Jeffrey the Ghost is staying at the St. James Hotel tonight because he found out it was one of the most haunted places in Alabama. This is the view from the balcony right outside his room on the third floor. The St. James was built in 1838 and opened as The Brantley. After the civil war, it was operated by Benjamin Sterling Turner (the first African American ever elected to U.S. Congress), who reportedly hosted the legendary outlaw, Jesse James, in 1881. The hotel ceased operations in 1892 because of hard times, but reopened in 1997. Since its reopening, many guests have reported hauntings from Jesse James and his girlfriend, Lucinda. The apparitions appear to be wearing clothing that was common in the 1880s and the scent of lavender is sometimes very prominent, which is Lucinda's favorite. Jeffrey is excited that he may get to meet other ghosts tonight!
The St. James Hotel is definitely a must-see if you are staying in Selma - especially if you are coming next weekend for the Haunted History Tours! Get ready for a spooky weekend! Call the Chamber of Commerce at 334-875-7241 if you would like to purchase tickets for the Haunted History Tours on October 18th and 19th.
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| Panoramic view from the third floor of the St. James Hotel |
