| Covington County Jail Andalusia, AL. |
The History of the Covington County
Andalusia, Alabama is a rural country town with a history as rich as black berry cobbler. The name "Andalusia" comes from
two Spanish words meaning "to walk easy" in other words Andalusia is a place where many folks feel comfortable. The warm
southern hospitality here can be felt by on every corner from the city square to it's quite country roads. Originally settled by
Creek Indians the location was first known as Montezuma. Historical figures such as Ponce de Leon, General and later
president Andrew Jackson, & Desoto are said to have traveled through the location. Many Immigrants settled here after the
Native Americans were removed from the location. However in the 1841 the area flooded and an epidemic of yellow fever
and flus broke out killing many. The remaining settlers moved to higher ground which is now the current location and renamed
it "New Site." in 1846 the town was established as "Andalusia" and the town's square grew.
The Covington County Jail was added to the National Historic Register in 1989, the Covington County Jail sits behind the
newest court house in Andalusia, Alabama. Mostly used from 1900-1949, and closed in the 1970's this jail housed inmates
from one nighters to the most seasoned criminal.
One of Andalusia's most famous over nighters was Hank Williams Sr. He was brought into the Covington County Jail on a
drunk and disorderly charge. According to local historians. He was playing a New Years eve party at a local establishment.
Hank and Aubrey Williams were married in Covington County. A Historical marker in down town Andalusia marks the occasion
as is the marriage certificate still kept on file inside the Covington County court house. Hank Williams Sr. Child hood home lies
just out side of Andalusia in Georgiana were he grew up. Also a museum dedicated to Mr. Williams located there is a
historical attraction.
Covington County Jail was also involved in one of the few cases of Marshall Law in the State of Alabama. December 6, 1901,
Sheriff Bradshaw and Governor Jenks contacted the Greenville National Guard and warned them of a pending riot totalling
about four hundred men on the jail after twenty five black men were arrested for the murder of a merchant and a US Marshall in
Opp, Alabama, Andalusia’s sister city. The mob never made it to the jail, but they left four men dead in their wake, killing three
black men in Opp and tying another to a tree and setting him on fire.
It seems as though this jail housed many killers in the early days and at least three of those instances, a law enforcement
officer was killed. One of these men, Reuben Alford confessed to a murder of a Forest Ranger Will Turbeville September 1,
1934. Forest Ranger W.E. Jordan was already serving a twenty five year sentence for the crime along with two other men.
These three were released after this confession and two other men arrested and charged along with Alford.
Research and information by Michelle Smith and Faith Serafin
Andalusia, Alabama is a rural country town with a history as rich as black berry cobbler. The name "Andalusia" comes from
two Spanish words meaning "to walk easy" in other words Andalusia is a place where many folks feel comfortable. The warm
southern hospitality here can be felt by on every corner from the city square to it's quite country roads. Originally settled by
Creek Indians the location was first known as Montezuma. Historical figures such as Ponce de Leon, General and later
president Andrew Jackson, & Desoto are said to have traveled through the location. Many Immigrants settled here after the
Native Americans were removed from the location. However in the 1841 the area flooded and an epidemic of yellow fever
and flus broke out killing many. The remaining settlers moved to higher ground which is now the current location and renamed
it "New Site." in 1846 the town was established as "Andalusia" and the town's square grew.
The Covington County Jail was added to the National Historic Register in 1989, the Covington County Jail sits behind the
newest court house in Andalusia, Alabama. Mostly used from 1900-1949, and closed in the 1970's this jail housed inmates
from one nighters to the most seasoned criminal.
One of Andalusia's most famous over nighters was Hank Williams Sr. He was brought into the Covington County Jail on a
drunk and disorderly charge. According to local historians. He was playing a New Years eve party at a local establishment.
Hank and Aubrey Williams were married in Covington County. A Historical marker in down town Andalusia marks the occasion
as is the marriage certificate still kept on file inside the Covington County court house. Hank Williams Sr. Child hood home lies
just out side of Andalusia in Georgiana were he grew up. Also a museum dedicated to Mr. Williams located there is a
historical attraction.
Covington County Jail was also involved in one of the few cases of Marshall Law in the State of Alabama. December 6, 1901,
Sheriff Bradshaw and Governor Jenks contacted the Greenville National Guard and warned them of a pending riot totalling
about four hundred men on the jail after twenty five black men were arrested for the murder of a merchant and a US Marshall in
Opp, Alabama, Andalusia’s sister city. The mob never made it to the jail, but they left four men dead in their wake, killing three
black men in Opp and tying another to a tree and setting him on fire.
It seems as though this jail housed many killers in the early days and at least three of those instances, a law enforcement
officer was killed. One of these men, Reuben Alford confessed to a murder of a Forest Ranger Will Turbeville September 1,
1934. Forest Ranger W.E. Jordan was already serving a twenty five year sentence for the crime along with two other men.
These three were released after this confession and two other men arrested and charged along with Alford.
Research and information by Michelle Smith and Faith Serafin
Investigation of the Coving County Jail
Members on this investigation: Faith Serafin, Cassie Clark, Michelle Smith, Mike Donaldson, Karen Davis, Roger Cender.
