Ghosts at the Porch

Poogan's Porch

     Before leaving Charleston South Carolina, I think it would be nice to pay a visit to Number 72 Queen Street and Poogan’s Porch. Open since the mid-seventies, Poogan’s Porch is considered to be one of Charleston’s most haunted restaurants! 

    The building which now makes up the restaurant has been in existence since 1888 and was a private residence. The Story however begins later on, around 1900 when it was the residence of one Zoe St. Amand and her sister, Elizabeth. Zoe had been a school teacher and looked every bit the spinster, wearing long black dresses and round wire rimmed glasses, while sister Elizabeth, chose to dress in lighter and brighter clothing although she too, for that time in history, could be called a spinster as well. The sisters preferred each other’s company than in the company of others and pretty much kept to themselves. When Elizabeth died in 1945, Zoe became incredibly lonely and with the loneliness there came depression. Her state of mental health deteriorated and neighbors would often see and hear her calling out for her sister who was now dead and buried. It’s reported that her neighbors finally decided that it was in her best interests to be placed in a hospital and she was take to St. Francis Hospital and it was there where Zoe lived out the rest of her life. The property went through a couple of different owners afterwards and then became a restaurant.
     Poogan’s Porch got it’s unique name from the circumstances of the current owner’s purchase of the property when the previous owners had sold the house, they moved away. But a little and adorable pup named Poogan stayed behind. As far as Poogan was concerned, the porch of the house was his. See, Poogan was a local fixture in the neighborhood for years, wandering from porch to porch in search of attention (he loved his back scratched) and table scraps, becoming a kind of pet for the entire neighborhood. Poogan died of natural causes in 1979 and he is greatly missed by all.

     Since the restaurant opened, there have been numerous sightings of Zoe St. Amand, not only from employees and customers of the restaurant, but from guests of the Mills House Hotel which is located across the street who claim to have seen Zoe waving at them from a second floor window. What is so interesting about Zoe’s ghost is that a great deal who come into contact with her spirit, have no idea that she’s a ghost. She’ll walk into the ladies room and those already in it won’t realize that she’s a ghost until they see her photograph which hangs on the wall. Even local police have responded to calls of people going past the restaurant that an elderly woman was locked inside the restaurant after closing!
     Guests have also seen the spirit of Poogan the pooch as well and have felt his presence moving about the tables in search of a petting and ear scratching from the living

     I’m not sure how or why Charleston has voted Poogan’s Porch to be one of the most haunted restaurants in the city, as only Zoe and Poogan haunt it, but I will say that it’s gotta be one of the best places to grab a good meal in the city of Charleston with offerings of fried green tomatoes, the best fried chicken in South Carolina and an excellent seafood selection. The best time to catch Zoe moving about the restaurant is late evening and it’s best to make reservations...

Here's a video which I happened to come across

about the restaurant and it's hauntings

Have a good day all!