LOCATION:
This beautiful building can be found
in the downtown section of Bartow, Florida, directly across the street
from the new Courthouse.
Address: 100 East Main Street, Bartow,
FL 33830.
Web-Site: jud10.org/Museum/polk.html * jud10.org/Museum/museum.htm
DESCRIPTION / HISTORY:
On this plot of land, two Polk County
Courthouses were built here. One was built in 1883, and the current building
which was up and running by 1909, is now a museum since 1997, when renovations
done along the lines of the original design and architectural plans, making
it a beautiful building to house museums, the courtrooms themselves and
genealogical library. The courtrooms are now used for ceremonial events,
including formal installation of county office holders and are also available
for use for court purposes, if needed.
During the 20th century, the courthouse
needed to grow in order to accommodate the growing population. There were
two major courtrooms in the original courthouse, one for circuit court,
the other for the criminal court of record. Over the years, the space
in the building was chopped up, and several smaller courtrooms were built.
During the 1980's - 1997 renovation projects, the original two court rooms
were restored. The restored courtrooms are used for ceremonial events,
including formal installation of county office holders and are also available
for use for court purposes
Listed on the National Register of
Historic Places on August 7, 1989, The Polk County Historic Courthouse
retains its original architectural integrity. In use from 1909 up until
1987, it was constructed in the neoclassical architectural style which
was very popular in Florida. Some of the characteristics and features
include: "cross-gabled roof surfaced in pressed metal shingles and
plates, having a central dome, which is topped with an orb, spire, and
cupola, contains ribbon windows and four clocks."
Also one sees "secondary roofs,
which are capped with orbs, provide decoration and balance in relation
to the central dome. Encircling the building are Medallions and a wide
frieze band. Dominated by full-height porticos and supported by Corinthian
columns, the north and south facades feature classical pediments ornamented
with applied garlands and vent shields. Brick was used as the exterior
wall fabric, and double hung sash windows provided natural interior lighting."
HISTORY OF MANIFESTATIONS:
Five to six entities make the courthouse
their home, all the result of the drama which happened in the both of
the courthouses which existed on this plot of land. For three of the entities,
it is known who they were, one or two are probably known and one is still
a mystery.
1) In 1886, the Mann brothers, who
were accused of killing Marshall Silas Campbell in the street outside
the 1883 courthouse, were lynched by a mob, before they could be tried
in a court of law. After dying from this hanging via the mob action, their
bodies were on display in the courtroom in the courthouse which stood
where the 1909- 1987 Historical Courthouse now exists.
2) Boiler room Accident - The boiler,
which was located in one of the four basements, exploded. A worker was
burned badly, causing his death.
3) The Lady in White - It hasn't been
discovered why she haunts the building, but she obviously has strong ties
to one of the court buildings.
4) When a Judge and his wife were
killed in West Palm Beach, their mobster killers were tried in the 1909
- 1987 main courtroom.
Haunted Areas of the Building.....
1) Basement Area - Accessed only by
elevator.
a) Screams of pain and agony are heard
by employees and visitors - From the poor soul who suffered such terrible
pains from the explosion so long ago.
  
5) (1909 - 1987) Old Courtroom - Located
on the First Floor
In the actual 1909 - 1987 criminal
courtroom, cold spots are felt by the living and sometimes people feel
a presence "brushing" against them. It isn't known exactly who this presence
or presences are, because this courtroom was used for all trials until
the new courthouse across the street was opened in 1987. A good guess
would be Judge Chillingsworth and his wife, who were mob murder victims,
killed in West Palm Beach. Their gangster killers were tried in this courtroom.
Judge Chillingsworth would initially want to have front row seats to see
his killers trial and conviction. Why he may still haunt it is not known.
Perhaps he was killed before he had finished his work in court.
6) The Room where Indian Artifacts
are now on display - Located on the First Floor.
a) There are manifestations experienced
from cold spots to malfunctioning lights. Nothing much is known about
the history of this room.
4) 2nd Floor Woman's Restroom and
3rd Floor
a) An apparition of a Lady dressed in
white has been seen by many people in these areas.
3) The Rotunda area - In the 1886,
this area was a courtroom in the 1883 court building where the bodies
of the Mann brothers were on display for several days.
a) The feeling of sadness along with
the cold spots and the actual apparitions of the brothers themselves
have been witnessed by the living, points to the brothers who may not
of killed the Marshall in the first place. They were not ready to leave
their lives so abruptly, in such a terrifying manner; to be grabbed
and hung by an angry mob of people.
STILL HAUNTED?
Yes, observations of the living point
to the existence of entities in the building.
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