Welcome to the official home of the Southwest Florida Paranormal Investigations. We are based out of Lee County in southwest Florida, however we do investigations throughout all of Florida, and occasionally outside of the state of Florida. This website is currently expanding, so visit often as we add new sections and features to this website. Enjoy our site and feel free to stir up some conversation or give us some suggestions and feedback on our Message Board or Chat Room. Explore our sidebar menu for interesting sections.
Who We Are: Our organization consists of diverse individuals with varying faiths, beliefs, and professions. Members volunteer their time to study the paranormal through use of scientific methods expected in our field of research. Evidence we gather is used to educate the public about haunted locations, spirits, natural phenomenon and the history discovered about properties. We do not perform exorcisms or cleanse properties of ghosts, demons, or spirits. We simply observe and record the phenomenon. Many paranormal phenomena’s are actually unexplained natural phenomenon. If you are unsure, feel free to contact us.
E-mail: swfpionline@gmail.com
Phone#: (239)-985-9137
Come join us at the first ever TAPScon held at the Clearwater Biltmore
Watch the TAPS-Con YouTube Commercial below created by SWFPI
SWFPI conducted an investigation late last year of the Britton Theater and historic movie theater in Tampa Florida. SWFPI did not find any evidence of paranormal activity during the last investigation but we are still on the case. Reports range from strange voices to shadows. The ladies bathroom near the lobby is also said to be haunted by a woman who died there back in 1988. More to come as we search for the facts. Enjoy the mini documentary of this location below.
Buckingham Cemetery is a private family plot located in Fort Myers Florida. Special permission is needed in order to gain access legally to this location. SWFPI has conducted investigations of this location in past even while under the original name LCGH. This year SWFPI will conduct a series of investigations of the location to hopefully have the same results of past investigations repeat. Other investigative organizations have conducted successful investigations of the location and will hopefully will be instrumental in understanding the the unexplainable events that have continued to this day at the Buckingham Cemetery. Cemeteries are usually not ideal for a control investigation but this location has produced some of the most profound EVP type phenomenon on top of personal experiences that this locations warrants further investigations. Below are some summaries of past investigations that produced evidence. Below these summaries are EVPs captured by this investigators described in the summaries. Look for our comprehensive investigation later this winter.
Buckingham Cemetery Summery Reports
Buckingham Cemetery 1/25/02
Investigators: Honey. India, and Gail (guest)
Time: Approximately 9:30pm to 11:15pm
The cemetery was very active as soon as we arrived. There was a lot of movement, in the form of sounds around us like people walking on the dead leaves and needles on the ground, and breaking branches. The three of us split up to take pictures in different areas of the cemetery.
The noises increased around us forcing us together in the center of the cemetery the chain link fence that surrounds the cemetery was rattling at different points. We couldn’t see the fence shaking, but we could hear it. We were also smelling things like cigars and leather mingled together, cat urine and an unidentifiable odor.
After we were forced together, the three of us were standing there facing the south or back of the cemetery discussing the sounds and smells, when an dark apparition appeared walking out of a grouping of bushes for several feet to a large oak. The figure appeared to be a man and he kept looking around the tree, and ducking back behind it. We didn’t know if it was a actual apparition or someone playing tricks so we stood there for awhile watching it before we decided to approach it. There is an open field (pasture) behind the cemetery followed by a house. The moon was full or almost full so we could see if anyone jumped the fence to get away from us. After searching the area behind the tree there was no sign of a person, and no where for a person to go without us seeing them so we concluded that what we saw may have been an apparition.
Throughout the time we were there we felt cold spots, and felt touching sensations. While sitting on a raised grave I had someone move my shirt and felt a cold pressure on my lower back.
My recorder was recording the entire time from when I set it down to when I picked it up. It should have picked up at the very least the heavy traffic and airplane noise that was heard later in the evening. India’s recorder picked up tapping sounds.
Buckingham cemetery 2/4/02
Investigators: Honey, Tracy, and Nancy (guest)
Time: Approximately 10:00pm to 11:00 pm
We arrived at the cemetery and set up the video camera at the to the right upon entering the cemetery near a large oak tree. The camera was facing west and we set two digital recorders one on a raised tomb near the tree, and one on the grave with the large cross near the same tree. We walked around taking pictures for awhile.
