The Martin House

This book is pretty high on my list for thriller and suspense. The level of anticipation is compatible with Koontz in his younger years. I recommend this to all my friends especially since the house is real...

The house in question is well known to me. It is owned by the paper mill located just across the road from it and is used for functions such as meetings and perhaps a party every now and again, held by the corporation. The reason there is little history of the"horrors" that took place there, is simply because there IS NO history of horrors which took place there. The reason no one talks about these "horrors" or "ghosts", is because THERE AREN'T ANY. It is simply a house. A big, very old house. Nothing more. . . nothing less. The only hauntings of that place, are merely that which people choose to create within their own minds. Fiction, not fact. Not based in reality. Sorry to say this, but there is no "hauntings" at the Martin House.

It appears that there is controversy regarding this house. It is all good. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I asked to go in the house, to rent the house for an event, get a tour or even have some one get pictures for me. I was just curious as to what it looked like and to see if anything happened. They shot me down. Why? You are partially right. The corporation doesn't talk about the horrors but PEOPLE OF THE COMMUNITY DO. They talk about their encounters while near or around the place. They all can't be lying and I wouldn't want to be to the one to accuse them of it. OPINIONS everybody has them and are entitled to them. It doesn't mean a random person's words will sway what people believe. SORRY. It is what it is.

I don't know who this, "Mythbuster" is, but I have to wonder if they have ever personally done a paranormal investigation of The Martin House or any other place, for that matter? Are they personally trained, and/or qualified to make such a claim? Have they spent ANY amount of time, at The Martin House? Ever? Myth's as we all know, are generally stemmed from old stories. Stories that had to come from a personal experience, at some point. I find it very hard to believe that people just go around making stuff up. Especially, when this author interviewed people and those people shared their stories with her. Now, having said all of that, I have lived in this area for about 7-8 years now, this time. And, several times before then, for 2-3 years at a stint. I have always known The Martin House was haunted and that there was some horrific story behind it. There were people found in the lake, dead. There were murders inside of this house. Besides all of this? The book IS a novel. It doesn't claim, in any way, shape or form, to be a non-fiction writing.

Well I beg to differ, The house in question is exactly what she depicts in her story. I have lived in Bay County all of my life and my family has lived here and surrounding areas for MANY YEARS! Everyone who pays attention knows that The Martin House story is real and true. The Mill bought the house years ago because it was an historical sight and was going to be destroyed. It is closed off to the public and only used for functions instead of made into a bed and breakfast or Historical show home because of its history! If because of your religion or beliefs you don't agree with the history of the house and that it is Haunted then that is okay. Everyone is not on the same page and the haunting of this home are very true!

If the person calling themselves "mythbuster" could come to the front of the line I would like to respond in my defense. Firstly I would like to say if they could read they would see it is classified as a fiction read. Plain and Simple. I used true stories in which I was told. Secondly I would like to add that I have used interviews of which consisted of many respectable people. I wouldn't go so far as to say they are liars. I believe they were truthful. Thirdly I would also like to add that I, as does everyone am entitled to an opinion. You are entitled to yours. You are only 1 individual, 1vote and 1 voice. Thanks for your input but I believe you are outnumbered as far as who thinks something might have happened in that house. One of which was DECEASED MY MOTHER. Shall you call her a liar? Probably not a good idea. If you want to get into a debate on this subject I will not turn you down but you should know I have people who are dead set on the fact that they saw something within the house and the grounds on which it sits. I am here to defend those who spoke to me with the expectation of being taken seriously and not be ridiculed for their story. Once again thank you for your OPINION. OH and SANDY CREEK is only a hot minute away from the presses. Have a great day! Trina M. Ward

I wonder if Mythbuster has thought to actually take the time to read the book. It is clearly stated that it is fiction. Just because she thinks something actually took place in the house doesn't mean the story was stated to be a factual account. I have had several encounters within the house while at company functions within the Martin house. I believe there is something in the area that haunts it. Why are the upstairs rooms locked? Because it is unsafe? why? They would give no answer to that question. I have heard stories about the lake too. Bodies were found and parts of bodies were felt on the bottom but then disappeared. So mythbuster it seems you are outnumbered regarding the legitimacy of the pretense of the story. I suggest you do a little more investigating before putting your foot in your mouth. Rachel-35yr old Panama City Resident.

