This house is a remarkable example of restoration. The current residents have spent years researching and restoring the house. It shows. The home is over 100 years old and the homeowners had a binder of research information. The home was often occupied by elder couples or widows, especially because it was considered too small to house a growing family. It was used as a rental space for decades and some information may never be fully known.
Historically speaking, this makes sense. Women who inherited houses often rented to other women, many of whom were also widowed. The team picked up on sadness, loneliness, and women feeling sad (weeping). These were likely residual energies left by its previous tenants.
Post investigation research on the home found a variety of items via the newspapers.
1954: There was a “fumed oak junior dining set, refectory table, sewing machine, wardrobe trunk, Electrolus and misc” for sale in another ad.
1957: Small ad about this house, described as “real good buy 3 bdrm furnished house” for sale. The house is further described as a “well-furnished older home in excellent physical condition. It’s as clean as a pin in an ideal location. It has a screened front porch, nice living room, fireplace, dining room, good size bath. Kitchen has ceramic tile floors, drainboard and splash back. 3 bedrooms, plenty of closets, large utility room, 2 car garage on one of the nicest streets in the {area}. Look this over and make an offer”
Another advertisement from 1967 posted the sale of an air conditioner, 2 ton, $50, and a glass wall divider for $25, and an oil heater (DuoTherm) for $15.
1959: The registration for marriage, the wedding announcement, and a summary of the wedding for John G and Georgia N. He was a graduate of St. Petersburg Junior College and, at the time of the wedding, was enrolled in Florida State University. He was part of Phi Theta Kappa honorary society and president of Sigma Phi Sigma social club. She was also a graduate of St. Petersburg Junior College, a member of Dido social club, and business manager of the Wooden Horse.
1960: Articles published about two people arrested for a narcotics charge, with a woman, B.J.N, 19, a student at St. Petersburg Junior College, and her boyfriend, R.S.B., 25, who were “charked yesterday with obtaining narcotics by fraud”. The “little brunette told the Judge that she bought the drugs, cough medicines, 12 times between Thanksgiving and last December.” They were released on bond; hers $500, his $1000. His sentence was higher as he also violated probational parole. She said that she bought the drugs for her boyfriend, and the judge believed her. He described her as a “nice intelligent, energetic young woman” and that “that law is to keep people from getting into the terrible habit of narcotics. A person would be better dead.” The conversation continued with her notation of “I knew it wasn’t right to sign the wrong name but I didn’t realize it was this serious. Do you think I would intentionally break the law?” To which the judge replied, “I think you did it deliberately.” A narcotics officer explained that some drugs could be bought legally, but only if the purchaser signs his or her correct name. R.S.B. was given 6 months to 3 years in jail. B.J.N. was granted full probation as she was very cooperative after her arrest.”
1967: For sale, one Chevrolet station wagon, from 1961, in good shape. Described as a “steal” with a charge of $600.
2016: Announcement of the purchase of the house by the current owners.
*All research from the newspapers.com archives, St. Petersburg Times is the publication for all information above.
Analysis:
The bulk of the paranormal activity was that the pictures on their walls often tilted on their own. There is a possibility that it is because of house cleaners who come in (though not likely), that the house is tipping, or because of subtle vibrations that move through the house. While we were doing the investigation, one investigator noted a rhythmic “whomp” sound. After the investigation, two members who were driving toward downtown noted that the sounds of a concert became clearer the closer they got to downtown. The homeowners did say that they could hear concerts playing in downtown from their home.
There was no strong active presence in the home. There is a possibility that the light sensor activity, in which the balls were placed on a table and inside a glass bowl on the table, may have been a natural response to the vibrations of the concerts. There is a small possibility that they were direct interactions, perhaps because the SPIRITS’ investigation activated some of the dormant energy.
Subsequent follow-up with homeowners has not had much in the way of the framed hangings tilting. They were a part of a tour of homes. No other anomalous activity has been reported to date.
Additional Follow-up: It might be good to return to the house to try any of the names found through the research.
Notes from Investigation:
Private Residence 8/3/25
Century House
House leans; it’s a 200-year-old house.
Marina: It started when you were opening the session. I felt a pressure in my ears. Carissa told me that when we went out, hers had popped.
Carissa: We started outside in the backyard. I got pressure in my right ear at the same time that Marina heard a “whump whump whump” sound. I was wondering if the energy was attached to the land and I was hearing a drum of sorts.
Inside: In the kitchen, I felt like I was going to bump into somebody. I felt like someone was going to be standing right there. (Kristi got chills) As soon as we walked into the kitchen, I felt energy. I was wondering if it came from the door at the Biltmore. Room 416 is the door.
We did cough but it could be allergies.
In the room behind the bookshelf, Marina felt dizzy. As she was touching the dresser, she started to sway. Carissa wondered if Marina was being used as a human pendulum. I asked if it would talk to us, and I got a “yes” answer. So, we got the other two people on the team in, and we asked more questions. During the session and afterward, I had tears in my eyes.
During the discussion, the cat balls went off, particularly the one in the bowl. Carissa saw a white flash when it went off with the question about the “sad lady” she sensed.
Master bedroom, different energy. We felt a completely different energy there. I was touching the replica boat, and while I was touching it, it felt like scratches. (It is an antique boat).
Marina: The two items were the ship and the mirror above the bed. (Mirror from TJ Maxx).
Marina got another dizzy spell across from the mirror.
We feel the need to brace ourselves, but if the house isn’t level, that would do it.
Kristi and Nancy: We started in the book room. Nancy felt pressure on her chest in that room. It was really light, maybe like asthma. When we went back into that room, I felt a brief pressure on my chest and then it went away.
The Master bedroom: the primary essence: I felt a stroke, someone had a stroke, the right side of the mouth and right side dragged, mumbled speech. I don’t know if they died in that room, but someone who lived here had a stroke. I felt a hot spot by the closet. I felt that the bed was in a different area. I got a sense this morning when thinking about the house: I felt that someone hung themselves in the MA bedroom. I also felt like someone is playful, light switches are going on or off; electrical disturbances. A lot of energy in that room.
Kristi: I felt that there was a woman who was crying.
Nothing in the bathroom.
Other back room, I picked up on a tall man with a mustache with light brown or dark blond hair. Maybe a residual energy. Imprint energy.
When we went into the tv room, I felt a pain between my shoulder blades. I also sensed an “S” name (Sally?)
I felt like there was a little boy (grandson) playing here.
Areas to recheckL The two rooms, MA bedroom and room behind bookshelf. Back corner of the yard.
Homeowner: A lot of widows who lived here.
Research: It wasn’t generational; it sold between families. It was for single people or couples, or rented out.
The house may be Addison Meisner, who built the Admiral Farragut.
Homeowner Report:
Can hear Jannus Landing and Northshore Park (it all sounds base). That is likely the sound that we are hearing outside.
Pictures being moved. I don’t know if it’s from the house settling. In the hallway, they are noticeably turned. Hallway and dining room. It has happened enough to be noted. We have the house cleaned, and we straighten them up. Five or six days later, they are always moving. Just messing with us. It’s pretty extreme.
Research provided by the homeowner did show that several widows lived in the home. Could they be the source of the sadness that was sensed? Several times, a sad woman was picked up.
Questions: We did confirm that Jannus Landing had a concert that night. Two of us passed the venue heading home and the noise level was notable. Could the cat ball/light sensor respond to these vibrations at the house? The one that was most actively working was the one in the crystal bowl, which was on top of a glass table.