Micanopy Florida
Herlong Mansion Bed & Breakfast
Shortly before dying, this spirit finally
became an owner with plans that went unfinished.
Guess who is said to visit or reside there?
Someone else keeps her company.
DESCRIPTION
Herlong Mansion represents “Olde Florida at its Best.”
This 10,000 sq ft, three story Greek Revival Neo-Classical mansion, built in 1845, has been described in glowing terms as being “one of the most elegant B & Bs in the country. It has been featured in travel magazines and on television shows such as ABC’s Good Morning America, Southern Living Magazine, Conde Nast, Southern Lady, Ocala Style Magazine, World Travel Magazine and many more.
As is common with 19th Century homes, the Herlong Mansion features a central hallway that runs on both floors from the front of the house to the back. Rooms are located off these halls. At the front of the house is a wide, two story covered front porch with chairs and tables to sit.
The large grounds have recently been replanted and redesigned by the last owners, creating a beautiful oasis for guests to enjoy. The landscaping is the cherry on the top of this beautiful property.
The Herlong Mansion has thirteen rooms and suites to offer its guests. “Thirteen Rooms/Suites including two Cottages, thirteen Bathrooms, three Half Baths, one Reception Hall, two acres, a Chef Kitchen with a Double Oven and an eight burner cook-top, two washing machines/three dryers, a Ford Model A, and a 1910 Horse Carriage.”
There are many choices for guests to choose from: Azalea Suite * Camellia Suite * Carriage House * Dogwood Room * Herlong Suite * Iris Suite * Jasmine Room * Magnolia Room * Oak Room * Palm Room * Pump House Cottage * Rose Room * Wisteria Room.
Antiques are found in every room, along with the original “intricately laid floors using oak, maple, and mahogany,” hand-carved wooden decor and panels, and other Neo-Classical embellishments.
WEDDINGS AND OCCASIONS – Because Herlong Mansion has a beer and wine license and a restaurant license, it is a popular place for social events.
In 2018 and 2019, in preparation for selling the Mansion, the owners spent $350,000 for major improvements, which included: “repaved asphalt, seven updated bathrooms, new bedding/linens, an all new kitchen and laundry appliances, thirteen brand new A/C units, new landscaping, freshly painted exterior, one hundred and fifty-five new wedding chairs, new décor throughout the mansion, a new storage shed with all new landscape/maintenance equipment and a fully renovated reception hall.” (Loop net.com website)
While the owners didn’t exactly get the price they wanted, they were able to sell the mansion in the middle of the Covid Pandemic and made some of their money back. The new owners have embraced the property and in the tradition of past owners offer fine hospitality and do their best to maintain and improve the mansion and its grounds.
HISTORY
Built by the Simonton family in 1845, the original house was a simple, “cracker style” two story, pine farm building with a detached, separate kitchen. The Simontons were one of the founding families in Micanopy, and they chose a plot of land near a trade route, probably near where the major highway, I 75, is today.
In 1910, a Simonton daughter, Natalie, married a wealthy entrepreneur, Zetty Herlong, who did some major remodeling, turning the house into the splendid Greek Revival Neo-Classical mansion it is today. Corinthian style columns greet the visitor in front, and rich touches such as elegant leaded-glass windows, fine wood paneling, and intricately laid floors are found throughout its interior.
Natalie and her husband wound up with a showcase mansion that had plenty of room, three stories and an attic. Together, they had six children: Mae, Natalie (nicknamed “Pink”), V.J., John, Dorothy, and Inez.
A friend of Inez who grew up with her described her as being “a true southern aristocrat,” who was “real considerate and thoughtful,” and also “Always helping the needy.”
There are several different stories. One says that Natalie died in the house. Zetty Herlong married again and closed up the house, wanting to forget it. However, the children didn’t forget their forever home and all wanted it when their father passed on.
Another story claims that Inez was the eldest daughter and she moved into the house in 1909. Forty years later when her parent(s) died, the house was left in the will to all six children, which started a long court battle.
