The ladies walked into the tavern. They were wearing the finest of Victorian wear for the time. They were joined a few moments later by a gentleman friend.

They talked, commented on the fashions of others there. I don’t think they were fond of what was worn by some of the ladies present that night.

They laughed.

After a short time, the gentleman glanced at his watch, as remembering he had another engagement near. Then, in a few minutes, he left saying “He must catch the train.” Just a moment after he departed, the horn sounded as a train sped through downtown Opelika on its way north. It was December a few years ago. But not one 120 years ago, it was just two years ago. You might encounter these Victorian friends again in the next few weeks. Well, maybe, if you see ghosts.

Opelika isn’t the only city with stories of ghost in old buildings. Several owners of shops on Railroad Avenue can tell you of lights cut off at night, only to be found on in the morning. I’ve seen the shadow of a shop owner’s wife pass in the dimly lit store, only to discover she’s not working that day and isn’t in the shop. I would have bet $100 that she was hiding behind the wall. Then the story of the bartender that hears glasses being pushed off shelves, only to walk to the bar and find no one there to do the deed. Or me hearing the footsteps from above the ceiling, then learning that the second floor was empty of life.

So now, how do I explain that someone saw the ghost? There are people that see ghosts you know. I know we normally bring out stories of ghosts or spirits each Halloween, but this appearance at the time of the Victorian Front Porch tour seemed worthy of mention again. And who is the person who saw this Victorian trio? Not some crazed lunatic, but a responsible working member of the community. I was at Eighth and Rail that night friend Beth Witten and her husband Steve, and she asked the question, “Did you see that?” For it was Beth that saw (and felt) the ladies brush past her. And in just another moment, another figure of the gentleman, who joined the ladies.

I thought it was interesting that this sighting was during the time of the Victorian Front Porch Tour in Opelika that year. Does this mean that other spirits come out for this holiday celebration?

Well, I would offer this up for thought. If you walk the Victorian Front Porch Tour and see a couple down the street, but as you turn back, they are no longer there, you may have seen a ghost of Christmas Past. Now if you come upon the gentleman with the British accent and younger Victorian wife, it’s probably just George Purves and wife Debbie. They’re not ghosts. Happy Holidays folks, see you next year.