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shaunalynn
Heads up: there will be a report about I-4 in Florida regarding 2000 freak accidents that might have something to do with hauntings on Monday at 11pm on cbs.


I'm going to do some research on this and post in this thread.
shaunalynn
Orlando: I-4 "Dead Zone"

There's an overpass on I-4 that's supposed to be very haunted and have more than an average number of accidents. It's just north of Orlando, at the St. John's River in Seminole County. According to legend, the highway was built over the graves of Yellow Fever victims, who lived (and died) at St. Joseph's Colony, established on this site in 1887. In the daytime, the intersection has some strange energy, but how much of that is due to it being a shabby neighborhood? (Or, is it a faltering neighborhood because it's too haunted for businesses to thrive there? It should be prime real estate.)

Source: HollowHill.com

The "Dead Zone" of Interstate-four is emerging as the most popular Central Florida haunting legend. This section of I-4 is located at the south end of the Interstate-four bridge over the St. Johns River in Seminole County. The so-called Dead Zone is only about one-quarter of a mile in length. This area is reported to have an unusual high number of traffic accidents which date back to 1961. In addition to traffic accidents and fatalities, people are now reporting other strange phenomena such as static on car radios and cell phones that will not work in this section. An investigating team of mediums have reported detecting "cold spots" and "psychic vibrations" in this area. So what is the the real story behind this strange section of the Interstate? The history of this area goes back to 1887 when the Florida Land and Colonization Company tried to establish a Roman Catholic Colony in this exact area. The Colony was called St. Joseph's Colony and was headed by a Catholic Priest named Father Felix Prosper Swembergh, who was also Orlando's first resident priest.

http://www.askyewolfe.com/I-4-Dead-Zone.html
Jules22871
I think I'll stay away from that part of Florida, or find another way around it,lol
shaunalynn
QUOTE(Jules22871 @ May 6 2007, 03:06 AM) [snapback]1662116[/snapback]
I think I'll stay away from that part of Florida, or find another way around it,lol



well the "dead zone" aside, that area road goes right through orlando and there are accidents up the wazoo as it is.
Barek Halfhand
QUOTE(shaunalynn @ May 5 2007, 10:56 PM) [snapback]1661963[/snapback]
Heads up: there will be a report about I-4 in Florida regarding 2000 freak accidents that might have something to do with hauntings on Monday at 11pm on cbs.
I'm going to do some research on this and post in this thread.

thumbsup.gif Nice!...welcome to UM...

QUOTE
This area is reported to have an unusual high number of traffic accidents which date back to 1961. In addition to traffic accidents and fatalities, people are now reporting other strange phenomena such as static on car radios and cell phones that will not work in this section. An investigating team of mediums have reported detecting "cold spots" and "psychic vibrations" in this area. So what is the the real story behind this strange section of the Interstate? The history of this area goes back to 1887 when the Florida Land and Colonization Company tried to establish a Roman Catholic Colony in this exact area. The Colony was called St. Joseph's Colony and was headed by a Catholic Priest named Father Felix rosper Swembergh



let me see I can conjure up some sky photos and update.........B
goody2k7
I'm never leaving Scotland to go on holiday to floriday anymore LOL
shaunalynn
haha off topic.... i think it's funny people have been welcoming me here.... haha
i've been here for a few months and while i haven't posted a lot i'm far from new here :-D
shaunalynn
it's on in a half hour.
toni1978
hey everyone, so this I-4 haunting got me to join this forum, so hello everyone grin2.gif anyways just thought id drop in to say that i live not but a half hour if that away from the area, and every day almost theres an accident if not more, and almost always fatal.... i definatley wont go that way, i will go around if need be...
Story
http://www.local6.com/news/13273890/detail.html

