Ashley's Restaurant

DID YOU KNOW

Ashley’s Restaurant

HEY THERE GHOST ENTHUSIASTS

Ashley’s Restaurant is located in Rockledge off of US1. It has been standing since the early 1930s and was built after a Railroad Depot Station burned to the ground at the location. It has changed ownerships as well as names over the almost 100 years of its existence. The original owner was Jack Allen, who built the English-style building and named it Jack’s Tavern.

It is known to be haunted by Ethel Allen, yes, the same Ethel Allen you learned about in my last Did You Know newsletter! She is buried in the Georgiana Cemetery after her body was found in the Indian River, mutilated and burned. The last place she was seen alive was at Jack’s Tavern, a place she was known to frequent often. Although Ethel and Jack share the same last name, it is unknown if they were indeed related.

There are various stories, mainly from paranormal investigators, regarding her death. Some say she was murdered inside the building, going as far as saying she was stabbed on the stairwell and later died in the powder room. Nonetheless, there have been several sightings of a woman dressed in 1920s style clothing seen on the stairs as well as in the women’s bathroom.

Ethel isn’t the only spirit known to haunt what is now called Ashley’s Restaurant. There is a little girl who has also been seen. She apparently died in a car crash out front, and the thought is her spirit wandered into the restaurant and hasn’t left.

An older gentleman who used to live upstairs and was employed at the restaurant at one point in time, is said to also be walking around. Employees have witnessed objects being moved as well as noises and a woman screaming.

According to Ashley’s of Rockledge Facebook page, there is a paranormal investigator who comes every Monday night to do an investigation.

Whether you’re a fan of ghosts or not, enjoy the ambiance! They have a wide variety of food choices and an inside and outside bar. I recommend sitting upstairs so you can look down and feel the ambience of the building. Be sure to take a restroom break at some point, who knows you could be the next eyewitness or find yourself on a paranormal episode!