The Haunted Drum Barracks, Wilmington, California

If you are a history buff or a ghost hunter, you might want to visit the Drum Barracks in Wilmington, California. This is the last remaining original American Civil War era military facility in the Los Angeles area, and it has a rich and spooky history.

The Drum Barracks was built between 1862 and 1863 as a Union garrison to secure the loyalty and security of Southern California, which had many pro-Confederacy sympathizers. The camp was named after Colonel Richard Drum, the assistant adjutant general of the Department of California. It was also known as Camp Drum or Camp San Pedro.

The Drum Barracks served as a staging, training and supply base for military operations in the Southwest. Some 17,000 Californian volunteers passed through the barracks on their way to fight for the Union in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. The camp also played a role in the Indian Wars after the Civil War ended.

The camp was decommissioned in 1871, and most of its buildings were sold or demolished. Only two structures survived: the powder magazine and the junior officer's quarters. The latter was saved from demolition in 1962 by community groups and turned into a Civil War museum that is open to the public.

The museum displays artifacts, weapons, uniforms, photographs and documents related to the Civil War and the Drum Barracks. It also offers guided tours of the historic building, which has been restored to its original appearance. Visitors can see the parlor, dining room, kitchen, bedrooms, library and office of the officers who lived there.

But be warned: you might not be alone in the museum. The Drum Barracks is said to be haunted by several ghosts, some of whom are believed to be former soldiers or residents of the building. Paranormal investigators and visitors have reported hearing footsteps, voices, music, gunshots and cannon fire. They have also seen apparitions, shadows, orbs and other strange phenomena.

Some of the most haunted areas of the museum are:

- The parlor, where a ghostly woman in a white dress has been seen sitting on a sofa or walking across the room.

- The dining room, where a ghostly man in a blue uniform has been seen sitting at the table or standing by the fireplace.

- The kitchen, where objects have moved by themselves or fallen off shelves.

- The library, where books have been rearranged or thrown off shelves.

- The office, where a ghostly man in a gray uniform has been seen sitting at a desk or walking out of the room.

- The upstairs hallway, where footsteps have been heard going up and down the stairs or along the corridor.

- The bedrooms, where beds have been found messed up or indented as if someone had slept on them.

- The powder magazine, where cold spots and electrical malfunctions have been experienced.

If you are brave enough to visit the Drum Barracks, you might encounter some of these ghostly residents. But don't worry: they are not harmful or hostile. They are just reminders of the past that still linger in this historic place.

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Castillo San Marcos, Florida

If you are looking for a historical and scenic destination in Florida, you might want to visit Castillo San Marcos, the oldest masonry fort in the United States. Located in St. Augustine, the oldest city in the nation, Castillo San Marcos was built by the Spanish in the 17th century to protect their colonial interests and defend against attacks from the British and other European rivals.

The fort is a remarkable example of Spanish colonial engineering and architecture, featuring a star-shaped design with four bastions, a moat, a drawbridge, and a ravelin. The walls are made of coquina, a type of limestone composed of shells and coral, which proved to be very resilient against cannon fire. The fort also has a rich history of battles, sieges, and changes of ownership, having been under Spanish, British, and American control at different times.

Today, Castillo San Marcos is a National Monument and a popular tourist attraction. Visitors can explore the fort's rooms, courtyards, gun decks, and dungeons, and learn about its history through exhibits and guided tours. The fort also hosts reenactments of historical events and demonstrations of weapons and cannon firing. You can also enjoy the stunning views of the Matanzas Bay and the St. Augustine skyline from the fort's ramparts.

Castillo San Marcos is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The admission fee is $15 for adults and free for children under 15. You can also purchase an annual pass for $45 that grants you access to Castillo San Marcos and other national parks in Florida. For more information, visit the official website at https://www.nps.gov/casa/index.htm.

Castillo San Marcos is a must-see attraction for anyone interested in history, culture, and nature. It is a testament to the enduring legacy of Spanish colonialism and the diverse heritage of Florida. Whether you are looking for a fun family outing or a romantic getaway, Castillo San Marcos will not disappoint you.

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Haunted St. Augustine

If you are looking for a spooky destination to visit this Halloween, you might want to consider St. Augustine, Florida. This historic city is not only the oldest in the United States, but also one of the most haunted. From ancient forts to old jails, St. Augustine has plenty of places where you can encounter the ghosts of its past. Here are some of the most haunted places in St. Augustine that you can explore if you dare.

The Old Jail

One of the most notorious haunted places in St. Augustine is the Old Jail, which was built in 1891 by Henry Flagler, a prominent businessman and developer. The jail housed some of the most dangerous criminals in Florida, and conditions were harsh and inhumane. Eight men were executed by hanging on the gallows, and many others died from disease, violence, or suicide. The jail closed in 1953 due to its appalling state, and was converted into a museum. Today, visitors can take a tour of the jail and learn about its history and hauntings. Many people have reported seeing apparitions of prisoners and guards, hearing screams and moans, feeling cold spots and touches, and capturing orbs and anomalies on camera. Some of the most haunted areas are the maximum security cells, the women's cells, and the gallows. If you are feeling brave, you can also join a paranormal investigation of the jail at night and use ghost hunting equipment to communicate with the spirits.

