History and haunts will mingle to create a eerie evening of exploration.
Discover the mysteries of Aiken, find out where the ghosts linger and the stories they want to tell and learn about the early days of Aiken. Mystery tours exploring the out-of-the-way places the spirits like to call their own are scheduled for this weekend.
A little more than four years ago, Aiken resident Kent Cubbage developed an idea to mix his love of history with the legends and myths that fascinate the curious. After six months of intense research on Aiken's unique history and talking extensively with people, the tour was born.
"When people found out what I was doing, they called to share their stories," said Cubbage. "Aiken's history is as colorful as any town in the South and everyone loves a good ghost story."
He utilized his research and corroborated stories based on dates and characters. Now the stories have come full circle as Cubbage guides adventure seekers on a 75-minute walking tour of the spooky corners of Aiken where ghosts swell and history lurks.
The first stop on the walking tour is the cemetery at St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church. Cubbage explained the turf in the graveyard was consecrated in 1843 and is the final resting place of two Confederate soldiers who lost their lives in the Battle of Aiken.
"Civil War cemeteries often report one night out of the year where bizarre things happen, and this one is no exception," said Cubbage as he pointed to the headstones of Pvt. Lewis Deadman and Pvt. Jesse Morris who are honored with a monument that reads "Two Confederate Soldiers Wheeler's Calvary C.S.A. who gave their lives in defense of this town Feb. 11, 1865."
The graveyard is just the beginning of the tour that winds all over downtown and includes fascinating stories like the curse of the Hope Diamond, the kiss of death of the railroad, the hauntings of the old post office and much more. The tour also includes a few tales from places around the County such as Annie's Inn in Montmorenci and the Williams Cemetery.
When asked if he believed in ghosts, Cubbage's eyes grew wide as he said, "I have a science background, but at every point in human history, we thought we had the entire universe figured out, we have always proven to be wrong, so even a good scientist can leave the door open."
To find out the night the soldiers go awry, how the curse of the Hope Diamond affected Aiken and why when you cross the railroad tracks you are crossing bitter souls, take one of Cubbage's upcoming tours.
While private tours are offered year round, Cubbage has scheduled a few tours to help make your skin crawl this Halloween season. The first tour starts today at 7 p.m. Tours are also scheduled for Sunday, Wednesday and Friday at 7 p.m. Reservations are strongly recommended as spots fill quickly. Call 270-3683 or e-mail cubbage@bellsouth.net to save a spot. The cost of the tour is $10 a person.
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