The Hauntings at SouthTown

Posted: 07.31.2024 | Updated: 07.31.2024

Southtown, San Antonio, is a vivid example of rapid gentrification, where high-rise developers and countless investment firms raced to buy up inexpensive real estate, flip it, and profit from the changes. What was once a gritty, almost forgotten part of the city—nicknamed "Mordor" by locals—has been transformed. The result is a neighborhood where long-time residents like Kenny McCormick have woken up to find their property taxes suddenly doubled, an unwelcome side effect of SouthTown's rapid evolution.Southtown is a neighborhood that has experienced both grandeur and decline. It started off with promise and prosperity, only to spiral into a chaotic mix of vice and desperation. At its lowest, Southtown was a place comparable to war-torn Sarajevo in the late '80s, with an air of lawlessness that made it dangerous to outsiders.It was a battleground where survival of the fittest reigned, and rumors even spread that the CDC was considering checkpoints to contain the chaos. 

Why Is Southtown so haunted?

 Given its tumultuous history, it’s no surprise that Southtown has become a hotspot for ghostly activity. Read on to learn more about Southtown's dark past and the spirits that inhabit its night. Ready to see some of San Antonio's most haunted locations in person? Book a ghost tour with River City Ghosts! 

The Ghosts of Southtown

 The neighborhood is rich in the kind of history, murder, and mystery that would make it the perfect setting for a Stephen King novel. Urban legends abound, and ghost tours capitalize on the area's dark past, enticing visitors with tales of restless spirits and even Elder Gods rumored to frequent the local eateries.Southtown has become synonymous with the otherworldly, a place where every creaky floorboard and whispering wind is attributed to the unexplained. The neighborhood is home to numerous haunted locations, each one with its own eerie stories and resident spirits. 

The Old Methodist Church

 One of SouthTown’s most infamous landmarks is the Old Methodist Church on South Alamo Street, built in the early 1900s. Over the decades, the church has served various purposes, from a place of worship to a theater, and from a restaurant to an event center. During the times when ownership changed hands, the church became a refuge for society’s outcasts, a place where the high and low mingled in a shared space of decay.In the early 1970s, the church was a haven for pimps and street hustlers, adding to its already dark reputation. It was during this time that rumors of ghosts and spirits began to circulate, turning the church into a gathering spot for spirits and unexplained activity.A local paranormal society conducted an investigation that only fueled the neighborhood’s fears. While the ghost hunters were on site, the spirits kept their distance. But once the team left, the ghosts came out in full force, leaving behind a treasure trove of eerie recordings and photos.Part of the Old Methodist Church was later transformed into Frank’s, a hot dog joint with a twist. Initially a simple spot for ballpark franks and cold beer, Frank’s evolved as SouthTown began to attract a new crowd. The restaurant introduced a cocktail menu and embraced its role in the neighborhood’s growing trendiness.But Frank’s isn’t just known for its food and drinks; it’s also known for its ghosts. Built in 1912, the restaurant shares space with the Old Methodist Church and has become a revolving door for the neighborhood’s spirits.One of the most famous specters at Frank’s is the ghost of a theater actress who mixed too many pills with too many martinis one fateful night. Her spirit now drifts through Frank’s, seeking her nightly fix of alcohol, brushing up against patrons, and whispering ghostly sweet nothings into their ears. Known for her flirtatious nature, she sometimes pinches the occasional behind, leaving behind the distinct smell of booze and cigarette smoke.Then there’s Eddie, a mischievous poltergeist who delights in causing chaos. Eddie is a staple of the Southtown area, known for wreaking havoc on the streets and in local venues.“We even have cocktails named after them,” says Daniel Northcutt, co-owner of Frank’s. It’s our way of showing appreciation for their patronage. You have to be a good neighbor—that’s the key to living with ghosts—especially Eddie. If you don’t give Eddie respect, he throws a temper tantrum and messes up our basement.” 

More Hauntings in Southtown

 SouthTown is filled with haunted spots beyond just Frank’s and the Old Methodist Church. The Guenther House Museum, for example, is known for its ghostly orbs that hover near the windows at night. Visitors have reported hearing the cries of a small girl by the front door, adding to the museum's eerie atmosphere.There’s also a running trail along the San Antonio River just off the South Alamo Street crossing, where joggers and late-night lovers have been startled by apparitions crawling out of the murky water. The river, once a convenient place to dispose of bodies, has a dark history of its own, and it’s not uncommon for these restless spirits to make their presence known. 

Haunted San Antonio

 Southtown is a neighborhood that has undergone a dramatic transformation from a gritty, dangerous area to a trendy, sought-after location. But beneath its new facade lies a dark and haunted past that refuses to be forgotten. With its rich history of violence, mystery, and otherworldly encounters, Southtown remains one of San Antonio’s most intriguing and haunted neighborhoods.Check out our blog for more sordid stories of San Antonio, and to see some of these locations in person, book a ghost tour with River City Ghosts! Sources:https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2023/10/27/local-ghost-chasers-using-new-technology-to-capture-the-unknown/https://www.expressnews.com/news/article/afterlife-paranormal-activity-san-antonio-18452409.php