhistory.com/dade.html
If you go.. This land has a very sad history. Read the history of this park or stop in the Visitor’s Center for a review of it’s history.
5: May Stringer House | 601 Museum Ct, Brooksville, FL 34601 (tour – $$) History: http://hernandohistoricalmuseumassoc.com/
Brooksville’s one and only known place to have been listed in the top haunted locations in Florida. A guided tour by the docent gives a great historical background of the house and those that lived there.
A note: Becoming a paranormal investigator or exploring places that claim to be haunted has high risks and can be dangerous. Safety is and always number one. Never go into abandoned places or explore at night, as well as exploring alone. Contact an active paranormal group with years of experience to find out more information before you go out adventuring.
http://dustandshadows.net/