| Covington County Jail Andalusia, AL. |
| The History of the Covington County Andalusia, Alabama is a rural country town with a history as rich as black berry cobbler. The name "Andalusia" comes from two Spanish words meaning "to walk easy" in other words Andalusia is a place where many folks feel comfortable. The warm southern hospitality here can be felt by on every corner from the city square to it's quite country roads. Originally settled by Creek Indians the location was first known as Montezuma. Historical figures such as Ponce de Leon, General and later president Andrew Jackson, & Americans were removed from the location. However in the 1841 the area flooded and an epidemic of yellow fever and flus broke out killing many. The remaining settlers moved to higher ground which is now the current location and renamed it "New Site." in 1846 the town was established as "Andalusia" and the town's square grew. The Covington County Jail was added to the National Historic Register in 1989, the Covington County Jail sits behind the newest court house in Andalusia, Alabama. Mostly used from 1900-1949, and closed in the 1970's this jail housed inmates from one nighters to the most seasoned criminal. One of Andalusia's most famous over nighters was Hank Williams Sr. He was brought into the Covington County Jail on a drunk and disorderly charge. According to local historians. He was playing a New Years eve party at a local establishment. Hank and Aubrey Williams were married in Covington County. A Historical marker in down town Andalusia marks the occasion as is the marriage certificate still kept on file inside the Covington County court house. Hank Williams Sr. Child hood home lies just out side of Andalusia in Georgiana were he grew up. Also a museum dedicated to Mr. Williams located there is a historical attraction. Covington County Jail was also involved in one of the few cases of Marshall Law in the State of Alabama. December 6, 1901, Sheriff Bradshaw and Governor Jenks contacted the Greenville National Guard and warned them of a pending riot totalling about four hundred men on the jail after twenty five black men were arrested for the murder of a merchant and a US Marshall in Opp, Alabama, Andalusia’s sister city. The mob never made it to the jail, but they left four men dead in their wake, killing three black men in Opp and tying another to a tree and setting him on fire. It seems as though this jail housed many killers in the early days and at least three of those instances, a law enforcement officer was killed. One of these men, Reuben Alford confessed to a murder of a Forest Ranger Will Turbeville September 1, 1934. Forest Ranger W.E. Jordan was already serving a twenty five year sentence for the crime along with two other men. These three were released after this confession and two other men arrested and charged along with Alford. Research and information by Michelle Smith and Faith Serafin |
| Investigation of the Coving County Jail Members on this investigation: Faith Serafin, Cassie Clark, Michelle Smith, Mike Donaldson, Karen Davis, Roger Cender. Media coverage provided by the Andalusia Star News The Covington County Jail in Andalusia, Alabama offered the Alabama Paranormal Research Team a little more then we bargained for. The building is some what structurally sound but with a lot of debris and hazards. Our team traveled to Andalusia at the request of local historians and the Andalusia Police Department, who wanted better insight on how and what REAL ghost hunters do. The jail proved to be tougher then expected. Our set up area was small and it was more then 90 degrees inside the climate controlled part of the building. After set up we did discover a location in the building that seemed to have random spike in EMF that had no electrical source. This solitary cell would later prove to us again that some type of activity. Officer Cody Warren of the Andalusia Police Department did a building sweep with his narcotics K9 "Klod". Klod showed particular interest in the solitary cell as well as an upstairs heater in the general population areas.Our team was surprised at how fast the activity seemed to pick up in the building. Almost right away we began to have experiences. Hearing the voices of unseen forces and finding cold spots with in the building seemed to be a common occurrence for almost every member there that night. Also strange phantom smells of new paint and even a report of a panic like feeling came from a usually calm and collective member. |
Here are a few EVP's captured while on this investigation. More EVP's from the Covington County investigation can be heard on our EVP page along with many more. Click here to go to the EVP Page. |
- Founder and Investigator Faith Serafin ask if the
unseen force present with them is upset that there
was a police officer in the room. The voice of what
sounds like a man answers her with a "Yup"
- While goofing off on investigation. What we
initially thought may have just been a echo.
Turned out to be a possible EVP. The Voice of the
(Espanol) and then the second it answers!
| Photo and Video Evidence Typically our team will dismiss most photo's of supposed "orbs" as debris or dust. However this photo seems to show an orb very similar to what most researchers refer to as a "true orb" being illuminated with it's own flight pattern and no translucent quality. Investigator Michelle Smith captured this photo inside the Kitchen also located in the basement of the Covington County Jail. This type of orb has also been captured on video by our team on prior investigation. you can view it by Clicking here: Go to Video's |
| Non-Paranormal Photo's and information |
| The general population area were 6 prisoners would be kept per cell. 3 bunks on either side make for a very uncomfortable situation. |
| The fortress like structure of the building is in a somewhat sound condition. An eerie reminder of what could come to pass is the only view from the old jail, the haunting view of the Andalusia's city cemeteries. Also noted for it's paranormal Activity. |
