Thursday, October 20, 2011

Our Eccentric Key West Cemetery

Built in 1847 in the Dead center of Old town to replace the one washed away by a hurricane that same year, the Historic Key West cemetery is full of history and eccentricities. Surrounded by Angela, Margaret, Passover Lane, Frances and Olivia streets, they embrace a serene courtyard containing above ground tombs, weathered gravestones and peaceful statues. The Historic Key West cemetery is now the final resting place to a unique cast of individuals that only Key West can compose.
For a detail guide to the Historic Key West Cemetery please visit our Pages.

Angel Memorial by Anthony Mingo In the center of Key West's Cemetery, an Angel watches over the resting place of a loved one. http://www.everywheremag.com/places/1838

Rest in Peace

Want to stay in a “Haunted Guesthouse” on your next trip to Key West?
Visit our Haunted Places page to see a list of Historic Bed and Breakfasts’ here on the island, and maybe you can have a paranormal experience of your own!
Rest in Peace.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Ghosts & Gravestones listed as part of Americas best Ghost Tours by Frommers

Walk This Way
By Hillary McNamara
From coast to coast, America has no shortage of ghost stories. Who better to explain the things that go bump in the night than a local tour guide? Whether you're an aspiring paranormal investigator or just a haunted history buff, these ghost tours are sure to thrill.


Photo Caption: The Key West Ghosts and Gravestones Tour, Key West.

Read more: http://www.frommers.com/slideshow/index.cfm?group=710&p=1#ixzz1bGJQAc6n

Key West, Florida
Background:
Explore Key West's eccentric past on the Ghost and Gravestones Tour. This actor-led trolley tour revisits several historical sites of death, despair, and disaster. Be on the lookout for one of Key West's most infamous (and creepy) residents, Robert the Doll. This doll was a voodoo-laced gift to Gene Otto, the son of an affluent Key West family who resided in The Artist House. This infamous doll brought misfortune wherever it went and it's still lurking in Key West.

Dates: Tours run year-round

Cost: Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for children

More Info: Ghosts and Gravestones Key West www.ghostsandgravestones.com/key-west

Read more: http://www.frommers.com/slideshow/index.cfm?group=710&p=8#ixzz1bGJnIYBE

Ghosts of East Martello

The Fort East Martello museum is home to artifacts, antiques, and art collections from the past 150 years. Exhibits share the stories of the people who struggled to build this island city, before they slowly disappear from our collective memory. But it’s not only the exhibits that speak of the ghosts of our past. A number of people over the years have reported unexplained sightings in the Fort. Come see for yourself.


*Visit our Pages to find out more on the Ghosts of East Martello.

Open daily from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
Admission is $7 for adults
$4 for children and students with ID
$6 for Seniors (62+), AAA Travelers, and Locals with ID,
Members and children under 6 - Free.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

True accounts of Carl Von Cosel

Her name was Elena Hoyos, and she was a beautiful woman in her twenty’s dying from tuberculosis. While trying to save her life, the much older Count Carl Von Cosel fell in love with her. So divested by her death, one dark night in 1933, Count Carl Von Cosel stole Elena’s body from the crypt, and for 7 years attempted to resurrect her in his laboratory.





*Visit our Pages to find out the True accounts of Carl Von Cosel.

How to make an Apology when you need it to Count.

Concerning your Remorse and Regrets...

Robert will listen to your appeals in several different forms these days.

Traditionally people write good old fashion letters to Robert. This shows him you have put the time and effort into what you are saying and really does grab his attention. Please send your mail to....

Robert the Doll
C/O Fort East Martello Museum,
3501 S. Roosevelt Blvd.,
Key West, Florida 33040

He also understands that we live in the age of modern technology, so your emails wont go over looked either. Send your Emails to... Robert@RobertTheDoll.org

*Remember it’s bad manners to not include your full name and return address.

Come visit Robert at Night!

Just one week until Fantasy Fest!
We will be running 8pm and 9pm tours every night until Thursday, October 27. The Trolley of the Doomed will be taking a brief break on Friday and Saturday, October 28 and 29 (even Ghosts and haunted dolls need to celebrate Fantasy Fest). On Sunday, October 30 and Monday, Hallowe'en night, we will run at 7pm, 8pm, 9pm and 10pm. Make your plans now before the Trolley passes you by ...
Reservations are required - 305-294-4678.

Photo Caption: The Ghosts and Gravestones trolley tour, Key West. Photo courtesy of Historic Tours of America

Monday, October 17, 2011

A Brief History of Robert The Doll


Robert the Doll was made in 1904 as the life size effigy of the 4 year old son of the Otto family here on the island of Key West. Stuffed with straw and meticulously hand sewn by one of the family servants of Caribbean origin, the doll was given to Robert Gene Otto as a birthday present. Upon receiving the doll, the boy gave the doll his first name “Robert” and from that day forward he would only answer to the name “Gene” Otto. Often they were seen playing together and even overheard having conversations with one another, with Robert the Doll answering him back. When strange events started to happen Gene would swiftly respond by saying ”Robert Did It!”
As Gene grew older he kept Robert the Doll by his side, even building Robert his own room. Gene would commonly place him in the third floor turret room window to keep him company while he painted. Peering out, Robert the Doll rapidly became the topic of stories of the neighborhood children who would play on the streets below. With Gene dedicating so much of his time to his doll, Robert was repeatedly the focus of many a quarrels within Genes marriage.
Over the years Robert quickly became Key Wests original blame doll. Whenever anything bad would come about, you could hear Gene and others say Robert Did It!
In 1974 Gene died and his wife Anne moved back north leaving behind the doll in the attic. When the house was sold Robert the Doll came to live at the Fort East Martello Museum, where he resides now.
Visitors can see him daily throughout the year at the Fort East Martello Museum, 9:30am - 4:30pm. Many guests pay homage to Robert the Doll, bringing him tokens of their affection while others write him fan mail and apology letters. Famous in his own right, Robert the Doll is known around the world. His legend continues to grow and live on today with claims of mischief and perhaps misfortune if you dare disrespect Robert him. No matter what your belief you too will find yourself saying Robert Did It!!!

ROBERT WANTS TO KNOW



Would you like your “Robert” experience to be featured on an television show about Robert the Doll?



E-mail me your personal story and your contact information to,
robert@robertthedoll.org