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Ghostly apparitions have been seen and photographed on a small stretch of Interstate 4 known as "the I-4 Dead Zone" in which hundreds of people have been killed or injured in crashes, according to a Local 6 investigation.
DBPRG
My name is Dusty Smith and I am the founder and president of the Daytona Beach Paranormal Research Group, Inc. Most of this story is urban legend. I spoke with Mike, the reporter who did the story this afternoon about the misinformation that was in his report.
First of all, the photo of the ghost near the car accident is a fake. This photo has been posted on many web sites over the past few years and it was actually made in photoshop. The first give-a-way should be that we're talking about an Interstate Highway...there are no double yellow lines on these types of roads in the US.
Also, ther were originally 8 families that settled that area. The historical aspects of the story are true. But, there were 7 graves, not 4. (I am also the president and co-founder of The International Association of Cemetery Presevationists, Inc.) The state was supposed to move the bodies and never did because of funding issues. Since there were no living relatives to assist with the costs, they just covered the graves when the new road was built.
The reason this section of I-4 is a "dead zone" for cell phones and some radio stations is because there are two major power plants within 1/4 mile of the bridge.
Florida Highway Patrol does state that there were 438 accidents on this section of I-4 since 1998. Being VERY familiar with that section of the highway, I can tell you that there are several factors involved as to why. #1: Some people look at the beautiful lake while driving over the bridge. #2: The entrance and exit ramps at this section of I-4 are VERY short. One ramp only has about 100 feet before you have to merge into 3 lanes of traffic doing 70 miles per hour. #3: This is the most traveled section of I-4! People heading from the beaches to Orlando or vice versa.
And hurricane Donna had nothing to do with anything as far as this report is concerned. Hurricane Charley, in 2004 took the same exact path as Donna, and there was no damage done to the bridge or surrounding area from that storm.
So, even though Charlie Carlson is a good story teller, his story, along with Susan Thompson (who has never been correct with her "gifts" to date) are just telling a story.
Hope this clears up the I-4 mystery for some of you.
Dusty Smith
www.dbprginc.org

shaunalynn
QUOTE(DBPRG @ May 8 2007, 09:49 PM) [snapback]1666147[/snapback]
My name is Dusty Smith and I am the founder and president of the Daytona Beach Paranormal Research Group, Inc. Most of this story is urban legend. I spoke with Mike, the reporter who did the story this afternoon about the misinformation that was in his report.
First of all, the photo of the ghost near the car accident is a fake. This photo has been posted on many web sites over the past few years and it was actually made in photoshop. The first give-a-way should be that we're talking about an Interstate Highway...there are no double yellow lines on these types of roads in the US.
Also, ther were originally 8 families that settled that area. The historical aspects of the story are true. But, there were 7 graves, not 4. (I am also the president and co-founder of The International Association of Cemetery Presevationists, Inc.) The state was supposed to move the bodies and never did because of funding issues. Since there were no living relatives to assist with the costs, they just covered the graves when the new road was built.
The reason this section of I-4 is a "dead zone" for cell phones and some radio stations is because there are two major power plants within 1/4 mile of the bridge.
Florida Highway Patrol does state that there were 438 accidents on this section of I-4 since 1998. Being VERY familiar with that section of the highway, I can tell you that there are several factors involved as to why. #1: Some people look at the beautiful lake while driving over the bridge. #2: The entrance and exit ramps at this section of I-4 are VERY short. One ramp only has about 100 feet before you have to merge into 3 lanes of traffic doing 70 miles per hour. #3: This is the most traveled section of I-4! People heading from the beaches to Orlando or vice versa.
And hurricane Donna had nothing to do with anything as far as this report is concerned. Hurricane Charley, in 2004 took the same exact path as Donna, and there was no damage done to the bridge or surrounding area from that storm.
So, even though Charlie Carlson is a good story teller, his story, along with Susan Thompson (who has never been correct with her "gifts" to date) are just telling a story.
Hope this clears up the I-4 mystery for some of you.
Dusty Smith
www.dbprginc.org



i had no clue daytona had a paranormal research group.
i'm going to go check out your website now :-)
DBPRG
QUOTE(shaunalynn @ May 8 2007, 10:00 PM) [snapback]1666162[/snapback]
i had no clue daytona had a paranormal research group.
i'm going to go check out your website now :-)



Yep, we've been working in the area since 1997 and have nearly 6000 cases under our belts from NY to MI, GA to AL, NC to WV and of course all over the state of Florida.

Doris "Dusty" Smith
President & Founder of The Daytona Beach Paranormal Research Group, Inc.
www.dbprginc.org

Proud member of the TAPS family, area representative for the AGS and recommended by The Light.

Host of Wednesday nights http://www.magickmindradio.com
paranormal research radio hour from 7-8:00 PM EST.

