ALEC PEREZ – The Corsair
On a select few nights every month the Pensacola Lighthouse becomes abuzz with activity. These are the nights of special late night guided tours that focus on the more paranormal history of this over 150-year-old monument.
Ghost hunters and thrill seekers alike come from miles away to conduct their own personal investigations into these spooky phenomena that have plagued the lighthouse’s long history. Robin Matthews comes every month from Mobile, Ala., with her two sons Jeremy, 7, and Rusty, 10.
“Me and the boys love the thrill of possibly seeing a ghost, and it’s just so interesting with all the history of the place,” Matthews said.
The tours meander through numerous rooms, bringing each one to life with tales of murder, intrigue and lingering spirits. Stories such as the one that tells of the cold presence of a black slave who once occupied an eerie basement cellar, a dramatic tale of domestic violence turned murder, and an ethereal woman in a white dress who wanders at the top of the tower.
Ghost stories aside, the true pièce de résistance is the opportunity to scale all 177 steps of the cast-iron spiral staircase to the top of the illuminated tower and witness a truly breathtaking nighttime vista. The huge glass lens puts out a beacon of light that can be viewed up to 27 miles away and acts as a spotlight pointing out Downtown Pensacola, the Three-Mile Bridge, Gulf Breeze, the Bob Sikes Bridge, and Pensacola Beach. On exceptionally clear days even the Florida-Alabama line can be seen in the distance, making for an unbeatable panorama of our surrounding area.
Edward Brimley, a retired insurance salesman, puts ghosts aside and comes instead for this spectacle, “Me and my wife love climbing the tower and taking in all the scenery. It’s definitely a workout, but the view is worth it.”
To investigate the validity of these haunted claims on your own there is no better time than Nov. 20 when the Ghost Hunters of Texas will be conducting their inspection. The lighthouse is also looking for people to help with these spooky tours. “We are currently in need of more volunteers to help with the nighttime tours. Anyone who is interested should call or visit our website,” said Jon Hill, the current director of the lighthouse.
For more information head over to www.pensacolalighthouse.org or to make reservations go to www.lighthousereservations.org.