Where We Live
building better communities
November 2008 THIRD THURSDAY NIGHT OUT:
Old South Ghost Tour
Building on a tradition begun last year, on
November 20, 2008 we hit the road for a
Third Thursday Night Out!  Our destination
this year was downtown Southport, as Katie
Stewart of the Old South Tour Company
took us on a latern-led Spirits and Spectors
Tour.  SPOOKY!

The tour began at the Whittler's Bench, and
Katie gave us a bit of background on our area
as well as the history of the oral tradition.  We then set out for
picturesque Franklin Square Park, a beautiful downtown spot known
and the scallywags who used to spend their nights there, but things
took a decidedly spookier turn as we headed for the Olde Smithville
Burying Grounds.  I'm not going to give away any of Katie's tales, but
I know I for one was keeping a sharp eye out as our tour made its
way past the graveyard.

After a  stop to hear the tale of Tony the Ghost, Southport's spectral
mascot, Katie led us back to the Whittler's Bench for some final
stories about the River Pilots and the ghostly lights known by sailors
the world over as a guide around the treacherous Cape Fear.  

It was a great tour, full of fun and spooky stories that not only
entertained but were chock full of the history and lore of our area.  I
thought I knew all the stories, but boy was I wrong!

Thanks so much to everyone who joined us for the tour, and
especially to Katie Stewart.  If you weren't able to join us for our
Third Thursday Night Out, I hope you will take one of Katie's tours
in the future.  She tells a GREAT tale!
by many for its exuberant springtime
displays of azaleas, and as the site of many
an open-air performance.    Imagine our
surprise then to hear of the ghostly presence
regularly felt by visitors to this historic spot,
known by old-timers as "The
Grove".......and amused by stories about Dr.
Dosher and the original schoolhouse that
now houses Franklin Square Gallery.  The
fun continued as we heard the history of the
Southport jail