in the neighborhood South Georgia ’ s own spooks , apparitions and ghost stories
Halloween
HAUNTINGS
Something strange
in the neighborhood South Georgia ’ s own spooks , apparitions and ghost stories
by SARAH WARRENDER
Every town has one . A story about a house where strange things seem to happen . An account of someone who disappeared right before someone ’ s eyes . Or stranger still , someone who has appeared long after they were supposed to be gone . As Halloween nears , it ’ s the perfect time to revisit the ghostly legends unique to South Georgia .
The Bell House
If you ask anyone who has been in Valdosta very long , the Bell House on Ashley Street near downtown is the city ’ s number one haunted hot spot .
With a peculiar history added to its grand exterior , it ’ s easy to see why the 145-year-old house would be the center of Valdosta ’ s ghost stories . The Bell House has previously been a pizza place , a cajun restaurant , a bed and breakfast , and a home to its namesake , Dr . David S . Bell .
Dr . Bell was not a true medical doctor , but rather , a medicine man . Bell traveled and sold a number of various tonics and potions , according to Jim Miles , author of the book “ Haunted South Georgia .” The remedies included “ Re-Nue-U ,” a tonic which Bell stated would “ bring you back ” when you were gone . Perhaps his tonic worked in an unexpected way .
Since his passing in 1964 , stories have circulated about strange things happening within the walls of the historic house .
Miles ’ book tells a few accounts of investigations that took place in the Bell House .
Dr . William Roll , a professional parapsychology professor , and some of his students visited the house in the 1990s to test for paranormal activity . They found abnormally high electromagnetic field ( known as EMF ) readings in different spots of the house . Roll said strong EMF readings can cause people susceptible to their effects to have hallucinations and even trigger psychic abilities .
“ So , what you see , in fact , occurred in the past ,” he said .
Another account shared in Miles ’ book came from some of the home ’ s previous owners , Robert and Kayza Nixon . Robert , at one point , saw an apparition of someone walking through the house while it was being used as a restaurant .
14 Valdosta Scene | October 2024