Ive never been able to confirm that anyone was ever killed there. However, when the house sat vacant in the 80's and early 90's you can easily confirm through public records that a satanic cult was evicted from the house. The upstairs of the house to this day still has signs on the walls and floors from their rituals. I truely believe that whatever happened during this time opened doors that havent been closed. I have personally seen and experienced things at this house that I wont even share on here because frankly, if I hadnt been there myself, I wouldnt belive that it really happened. I tempted whatever is there twice to show itself, and it did. I will never, ever, do it again, nor will I ever go back to this place.

I have personally seen and experienced things at this house I can not explain. I wont even begin to share my experiences here because frankly, if I hadnt expereienced it myself I wouldnt even believe it. The bottom line is this. Ive never been able to confirm that a murder happened at the Martin House but you can easily confirm that a satanic cult was evicted from the house while it sat abandoned by the police in the late 80's or early 90's. I remember reading it an article in the News Herald about it many years ago. If you ever get the opportunity to go in the upstairs of this house, which is not open to the public, the evidence of the cults presence is still evident everywhere. My freshman year of college I worked at a local TV station and was shown video from a news story that was taped there. The segment never aired due to what occured on the tape. I will never forget the things I saw on that tape, nor my personal experiences there. Whatever is in that house is not kind and does not mean well.

I've lived in Millville for 10 yrs. And I've had two experiences there. One night in '03, I saw the shape of a man on the porch looking at me. I was walking the Parker curve. And then in '04, I was parked in front of the house on the dirt road. There was a little girl in a pink dress in one of the upstair's windows. She was waving, then she looked behind her and started waving me to leave. My husband grew up here, and has been in the house. My brother in law went in there with him, and neither one of them will talk about what happened to them in there. All I know is something bad happened there.

I have lived in or around the Callaway area for the last 60 yrs there has always been rumors of the house being haunted..ive never seen anything but the 2 functions I attended years ago at night ..I did not feel comfortable in the house it was like someone was looking over your shoulders..i do not know if it was just my imagination or if it was something ...but when I drive by there I have no desire to ever go back on that property..as far as someone being murdered there its very possible considering the area it is located in back in the 60s it was a very very rough area ..

On June 20, 1941, my grandfather was murdered in what was being used as a garbage dump on the back side of the Martin House property close to the lake. A man was at the dump to get scraps for his hogs when he saw my grandfather being taken out of a car. He had already been beaten badly. The killer proceeded to stomp my grandfather until he died. The witness alerted the police and gave them a description of the killer and his car. Within a few weeks, the witness' body was found floating in Martin Lake. I won't go into more detail other than to say the killer was very easy to recognize due to a physical impairment, and he was a prominent business man in the area. Another witness also came forward and said he saw my grandfather in the company of 3 men earlier that afternoon and it appeared my grandfather was possibly drunk. The witness knew all 3 of the men, with one of them being the same man seen at the dump stomping my grandfather. As it turned out, my grandfather had no alcohol in his system per the coroner. No arrests were made and the case was closed. When I tried to get the records from the county, they said the courthouse roof had leaked and destroyed the records. The newspaper articles are very brief with no real information. They even misspelled my grandfather's name so badly, I had a hard time finding the articles. End of story. As for ghosts at the Martin House, I have never been there so I have no input on that subject. However, I well remember as we travelled north on Hwy 98 towards the papermill, my mother many times pointed towards the part of Martin Lake that is south of the Martin House property and she told me there were many unexplained deaths (other than the ones I have described) in that area. Bodies found floating, children killed by bank cave ins, etc. I wish I could remember more details, but I do know she described several.

Sorry to say the house is not some big mystery. Great grandfather retired from the papermill and he and great grandmother also attended party's the Martin house there's even a bayou and a road named after these two people who had lived here all there lives. Pratt bayou. And as no one talks of these ghost or killings and there's no history to be found on any murders cause there isn't any. But the local teenagers had to start some rumors years back just because its what kids and writers do, they make up things that interest them. I love to read so now I'll read the book and have a good laugh. Great granddaughter.

