The Stranahan House is considered one of the most haunted places in Ft Lauderdale, with the spirits of at least six individuals said to reside there. The house was the site of several tragic deaths, which are believed to be the source of paranormal activity reported by staff and visitors.

 

Built in 1901 the historic house was the home of entrepreneur Frank Stranahan and his wife Ivy.  

 

In 1926 disaster struck when two devastating hurricanes ended the Florida land boom, and in turn ruined Frank’s profitable real estate business.  He couldn’t take the loss, and after an attempted suicide,  he drowned himself behind the home in the New River, where he tied an iron gate to his ankle and jumped in the water, ensuring that he wouldn’t be able to float back to the surface. 

 

Soon after Frank’s death, a young Seminole girl came to see Ivy, but collapsed in the doorway and died.  Ivy’s younger sister, Pink later moved into the house when she was 7 months pregnant.  She hoped that after three failed pregnancies, she would finally have a live birth, but after hearing about her cheating husband, she went into premature labor and gave birth to a stillborn, then died in the hospital.  

 

Ivy’s brother, Albert moved in and after living a wild life, died after contracting tuberculosis at a party. 

 

Ivy’s father, Augustus Cromartie, got very sick towards the end of his life, so Ivy took him in where he died in the guest room shortly 

 

Ivy passed away in 1971 in the upstairs. bedroom at the age of age of 90.

 

All six people who died in the house still dwell inside.   The ghost of Frank has been seen by a few reliving his suicide, jumping into the river.   Most of the Frank’s sightings tend to be pleasant, as he often appears briefly during tours or community events.

 

Ivy is a kind spirit just as she was in life. She’s been known to look after the staff, especially when doing dangerous tasks like climbing the roof or attic, always remaining unseen, but staff can fill her gentle presence, usually a cold hand on their shoulder or the smell of her favorite perfume. 

 

According to investigators, the young Seminole girl has been recorded singing and chanting.  She has a strong sweet tooth and she’s been known to steal candy from the front desk.  

 

The ghost of Pink and her stillborn baby live in the parlor, where visitors have noted an unseen presence, accompanied by two floating orbs of light, 

 

Albert is one of Ivy’s brothers, and is still just as irresponsible in the afterlife as a troublemaker,  often knocking things over and making life difficult for the staff,  Albert warms the room up for women and makes it cold for men and sometimes gets a little too flirtatious with a female guest.

 

Agustus Cromartie,s ghost is grumpy and is blamed for falling books and cold temperatures in the gift shop, which was his old bedroom.  He annoys the staff by moving things around when they aren’t looking.  Perhaps he simply doesn’t like being intruded upon. 

 

While ghostly encounters and tales from the past continue to captivate visitors at the Stranahan House, they have done away with their Ghosts of the House Tours. 

 

Guess the spirits here are too hot to handle.

 

You can still purchase tickets for the standard daytime and evening tours through the official website and advanced booking is recommended.