After taking pictures, Tracy walked over to a little boys grave she liked to visit which was in line with the camera. Nancy and I were watching the camera screen, when we noticed Tracy looked stiff and had a strange look on her face. We both started calling out to her to see what was wrong. It wasn’t until we started toward her that she snapped out what ever was happening. She said it felt like something had a hold of her and she felt very far away. She was trying to talk to us, but she couldn’t get anything to come out. It sounded like R.E.M. paralysis while being wide awake. We packed up and left.
This EVP was captured while only female investigators were present.
These next set of EVPs are not that clear but do present a male voice that other investigative organizations have captured. If you are in the presence of under aged invidules there is some explicit language in this nest set.
This next EVP was captured after one of the Female investigators was starting to get high EMF readings withing the grave yard. You will hear a male voice say “i read you” after the female investigator states she is getting readings with her EMF detector.
Recently SWFPI was show cased in a front page article of the Gulf Coasting Magazine and attached to the Newspress October 26th front page. SWFPI was conducting an investigation of the Arcade Theater which we will have a full report of soon on this website. Here are some Links to the article online and the Documentary of the investigation. We would like to thank the newspress and Mary Wozniak of the news press for doing such a professional job and portraying what we do so accurately.
During the investigation dated 10-19-07 SWFPI conducted a full 7-hour investigation with full multi DVR setup. SWFPI investigators had many personal experiences but did not capture any solid evidence. Based on the current investigation findings SWFPI opinion that the location containing paranormal activity is inconclusive. However the location may require further investigation due to its past reported events.
Qualitative Data
During the investigation after an EVP session with Rachel, Jason (the theater management) and several members of SWFPI in the stage left area, it was reported that an individual felt they were touched. In many cased during investigations some people have the sensation of being touched by someone or something not perceptively present. Sometimes this can be explained as insects or cobwebs, but sometimes it is unexplained. In this case SWFPI was unable to explain this event.
Quantitative Data
EMF levels throughout the theater where relatively low for exception of some key locations. The exit signs and other outlets did give off high EMF ranging from 10 to 30 milliguss. One particular unexplained area of static EMF was observed near stage left in the corridor leading to the rehearsal and dressing rooms next door. The high EMF was emitting from the doorframe and concrete floor structure ranging from 10 to 40 milliguss. No wires or other examples of natural or manmade sources could be identified. No unusual temperature changes were recorded on the data loggers.
SWFPI is still reevaluating the evidence and will report any new findings when reported.
History
The building was erected in 1908 on grounds close (1 block away) to the original 50 fort buildings that supplied the military during the Seminole War and unrest (1841-1858). The building served originally as a Vauderville house and was where Thomas Edison would have viewed his first films along with his friends Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone. The building was a favorite meeting place for area residents and visitors for over 90-years exhibiting beautiful Victorian-era architecture still apparent today. The arcade was eventually converted into a full movie house, divided in two, the stage for plays on one side and a screening room for movies on the other. Sadly, by 1989 the building had fallen into severe disrepair. A fundraising benefit was held in 1991 starring famed ballet and film star, Mikhail Baryshnikov, which raised enough money to completely restore the arcade theatre. After restoration, the City of Ft. Myers rented the building out to local organizations. In 1998, the City of Fort Myers made the arcade the permanent home of the Florida Repertory Theatre as part of revitalizing the downtown district.
Reports of paranormal in the building date back approximately 5-years and includes the sound of voices and touching that cannot be explained. Rachel Burttram, the Florida Rep. Director of Audience Development and actress, was the manager for 2002-2003 season requiring her to work alone in the building late at night. She reports scary “vibes” from the second floor offices, dressing room area, and especially stage left curtain area. Rachel reports that on several occasions when she is waiting in the wings (stage left) for her cue to go on stage, she has felt a presence close beside or behind her. Thinking it’s another production employee, she turns to say “hi” and nobody is there. Also, Jason Parrish, the
Associate Director, has an office on the second floor and also works into the night. He reports the distinct sound of the front lobby doors being unlocked and opened. He waits for someone to come up the stairs, but nobody does. Upon checking, all doors are still securing closed and locked.
SWFPI preliminary investigation on 10/19/07 included a tour of the entire building and News-Press interview (see Gulf Coasting 10/26/07).
This investigation involved an individual rather than a geographical location. Currently SWFPI is continuing to look into this case. During the first investigation no evidence turned up on SWFPI’s equipment. The only evidence that was collected during the investigation was from the homeowners audio recorder which could not be submitted due to SWFPI protocols. The audio was not captured by a SWFPI investigator which means it is not a independent verification of the reported paranormal activity at Hantmen residence. We do this not for our sake rather for the credibility of our client. One SWFPI investigator witnessed the appearance of a coin on the floor near where he was setting up equipment. The opinion of the investigator was the coin’s origin was not known and the appearance was not witnessed but also did not conclude this as being a paranormal event. We will keep everyone updated as more reports and updates occur.
