Haunted Columbus, Georgia by Faith Serafin

Author:Faith Serafin [Serafin, Faith]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: History, United States, State & Local, South (AL; AR; FL; GA; KY; LA; MS; NC; SC; TN; VA; WV), Travel, Special Interest, Haunted & Unexplained, Body; Mind & Spirit, Supernatural (Incl. Ghosts)
ISBN: 9781614236726
Google: FZB2CQAAQBAJ
Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
Published: 2012-09-04T16:03:45+00:00

THE RANKIN HOUSE SPIRIT

Many fine homes dating back to the Victorian era can be found in Columbus’s historical district. Most of these old homes have been completely renovated and are captivating to see up close. Cobblestone streets are still visible in some areas of the downtown and riverfront sections of Columbus, and large oaks cover the streets alongside budding crepe myrtles and massive magnolias. Glorious fountains spring water on humid days, and many tourists frequent the historical district to find out more about Columbus’s past by visiting the large granite and marble monuments that mark historical accomplishments.

One home along Second Avenue sits apart from all the others—the Rankin House. It is located at 1440 Second Avenue in Columbus and was the home of James Rankin and his wife, Agnes, who emigrated from Scotland sometime before 1850. James was a planter, an established businessman and was also the owner of the Rankin Hotel, located downtown. Both the Rankin home and the hotel have a handful of ghost stories. The Rankin Hotel’s notoriously haunted “Apartment M” has reportedly had occurrences of unusual thumping and scratching sounds for many years. Witness accounts from a Miss Georgia competitor and actors from the Springer Opera House all staying at the Rankin Hotel have come forward with these claims.

Construction on the Rankin House started prior to the Civil War and was overseen by a brickmason from South Carolina named Lawrence Wall, but the house was not completed until after the war ended. Prior to the Rankin family’s occupation of the property, a camp was set up by Captain Garmany of a U.S. Marine Calvary Unit. The Marines camped here during the Indian Wars in 1836, and several men perished at the camp after fighting a heavily outnumbered battle in Girard. But despite the history of the property, the Rankins built their lavish home on the site, and James and Agnes lived in the home with their five children for many years.

The Rankins traveled frequently to Scotland and other parts of Europe to furnish their home with traditional European furniture and amenities. Most of these items can still be found at the Rankin House today. Several marble mantles, including the one in the dining room, are original to the home. In the north parlor, a curious mirror hangs and is also an original piece to the house. The cast-iron fence that surrounds the house once surrounded the home of General Henry Benning, located on Broadway Street. Gas lights were also part of the Rankin home and made it more modern than the majority of fine Columbus homes in that era. Also, the double staircase made of walnut was considered the grandest feature of the home because of its superior architecture. A newspaper article dated 1898 listed the Rankin Mansion as one of the finest homes in Columbus, and Mrs. Rankin had a particular flare for furnishing her home with the very best amenities.

Today, the Rankin House is home to the Historic Columbus Foundation and is open for tours, events, weddings and other recreation.

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