Yet, another story claims that when the Herlong father died, all the children wanted the house for themselves. Mae, Natalie, V.J., John, Dorothy, and Inez wound up in court for eighteen years.
Finally, Inez Herlong Miller, by now a sixty-eight year old retired teacher and dress shop owner, finally had the money to buy out her siblings with the proceeds from an insurance payout after the death of her husband. Inez had dreams to renovate the mansion. Unfortunately, soon after taking possession of the mansion, she was found dead in her childhood room from a diabetic episode.
Her son, who inherited the mansion, didn’t have the same passion for restoration, and let it slide further into disrepair. It was sold in 1986 as a nearly creaky, fixer-upper opportunity. The sale was the beginning of Herlong Mansion’s revival and renewal into an appealing property once more.
A series of owners, each with a passion to restore, worked on the mansion, bringing it back to its former glory. It opened as a bed and breakfast, with six beautifully decorated guest rooms, three impressive suites, and three lovely cottages.
After the last of the former owners invested $350,000 in property improvements, making it truly turn-key, they put the Herlong back on the market at the end of 2019. Unfortunately, the COVID virus hit America and there were no buyers. After dropping the price, it finally sold. Herlong Mansion and its grounds were too glorious to resist for the new owners.
In 2021, all COVID restrictions have been lifted in Florida, and guests flocked once again to Herlong. It looks like a terrific place for social events too!
HISTORY OF MANIFESTATIONS
When people die before they can begin or finish an important project or reach an important goal, they can become restless spirits.
Hunt/Phelan Mansion, TN (A trusted servant is still trying to finish an assigned task).
Liberty Hall, KY (Mrs. Varick had traveled to Liberty Hall to comfort and help her grieving niece, who had lost a child. Unfortunately, Mrs. Varick died not long after arriving. As a spirit she has made up for it in the afterlife).
The Infirmary For Women, KY (Three charity hospital female patients who wound up dying in childbirth couldn’t rest until they found out if their babies had lived).
Herlong Mansion Bed and Breakfast, FL (Natalie Herlong died suddenly before she could finish raising her children. Inez Herlong Miller died from a diabetic episode before she could fulfill her dream of restoring her beloved family home).
People who love their forever homes while alive sometimes choose to stay in them in their afterlives.
Joslyn Castle, NE (The three members of the Joslyn family decided to stay in their beloved home to enjoy the place and keep an eye on the activities of the living, all of which must please them).
Hartford Twain House Museum, CT (The entire Twain family moved back inside as spirits).
Whaley House, CA (Some spirit members of the Whaley family have moved back inside their home).
Herlong Mansion Bed and Breakfast, FL (The spirit of Inez still enjoys the family forever home, which she truly loved, while encouraging its owners to restore and maintain her home. The spirit of Natalie is also there to keep her daughter company, and enjoys being in the home she loved).
When a family member decides to spend their afterlife in a favorite place in this world, sometimes another family spirit stays too, to keep him or her company while fulfilling their own reasons for staying.
Stranahan House, FL (The spirit of Mrs. Stranahan is still the hostess she always was. She takes care of the spirits of her husband, her black sheep brother, and her father).
Old Allen House, AR (The spirit of the Allen daughter stays here, along with her son. The spirits of her parents like to visit).
LeDuc Mansion, MN (The patriarch of the LeDuc family has chosen to spend his afterlife in his forever home. The spirit of his daughter stays with him to keep him company and enjoy the family mansion).
Herlong Mansion Bed and Breakfast, FL (The spirit of Inez decided to stay in the house that she loved, as well as keep a friendly eye on the owners. The spirit of her mother, Natalie, decided to stay with her, and enjoys being the spectral hostess, giving a hand to the living by providing hospitality to guests).
MANIFESTATIONS
Both spirits who reside here died too soon to suit their own goals. The spirit of Inez apparently still loves her forever home, and perhaps wants to enjoy all the perks that come from all the hard work done in restoring and renovating this structure.
