Most Haunted Places in America: Stranahan House

The Stranahan house is recalled as one of the most haunted places in the state of Florida. Known as one of the first settlements in Fort Lauderdale Florida, the Stranahan House was a trading post for the Seminole Indians and the first settlers of the city in 1901. From there it quickly became a community center, post office, and town hall where Frank Stranahan became the town’s first postmaster. An early settler to the area, he has chosen the property because it was where his barge ferry was operated at across the river, which was a part of a new road between what is now North Miami to Lantana.

Frank Stranahan was one of the first settlers to come to Fort Lauderdale in 1893 due to health reasons. He was the areas first postmaster, banker, and businessman. He met and married Ivy Julia Cromartie in 1900, which was Fort Lauderdale’s first teacher, and resided in the Stranahan House. For several years, there were community festivals and dances that took place on the top floor of their home, and by 1906, the trading post became the permanent residence of the Stranahan’s and remained that until Ivy’s death.

The home was constructed with Dade County pine, which was designed on Florida vernacular architecture. It also came with modern plumbing, electric wiring, wide porches, running water, interior stairways, and bay windows. Over the years, the Stranahan House had been remodeled and expanded on several occasions to represent the original 1913-1915 look. The entire house was restored to its original exterior and interior.

During the Great Depression, Frank Stranahan committed suicide by drowning himself in the river after his bank had failed, and he could not repay the many friends that he owed. Ivy remained in the upstairs of the residence until her death in 1971. While Ivy lived in the home, she had rented the lower half to outsiders who operated a restaurant. Stranahan House was named by the National Historic Society in 1973 while the restaurant was in operation. It remained in business until the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society took the property over in 1979. Today, it is now a museum which is owned by Stranahan House Inc to help with its upkeep and manage the historic property.

Many people state that strange occurrences happen within the walls of the Stranahan house. One has claimed that she has spoken to Ivy. Instances such as the burglar alarms were going off on several occasions and when the police arrived, there was nobody there. Over the years, several employees would up and quit due to the activities that went on in the Stranahan House. Is this a coincidence or did the family members of the Stranahan home never cross over? For many ghost hunters, the answer is obvious; the presence of the Stranahan family has remained for decades after they’ve passed on. Several ghost hunters have explored the historical house and have confirmed the paranormal activities going on in the Stranahan House. One group discovered an impression of a human being, sitting in an empty chair and has smelled the distinct presence of a woman’s perfume.

There are many of us who are either skeptics or believers of those who have never crossed over. However, some spirits will always remain watching over what is rightfully theirs.

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