THE STORY
Reported Haunting
Visitors to Fort Cooper State Park have reported unexplained voices, strange sensations, and the feeling of an unseen presence while exploring the wooded historic site. Some paranormal accounts connect the activity to the area's violent history during the Second Seminole War, although the identities of any supposed spirits remain unknown.
This state park was once home to Fort Cooper during the Second Seminole War. Nothing of the fort remains apart from some archaeological finds, but at least one staff member thinks the spirit of an Indian chief still lingers. There aren’t many sightings – most people just “feel” his presence around the gift shop and ranger offices. He does, however, have a tendency to get a bit ornery whenever a controlled burn is lit within the park – there is a picture hanging on the wall that one ranger swears always tilts to one side, on its own, whenever a fire is lit.