I have seen the inside of the house. I have been upstairs. The doors were kept locked because there is something no one can explain and it is better to leave the unknown alone. I was helping clean up after a function and when I heard something upstairs I went to investigate. As I stepped on the first stair the temperature dropped dramatically. I looked up to the top of the staircase and there was a woman in a white lace type dress standing there. She was transparent to a point. Her dress was long and flowing as if it were breezy in the house. She looked straight at me and put her finger over her mouth insinuating that I needed to be quiet. In that instant the door slammed and she was pulled backwards into one of the rooms. I heard a moan that haunts me to this day. I backed up, dropped the box in my hands and ran out of that house. When I got to my car I called my boss to tell him I was unable to finish cleaning because of an emergency and the reason I didn't speak of my experience was because I knew he wouldn't believe me. Now, I know what most people think and that is that nothing happened there because there are no records but I believe what I saw was the spirit of the woman that was killed there. She looked scared and I know she was trying to warn me. That is a true story and if I wouldn't have been there I would doubt me too. BUT I WAS THERE. I will never step foot on that property again. NEVER

I myself was told that this house was indeed haunted. I lived in the millville area a few blocks from the home about 10 yrs ago. My exboyfriend worked for the paper mill and told me the history of the house. That the father Mr. Martin killed his entire family in this home. And the reason theres no record of these murders are the fact that the paper mill is keeping quiet.I my self has been by the house and felt something. I myself am a believer as I have lived in a haunted house in Bonifay , florida.Trina when your ready to write another book maybe you should do it on that one. Carla Buchholz Chipley, Florida

If Mr. Martin killed his family and or servant and himself or if the servant killed everyone and hung himself, why would the paper mill hide it? What do they have to gain from hiding the truth? I can't find nothing online regarding the history of the murders or hanging. I can't even find a physical address either. Something definitely happened in that house, but what? I've lived in Panama City since 2008 and still have yet to find a story online regarding the actual event.

Comments from people on a YouTube video who have lived here their entire lives or work around it: I work at the mill. This house is not haunted. No murders were ever committed here and no family named Martin ever lived there. It was originally the home for the manager of the saw mill. When the paper mill was built they bought the home to use for company functions. I have been there many times and it is rather uneventful. The Martin name is not because of a family. It is named that because of Martin Lake. It is currently being remodeled by RockTenn. The only thing that creeps there is an occasion rat. This morning when I drove by I noticed there are plenty of private property signs. As an employee I can't even go there without permission. No hauntingly there just boring meetings. You guys can all grow up now and stop spreading fiction to everyone. This is the history I've known and I'm very sure I have quite a few years on all of you. Just because you make up things about your family and what was there doesn't make it true. You guys are perhaps some of the most ignorant people, you'll just believe what people say because they say it.

First of all these comments are all opinions. No one is being ignorant except perhaps the one calling others names. Each of the comments are personal and only describe their experiences or stories they have heard. Some of the family members are deceased any you sir are a total disrespectful person for saying the things you have about those family members. No harm no foul is a rule to live by. Its great that you "have quite a few years" on some of these people but I doubt you are over 69. I am. And to tell them to stop spreading fiction? This is still a free country and they have a right to free speech. I mean unless that too has changed. There is nothing being said that is derogatory about the mill or its people and that is what counts. Now, If you can prove that these things DIDN'T happen that would be great and please feel free, but for you to call them ignorant, that is a sign of disrespect. They are simply having a conversation amongst themselves and sharing "rumors" or "stories" they have heard and the last time I checked that was their god given right. - Good day sir!

Check out the Martin House through Google Earth, the yard and see for yourself. There is a child wearing an outfit that looks like the Morton Salt and she's walking a small white dog. Over to the left, you will see a woman in a long green dress, red hair put up, and a man in the yard who appears to be on ( I thought it was a riding mower at first) something that I can't figure but he sitting down on some kind of contraption. Google Earth. Satellite pics.

I grew up in Millville where I was born and raised as was my father and his father before him. My father worked at the mill as his father before him and trust me because my father nor my grandfather didn't lie or make up ghost stories. I have been told by them the story of what happened and have relayed it to my children in my diaries for them to pass on. It IS haunted no doubt for I have been there on many occasions and the feelings u get are unexplainable.

