The Mystery of Spook Hill, 1956

Tourism

Optical illusions

Leaflet describing Spook Hill, a tourist attraction in Lake Wales in Polk County, Florida, including legendary origins of the phenomenon and comments from previous visitors. The leaflet was sponsored by Barney's, a Lake Wales restaurant.

State Library of Florida, Florida Ephemera Collection

The Daily Highlander (Lake Wales, Fla.)

1956

Barney's (Lake Wales, Fla.)

leaflets (printed works)

eng-US

Text

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Postwar Florida (1945-1968)

Lake Wales (Fla.)

Polk County (Fla.)

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Tourism And Attractions

Barney's (Lake Wales, Fla.)

THE MYSTERY OF SPOOK HILL Presented to you with the Compliments of Barney's - Famous for Food - LAKE WALES, FLORIDA

Legend Say Noted Pirate Is Cause of Lake Wales' Famed "SPOOK HILL" The story relates that the old Negro parked his old car at the foot of the hill. He was going fishing. He headed for the lake. His song froze on his lips, as he glanced back at his jalopy. Slowly, but surely, his car was backing up the hill. The motor was not running. "Dem's spooks," he was quoted as crying before fainting. That's how Lake Wales' renowned "SPOOK HILL" is credited with being Christened. It's A Fact It is a fact. You can stop your car at the very foot of "SPOOK HILL." Turn off the motor -and the car will surely back some 75 to 100 feet up the hill. There are those unbelieving folks who say it is merely an optical illusion. Those who really know just whisper: "GIMME SARSAPARILLA." No, that isn't an order for a soft drink. Captain Gimme Sarsaparilla was a bloody pirate captain who roamed the seas in the early 16th century. (It is reported that Tampa's Jose Gasparilla was just an ordinary freebooter in comparison -a poor relation -second or third cousin of the terrible Captain Gimme) Back In 1511 One day in the year 1511, Captain Sarsaparilla tired of the black pirate flag and came to Lake Wales to retire and lead a life of a gentlemen. It is said that he wished to devote the remainder of his days to whale fishing. Only one pirate accompanied the terrible Captain to the Polk County Community. He was Gimme's trusted aide, Teniente Vanilla -full name -Vincento Alfredo Nieto Isidoro Lima Llano Alvarez. When Alvarez died he was duly buried at the foot of what is now known as "SPOOK HILL." In those peaceful days, there were no automobiles to disturb the final rest of the dead pirate. As to all men, death came finally to Captain Gimme. He is said to repose in Davy Jones' locker at the bottom of North Lake Wailes. All was peace in the Pirates' afterworld until the old Negro stopped his car at the foot of the hill. It rested directly upon the chest of Teniente Vanilla. Now the weight of a car is said to approximate the weight of 16 dead men. Everyone knows that pirates have a particular aversion to "16 MEN ON A DEAD MAN'S CHEST." The ghost of Vanilla called for Sarsaparilla. The spirit of the old Captain arose from the depths of the Lake and pushed the old jalopy back up the hill -off the chest of the trustworthy Vanilla. Such has been the case ever since -every time a car stops at the bottom of "SPOOK HILL." If you doubt your car will back up the hill just drive over to lake Wales and learn firsthand for yourself. "SPOOK HILL" is located on Fifth Street at the end of North Avenue. The writer, in fact, tried stopping his car three times on Vanilla's chest, and was last heard muttering, "GIMME SARSAPARILLA." Still Takes Place Strange happenings still take place at the foot of "SPOOK HILL." Numerous signs calling the public's attention to this apparent phenomenon have disappeared mysteriously at night. There are those, of course, who say that school boys are taking the markers as pranks. Those who really know are aware that the bloody old Captain is just showing his resentment at this 20th Century exploitation of a famous historic spot. And it seems that when a visitor states "optical illusion" after seeing his car back slowly up the hill, there is a murmur of rage wafted on the wind as it crosses North Lake Wailes. The murmur seems to carry a message from Gimme's burial place -"ILLUSION!! BOSH!!" It's A Gimmie It is said that there are days at "SPOOK HILL" when all seems quite and peaceful. There will be little or no wind, and yet white caps will break in circles over the waters of the otherwise calm lake. There are those unbelieving folks who say it is just a freak of the breeze. But those who really know can tell you, those white caps are churned up by none other than the once bloody Captain Sarsaparilla. He is said to be charging around on the bottom of North Lake Wailes in the old Negro's jalopy (Copyright, 1956, by The Daily Highlander, Lake Wales, Florida)

LETTER COMMENTS ... I was there this winter and I would like to take the legend to my teacher, as she won't believe it. M.B. -Detroit, Mich. ... I would like to prove a point that has been argued very much between me and my fellow soldiers. Send me any pamphlets that are available. Corp. R.W. -Korea ... Send your theory on Lake Wales stationery. It will be duly posted for the information and education of all concerned. Sgt. A.B.H. - A.P.O. New York ... What few friends do pretend to believe that I could coast backwards uphill, seem to look at us with that knowing look that says we probably had a few too many Mint Juleps or too much Orange Wine before we got there. H.J.N. -Akron, Ohio ... I drove to the bottom of of the hill -stopped -the car backed up hill' I was stunned. Miss D.H.R. -Wauseon, Ohio ... Have you a folder or any information about Spook Hill, so that I may show my friends, and then they will stop laughing at me ... Mrs. E.G. -Brooklyn, N.Y. ... I am a curious person, and my curiosity has gone berserk since I drove over Spook Hill, and it will not get back to normal until I find out something about it ... L.M.M. -Tampa, Fla. ... I have told several friends about it and the usual answer that I get is to change my brand of liquor ... S.W. -West Orange, N.J.