CULLMAN, Ala. – On Saturday evening, May 2, visitors gathered at Sipsey Winery for a guided ghost walk that combined local history and hands-on activities along Cullman’s historic downtown streets.
Lesley Ann Hyde, owner and founder of The Southern Ghost Girls Tours, led the event with team member and lead guide Sherri Hankey. Hyde said the tours began in 2019 but were put on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic. She said she brought them back because of strong interest and Cullman’s rich history.
“We’ve done tours in other places over the years, but Cullman has such a deep history that I wanted to restart them here,” Hyde said.
Saturday’s walk was one of several events planned for the year. Organizers hope to hold tours at least once a month, each time highlighting different parts of the city. Past tours have included fall walks that supported Relay for Life and winter “Ghosts of Christmas Past” tours.
This time, participants started at Sipsey Winery and walked along First Avenue, one of Cullman’s oldest streets, established in 1873. Along the way, guides stopped at historic sites and shared stories about how the buildings were used in the past and their role in Cullman’s growth.
“We focus on the real history of these places,” Hyde said. “A lot of people are surprised by what used to be here and how the town has changed.”
Besides sharing stories, guides showed attendees some of the tools used in investigative-style tours, like dowsing rods and other equipment, making the experience more interactive.
The events are open to everyone. Families, couples and groups of friends often join, and the tours are kept family-friendly to welcome the whole community.
“It’s something different for people to do,” Hankey said. “By the end of the tour, people who didn’t know each other at the start are talking and connecting.”
Hyde pointed out that the tours are about more than just entertainment. Part of the money from each event goes to local charities and historic preservation, including groups like United Way and Relay for Life. The tours also support local businesses by working with places like Sipsey Winery and making them part of the experience.
“We want to support the community while also bringing people together and sharing its history,” Hyde said.
For more details about upcoming tours, visit www.facebook.com/southernghostgirls.