President & Founder of The International Association of Cemetery Preservationists, Inc.
http://hometown.aol.com/iacpcontact/IntroPageIACP.html

Owner & Operator of Haunts of the World's Most Famous Beach Ghost Tours
www.hauntsofdaytona.com

Chief editor & publisher of Raven's Loch Publishing House


Author of "Dread & the Dead Filled the Dunnam House" available 01-29-2006 through PublishAmerica.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Amazon.com and many other fine retailers!
ISBN 1-4137-9837-3

Staff writer for Epitaphs Magazine

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but, to
skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, cigarette in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming, "WOO HOO what a ride!"
Barek Halfhand
QUOTE(DBPRG @ May 8 2007, 08:49 PM) [snapback]1666147[/snapback]
Also, ther were originally 8 families that settled that area. The historical aspects of the story are true. But, there were 7 graves, not 4. (I am also the president and co-founder of The International Association of Cemetery Presevationists, Inc.) The state was supposed to move the bodies and never did because of funding issues. Since there were no living relatives to assist with the costs, they just covered the graves when the new road was built.
The reason this section of I-4 is a "dead zone" for cell phones and some radio stations is because there are two major power plants within 1/4 mile of the bridge.
Yo!
I keep thinking of corpses crawling out of the ground like in "Poltergiest" next to the shoulder of the road unsure.gif ........B





halfhandshuffle:ramones-psycho therapy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxiTa8d0Eyw
Regency
DBPRG - welcome! You say most of this is urban legend, despite what the report said, do you consider this section of I4 to be haunted at all? If this story is unfounded, could you tell us a case which, in your experience, you consider to be a genuine haunting?

Also, I have been thinking about this recently - how can it be justified that a road is built over graves and bodies without them being moved first? That's immoral in my eyes. I think even moving bodies is wrong, but just going ahead and building on top of them, is just wrong. no.gif
~Onyx~
You mean the media "played-up" an urban legend just for a story? I can hardly contain my shock.
DBPRG
QUOTE(Regency @ May 9 2007, 11:27 AM) [snapback]1666990[/snapback]
DBPRG - welcome! You say most of this is urban legend, despite what the report said, do you consider this section of I4 to be haunted at all? If this story is unfounded, could you tell us a case which, in your experience, you consider to be a genuine haunting?

Also, I have been thinking about this recently - how can it be justified that a road is built over graves and bodies without them being moved first? That's immoral in my eyes. I think even moving bodies is wrong, but just going ahead and building on top of them, is just wrong. no.gif


Alien Embryo,
Thanks for the welcome!
If you look up the updated report, you will see that after several people calling in, the reporter, Mike Holfeld, changed the story. http://www.local6.com/news/13281055/detail.html
Our group did do some research in that area of I-4 and found that there is some paranormal activity, but, with the location of the power plants being so close, we can't use any of the evidence that we found as solid.
Not to mention the fact that before Europeans lived in what is not Florida, there were more Native Americans living along what is now the I-4 corridor 5000 years ago than there are people living in the state of Florida today! I'm sure some of their spirits are hanging around. Especially since some of our ancestors played major roles in their undoing.
Yes, I have worked several cases that we would consider to be "true" hauntings in the south east. The worst case was the Dunnam house. I wrote a book about this case and it was filmed for an episode on The Discovery Channels series, A Haunting.
As for cemeteries...don't get me started! You are correct! It is illegal in the state of Florida to cover over graves. It is legal to move cemeteries, but most developers don't want to incurr that cost, so they move the headstones and leave the bodies. This is something we've been fighting for years! We have several adopted cemeteries in the central Florida area that we are restoring and preserving, and three of them were on the chopping block to be developed over before we got ahold of them. It really makes me angry that developers have no respect for the dead!
After speaking with the reporter yesterday (and giving him wuite an earful), we, along with channel 6 news are going to find the graves, adopt the site and put up markers. It's the least we can do for these pioneers and lost souls!
Dusty
Regency
That's good news that you're going to right a wrong and give these poor souls a resting place they deserve. Also, it's nice to hear that Channel 6 will be helping you with this.

