Ep 75 – The South Has Castles and Those Castles Have Ghosts

The American South isn’t known for its castles, but maybe it should be. In this episode, we explore three different southern castles and their spooky reputations.

The Gassaway Mansion in Greenville, South Carolina is an interesting feat of architecture. This structure with its castle-like tower was built alongside the prosperity of the roaring twenties, just as its occupants felt the loss of the 1929 stock market crash. Rumors of hauntings have swirled around the mansion for decades, with many saying that the original owner, Walter L. Gassaway, never left. A special thanks to Abby for recommending this topic! And happy birthday!

Rhodes Hall looks exactly like a medieval castle that just happens to be across the street from a gas station in Midtown Atlanta. Built to glorify the Antebellum South, this building has a deeply troubled history to contend with. People say the original owners still live there, and they don’t like visitors.

“The Castle” in Beaufort, South Carolina was built in the mid-1800s, but its most well known ghost hails from 16th century France. A foul-mouthed jester is said to roam the house and its grounds, having tea parties with children while insulting any adults within hearing distance.

But first, Zoey’s Something Spooky is an update on the JonBenét Ramsey cold case.

Beaufort, South Carolina’s Castle Sources:

https://www.eatstayplaybeaufort.com/beauforts-haunted-history-the-castles-jester/

https://explorebeaufortsc.com/haunted-beaufort-the-castle-and-its-ghostly-french-dwarf/

https://southcarolinalowcountry.com/lowcountry-ghost-stories/

“Famous Beaufort residence The Castle, long rumored to be haunted, open for Halloween night” by Ryan Copeland, Your Island News, Oct. 20, 2021.

Rhodes Hall Sources:

https://atlantaghosts.com/hauntedrhodeshall/

“Cupid at the Castle: Romance, Medievalism, and Race at Atlanta’s Rhodes Hall” by Richard Utz, The Public Medievalist, Apr. 4, 2017.

https://www.wsbtv.com/station/programming/georgias-haunted-hidden-treasures/7WO73T46OEY26G2EGYOQDBOIM4/

“Famed ‘Castle on Peachtree’ opens for after-hours ghost tours” by Paul Milliken, Fox5, Oct. 19, 2021.

“Rhodes Hall: Atlanta’s Historic and Haunted Castle on Peachtree Street” by Jessica Ferri, The Lineup, Sep. 18, 2018.