Advertisement
Ashley is at the top of the list of the 10 most haunted places in Brevard County
By Staff Writer
Advertisement - Continue reading below
Ashley’s No. 1 On Top 10 ‘Most Haunted’ Places In Brevard County
Ashley’s Of Rockledge: History And Background
First and foremost, we will delve into the historical background of Ashley’s in Rockledge. Established in 1934 as Jack’s Tavern, it has been a staple location within Brevard County for almost a century now. Over these years, the restaurant has seen its fair share of changes, including several ownership shuffles and name changes, each adding to its multilayered history.
Famed for its delectable food and inviting ambience, Ashley’s is more than just an ideal spot for gathering; it is reputedly one of the most haunted places in town. Nothing naturally raises eyebrows faster than the blending stories of gourmet and ghosts, would you agree?
This reputation stems from various spine-chilling occurrences reported by both staff and customers over the years, leading to numerous paranormal investigations at this seemingly congenial diner. But where do these haunting legends originate from? The answer dates back to a unfortunate incident in the past that continues to permeate the place with an eerie aura.
The chilling story speaks of a young woman named Ethel who was purportedly murdered around the establishment’s vicinity back in the 1930s. Since then, her restless spirit supposedly frequents the restaurant, creating unexplained disturbances:
- Pictures falling off walls inexplicably.
- Phantom shadows spied from the corner of eyes.
- Mysterious ladies’ restroom phenomena like auto-flushing toilets.
- Sudden chills or cold spots sans any air conditioning leaks.
- Inexplicable sounds such as giggles or sobbing when no one’s near.
- Nightmarish apparitions appearing in mirrors.
Paranormal Investigations
Due to numerous hair-raising accounts of ghostly occurrences, Ashley’s has been a subject of interest for several paranormal investigators. These dedicated researchers with their specialized equipment have attempted to decipher the unusual aura around this location over the years.
Most investigation teams found evidence suggesting some form of paranormal activity taking place at the diner. Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP) recordings have managed to capture unintelligible whispers, cold spots have been detected without any reasonable explanation and strange movements have been noticed on surveillance cameras during eerie hours. The accumulated findings make a compelling case for the existence of peculiar events at Ashley’s.
One of the specific instances occurred when a team led by a renowned paranormal expert captured a shadowy figure crossing the hallway near the restrooms and digesting an EVP audio that sounded like “Leave me alone”. This was certainly a bone-chilling moment for those present, corroborating tales of an unsettled spirit residing in the establishment.
The team’s probing experience lent a significant boost to Ashley’s haunted lore:
- Their thermal sensor picked up an unusually cold spot near the ladies’ restroom.
- An eerie shadow-like figure appeared on their full spectrum camera.
- Sensitive audio recorders picked up uncanny whisperings.
- Light anomalies (orbs) were witnessed around the bar area.
- Flickering lights with no electrical issues added to the unsettling vibe.
- A thick mist not seen by the naked eye was caught on IR camera.
Customer And Staff Experiences
No amount of technical evidence can eclipse the first-hand experiences of countless customers and staff members who have had their share of spine-tingling moments at the restaurant. For many, these experiences go beyond the thrill of ghost tales and mark their encounter with something otherworldly.
Restaurant gigs turning into unprepared for ghastly rendezvous, patrons suddenly feeling icy chills down their spines, bathroom trips becoming uncanny journeys – such are tales that echo within Ashley’s walls. It is said that apart from haunting the ladies’ restroom and cellar, Ethel also likes to spook patrons at table 22, and seems to have a predilection for men.
A bartender once reported that a spectral figure resembled the old photos of Ethel. Another account includes a gentleman patron who swears he saw a reflection of a lady in an old-fashioned dress appearing next to him in the mirror above the bar. Both were alone during their spooky encounters.
Personal experiences which evoke uneasiness:
- Absolutely quiet jukebox bursting into music on its own.
- Unnerving sensation of being watched or followed.
- Eerie reflections appearing out of nowhere in mirrors.
- Unanticipated taps on shoulders with no one around
- Locked doors found mysteriously unlocked and open.
- Apparitional sightings peeking out of curtains briefly before vanishing.
Ethel Allen: The Tragic Legend
The haunting entity linked with Ashley’s is believed to be Ethel Allen, whose murder in the 1930s gave birth to this phenomenon. She was reportedly seen at Jack’s Tavern (the initial avatar of Ashley’s) shortly before her untimely death. The gruesome nature of her demise has led to persistent rumors about her spirit seeking solace at the establishment.