Inez has spectral company. The spirit of her mother, Natalie, takes care of the guests as the spectral hostess, enjoying the house she loved but most of all being with her youngest daughter, who she didn’t get to raise to maturity.
First Indications
When the mansion was being renovated, people working on it were treated to footsteps and the sound of doors opening and closing.
In particular, the door entering Inez’s room had a mind of its own!
Guests report that curtains in their room were moving without benefit of any breeze.
Voices
Disembodied voices have been heard, as well as creaking floorboards when no one living was walking on them.
When one guest heard someone walking around his room, he asked, “Who are you?” The spirit answered in a disembodied voice: “Natalie.”
Inez’s Favorite Room
One of the places Inez likes to hang out is her old room on the third floor, now called Inez’s Suite.
It is quite a nice room now, with a queen size antique brass bed, and an elegant sitting area.
The room also has a large, white-tiled deck with a Jacuzzi spa (with two under leaded glass windows, handmade leaded glass lighting fixtures, a full bath and shower, robes and a stereo).
Inez should be very pleased!
Discreet Appearances
The spirit of Inez likes to discreetly show herself in mirrors.
In the late 1990s, a couple spent the night in the Inez Suite.
They could hardly believe their eyes!
Looking in the mirror located over the dressing table, they happened to see a female apparition floating peacefully across the room, wearing a red shawl over her head, so her features weren’t visible.
They could only see her by looking in the mirror itself.
Perhaps Inez thought it was rude to appear directly in front of them, and chose to let her presence be known discreetly.
Spectral Hostess on the Veranda
One early morning, a female guest was sitting in a chair on the second floor, enjoying a warm drink.
Feeling someone watching her, she looked up and saw a pleasant looking woman standing there looking at her, smiling benignly.
The woman vanished as quickly as she came.
It was probably the spirit of Natalie, because Inez likes to make discreet appearances.
Natalie was likely checking to be sure that her guest was properly cared for and comfortable.
Activity on the Staircase
Footsteps have been heard going up and down the stairs.
Witnesses report whiffs of white smoke going up and down the staircase.
Stopping Mischief
An owner’s two sons decided to “prank” the guests in the room below their room.
Just before they started, a kind-looking lady appeared behind them, probably with an amused look on her face.
Natalie had raised six children and knew all about pranking. Her expression said the words;”I know what you are going to do.”
When they felt her presence behind them, they looked and saw her. She then disappeared.
They didn’t try to scare the guests anymore.
PARANORMAL FINDINGS
Guests, restoration/renovation workers, and some owners and their families have had personal experiences with both Inez and Natalie.
Paranormal investigators have caught evidence. During one investigation, researchers got readings which were noticeably higher at the top of the stairs and in Inez’s room as well.
STILL HAUNTED?
Most Probably so!
Today, the owners claim that the spirits are now at peace and have gone to the other side. Others think that both benign and happy spirits like to visit a lot or even still reside here. The spirit of Natalie still plays the role of spectral hostess, and cares about her guests. The spirit of Inez still offers encouragement to the owners in keeping the house pristine and lovely. Both spirits also enjoy visiting and/or residing in the restored and renovated Herlong Mansion, their forever home.
LOCATION
Herlong Mansion Bed and Breakfast
402 N.E. Cholokka Blvd.
Micanopy, FL 32667
The Herlong Mansion Bed and Breakfast is located just off I 75 and just 15 minutes away from The University of Florida campus and stadium. The town of Micanopy is where the film “Doc Hollywood” was made. Herlong Mansion is included in the Micanopy Historic District.
SOURCES INCLUDE
- https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Halloween/halloween-dining-uninvited-woman-white/story?id=11811732 Dining With the Uninvited ‘Woman in White, By OLIVIA STACEY
- https://herlong.com
- https://www.innshopper.com/ViewListing.aspx?ListingID=6400
- https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/402-NE-Cholokka-Blvd-Micanopy-FL/19047457/
- https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/421fddbb-ced3-4c90-89f7-b8e9fc674006
Our Haunted Paranormal Stories are Written by Julie Carr