Media coverage provided by the Andalusia Star News
The Covington County Jail in Andalusia, Alabama offered the Alabama Paranormal Research Team a little more then we
bargained for. The building is some what structurally sound but with a lot of debris and hazards. Our team traveled to Andalusia
at the request of local historians and the Andalusia Police Department, who wanted better insight on how and what REAL ghost
hunters do. The jail proved to be tougher then expected. Our set up area was small and it was more then 90 degrees inside
the climate controlled part of the building. After set up we did discover a location in the building that seemed to have random
spike in EMF that had no electrical source. This solitary cell would later prove to us again that some type of activity. Officer
Cody Warren of the Andalusia Police Department did a building sweep with his narcotics K9 "Klod". Klod showed particular
interest in the solitary cell as well as an upstairs heater in the general population areas.Our team was surprised at how fast the
activity seemed to pick up in the building. Almost right away we began to have experiences. Hearing the voices of unseen
forces and finding cold spots with in the building seemed to be a common occurrence for almost every member there that
night. Also strange phantom smells of new paint and even a report of a panic like feeling came from a usually calm and
collective member.
Members on this investigation: Faith Serafin, Cassie Clark, Michelle Smith, Mike Donaldson, Karen Davis, Roger Cender.
Media coverage provided by the Andalusia Star News
The Covington County Jail in Andalusia, Alabama offered the Alabama Paranormal Research Team a little more then we
bargained for. The building is some what structurally sound but with a lot of debris and hazards. Our team traveled to Andalusia
at the request of local historians and the Andalusia Police Department, who wanted better insight on how and what REAL ghost
hunters do. The jail proved to be tougher then expected. Our set up area was small and it was more then 90 degrees inside
the climate controlled part of the building. After set up we did discover a location in the building that seemed to have random
spike in EMF that had no electrical source. This solitary cell would later prove to us again that some type of activity. Officer
Cody Warren of the Andalusia Police Department did a building sweep with his narcotics K9 "Klod". Klod showed particular
interest in the solitary cell as well as an upstairs heater in the general population areas.Our team was surprised at how fast the
activity seemed to pick up in the building. Almost right away we began to have experiences. Hearing the voices of unseen
forces and finding cold spots with in the building seemed to be a common occurrence for almost every member there that
night. Also strange phantom smells of new paint and even a report of a panic like feeling came from a usually calm and
collective member.
Audio Evidence
Here are a few EVP's captured while on this investigation. More EVP's from the Covington County investigation can be
heard on our EVP page along with many more. Click here to go to the EVP Page.
Here are a few EVP's captured while on this investigation. More EVP's from the Covington County investigation can be
heard on our EVP page along with many more. Click here to go to the EVP Page.
 | Founder and Investigator Faith Serafin ask if the unseen force | |
| present with them is upset that there was a police officer in the room. The voice of what sounds like a man answers her with a "Yup" |
| While goofing off on investigation. What we initially thought may | |
| have just been a echo. Turned out to be a possible EVP. The Voice of the investigator seems to echo in the first question (Espanol) and then the second it answers! |
Photo and Video Evidence
Typically our team will dismiss most photo's of supposed "orbs" as debris or dust. However this photo seems to show an
orb very similar to what most researchers refer to as a "true orb" being illuminated with it's own flight pattern and no translucent
quality. Investigator Michelle Smith captured this photo inside the Kitchen also located in the basement of the Covington
County Jail. This type of orb has also been captured on video by our team on prior investigation. you can view it by Clicking
here: Go to Video's
Typically our team will dismiss most photo's of supposed "orbs" as debris or dust. However this photo seems to show an
orb very similar to what most researchers refer to as a "true orb" being illuminated with it's own flight pattern and no translucent
quality. Investigator Michelle Smith captured this photo inside the Kitchen also located in the basement of the Covington
County Jail. This type of orb has also been captured on video by our team on prior investigation. you can view it by Clicking
here: Go to Video's
Non-Paranormal Photo's and information
The stairs inside the jail are actually
rounded on the ends and designed
"short" intentionally. In the event a
prisoner would try to escape inside
the jail the stairs are designed to
trip them or cause them to stumble
or fall down the stairs.
rounded on the ends and designed
"short" intentionally. In the event a
prisoner would try to escape inside
the jail the stairs are designed to
trip them or cause them to stumble
or fall down the stairs.
The general population area
were 6 prisoners would be kept
per cell. 3 bunks on either side
make for a very uncomfortable
situation.
were 6 prisoners would be kept
per cell. 3 bunks on either side
make for a very uncomfortable
situation.
Heavy iron doors with bars are
located in the solitary confinement
areas of the jail's second floor. Also
located here a cell known as "The
Hole" a confinement cell with no
window on the walls or door. This
area would have been a horrible
place to spend any amount of time.
located in the solitary confinement
areas of the jail's second floor. Also
located here a cell known as "The
Hole" a confinement cell with no
window on the walls or door. This
area would have been a horrible
place to spend any amount of time.
The fortress like structure of
the building is in a somewhat
sound condition. An eerie
reminder of what could come
to pass is the only view from
the old jail, the haunting view
of the Andalusia's city
cemeteries. Also noted for
it's paranormal Activity.
the building is in a somewhat
sound condition. An eerie
reminder of what could come
to pass is the only view from
the old jail, the haunting view
of the Andalusia's city
cemeteries. Also noted for
it's paranormal Activity.
