Most Haunted Moon River

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Most Haunted Moon River

Most Haunted Moon River

(images:flickr/26927535@N08)

Moon River Brewing Company of Savannah, Georgia is located in one of the oldest, most haunted buildings in Savannah.  In 2003, Savannah was named the most haunted city in American by the American Institute of Paranormal Psychology.  Originally, the building was the home of the first hotel and post office in Savannah.

In 1821, Elazer Early established the City Hotel for Savannah’s residents and travelers.  Unfortunately, the hotel’s life was short lived, closing by 1864 in the wake of violence stemming from the Union Army being led through Georgia.  While the hotel survived the besiege, the change in circumstances caused the hotel to die out.

In 1851, Peter Wiltberger bought the hotel, but it never found success again.  Instead, it was utilized as an opportunity to make money as a lumber and coal warehouse.  It was later turned into an office supply company and then just a general storage facility.  After suffering for so many years, it eventually laid abandoned, fading into waste until the 1990s when it was purchased by the founders of Moon River Brewing Company.

The Moon River Brewing Company was established as a brewery, pub and restaurant.  It is also the site of a great number of hauntings and poltergeist activity.  Generally, restaurant workers are never surprised to hear customers complain about being touched, pushed, or slapped by unseen entities or feeling weird energy at certain places throughout the pub and restaurant.  It is also a common occurrence to have bottles thrown about the room or have things moved by unseen forces.

Most Haunted Moon River

(images:flickr/hollyrn76)

One of the most common “visitors” is Toby who is commonly found in the Billiard Room or the basement of the Moon River Brewing Company. He is most commonly blamed for many of the strange or paranormal activities that are present throughout the brewery.  Many of his activities are harmless in nature but more in line with pranks by a bored spirit.

Other strange occurrences involve glowing white apparitions on the upper floors who are believed to be from a hotel worker who died there in the 1800s.  Those energies are said to be more negative and ominous, as anyone who goes to the upper floors risks being pushed.  One unfortunate worker who was attempting to renovate was pushed down the stairs, but was never able to figure out how he fell.  He resigned on the spot and refused to give any specific details about the event.  Despite that event taking place in the 1990s, no work has been done on the upper floors since that time and they remain in decay.

In the basement of the Moon River Brewing Company, there are areas that are icy cold with no explanation.  Some people complain about hearing voices, and even more terrified visitors have complained about having trouble breathing or feeling a certain presence.  There is a woman in white who is frequently seen and credited for many of the violent instances.  Some say the energy stems from the fact the areas were utilized as a hospital during the yellow fever outbreak of years past.  Either way, staff deals with doors opening and closing, lights turning on and off, and a constant feeling that they are never alone.

Megan Borchert
Megan Borchert
Lover of all things unusual, Megan is a staff attorney for the state of South Dakota. When she's not stuffed in an office writing case synopses, you can find her at home with her army of Schnauzers, snuggled up with some strong wine and a good book.

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