As for Dunnam House, I've not heard about that one, but I shall look out for it now. We have A Haunting on over here the UK, I'll keep my eyes open for that one.
DBPRG
Apparently I upset a few people with a statement I made in my original post about the I-4 Dead Zone. This was not my intention.
I never meant to cut anyone down or accuse anyone of anything. With the exception of the photo being a fake that has been circulating around the Internet for many years.
To correct my sleep riddled original email, I meant to write that Susan Thompson's impressions of the I-4 Dead Zone have never been scientifically proven. I never called her a fake, nor did I mean any disrespect by my initial post.
I had been bombarded with emails and phone calls for two days over the story that aired on the news, and just screwed up. Sorry folks, but I am human.
So with that stated, I do apologize for ruffeling any feathers, but I am not going to get into a pissing contest with anyone when it comes to my reputation in the field or theirs.
And as for my "only" contact information being the radio show, I have several contacts and to go to my "boss" with this was silly. Come to me next time you have a problem with me. And no, your email to Ed did not have the desired effect you wanted.
I still promote your tour and your classes and will continue to do so.
That's all I have to say about that.
Sorry for involving anyone else in this small drama.
Florida Forever
QUOTE(DBPRG @ May 8 2007, 09:49 PM) [snapback]1666147[/snapback]
My name is Dusty Smith
Also, ther were originally 8 families that settled that area. The historical aspects of the story are true. But, there were 7 graves, not 4. (I am also the president and co-founder of The International Association of Cemetery Presevationists, Inc.) The state was supposed to move the bodies and never did because of funding issues. Since there were no living relatives to assist with the costs, they just covered the graves when the new road was built.

Hope this clears up the I-4 mystery for some of you.
Dusty Smith
www.dbprginc.org



Hi,

I found this message (above) while searching for information on Google. I've been researching the area of the town of Monroe and the graves there (under I-4), off & on, for the past 8-9 years. I've only found evidence of 4 graves/burials. I wanted to check with you, to see what type of documentation that you have, for there being 7 graves, instead of 4 ? Where were you able to find this new information?

Also, did you find any documentation about the state supposedly getting ready to move the bodies, but then did not, due to funding issues, no living relatives, etc., that you mention in the above quote?

Anyway, since I've only been able to find evidence of 4 burials in Monroe, I'd really like to update my information, after finding your message saying that you knew of 7 graves there. Since you are the President of the International Association of Cemetery Preservationists, I think it would be great to get any new historical information about the area updated and documented.

Also, you mention that there were originally 8 families that settled that area. I've only been able to find documented evidence of 4 families arriving in the time period of the Yellow Fever epidemic of 1887, when St. Joseph's Colony was being promoted (and when the deaths occured). Can you tell me more about the 8 families that you were talking about? It's always exciting to hear about new historical information, to go along with local legends of the area.

Thank you for your help!
DBPRG
QUOTE(Florida Forever @ May 11 2007, 11:20 AM) [snapback]1670147[/snapback]
Hi,

I found this message (above) while searching for information on Google. I've been researching the area of the town of Monroe and the graves there (under I-4), off & on, for the past 8-9 years. I've only found evidence of 4 graves/burials. I wanted to check with you, to see what type of documentation that you have, for there being 7 graves, instead of 4 ? Where were you able to find this new information?

Also, did you find any documentation about the state supposedly getting ready to move the bodies, but then did not, due to funding issues, no living relatives, etc., that you mention in the above quote?

Anyway, since I've only been able to find evidence of 4 burials in Monroe, I'd really like to update my information, after finding your message saying that you knew of 7 graves there. Since you are the President of the International Association of Cemetery Preservationists, I think it would be great to get any new historical information about the area updated and documented.

Also, you mention that there were originally 8 families that settled that area. I've only been able to find documented evidence of 4 families arriving in the time period of the Yellow Fever epidemic of 1887, when St. Joseph's Colony was being promoted (and when the deaths occured). Can you tell me more about the 8 families that you were talking about? It's always exciting to hear about new historical information, to go along with local legends of the area.

Thank you for your help!


The names of the eight families are: Geiseker, Schlosser, Krueppel, Bauer, Forwald, Ochbosch, Yueger and Kulsch. This information was obtained from Sanford historian Christine Best. I was told there were originaly 7 graves , but when they were beginning to build I-4 there were only 4 markers left. Since the initial post I have found out that there were only four graves. The members of one of the families, two adults and two children from the same family, but I haven't been able to find out which of the families it was.

It was DOT (Department of Transportation) that had the information on the building plans and not bothering to move the bodies. I don't remember off hand who it was that I spoke with over there as it was a while ago, but I do have notes that it was DOT that I got that information from. Florida has never been very good about moving cemeteries or contacting relatives when there are some still alive.

Hope this information helps.
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