Currently Florida Ghost, an independent group out of Miami, SWFPI have investigated the residence. More investigative organizations will be looking into the case based off the permission of the residence. We will keep you informed of any updates or findings or this case per the Hantmen’s permission of disclosure. In the mean time you can watch the interview that took place prior to SWFPI’s investigation.
Thanks to everybody who participated in the 2007 Florida Ghost Gathering. The event was a huge success and a lot of fun.
The Ghost Gathering involved open discussions between investigative groups, educational sessions from individual speakers and exclusive access to the Inn each night for full investigation.
We’d also like to extend special thanks to our speakers Chris Quattlebaum, Grant Dunst, Bill Sharpe, Brandy Stark, and Doug Kelly. Each of your presentations were interesting and informative, and well delivered. A large part of this event’s success was due to your presentations—thanks for your dedication and hard work.
As a special note, one investigator captured a potential EVP in the dry storage area near the Inn’s kitchen. We have added that EVP to our ongoing page about the Clewiston Inn:
Clewiston Inn Investigation
Plans are already under way for the 2008 Ghost Gathering – Stay Tuned!
Message form the Clewiston Inn
The management and staff of the Clewiston Inn want to say how much they appreciated us coming to the Inn and are look forward to seeing some of us return in the future for more investigations. They mentioned that this event has shed good light on the paranormal events and history of the Inn for the local community. Visit their site here.
This video depicts the on going possible paranormal activity consistently being reported at the Clewiston Inn. I allowed a guest of the Inn who witnessed the employee run out of the kitchen claiming he heard a small child laughing. If you watch this video past the credits we added the recent EVP captured at the Inn during a separate investigation. The EVP was captured in the same location where this employee had his experience with a small child.
Old Inn
The Clewiston Inn was originally built in 1926 by Southern Sugar (now U.S. Sugar Corp.).It was located along the shore of Lake Okeechobee high on a ridge on what is now East Del MonteAvenue, just east of Francisco.It was constructed of Celotex board, a material made from a sugar cane by-product and wood.This was a strong material as proven when the inn survived hurricanes in both 1926 and 1928 withvery little damage as buildings surrounding it were leveled. Thankfully, there were no reports ofdeaths from either hurricane.One Sunday evening in 1937, discovered at 10:30pm, a wood-burning waterheater started a fire that would burn the inn to the ground within an hour and a half. Only thechimney remained. The lone fire truck of Clewiston was summoned, but it was of little consequence.Some of the townspeople snuck out of church services to watch. No deaths or injuries were reported,but the inn and all of its contents were lost except for the very few personal things tenants(most employees of Southern Sugar) could grab.
New Inn
The Inn was rebuilt in 1938 at it’s current location. The classic revival structure was designed byEdgar S. Wortman & L. Phillips Clark. The Inn became a popular social gathering place forBritish and American cadets who trained at the nearby Riddle Air Force base during the World War II years 1941-1945. The local Lions Club has also used the Inn’s Sugar & Spice Room periodicallyover the years for meetings.Of historical note, President Herbert Hoover visited the inn once whilein office and again when the Hoover Dike was dedicated. Other notable guests include: Dan Beard,the highest ranking official of Boy Scouts of America, when in 1933 a banquet was held in his honor;Broadway musical actress Louise Groody, made famous by her leading role in “No, No, Nannette”, better known as “Tea for Two” today; and Thomas Edison and Henry Firestone who were most interested in the transportation improvements being made between Miami and Fort Myers.The Clewiston Inn was added tothe National Register of Historical Places in 1991 and is still a popular Bed & Breakfast.
Reported Paranormal Activity
Room 255
In late October of 1994, inn employees realized they hadn’t seen the tenant of Room #255, Mrs. Anita Conklin, a pleasant woman with a fondness for reading books, for several days which was unusual. Everyday her phone would ring the front desk, but no one was there when the desk clerk would answer. When they went to check on her, they found her dead in her bed, her left hand reaching for the phone. For months afterward, the phone in that room would somehow ring the front desk, even after the phone jack was removed.The suite was fully redone from top to bottom (carpets, paints, drapes, etc.). Approximately one year after the death of Mrs. Conklin, a young woman named Carrie occupied these rooms for a year and a half. She reported being awakened by a foul odor and the sound of fighting in the hallway. She called the front desk which came up to investigate. The foul odor was gone, but what she thought was fighting in the hallway was actually her personal belongings from the closet being strewn about. She also reported coming home from work to find her clothes thrown all over her bed. Needless to say, there was no explanation for this. On another occasion, the general manager and head housekeeper were doing walk-thru inspections. The GM’s four-year-old nephew was visiting and upon entering Room #255, he asked who the lady was there. The GM responded, it was the head housekeeper. To which the little boy responded, “no, that other lady”. There was no one else in the room.
