Panama City became an incorporated city in 1909, but this Florida city’s history stretches right back to the Ice Age. Local shell middens suggest the first residents arrived around 13,000 years ago. As the centuries have passed, many insist ghosts have taken up residence at many sites around the city. While you never know when you’ll have a supernatural encounter, visiting these spots should give you your best chance of getting spooked.
Camp Helen State Park
Image via Unsplash by Stefano Pollio
Camp Helen State Park seems like a little piece of paradise on the western side of Panama City Beach. Guests love the clean white sand and picturesque walking trails, but most are oblivious about the park’s sinister history. Local historian Emily Smith insists that not one but three ghosts haunt the campground.
The first is the ghost of Rose, a young slave girl slaughtered by Native Americans in 1843. The story says her passenger ship ran aground in stormy weather. The local tribe appeared friendly at first, but their chief killed Rose when the ship’s captain was out searching for food. Look out for her specter walking along the beach when the sun goes down.
Camp Helen State Park’s second ghost is another child, the grandson of Margaret Hicks, who once owned Camp Helen State Park. Hicks left the boy she called Gigi in the care of a cook and a nursemaid while she went grocery shopping in the city. The boy wandered down to the boat dock while his carers prepared lunch. Sadly, he fell into the water and drowned. A fisherman was the first person to see his ghost playing on the beach in 1996. As the years go on, more fishermen claimed they saw Gigi sitting on the pier or playing in the sand.
Many believe Camp Helen State Park’s third ghost is Captain Phillips, another victim of the Native American tribe. The ghost appeared to Hugh Comer in the old Hicks lodge, which he visited when a relative purchased it. Apparently, the ghost woke Comer from his slumber and insisted he leave his house at once!
Martin House
Martin House is a historic Panama City home built in the 1900s. It looks like an idyllic home, but all was not well within the family.
The Martins led a well-to-do household and employed servants to make their lives easier. However, Mr. Martin was a jealous man who believed his wife was becoming too close to one of the male servants. In a fit of jealous rage, Mr. Martin allegedly forced his wife to watch as he hung the servant from a tree. Local gossip about the incident became too much for Mr. Martin. He allegedly hung his wife and children from the same oak tree before hanging himself. Residents insist the Martins now haunt the home.
Rock-Tenn, a local paper mill, now owns the home and uses the space for company events and meetings. The company boarded off the upstairs space, a decision that locals believed was necessary to contain the spirits. Before Rock-Tenn took ownership, locals say they saw ghostly figures with jet black eyes on site. Someone even suggested a figure like this threw their friend from a window. Many also heard screams and loud thumps they could never explain.
Smurfit-Stone Paper Mill
Rock-Tenn isn’t the only local paper mill with a paranormal connection. Legend has it an ax murderer killed a young girl where the Smurfit-Stone Paper Mill stands.
Some people say they’ve seen the victim’s spirit playing on a nearby swingset. Others claim their cars have stalled somewhere near the site of her demise. But the spooks don’t stop there. The young ghost controls the electric windows and radio, turning them on and off at will. Some even say she’s climbed on the hood of their cars and used her bloody finger to spell out the word “help” on the windshields.
The victim’s ghost may not be the only one at the paper mill. Some people say they’ve spotted the killer’s specter, with his bloody ax in hand.
Holiday Inn Resort Panama City Beach
Be prepared for a fright if you check in at the Holiday Inn Resort Panama City Beach. Legend has it that one male guest checked in but never checked out. Ever since, tourists staying near the top floors have reported strange happenings at the Holiday Inn.
Alarms, lights, and televisions reportedly switch on and off at all hours of the day and night. Some people even swear they’ve seen a specter standing between their double beds. What a sight to wake up to! The ghost allegedly wears shorts and a T-shirt and has sunglasses hanging around his neck, so spotting him among the other travelers may prove difficult!
The Building At 5101 West Highway 98
The building at 5101 West Highway 98 certainly had a colorful life. It was originally Confetti’s Nightclub, before becoming J. Malone’s Nightclub, then the Mexican restaurant El Potosino, followed by Wingin’ It Sports Bar. It was eventually torn down, perhaps because local entrepreneurs just weren’t willing to take a risk on this haunted site. In its place, Panama City will get a new overpass linking the city with the beach. Only time will tell whether this new construction inspires the ghostly residents to move on.
The hostile spirits seemed reluctant to welcome visitors, no matter what the business was. Guests complained about objects thrown at them with no known source. The violent sounds coming from the bathrooms and unexpected flushing was also unsettling. Some people even claimed they saw “nebulous” spirits roaming around the venue.
Getting spooked sounds like fun, but after a ghostly encounter, you’ll probably want to make a quick getaway! For a vehicle you can count on when you need to move fast, visit Panama City Toyota. We have a reliable range of new and used cars at some of the city’s most competitive prices. Our on-site service center will also keep your car performing at its best. Call us at (850) 769-337 or visit our dealership on West 15th Street to learn more about our services.
