Spooky Solomons

06/30/2025

Truly remarkable. Brian Haislip Photography is the Ansel Adams of Southern Maryland! Follow him for all the amazing photographs. And for the charity he works on, SOMD Photography, learn about the good he and the team are doing.

06/29/2025

Even before 1867 when Issac Solomon arrived on the island that bares his name today, oysters were a staple in the diet of most southern Marylanders. The boom of Solomons oyster canning facilities helped transform the local economy. Oyster harvesting wasn’t just a trade on Solomons Island—it was a way of life. It shaped the rhythm of the town, funded its churches and schools, and wove itself into the stories passed down at kitchen tables and marina docks. Though the bounty of the bay has faded from what it once was, echoes of that golden oyster age still exist in every step on the island today.

As an aside, what would an oyster ghost look like? My guess is it wouldn't be the shell, but a gooey blob of a ghost. Sadly, despite the huge numbers of oysters killed on the island, I don't have a single ghost oyster story.

06/27/2025

Had a fun tour with a terrific family last night. Ghost tours and family reunions feel like they go together for some reason. It started off hot, and ended hot with lightning. We all kept an eye on the weather and made it back before any thunder could be heard.

The lightning in the distance added to the ambiance.

06/25/2025

What possible reason would a ghost have for needing a death certificate? 😄

06/23/2025

Anyone recognize this historic place on Solomons Island?

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If you knew it was Bowen's Inn, you'd be correct. The original house was built in 1888 by Captain James W. Northam. In 1918, Mortimer Bowen and his wife Florence (Flo) purchased and began a massive building expansion that would become Bowen's Inn. The largest and most famous inn, restaurant, bar, and charter fishing/hunting fleet in the area. You might say that Bowen's Inn was an all inclusive joint! People were welcome from all walks of life. From the oysterman who plied the bay, the laborers in nearby oyster houses, to politicians and the Washington DC elite. In fact, Bowen's Inn hosted folks like Presidents Truman, Eisenhower, and John F. Kennedy.

What were the favorite foods? Everyone loved the crab imperial and the fried chicken. But I also found a lot of comments about oyster stew being a big hit.

Sadly, the fine establishment was burned down in 2006. But the Great Granddaughter of Mortimer and Flo, Gwyn Novak, started the equally amazing No Thyme to Cook on the same property. There is no question that Gwyn's ancestors are proud of the legacy of great food and hospitality that they started.

Was it haunted? Of all the Solomons Ghost stories told to me, the stories from the Bowen's Inn were the most frequent and known throughout the town. Do you have a story from the Bowen's Inn that you'd like to share? Put it in the comment or IM with the story (if you wish to remain anonymous).

06/19/2025

Happy Jubilee Day! June 19th is the day we celebrate the ending of slavery in the United States. The abhorrent practice of slavery should never have happened in the first place, and it is a tragedy that it took so long to officially end it. But today, we celebrate and remember the sacrifices for all people to be free.

I also want to point out a connection between the founding of Solomons Island and the ending of slavery. When Isaac Solomon purchased and started building an oyster canning facility on the island in 1867, he did so because he saw the economic shifts happening throughout former slave holding land. Prior to Isaac's arrival, this spit of land was known as Sandy Island. It was just that, sand. But Calvert County was changing rapidly from the end of the Civil War and the emancipation of slaves in 1865. It is this changing economy, a shift from to***co plantations to the water (oysters, crabs and fish) that Isaac hoped would build a town. As more and more locals made their living on the water, Solomons Island Maryland grew to be a major seafood and boat making hub.

06/19/2025

Spooky Solomons is primarily a teller of history and lore. I have gone to great lengths to ensure the stories I share are thoroughly researched and based on accurate historical record.

I have never consulted with a psychic or done a psychic reading before. I try to keep an open mind, but am skeptical about a lot of unsubstantiated claims or stories.

Last week, Lynn from Winged Spirit Intuitive Oracle Readings and Spirit Art reached out to me. She said she had an experience in the Harmon House and shared what she had learned from her psychic abilities. Suffice it to say, I was impressed enough to meet with her on Solomons. We walked around the island and talked about what she was feeling and hearing.

I remained neutral the entire time, never sharing with her the historical details that took me years to research and put together until after she told me what she was picking up.

There were multiple moments that left me questioning what I believe. "How could she know these things unless she truly has a gift?"

I will share three instances.

1) The Harmon House. The murder of Littleton Condiff remains unsolved (sorta). An excellent book written by Carol Booker, "The Waterman's Widow" describes in detail the murder and the trial. What Lynn shared with me were things both found in the book (which Lynn said she hadn't read) but also details that Carol and I have discussed. We have our own theories and Lynn talked about those theories without any prompts from me.

2) When we reached a spot on the island, Lynn stopped and talked about "many small houses with people in them" being located at this spot. She asked, "was there a hurricane that would have destroyed all of these homes?" And then said, "the people in these homes, some of them are still lost." After these statements, I revealed to her that she was standing where the old cemetery used to be. The great Chesapeake hurricane of 1933 caused devastating flooding. During the hurricane, many coffins floated up and out into the creek, river, and bay. Many were recovered. Many were lost. In fact, I believe they found one near cove point recently. I cannot explain how she would have known this.

3) She said that there was a "doctor, a very smart man" who had a private book collection. She said he loved his books. Her first mention of these books was where the first official library used to be on the island. But then, when we got to the Maple House, where Doctor Henry Marsh lived, she said that this is where the library was at. Yes, this was where a private lending library was established by Dr Marsh, the first unofficial library. She also said that there were a lot of smaller buildings in his yard, and said her breath was taken away. Dr Marsh set up tents in his front yard to treat tuberculosis and influenza patients.

There were many other items that impressed me. I need to re-examine my own beliefs regarding psychic abilities. I hope to continue my conversations with Lynn and put on a few events jointly for folks.

If you are agnostic as I am (not fully believing but also not disbelieving), Lynn is an excellent person to talk to. She is down to earth and approaches her abilities with a healthy dose of realism. Her abilities need to be taken seriously. As a spiritual person, I believe what we don't know is greater than what we do know.

06/18/2025

I hope someone has a bucket list to do ALL local tours!!

In haunted tourism, not all ghost tours are created equal. Chain companies have flashy marketing, but local tours bring the authentic stories and real chills.

06/15/2025

Who wants to do a Speakeasy Murder Mystery dinner? Always an amazing experience at No Thyme to Cook

🔎 Upcoming Event: Murder Mystery Night at The Hollow Crown — Last Spots Available! 🔍
Step into the city’s most notorious speakeasy for an evening of jazz, cocktails, and a thrilling crime to solve — all happening later this month! If you missed out tonight, don’t worry — you still have a chance to join the fun. Our Murder Mystery nights sell out fast, so grab one of the last remaining spots now!
🍽 Menu Highlights:
• Oyster Rockefeller
• Baked Ham with Duchess Potato & Green Bean Almondine
• Pudding Cake
🗓 Don’t miss your chance to be part of the mystery — reserve your seat today:
👉 https://nothymetocook.simpletix.com

06/13/2025

Happy Friday the 13th! We only have one of these in 2025. Some believe it is an unlucky day, others use it as an opportunity to watch scary movies.

The ghost tour tonight is fully booked. But ghost tours are available tomorrow the 14th, as well as by request any day of the week.

Email [email protected] to schedule a tour. (Please check your spam box. I respond to 100% of messages. If you dont see a response from me, it has likely gone to your spam folder.)

06/10/2025

If you live in Southern MD, or visiting, this is going to be an awesome event! See you all there!