You either believe or you don’t.
There is much controversy about the existence of ghosts and other spirits from another dimension. Most humans will only believe in the spirit world if it has been proven by science or “men of great knowledge.”
But if it happens to you … you believe.
This scientific stuff works two ways. While we can’t prove there are ghosts and beings from another dimension, no one can prove that they don’t exist, either.
So, let’s start here: our area of Southwest Florida, which is abundant in history.
Battles took place here, as did lynchings, killings, and tragic accidents.
In any war, there are heroes and leaders. The masses worship them and will do anything for their beloved leader—even lay down their own lives. But in any war or conflict, there are no winners.
In early Florida history, native people were slaughtered, their way of life destroyed. But the early Calusa weren’t necessarily defeated by swords, muskets, and cannons. They succumbed to diseases brought over from Europe.
The Calusa honored their dead by building mounds of shells, because the groundwater level was so close to the surface. Some were buried in these shell mounds with personal possessions. Treasure hunters dug up these mounds, thinking they’d find gold and treasure, but there was none. The natives had no need for that stuff. A good spear or arrow tip was more valuable to them.
When settlers arrived in Charlotte Harbor, they sought higher ground to build on. There are some places that have good karma and others that have bad karma. Then there are those with really bad karma.
The little island known as Cabbage Key in the Intracoastal Waterway was a Calusa burial mound. It is 38 feet above sea level and has a rich history of good karma. The present-day owners welcome fishermen, boaters, and overnight guests. Have there been paranormal activities there? Yes, but not negative ones.
On the Peace River, the Nav-A-Gator has had its share of unexplained activities: A wine glass jumping off the overhead rack or a window opening or closing on its own. This may be from activities or interactions during the Seminole wars of the 1800s, part of the old Fort Winder settlement being in this area. Many old homesteads in the Arcadia area also have unexplained activities. Many go unreported because others would think they were off their rocker talking about such incidents.
In Punta Gorda, the Sandlin House, built in 1863, is reportedly visited by the spirit of Mary Leah Sandlin. When she was 14 years old, she accidentally spilled gas from an old-fashioned iron on herself and was burned to death. Homeowners have reported incidents of voices and sightings, attesting to the presence of the spirit.
But a home or building doesn’t have to be old to be visited by spirits from beyond. New homes can have a room in which paranormal activities take place.
Downtown Punta Gorda has a rich history of gunslinger law. While it didn’t happen often, there have been documented shootings. Even though some of the old buildings were torn down, the karma—the spirit—may still inhabit the old site. Some businesses seem to thrive; others fail. Some business owners, including those of Two Brothers Homestyle Cooking Bar & Grill, who opened a restaurant on Marion Avenue in downtown Punta Gorda, took no chances. They performed a cleansing to make past bad spirits depart the premises. It worked for a while, but still, it ended in disaster. That building burned in 2015 and was torn down.
The old way of the Native American—the respect for nature and when a handshake was all that was needed to close a deal—is all but gone. Keep in mind that, whether you believe it or not, your actions in this world toward your fellow living beings will be noticed.
So, open your mind. Look around. Explore and enjoy our great outdoors.
But remember the words of Shakespeare’s Hamlet: “There are more things in heaven and earth … than are dreamt of in your philosophy.”
Fair winds; calm seas.
