The origins of Halloween date back 2,000 years to an ancient Celtic festival, which was celebrated on Oct. 31, according to the History Channel. It was a belief in the Celtic culture that the dead returned to earth on Halloween night. In those days, the townspeople would light bonfires and dress in costumes to ward off ghosts.

In the middle ages, people began practicing a tradition known as mumming, in which they dressed up as ghosts, and went door-to-door to receive treats.

Over the years, Halloween has evolved to include the practice of costumed children – some dressed as ghosts- going door-to-door to collect treats. But the ancients are not the only ones who have encountered ghosts. West Columbia has its share of specters and spirits that are reported to inhabit some of the more historical areas of town.

J.R. Fennell is the Director of Lexington County Museum. He conducts the West Columbia Murders and Mysteries Walking Tour. Fennell

 has researched historical records and he knows where West Columbia’s haunts dwell. On his tour, Fennell tells the story of Sallie Shannon.

“Sallie  mysteriously disappeared while crossing the present-day Gervais Street Bridge over the Congaree on the night of December 29, 1907,” said Fennell. “She had gotten into an argument with her fiancé earlier that day. As the day wore on, Sallie became missing. She was never found and a body was never found.” But some have reported seeing a glowing vision that looks like a woman dressed in the garb of a young woman of 1907, floating across the river around the present-day Gervais Street Bridge.  

Fennell also tells the story of A.B. McGraw. He was a New Brookland Police officer who went by the name of  “Alonzo” McGraw. He died behind the old New Brookland jail on Center Street that is now part of Savage Craft Ale Works. McGraw’s life ended on June 6, 1930, but does his ghost still visit the place where his life ended? 

In addition to the stories of ghosts Fennell has researched, there are more.

“Our ghost tours are very well attended,” said Fennell. As many as 150 people show up at the West Columbia Riverwalk Amphitheater to hear Fennell recount stories of those who have left their earthly existence. Fennell said many longtime West Columbia residents will tell him of ghosts that inhabit the homes or streets of the city.

Another twist on the tale associated with the Gervais Street Bridge involves a young female hitchhiker who asks for a ride home, but then disappears about half way there. When the driver goes to the address in the New Brookland Mill Village, where the hitchhiker called home, the resident of the home says that her name is “Sallie” and there are frequent inquiries to the home regarding “Sallie” and her phantom rides on the bridge. 

Fennell said there are more West Columbia Murders and Mysteries Walking Tours planned for the future. But if you’d like to get a tour in before Halloween, the Lexington County Museum will host its annual Haunted History Halloween program on Oct. 24, and Oct. 25. The tours start at 7, 8, and 9 pm.

Reservations are required and can be made by calling the museum at 803-359-8369. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under.

So if you need to feed your need for ghosts, there are phantoms waiting in West Columbia or you can sign for the Lexington County Museum’s Haunted History Halloween tour this week. 

List of Local Trunk or Treats

• Providence Presbyterian Trunk R’ Treat. From 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 25
  1112 Hummingbird Dr. West Columbia.
• Airport High School’s Trick or Treat Lane is set for 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Monday, October 28, on the school campus, 1315 Boston Ave., West Columbia.
• The Sixth Annual Cayce-West Columbia Dixie Youth Baseball Trunk or Treat is from 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1 at Howard Park behind Northside Middle School and Riverbank Elementary School, off of Sunset Blvd. in West Columbia. It’s a FREE event. There will be food, fun and lots of candy.
• Mt. Hebron UMC Fall Festival and Trunk-or-Treat is from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Oct. 27. It’s on Leaphart Road West Columbia. Wear your costume – not too scary please. There will be a Cake Walk; Door Prizes; Inflatables; Vendors; and Corn dogs and snacks for $1.
• West Columbia’s First Church of the Nazarene Trunk-or-Treat is from 3-to5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26. There will be inflatables and Hot Dogs, Nachos and Chips at 350 Wattling Road.
• Quail Hollow Trunk-or-Treat is from 2-to-4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 27 at the Quail Hollow Swim and Racquet Club, 131 Blackhawk Trail, West Columbia. There will be a Cake Walk, Pumpkin Crafts and Games.
• Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church Halloween in the Parking Lot is from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 27. Candy, trunks and games at 1000 B Avenue in West Columbia.
• Dunn’s Chapel Harvest Fest is from 6-8 p.m. on Oct. 31. Fun for the whole family with hot dogs, corn dogs, games and hayrides. 281 Chapel Rd. West Columbia

Lots of activity for Halloween in West Columbia. So be sure to make plans to visit one of the many Trunk-or-Treat events being presented for you to enjoy.