Captain Tony’s Saloon
photo taken from hauntedtours.com
Captain Tony’s Saloon is located in Key West, Florida. It has laid claim to be the original home of the “Sloppy Joes.” It is also the spot that was often visited by famous author Ernest Hemingway. This history of the structure goes back way before this however. It was formerly used as the town morgue and ice house. Also, the hanging tree on its site was used to bring pirates and criminals to justice. In all, about seventeen people are believed to have met their fate on the tree by hanging. The tree can be seen to this day, in the center of the building next to the bar.
This is because the saloon was constructed around it. One person from these hangings is believed to still walk amidst the spot. A woman who allegedly murdered her husband and son was dragged out of her bed and brought to the tree to die. She is now known as the “Lady in Gray”, since that was what she was wearing the night of her death. While excavating for the construction of the saloon, Tony reported finding sixteen bodies, and it is believed that the old coroner of the morgue buried his daughter where the bar is. Inside the halls of the pool room are bottles of holy water. Customers also frequently report a presence in the women’s restroom.
(Source: Belanger, Jeff. Encyclopedia of Haunted Places. 2005.)
