Madison Ghost Walk creeps in Aug. 23
Jacque Reeves has documented ghost walks for Huntsville and Madison. She sits by her great-great-great-great grandfather’s grave, an American Revolution veteran and owner of Avalon Plantation, now the campus of the University of Alabama in Huntsville. (CONTRIBUTED)
MADISON – The Madison Ghost Walk will flood the downtown historic district with frightful memories of Madison’s past.
Brave walkers will gather on Aug. 23 at 6 p.m. for the first tour, starting at Bandito Burrito, 208 Main St. The route includes Main, Church, Front and Arnett streets, along with Buttermilk Alley.
The walks will continue on Fridays through October at 6 p.m.
The Huntsville Ghost Walk sponsors the Madison event. The Huntsville walk is a partnership of history and paranormal research aficionados: Jacque Reeves, local historian; Sgt. Kevin Thompson, Madison County Sheriff’s Office; and Robert Reeves, WHNT broadcaster (and Jacque’s husband). Nine more guides participate.
“I had been to ghost walks in other cities and was disappointed with the weak research and irreverence to the past,” Jacque Reeves said. “Our tour guide at Gettysburg was flippant and ridiculous.”
Reeves was asked to organize a one-time walk in Huntsville. Instead of fabricating stories, she researched historical material to compile an accurate narrative. “We were shocked at the success,” she said.
Dawn Johnson of Madison contacted Reeves about Madison’s walk. “We jumped at the chance,” Reeves said. “The downtown area has the most paranormal activity, dating beyond original pioneers. Beautiful homes and old buildings make a perfect backdrop.”
Reeves consulted three mediums and historian John Rankin, author of “Memories of Madison.” Downtown Madison has several Civil War ghosts – both Union and Confederate. Also, a murdered shopkeeper asks about his personal belongings. “An Indian offers an ominous warning. Many ‘transient ghosts have messages,” Reeves said.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 years and younger.
Although a New Mexico native, Reeves has maternal ancestors who were earliest settlers of Madison and Limestone counties. Her 12 books include “Murder Untenured: Amy Bishop’s Rampage” and “Recipes from Buttermilk Alley,” paying homage to Madison’s street.
Reeves is president of the Huntsville-Madison County Historical Society and curator of Donnell House in Athens. She owns Avalon Tours and co-founded Mischief and Mayhem Tours.
For more information, visit huntsvilleghostwalk.com.
