Charlie Wall was an infamous gangster based out of Tampa of the 1930s and 1940s. He dabbled in all the usual rackets – gambling, prostitution, numbers, etc. What made him truly infamous was when he was called to testify before a federal committee investigating organized crime in 1950. He held nothing back, detailing decades worth of crimes and underworld secrets. That would seem to have been a bad career move, as he was murdered five years later in a particularly gruesome manner.
Deborah Frethem in her book “Haunted Tampa” says that the ghost of Charlie Wall is known to appear in a couple of places around Tampa, but he is most often seen on the steps of the Old Federal Courthouse. The building dates back to the early 20th century, and is currently being remodeled to become a Le Meridien hotel.
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Geographic Information
- Address:
- 674 Florida Ave
Tampa, FL
United States
Get Directions » - GPS:
- 27.950109641791244, -82.45753222707208
- County:
- Hillsborough County, Florida
- Nearest Towns:
- Tampa, FL (0.2 mi.)
Citrus Park, FL (2.9 mi.)
Palm River-Clair Mel, FL (5.1 mi.)
East Lake-Orient Park, FL (5.3 mi.)
Egypt Lake-Leto, FL (5.5 mi.)
Progress Village, FL (6.6 mi.)
Temple Terrace, FL (7.2 mi.)
Carrollwood, FL (7.2 mi.)
Gibsonton, FL (8.1 mi.)
University, FL (8.3 mi.)
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Disclaimer: The stories posted here are user-submitted and are, in the nature of "ghost stories," largely unverifiable. HauntedPlaces.org makes no claims that any of the statements posted here are factually accurate. The vast majority of information provided on this web site is anecdotal, and as such, should be viewed in the same light as local folklore and urban legends.
I stayed at the Le Meridien from August 22 thru today, with my mom and daughter. On friday we got there very late at night and they felt asleep prior to me! I was watching TV when I felt a strong breeze in my left cheek, something that came from the left side of my bed, also sensed a presence, something that disturbed me. My first reaction was to see if there was an open window but no, the large full glass window was sealed, and the ac ventilator was located in the other side of the room. I didn’t know the history of this hotel until today that a relative who lives in Tampa told me about it. I felt something strange but didn’t know what it was! It is important to mention that the facilities are great, modern and sophisticated. I really enjoyed my stay! But I’m not sure I want to return due to this strange experience.
I had a very similar experience during my stay at this hotel. I absolutely loved the place and the atmosphere. However, this gangsta of a ghost done pushed me off the bench. I was sitting beside the pastry counter holding a crème bruilee, when all of a sudden I fell backwards off the bench. I felt a cold breeze on my cheek and then before I knew it, I was on the ground with my pastry on top of me. What an experience that was! With all of this said, I cannot wait to go back and stay at this lovely hotel.
Hmmmm….let’s see….Ol Charley was a gansta pimp, dabbled in prostitution, fast forward 65 years…there’s a half naked chick “falling over a bench” right by the steps Ol Charley’s ghost currently resides….Interesting….Next time lay off the booze….
Not sure who it was, but I stayed at the Le Meridien and before I Knew that it was previously the old courthouse, I had a dream. While staying my first night, I had a dream about sleeping in the hotel room (normal), but in my dream i woke up and there was a man lying on the bed beside me,…dead (not normal). In my dream I was startled and was too scared to move. It was then that I woke up and luckily no one beside me! That morning I mentioned the dream to someone and learned about the history. Interesting:)