Hidden Treasures of North Florida
Historic
Hauntings
Monticello Historic District : The area which is
listed with the National Register of Historic Places as the
Monticello Historic District comprises an area of approximately 27
blocks within the town of Monticello. With rare exceptions, the
buildings within this district were constructed in the nineteenth
century and reflect the typical architectural development of a
North Florida town of the period. The district has three --West
Madison Street, North Jefferson Street and East Washington
Street--with pivotal buildings (the Bailey Eppes House and the
Courthouse) at the junctions of the axes. There are 43 historic
structures included in this National Register District.
A little
background on the Palmer house: Located in Monticello's
Historic District, the Palmer House was built in 1829 by Martin
Palmer. In 1867 Dr. Palmer passed the home on to his son Dr. Dabney
Palmer, who, even by todays standards, was quiet unorthodox . As
was common back in those days, the town doctor was often also a
mortician and this was true for Dr. Dabney Palmer. Also, back then
doctors offices were either in their homes or adjacent to their
homes. This was also true for Dr. Palmer.
When someone was ready for burial, Dr. Dabney Palmer would
extract the blood from the deceased and Poltergeist, his assistant,
after having already dug the grave, would take the blood in a
bucket from Dr. Palmer and go dump it in the grave before the
burial. One day an argument ensued between Dr. Palmer and
Poltergeist. When Dr. Palmer gave the bucket of blood to
Poltergeist, he in turn threw the bucket blood at Dr. Palmer,
spilling the blood on the wall and on the deceased. Through the
years other owners had tried painting, wall papering etc. to hide
the blood stain on the wall. But it would always return!!
When the current owner of the home, Jackie Andris, bought the
home to be used as an antique shop, she actually had the wall
removed. Some time later she had a large picture for sale in her
shop right above a downstairs fireplace. This was right underneath
the room where the blood stain had been and had been removed. When
a patron came in to purchase the picture, Mrs. Andris said that she
almost fainted when she saw that the blood stain had returned
behind the picture! It is still there today for all who visit the
shop to see. Mrs. Andris, as well as her daughter Joanne, enjoy
sharing their ghostly experiences with all the patrons that
visit.
Interesting fact: Dr. Palmer also was the inventor
of the Cough Syrup Formula 666.
Background: Founded in spring of 2000, the Big Bend
Ghost Trackers believe Monticello is the South’s most haunted small
town. This belief was affirmed when ABC News designated Monticello
as such in October, 2003. The group has investigated and researched
many historical and other sites in the community, documenting
sightings with photographs. Dressed in period clothing and carrying
lamplights, the group conducts ghost tours of “haunted” locations
several times each year. www.bigbendghosttrackers.homestead.com
850-562-2516
- The Palmer House is located at the corner of Palmer Mill Road
and US Hwy 19 (aka Jefferson Street).
- Palmer House was added to the National Register of Historic
Places in 1978.
This cache was placed by a member of the
Northeast Florida Geocachers
Association