No criminal charges could ever resolve her tragic case, thus fueling the narrative of her restless spirit imbued with unjust and unresolved circumstances.
Although definitive proof continues to elude us, numerous accounts suggest Ethel’s presence in Ashley’s, leading the diner to its paranormal prominence. Do you dare confront this spectral inhabitant over a casual dining affair?
The haunting lore of Ethel encompasses:
- Her ghastly apparition allegedly seen in Ashley’s bar mirror.
- Her favorite spot (table 22) emanating strange vibes occasionally.
- Bizarre happenings around the ladies’ bathroom believed to be her pranks.
- Unheard whispers picked up by EVPs interpreted as her voice.
- Her preference for men seen through concentrated activity around male patrons.
- Inexplicable cold spots around the establishment attributed to her ethereal presence.
Ashley’s And Mainstream Media
The infamy of Ashley’s ghostly inhabitant hasn’t been confined to local whispers or investigator communities, it has captured mainstream media’s attention too. Numerous popular shows in the realm of paranormal investigation have featured Ashley’s eerie background and have successfully intensified public fascination over this haunted conundrum.
You may recall whole episodes of television shows dedicated to decoding the mystery that envelopes Ashley’s—the eerie aura, unexplained phenomenons, analyses of historical events—all blended cohesively to give viewers a truly bone-chilling experience.
Media spotlight on Ashley’s has only amplified its already existing reputation as Brevard County’s most haunted place while turning it into a must-visit stop for paranormal enthusiasts and thrill-seekers across the nation.
Listed below are the key media appearances of Ashley’s:
- The popular TV show “*My Ghost Story: Caught on Camera*” featured Ashley’s in one of its episodes.
- Ashley’s received mention in a host of high-profile online blog posts and articles exploring haunted places.
- Local newspapers/time-to-time keeps reporting about Ashley’s bizarre events.
- The diner has been a hot favorite in city Halloween tours.
- Paranormal radio shows frequently raise discussions about Ashley’s infamous background.
- Ghost hunting YouTube channels have created full-length exploratory videos at Ashley’s.
The Ghost Tours
Apart from serving patrons with mouthwatering cuisine, Ashley’s apparently offers another, more uncanny kind of service – guided ghost tours! These experiential tours take visitors straight into the heart of Ashley’s chilling tales and enable them to get up close and personal (more than they might have bargained for) with its phantom dweller(s).
Understandably heavy on creepy atmospherics, you can expect these eerie walkthroughs to encompass the most paranormally-active corners of the place. Known as the “Ashley’s Ghost Tour,” it gives brave hearts the chance to personally experience the spine-chilling aspects that lend Ashley’s its haunting frame.
Considering the popularity and demand for these tours it appears people enjoy this nightmarish balance of terror and tantalisation. Are you ready to navigate shadowy premises under dim lights, your route filled with eerie stories from your guide echoing through the quiet evening?
Curiosities to look out for on these tours:
- The thermostat going haywire randomly.
- Footsteps behind you when no one else is there.
- Gentle taps on your shoulder in the cellar.
- Phantom shadows fleeting away as you turn around.
- Reflective surfaces revealing more than just your reflection.
- Inanimate objects showing a life of their own.
After this comprehensive overview, let’s summarize Ashley’s haunting fame quickly for you in the following table.
|||
|-|-|
|Establishment Name|Ashley’s Of Rockledge|
|Founded in|1934 (as Jack’s Tavern)|
|Ghostly Resident|Ethel Allen|
|Hot Spots|The bar, ladies’ restroom, and cellar|
|Paranormal Phenomena|Apparitions, cold spots, eerie sounds|
|Media Features|TV Shows, Newspapers, Blogs|
|Ghost Tours Conducted|Yes|
All in all, if you are someone who enjoys a mix of delicious foods served with a side of spooky tale-telling, backed by elements of mystery and occasional hair-raising experiences, Ashley’s might just be the place for you to visit! Despite the chilling tales, remember that Ethel, as many recount, is known not for hostility, but for playful pranks and harmless yet chilling haunts. So, why not brace yourself and explore? Maybe yours could be the next tale adding to the mystique of Ashley’s Of Rockledge.
Advertisement - Continue reading below