Eerie New York: The James Brown House
In a city as rich in history as New York, it's not uncommon for its bars, clubs and restaurants to claim they're the oldest around. The Ear Inn in Soho, however, is definitely a contender for that title. Much to my excitement, it's also regarded as one of the city's most haunted buildings.
Built in the late 18th century, 326 Spring Street – now a registered landmark and restaurant known as the Ear Inn – was originally the home and shopfront of an African-American Revolutionary War hero named James Brown. Brown served as an aide to George Washington before striking it rich as a tobacco farmer. Hence, one of the building's many nicknames: The James Brown House.
Ownership of the building has changed hands many times throughout the course of its long (and still ongoing) life. It's been known as the Green Door and the Bar with No Name. It was a spirited port of call for sailors on shore leave, a smuggler's den, and a Prohibition Era speakeasy.
One could say that the Ear Inn has seen it all... and so have its patrons. Reports of the spirit of a lost sailor by the name of Mickey (who was hit by a car and killed just outside the bar) have been made for decades. He's rumored to be watching from his old room, waiting for his ship to come in.
Photo courtesy of wikimedia.org.