In the early 1900s, the Tampa Bay Hotel was a popular destination for many.
Now former guests’ spirits are said to haunt the building.
Although there are no official records of ghost sightings, students and faculty have claimed to witness apparitions and strange disturbances.
Historical figures lodged at the old hotel where two suicides were committed.
Theodore Roosevelt was a guest, and his presence is allegedly felt in the current science wing.
Supernatural figures are rumored to walk the halls.
A man dressed in a brown three-piece suit with glowing red eyes once walked toward a student as she ascended to the second floor.
A second student saw this “brown man” on the staircase drinking from a cup.
Both students described the gentleman as older and out of place.
A dark-skinned man with boots and a straw hat apparently still resides in the science wing.
Purported to be a former hotel caretaker, several students reported seeing his apparition.
The creaky wheels of the servants’ carts have also been heard in the science wing.
Security guards who roam the building at night have had their share of strange occurrences.
One guard felt a force on the doorknob he was trying to secure, and moments later a flashlight was knocked from his hand.
Falk Theater across the street was built in 1928 and is home to the infamous Bessie Snavely’s ghost.
The visiting actress discovered her husband was cheating on her with another member of the troupe.
In despair, she hung herself from a stairwell behind the stage. Rumor has it, her spirit is angered by the color red.
Red costumes were mysteriously ruined and one actress could not physically wear a red skirt on stage.
The Speech, Theater and Dance Department at UT considers Bessie a friendly presence.
Despite occasional door slams, footsteps and singing, she is usually quiet.
Some believe she saved a stagehand from falling to his death off a scaffold.
On-campus presences are generally forgotten until an apparition is reportedly seen.
Admittedly, the aging buildings are eerie at night, and it is easy to believe the mystifying minarets could be haunted.
With Tampa Bay Hotel guests ranging from the Prince of Wales to Babe Ruth, a ghost encounter would be welcome.
I am a professional storyteller/performer and I am currently a ghost tour guide for the Tampa Bay Ghost Tours. I have been trying to find a photo of Bessie Snavely and any further information about her would be greatly appreciated. I tried Actors Equity and they won’t release any information about their members–even those deceased. I would also like to talk to anyone who has had an experience either seeing her Spirit or experiencing her in any way. Please help a former theatre graduate out. I talk about the hauntings at the Tampa Theatre and the Falk Theatre, but it would really be nice if I could have an actual photo of Bessie from some sort of archive. Does anyone know what year she committed suicide? I could check obituaries if I knew a date of death. Also, a tech man told me a story about a former tech person who heard screams oming from somewhere in the theatre. Has anyone else experienced such things?
Many thanks for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Rob Mccabe–Storyteller/Performance Artist/Writer