I belive that the house is haunted but I could be wrong because I am only 9 but if it is haunted why would mr . Martin kill his family

http://www.panamacityliving.com/rocktenn-family-fun-day-historic-martin-house/#prettyPhoto. This site has photos of people in the home. Looks very nice not sure if any are from upstairs. Also looks like an old drawing of the home in the photos. From what it says looks like they renovated it so maybe that's why no one was allowed in but only still allowed events outside?

Lol people saying it isn't haunted and people are ignorant have too much time on their hands all these people haven't seen all this crazy stuff for it to be fake my brother went to the house and still won't go back because when he went to hop the fence the lights upstairs popped on my brother didn't lie and isn't into the supernatural....but if you're commenting just to call people stupid find something better to do its obvious something unnatural goes on on that property

My Apologies to the writer Trina Ward, as my original comments about the house had nothing to do with her writing ability or calling into question her honesty. I truly wish her success in her work. Many people do think the house is haunted, probably many she interviewed believe so. The intent of my response was simply to shed truth to the reality of what I know of the place, which is to say, my knowledge is extensive. I have been in the house countless times at all hours day and night, from the grounds to the first floor, the second floor and the attic and can simply tell you that there is nothing "unnatural" about the place. It is merely an old house, used for meetings and parties. The upstairs is indeed locked, simply because it has not been remodeled as the lower floor has been. A funny fact is that a CPR Dummy has been propped up on a chair in front of a window on the second floor. Twisted humor I suppose. At any rate, you cannot rent the house I believe without a rather substantial insurance policy, thus the Mill will not incur the expense of damage or injury of any particular function. However the Mill does use it, such as for parties, like the Family Day it hosted last month for its employees. The House has security patrols nightly, wherein the security personnel physically enter the house several times throughout the entire night, every night. If an eye witness accounting is desired, all one would have to do is wait outside the gate for any of these officers to come by to check the house and I am sure any of them too would affirm that there is nothing spooky going on inside. Will they let you in to see it first hand? No. There is a liability issue for the Mill, thus this would not be allowed.

First, let me start by saying if you do not believe in the supernatural they will not be open to you or showing themselves to someone who is going to dismiss their existence. These spirits aren't ghosts. I know. I took photos for research and when I left something came with me. A shadow person perhaps. It was in my apartment as I was writing this book. My cat, my dog and myself all saw this shape of a large person pass across all of my walls and into the spare room. I tried to debunk it. I TRIED! there was absolutely no logical or rational explanation. I came home from work several times to all of my cabinets open and lights on. Now, I know what everyone is thinking. It was not my exaggeration. I called the police after arriving to all of my doors were left open. I dead bolted them, still I pressed on. I know what the spirits were doing but you see I wasn't writing it for me. I was doing it for my dying mother. I promised I would tell her story and get my book published. Unfortunately it was not until after she died that I was successful with my promise. You went in the house, GREAT. You experienced nothing, understandable. But will we ever believe that house is normal? NO I will never and I am positive there are thousands of others who would agree with me. Perhaps when you are more open with the possibility of the paranormal presence being a possibility, they will show themselves to you as well. Until then, you will not see, hear or speak with any of the spirits that I think and believe are present at the house with no address. built in 1910 as the sign says but there are records showing that too is a lie. I have my story. I shared it and I hope everyone enjoys the way I put all the interviews together. Some things will never be public. Not even the truth about why they still rent it for weddings etc. But deny me when I told them money wasn't an option.

ummmmmmmmmm is this stuff even real or fake!!!!!! casue wouldnt it be on the news..................................................................................................

15 or so years ago, I was involved in a fund raising event at the Martin House on a Saturday - Halloween Day! I did see two ghosts drive up in and old black car that afternoon as I was decorating the living room for the party that night. There really are at least two ghosts associated with that property. I saw them for myself in the middle of the afternoon.

uhh....Larry Gordon... There is no "living room" in the Martin House. Just a Kitchen, two bathrooms, a few storage closets and one huge conference or ball room. Has been that way for over 30 years. You sure you were in the Martin House? And, ghosts drive cars now too?

What's the address to this house?