Room 118
Room #118 reportedly has a permanent guest we refer to as the “lady in white”. She has been seen brushing her hair, sitting on the end of the bed, and pacing back and forth looking out the window (drapes pull back) onto the street as if waiting for someone. Some guests have even reported her as climbing into bed with them. She is described as a young woman with up-swept hair dressed in a white dressing gown. She doesn’t seem to be responsive to her environment and vanishes if she is recognized in any way. She seems oblivious to anyone else being in the room.Some time ago, a Polaroid picture was taken of the window. After it was developed, there seemed to appear the face of a woman with a 1940’s hairstyle. This picture has since been enlarged and is kept by the inn.There have been no reports of death occurring in this room.Although, psychics/mediums/sensitives who visited the inn last August (2007), sensed this woman right away. Two of the psychics/mediums/sensitives speculated that the “lady in white” was a mistress to a gentleman of upper management for Southern Sugar. They felt she was accidentally killed by this gentleman and her death was covered up so as not to ruin his reputation. Recently, a report from a material witness of a past employee stated that there were occurrences where the ladies that were provided to upscale guests were sometime accidentally killed or over dosed and were wrapped in sheets and taken away. This report is currently under investigation and is being verified. There are extraordinary high EMF readings in Room #118 (especially at bottom of the bed) as well asthe entire hallway outside this room.
Kitchen
The kitchen seems to be the most active as far as paranormal activity. Almost nightly, pots and pans can be heardclanging and banging around after hours. The morning shift of employees often report the sound of jingling keys. Once the wine racks were moved in front of the coffee pots after a morning employee had just started them. She went to the front desk to report paranormal activity in the kitchen and when she returned with the desk clerk, they found the wine racks moved in front of the coffee makers which were still brewing. Others have reported the feeling of not being alone, being touched, and voices when no one else is there. A member of SWFPI caught a child’s voice on audio last August (2007). The child can clearly be heard saying “Mommy?”. As for the history of the kitchen, we know the back area which is now used for storage was once used as servant’s quarters which might account for the voices of children of past employees who occupied these rooms. We also know that many years ago a male guest came down after hours and committed suicide by hanging himself by the pipes located in the hallway of kitchen area. Psychics visiting the inn have reported the spirit as a cowboy-looking gentleman in great despair. Some long time employees feel the ghost that rattles pots and pans might be that of Ernest McCray. Ernest has been described as a polite man of Jamaican descent. Although he did not die at the inn, he was said to be very proud of his position as head chef and somewhat particular about the setup in the kitchen area.
Cottage #8
There was a suicide in cottage #8 (located in garden area behind main building) by hanging. SWFPI has received conflicting reports on this. Some say it was a female who committed suicide there. Others have reported that a car salesman/dealer hung himself in the closet area of cottage #8. Several employees using this cottage have reported paranormal activity. A rather large heavy mirror located in the entry way crashed to the floor when no one was near it. Items from the pantry would be thrown to the floor by unseen hands. Also, pet dogs of a chef staying there would stand outside the entryway and bark excitedly toward the bed of spare bedroom. Nothing could be seen there.
Other
There is another report of a suicide which occurred in Room #231, thought to be that of a male guest. A night auditor working at the front desk reported seeing a man in a brown suit (not of this era) standing behind one of the winged back chairs near the bookcases located in the lobby. This man has been witnessed by no less than 3 inn employees on at least 2 different occasions.More recently there have been reports of stall doors opening and closing by themselves in the bathrooms located along hallway outside of lounge. Along this same hallway, a pay phone often rings and when answered, nobody is there. Contractors working on the second floor Room #242 last August (2007) reported the water in the bathroom sink being turned on full blast by itself. When they turned it off and went back to work outside of bathroom, the water again went on by itself at which time the two “spooked” workers left the room. The plumbing could be explained away due to a loose valve except that the water stopped with no repairs made to the sink.
