Ghosts: Do They Walk Among Us?
May 13th, 2012 by Hal Feldman
If you’re looking for a different way to view South Florida, it is hard to argue with The Original Ghost Tours of Coconut Grove. Most Friday and Saturday nights, proprietor Sandy Walker offers a unique view of the Grove to 25 or so adventurous souls.
The Coconut Grove Playhouse was built in 1926 on ‘energy line’
From the moment the two-hour walk around downtown Coconut Grove begins, you know you are in the hands of a skilled and eclectic storyteller. Dressed in (mostly) black Victorian-era clothing and a flower hat, Sandy starts her tour at the doors of the Coconut Grove Playhouse (shuttered for 6+ years now) and immediately orients her guests to the possibilities of what could be. “How many believers do we have here?” Her hand goes up along with about half of the group ghost seekers. “And, how many skeptics?” Again, her hand goes up. “That’s great! Because skeptics should observe to prove themselves right…but they might find themselves surprised with the results.”
Ghost seekers feel for energy at Coconut Grove Playhouse entrance
Beyond the paranormal stories, discussion of energy fields and other ghostly phenomenon, Sandy provides a great history lesson. “We are standing on oolitic limestone, 22’ above sea level. This high ridge of limestone occurs again in Aventura and down in Goulds, but is rare elsewhere in South Florida. Coconut Grove is the grandmother of Miami, having preceded it by many generations. Ponce de Leon landed here before he went to St. Augustine. Many believe that his search for the Fountain of Youth most certainly brought him to Venetian Pool in Coral Gables.”
Sandy Walker talks about ectoplasm and spirits
Once she sets the not-too-serious and not-too-kooky tone of the evening, we are walked to the south side of the Playhouse. “Built in 1926, this building has a somewhat negative energy line. (She points) If you look to the third floor windows, you’ll see the curtains flow in an unnatural way. That’s ectoplasm.” I can see the curtains move, but don’t think it odd. Yet, seconds later another ghost hunter gasps, claiming she’s caught a face in the window with her digital camera. We all look at her pixelated screen and draw our own conclusions.
Moving across the street of Old Main Highway, Sandy suggests we might capture orbs and odd light in our cameras if we snap enough shots. The history lesson and suggestions of what we might see continue for 90 more minutes.
Flashlight look into coral wall hole towards former cemetery site
We visit The Barnacle State Park, stand outside St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church and make our way to two existing businesses where our guide recounts stories of recurring hauntings.
Everything from disembodied mid-day shadows of a murdered woman to a playful mask-wearing disembodied spirit to walkways charged with energy are discussed.
More than a few times, fellow guests claimed to capture odd things on their cameras. I honestly didn’t see anything otherworldly, but it was fun to see others believe they had.
My daughter gets into the ‘spirit’ of the night
The crux of the tour centers on the story of the Peacock and Munroe families. These neighbors were the first to settle the area and Eva Munroe, who had tuberculosis died on the banks of the Miami River. The group is asked to see things on their estate grounds, including shadowy figures, light orbs and odd glows.
As the tour winds down we are taken to the foot of the Coconut Grove public library where, surrounded by iron fencing, is the gravesite of Eva Munroe. Spooky no, but odd to know I’d passed this area thousands of times not knowing what was feet away from me.
Grave of Eva Munroe, early Coconut Grove settler
The Mason-built structure just to the west of the gravesite has failed as various nightclubs for 30 years. Haunted or is it just a bad locale? You decide.
Sandra Walker with Hal Feldman near gravesite
Believers and skeptics alike who want to do something different with a weekend night are encouraged to check out this “hidden” attraction. I’d suggest taking along a drink to round out your evening. A few before might heighten the experience.
You can book a tour with The Original Ghost Tours of Coconut Grove by going to www.ghostgrove.com or calling 786-236-9979.
