A story is told of a young man who lived with his uncle, Major William Hardee, who owned the Inn during the middle of the 19th century. He fell in love with “Lily,” one of the young black servant girls, believed to have been a beautiful slave woman from Barbados, and they would sneak into rooms of the inn to carry on their secret love affair. When the uncle, a military officer, walked in on the lovers, he dismissed the servant and ordered his nephew to never see her again. The nephew, deeply depressed, killed himself, some say by hanging himself in the attic, now Lily’s Room, others say by jumping from the third floor window.
For years, Inn guests and employees have reported apparitions of the ghost, in Lily’s Room and in other parts of the Inn. Some have seen her passing in the hall, all dressed in white. Maybe she returns to find her lover. One housekeeper tells of listening to MTV on the television while cleaning Lily’s Room. When she returned from getting clean sheets in the hall, the television was turned off. She jokes “Lily didn’t like MTV!”
Interesting phenomena have been reported by guests about Lily and her soldier lover. A woman staying in Lily’s Room was awakened by a loud noise and woke to find the contents of her pocketbook scattered across the floor. Nothing was missing and she said the thud was too loud to have been merely the sound of the purse falling. A guest found her cosmetic bag full of water, while another found her makeup bag under an open window had stayed completely dry while the driving rain had soaked everything around it. A male guest found himself under the bed when he woke in the morning, and had to get help to free himself. In another occurrence, a new bride was awakened by a passionate kiss, then surprised to find her husband was sleeping soundly beside her. Other reports include sightings of a hand on the railing of the back stairs, a ghosted figure dressed in white passing in the halls, split second sightings of spirits, frequent sounds of whispering and moans, lights and coffee makers going on and off unassisted, radio stations being changed as witnesses watched, locked doors found open, shower water which comes out hotter and hotter no matter how much cold is added, falling books, moving pictures, icy cold touch, covers being removed, and female and male apparitions. Some psychics who have been to the Inn conclude that Lily and her lover have not been united in the afterlife within the Inn they haunt.
Was it the resident ghost who caused a disturbing evening for another guest? He and his wife were staying at the Inn, but in a room other than Lily’s Room. His wife fell asleep quickly, but he had trouble. A strange sensation overcame him suddenly, which he said felt like someone was entering his consciousness, without seeming either good or evil. He left the room to see if a short walk would help, then returned to bed only to have the same feeling, and he attempted to allow it to become stronger. After what he thought was a long time, he shook off the feeling and went for another walk and some coffee, finally returning and able to fall asleep.
Fortunately, the recalled paranormal events at St. Francis Inn have been described as friendly, though sometimes mischievous, but not harmful. Many describe their apparitions as being pleasant, not disturbing. Many guests are attracted by the possibility of a ghostly encounter.
On your visit to St. Francis Inn, please let the innkeepers know if you have a paranormal experience."
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I do have to say that I have had quite a few of my own "paranormal experiences" in this inn.... They
were not bad at all, to be honest. I will share one of them (the most exciting ones)! Okay, here goes.............
My present husband and myself were engaged, and had decided to elope! What better place, we thought,
to get married than in the courtyard of our most favorite place in the world, the Saint Francis Inn! He had
reserved an amazing room, The Balcony Room; and we planned an incredible "Get Away Wedding" the
next day.....
Needless to say, it was difficult to sleep; as I was all nervous and couldn't wait for morning to come! So,
I tossed and turned most of the night, in spite of the luxurious accommodations. Finally, around 3:30am,
I decided to wake him up and have him keep me company on the porch for a cigarette....
My soon-to-be husband woke up in better spirits than expected, and I beckoned him to hurry up so we can
get out there. Now, mind you, when we went to bed, I'd closed every single blind in the room. I do not like
a bunch of light coming in, and needed it as dark as possible in order to sleep. But, when I looked at the
blinds, I realized that every single blind was wide open!!! I was rather spooked, and brought them to his
attention! He went over and closed all the blinds, and turned around to head out for a smoke. I SWEAR,
it was no more than three seconds between that action and when I looked back at the blinds..... THREE
SECONDS!!!!! I was more than startled, needless to say, when I glanced back and saw each of the blinds
he had closed were opened up again!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah, right...... I slept on him that night... LITERALLY!!!!!! I think it took him a bit in the morning to
regain feeling in the left side of his person! LOL! But, it sure made for an incredible story to share with
you nice people, huh?
Have any of you had your own Ghostly Experiences???? Let me know and post below!
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