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Haunted Tampa: Spirits of the Bay
Tampa may be known for sunshine and good times, but it has a scary side. When dusk settles down over the Hillsborough River, spirits begin to stir. Strange things happen in old hotels, theaters and public buildings, and an old cemetery becomes surprisingly lively. Some have seen an old crime boss walking the street. Some have encountered ancient spirits in a public parking garage. Still others have met a long-dead soul in a downtown shop. Join local author and historian Deborah Frethem as she navigates the twists and turns of the more macabre side of Tampa Bay.
- GenresNonfiction
96 pages, Paperback
First published August 20, 2013
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40 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 15, 2019
I really enjoyed this book about hauntings in Tampa, Florida. I was born and raised in Tampa, so it was really cool to read about all the places that are haunted. Some places I knew about and some I didn't. There are also photos of all the haunted places throughout the book.
The author had one place in particular that was haunted named "The Sykes Building" which is really called "Rivergate Tower". There was a picture of the building and it gave me a jolt. Two weeks ago I went out with friends on their boat taking pictures of the buildings in Tampa Bay as I wanted up close shots from the Bay. I took one of that building along with some other buildings of Tampa and so it came as a surprise to find it within the pages of this book! Haunted no less! How cool is that?
Places I knew were haunted is the Sulphur Springs Water Tower which was built in 1927 and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The original Sunshine Skyway Bridge was built in 1954 with additions made to it in 1971. In January of 1980 a tanker and a buoy tender collided under the bridge and there were lives lost, but in May of 1980 (which I remember this happening when I was a teenager as it was on our local news) a freighter hit the bridge and vehicles that were on the bridge went careening down into the ocean, killing everyone in those vehicles. Thirty five people died that day and it was a horrific day for Tampa Bay. The Skyway had to be rebuilt and it took them near seven years to build it. Since that time there have been over 200 suicides from that bridge. Haunted? I can see why it would be with so many tragic deaths.
The book was short with 98 pages, but the author did a good job fitting all the haunted places within this book. Giving this book three stars!
The author had one place in particular that was haunted named "The Sykes Building" which is really called "Rivergate Tower". There was a picture of the building and it gave me a jolt. Two weeks ago I went out with friends on their boat taking pictures of the buildings in Tampa Bay as I wanted up close shots from the Bay. I took one of that building along with some other buildings of Tampa and so it came as a surprise to find it within the pages of this book! Haunted no less! How cool is that?
Places I knew were haunted is the Sulphur Springs Water Tower which was built in 1927 and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The original Sunshine Skyway Bridge was built in 1954 with additions made to it in 1971. In January of 1980 a tanker and a buoy tender collided under the bridge and there were lives lost, but in May of 1980 (which I remember this happening when I was a teenager as it was on our local news) a freighter hit the bridge and vehicles that were on the bridge went careening down into the ocean, killing everyone in those vehicles. Thirty five people died that day and it was a horrific day for Tampa Bay. The Skyway had to be rebuilt and it took them near seven years to build it. Since that time there have been over 200 suicides from that bridge. Haunted? I can see why it would be with so many tragic deaths.
The book was short with 98 pages, but the author did a good job fitting all the haunted places within this book. Giving this book three stars!
September 21, 2019
Many ghostly legends surround the Southern city called Tampa that are rich and varied such as haunted theaters, murdered victims, pirates seeking revenge, and a haunted bridge. When you learn about the past then you are less likely to take it for granted. For example, hundreds of people park at the Fort Brooke Garage daily to visit Downtown, however how many know the real history behind it? There was a Fort Brooke way back in 1824 just after Florida became an official state. Before Fort Brooke there was a cemetery that contained the buried remains of soldiers and also from the Seminole and Tocobaga tribes that were desecrated to build Fort Brooke. According to local legend, the sounds of Native American war chants and drumming can be heard late at night. It is something most people would not realize without the proper historical perspective.
That is why Haunted Tampa is such a compelling read. As a Tampa native, I have drove past most of the places in this book, not knowing what goes on inside the haunted Britton Cinema or the old court house, or even across the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. All have fascinating stories to tell.
Deborah Frethem does a great job painting a vivid picture of Tampa's past. From colorful mobsters, to successful business people, to ordinary people, all combine to create a rich tapestry of the community. Frethem has also excelled in careful research with a strong attention to detail to bring ghosts, local tales, and Urban legends from a forgotten past to modern times.
After reading this book, you will have wonderful stories to tell. Especially to those who don't believe in ghosts, the stories are still based on real events. Besides, sharing these wonderful stories with friends on a night walk past the Tampa Theatre is still entertaining. Who knows, late at night or early in the morning you may experience something strange and have you own paranormal experience to tell.
That is why Haunted Tampa is such a compelling read. As a Tampa native, I have drove past most of the places in this book, not knowing what goes on inside the haunted Britton Cinema or the old court house, or even across the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. All have fascinating stories to tell.
