THE STRANAHAN HOUSE
335 SOUTHEAST 6TH AVENUE
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA

     The Stranahan House, now 109 years old, served the Fort Lauderdale community for many years and deserves its place on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. It was used over the years, starting in 1901, as a trading post, a town hall, a post office and a bank and, finally, as home to Frank Stranahan, its original builder, and his family. Today, this house is a museum and a tribute to the family who gave so much to Fort Lauderdale.
     Known as one of the top ten most haunted places in the United States, the Stranahan House is the only place where nearly every ghost is known by name. It is said there are six ghosts in this home and all, but one, are related. Within the family spectral group is Frank Stranahan who committed suicide by chaining a metal gate to his leg and jumping into the river after his fortune was eaten up by the devastating effects of a hurricane and The Depression. It is debated whether his ghost haunts the house, but he has been seen by the water reliving his death over and over again. Ivy Stranahan, who died in 1973 of natural causes tends to spend her time rocking in her favorite rocking chair in front of the fireplace. Pink Cromartie Moss, Ivy's sister, hemorrhaged to death in the parlor in 1926 after delivering a stillborn baby and is seen upon occasion. Augustus Cromartie, Ivy's father, came to live at the Stranahan house and passed of respiratory failure. He enjoys causing a ruckus in the gift shop. Albert Stranahan, Frank's younger brother, died in the house of either tuberculosis or consumption and tends to be a bit of an angry ghost. Last, but not least, is the unknown little native girl who came to the house one day and collapsed of unknown causes in the doorway of the house. She is still seen within the house and also in the back yard.
     It is not surprising that many of the family members still remain in this house as it was not only their home but also their livelihood. It is a place of familiarity and comfort where they can rest as they wait for Frank Stranahan to forgive himself and move forward on his journey. Then, perhaps, they can all move forward together.

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