JUST STUMBLED ACROSS THIS WEBSITE AND I HAVE TO AGREE WITH ANYONE WHO SAYS THIS PLACE IS HAUNTED.ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO SOME FRIENDS AND I WENT THERE JUST TO CHECK IT OUT. AT ONE POINT I LOOKED UP INTO ONE OF THE WINDOWS ON THE SECOND FLOOR AND SAW MY BABY SISTER STANDING THERE. SHE DIED 2 DAYS BEFORE HER 7TH BDAY AND WE BURIED HER 2 DAYS AFTER. SHE DIED IN 1988 THERE WAS NO REASON FOR HER TO B STANDING THERE. THEY SAY DEMONS WILL USE WHATEVER THEY CAN TO DRAW YOU IN EXPLAIN THAT YOU CLOSED MINDED IDIOTS.

TO MYTH BUSTER YES THE MARTIN HOUSE HAS A LIVING ROOM. I HAVE BEEN THERE ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. THE UPSTAIRS HAS A LOGGING CHAIN ON IT BIG ENOUGH TO HOLD FLUFFY FROM HARRY POTTER. YOU KNOW THE GIANT THREE HEADED DOG. MAYBE YOU NEED TO TAKE A VISIT TO THE HOUSE, BECAUSE YOU HAVE MOST LIKELY NEVER STEPPED FOOT ON THE PROPERTY. FOR THOSE OF US WHO HAVE WE KNOW THE TRUTH NO MATTER WHAT YOU CLOSED MINDED MOUTH SAYS. AND BY THE WAY LEAVE THE AUTHOR ALONE. SHE WAS THERE NOT YOU.

Ok, here is what happen around June 1988, I was with 2 friends that were driving around trying to find something to do. It was a hot summer, when one of us had the idea to go to the Martin House to see what the real deal was. Well we jumped the fence, ran as fast as we could to the house. When we reached the house all the doors were locked. But, as we walked around the house, thinking everything was OK!!!!!, OMG we saw someone coming form the house at us chasing us towards the lake. Now I'm not saying it was a real person, I'm saying we ran down towards the lake and then as we looked back it was gone. Now, I know what you are thinking, we were on drugs or drunk, well it was the 80's and yes we were drinking, but when 3 people see the same thing at the same time, well you do your owe assumption. I'm only giving you the account of what I saw at the time. Now on that same note, do you know how the Martin Lake was formed? Look into that, because I have read somewhere that the lake was dug by the hands of slaves, I do not have proof of this!! At one time my mother worked for a company that owed the property before the Paper Mill owed it. In some of the old documents that were hand written and not typed, there were several notations of slaves digging a large portion of the lake. I can not verify this, but if you ask me YES the place is HAUNTED!!!!! I've seen it for myself!!

IVE ACTUALLY SEEN THINGS IN THE NIGHT THERE AND IT WAS ON HALLOWEEN.THEN MY SISTER WROTE THE BOOK.I THINK SHE DID AN AMAZING JOB WRITING THIS BOOK IN WHICH I HAVE READ. I LOVE THE SUSPENSE AND THE TWISTS IN THE STORY.THIS PLACE THE MARTIN HOUSE IS SPOOKY JUST LOOKING UPON WHERE ITS BUILT.

The comment above about the lights flickering and the curtains being pulled back is very very true.

I'm lend to the Martin and I know this is true I live here in Florida and my grandmother was her sister and I can't water wate to the house my grate great ant lived in again may god rest halls yalls souls

I currently work for the mill and have always heard the stories of the martin house being haunted. We have functions there every so often and I plan on attending next chance I get. It will be very interesting to finally see what the place looks like on the inside!

I was reading the comments on the site and found it interesting that Mythbuster said that there was no Martin family that lived there. I found this interesting news clip that investigated the rumors of the Martin house. They got permission to go in with a paranormal investigation team and found no real evidence of a haunting. However, they did interview a man from a county office and he clearly says that there was a family called Martin that lived there. http://www.mypanhandle.com/news/local-news/the-mystery-of-the-martin-house

I've seen apparitions running across the yard... I seen an old style car show up in a pic that was never there... And wasn't the only person to see it... I am what they call a sensitive... I seen a child waving at me...also not the only one to see it... Say what you want that place is haunted... Something happened there someone don't want people to know... That place is full of death and fear... I've been going there to stand outside the fence for over 20 years and have even taken my nephews with me to see too... Stay in the dark if you want but that place is haunted... IM not afraid to use my true name... IM not ashamed....

Something told me to search for this house after many many years. Have I got story to tell you.