Deborah Frethem does a great job painting a vivid picture of Tampa's past. From colorful mobsters, to successful business people, to ordinary people, all combine to create a rich tapestry of the community. Frethem has also excelled in careful research with a strong attention to detail to bring ghosts, local tales, and Urban legends from a forgotten past to modern times.
After reading this book, you will have wonderful stories to tell. Especially to those who don't believe in ghosts, the stories are still based on real events. Besides, sharing these wonderful stories with friends on a night walk past the Tampa Theatre is still entertaining. Who knows, late at night or early in the morning you may experience something strange and have you own paranormal experience to tell.
June 3, 2016
Even though I live in Florida, and really dislike here, I found this book very entertaining. I do feel lied to. Jose Gaspar is fictitious !
This book shares some interesting history on the Tampa Bay Area. So, it doubles as a history book s well!
This book shares some interesting history on the Tampa Bay Area. So, it doubles as a history book s well!
October 16, 2022
I downloaded this book because, with Halloween drawing near, I wanted to read some “true stories” that would make a shiver go up my spine like it did in the days of my childhood. I wish I could say this book satisfied that desire but I didn’t really find any of the stories frightening or unnerving. Haunted Tampa is actually much better suited to being a compendium of historical anecdotes about the city. That doesn’t mean it’s bad, not at all. I actually liked reading about the history of old theaters and school houses and hotels and municipal structures. The ghost stories, while not particularly scary in my opinion, were a fun bonus.
April 26, 2025
Always my favorite -- history & ghostly history!
I've been a history addict since a very young age. It all began at age 5 when I taught myself to read. My favorite history is from very early up until just after the Civil War. Now when hauntings are added to it then you got my full attention! This was a very interesting and informative book!!! I totally enjoyed it!
I've been a history addict since a very young age. It all began at age 5 when I taught myself to read. My favorite history is from very early up until just after the Civil War. Now when hauntings are added to it then you got my full attention! This was a very interesting and informative book!!! I totally enjoyed it!
March 6, 2025
Deborah Frethem is an amazing story teller, she does a great job of combining history and "spooky" elements in a believable way. Even as a Tampa native I learned a lot. The the bibliography gave me some new reading homework. Highly recommend this if you are from the area.
August 20, 2019
Definitely a better read for the history than for the random ghost stories weaved in. Lots of minor inconsistencies.
December 14, 2024
Well-researched collection of ghost stories and Tampa area history. Defining plan to visit a few of these places in my next trip to Florida.
October 9, 2019
Today's Non-fiction post is on Haunted Tampa: Spirits of the Bay by Deborah Frethem. It is 94 pages long and is published by History Press. The cover is a picture of one of the houses talked in the book. There is no foul language, no sex, but discussion of violence in this book. There Be Spoilers Ahead.
From the blurb on Hoopla- Tampa may be known for sunshine and good times, but it has a scary side. When dusk settles down over the Hillsborough River, spirits begin to stir. Strange things happen in old hotels, theaters and public buildings, and an old cemetery becomes surprisingly lively. Some have seen an old crime boss walking the street. Some have encountered ancient spirits in a public parking garage. Still others have met a long-dead soul in a downtown shop. Join local author and historian Deborah Frethem as she navigates the twists and turns of the more macabre side of Tampa Bay.
Review- A fun book about the local history and legends of Tampa Bay, Fl. Frethem puts all her love and passion for the city into this book. We travel all over the city learning about the peoples who lived in Tampa Bay from different times, from long before Columbus sailed the sea to much more modern spirits. This book is not really about the ghost stories but about the people who the ghosts are based on. The stories are short and to the point, then we move on to the next one. The writing is good, the pacing from story to story is nice, and the stories themselves are interesting and fun. If you are a history buff then I would recommend it.
I give this book a Four out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library's Hoopla account.
From the blurb on Hoopla- Tampa may be known for sunshine and good times, but it has a scary side. When dusk settles down over the Hillsborough River, spirits begin to stir. Strange things happen in old hotels, theaters and public buildings, and an old cemetery becomes surprisingly lively. Some have seen an old crime boss walking the street. Some have encountered ancient spirits in a public parking garage. Still others have met a long-dead soul in a downtown shop. Join local author and historian Deborah Frethem as she navigates the twists and turns of the more macabre side of Tampa Bay.
Review- A fun book about the local history and legends of Tampa Bay, Fl. Frethem puts all her love and passion for the city into this book. We travel all over the city learning about the peoples who lived in Tampa Bay from different times, from long before Columbus sailed the sea to much more modern spirits. This book is not really about the ghost stories but about the people who the ghosts are based on. The stories are short and to the point, then we move on to the next one. The writing is good, the pacing from story to story is nice, and the stories themselves are interesting and fun. If you are a history buff then I would recommend it.
I give this book a Four out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library's Hoopla account.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews