New photo of Ghost of Bellamy Bridge?!

Does a photo taken last week on the Bellamy Bridge Heritage Trail near Marianna show the legendary Ghost of Bellamy Bridge?

Shortly after taking the cell phone photo, the photographer - who has asked to remain anonymous - noticed a strange anomaly in one part of the image. An enlargement of that section of the photograph shows what appears to be the face of a young woman surrounded by what could be described as a veil or shroud.

The mysterious "face" that appears in the anomaly is complete down to its eyes, ears, mouth, nose and even eyebrows.

The photograph was taken at the overlook where the heritage trail reaches Bellamy Bridge. You can examine the image yourself below. Please share your thoughts!

To learn more about the Bellamy Bridge Heritage Trail, please visit www.bellamybridge.org.

Ghost caught on camera at Russ House in Marianna, Florida

Ghost of the Russ House?

People have long claimed that Marianna's historic Russ House is haunted and now a strange series of three photographs may just prove it!

The photos were taken two weeks ago during one of the most severe thunderstorms to hit the city in recent memory. Lightning was crackling so severely that static electricity could be felt inside the Russ House and the rain was falling so hard that Lafayette Street, less than 50 feet away, could not be seen.

The series of photos were taken in order and show an unusual feature zipping upward through one of the rooms in the historic structure. Do they show the famed ghost of the Russ House?  Did the electricity from the storm bring it out?  You can see all three in order below.

Whatever the photos show, they are now part of the legend of the house which has attracted various groups of paranormal researchers, ghost story lovers and just those who enjoy beautiful architecture.

To learn more about the legend of the Ghost of the Russ House, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/russhouseghosts.

Also be sure to explore the new Visit Jackson County site at www.visitjacksoncountyfla.com.

Rare Historic Photograph of Downtown Marianna

This photograph, taken before 1900, is one of my favorite historic images of Marianna. It appears to have been taken from the intersection of Lafayette and Green Streets, looking west. The trees in the foreground are located at Confederate Park in downtown Marianna. The Battle of Marianna monument had not been erected by the time of the photograph.

Of particular interest is what some believe was Marianna's first bicycle. If you look just in front of the porch visible in the photograph, you will see an individual riding down the street on a bicycle. It is impossible to say whether this really was Marianna's first bike. They had been around for a number of years by this point.

Even so, it provides a rare look back at downtown Marianna when sidewalks were still made from wood and the streets were still dirt.