Castillo de San Marcos

Another haunted place in St. Augustine is Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest masonry fort in the United States. The fort was built by the Spanish in 1672 to protect their colony from attacks by pirates and other enemies. The fort witnessed many battles and sieges over the centuries, and was occupied by different nations, including Spain, Britain, and the United States. The fort also served as a prison for Native Americans, pirates, and rebels. Many people died within its walls, either by violence, disease, or starvation. Some of their spirits are said to haunt the fort to this day. Visitors have reported seeing a Spanish soldier standing on the ramparts at sunrise or sunset, a woman in white walking along the gun deck, a man in blue roaming the courtyard, and a young girl crying in one of the casemates. Others have heard footsteps, voices, gunshots, and cannon fire. Some have also felt cold hands touching them or experienced nausea and dizziness in the dungeon.

The Lighthouse

A third haunted place in St. Augustine is the Lighthouse, which was built in 1874 to replace an older one that was damaged by erosion. The lighthouse stands 165 feet tall and has 219 steps to reach the top. It is also home to some tragic stories and ghostly sightings. One of the most famous incidents happened in 1873, when five children were playing on a rail car that was used to transport materials for the construction of the lighthouse. The car broke loose and plunged into the water, killing three of them: two sisters and a worker's daughter. Their spirits are said to haunt the lighthouse grounds, especially near the playground area. Visitors have heard children's laughter, seen their shadows, and felt their presence. Another ghost that haunts the lighthouse is that of Joseph Andreu, a former keeper who fell to his death while painting the tower in 1859. His wife Maria took over his duties until she retired in 1862. Some people have seen Joseph's figure on top of the lighthouse or smelled his cigar smoke. Others have heard Maria's voice calling out for her husband or seen her apparition in her old bedroom.

These are just some of the most haunted places in St. Augustine that you can visit if you are looking for a thrill this Halloween. There are many more places where you can experience the paranormal activity and history of this ancient city. You can also join one of the many ghost tours that are offered by different companies and guides. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, you will surely find something that will intrigue you and make your trip unforgettable.

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Haunted Camp Floyd, Utah & the Stagecoach Inn

If you are looking for a historical and possibly haunted destination in Utah, you might want to check out Camp Floyd State Park Museum and the Stagecoach Inn in Fairfield. These sites offer a glimpse into the past of the American West, when the U.S. Army, Mormon pioneers, stagecoach travelers, and the Pony Express crossed paths in this remote valley.

Camp Floyd was established in 1858 by the U.S. Army under the command of Brigadier General Albert Sydney Johnston. The army was sent by President James Buchanan to quell a rumored Mormon rebellion, known as the Utah War. The camp housed about 3,500 troops, cavalry, infantry, and artillery units, making it the largest concentration of army forces in the U.S. at the time. The camp consisted of about 400 buildings and was named after Secretary of War John B. Floyd, who later resigned and joined the Confederacy.

The army stayed at Camp Floyd for three years, but never engaged in any battle with the Mormons. The camp was a major economic and social hub for the region, attracting merchants, miners, gamblers, and entertainers. The town of Fairfield grew around the camp, reaching a population of about 7,000 people at its peak. The camp also served as a stop for the Overland Stagecoach and the Pony Express, connecting Utah with California and the East.

In 1861, when the Civil War broke out, the army abandoned Camp Floyd and marched east to join the conflict. The camp was briefly renamed Fort Crittenden before it was evacuated. Most of the buildings were sold or dismantled by local residents. The town of Fairfield declined rapidly, leaving only a few families behind.

Today, Camp Floyd State Park Museum preserves some of the remnants of this fascinating chapter of Utah's history. You can visit the commissary building, which serves as a visitor center and museum, displaying artifacts and exhibits about the camp and its inhabitants. You can also see the cemetery, where some of the soldiers and civilians who died at Camp Floyd are buried.

One of the highlights of the park is the Stagecoach Inn, which was built in 1858 by John Carson, a former army sutler. The inn was a popular lodging place for travelers on the stagecoach and Pony Express routes. It also hosted some famous guests, such as Sir Richard Burton, Horace Greeley, and Mark Twain. The inn has been restored to its original appearance and furnished with period items. You can tour the inn and see how people lived and traveled in the 19th century.

But there is more to Camp Floyd and the Stagecoach Inn than meets the eye. Some people believe that these sites are haunted by the spirits of those who lived and died here. Staff members and visitors have reported various paranormal phenomena, such as strange noises, cold spots, apparitions, and feelings of being watched or touched. Some claim to have seen a ghostly dress floating in mid-air at the inn or heard footsteps and voices at the camp.

If you are interested in exploring these mysteries for yourself, you can join one of the ghost tours or investigations that are occasionally offered by the park or by paranormal groups. You can also participate in other special events and programs that are held throughout the year, such as reenactments, lectures, concerts, and camps.

Camp Floyd State Park Museum and Stagecoach Inn are open year-round from Monday to Saturday (and Sunday during summer). The admission fee is $3 per person or $9 per family. The park is located at 18035 West 1540 North in Fairfield, Utah. For more information, you can visit their website or call 801-768-8932.

Whether you are a history buff or a ghost hunter (or both), Camp Floyd State Park Museum and Stagecoach Inn are worth a visit. You will not only learn about an important and intriguing part of Utah's past but also experience some of its present-day charm and mystery.

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