You might be familiar with the tales of the Polk Theatre’s past, but did you know the historic venue has a different side to its story that involves a few grim grinning ghosts? No, we don’t mean the ones from “The Haunted Mansion.”

Our team pulled back the curtain on who the ghosts are by taking an extra haunted tour and recording a podcast with Florida Men on Florida Man back in 2019 — here are some of the things we learned.

Many patrons and employees have reported the stairwells of the theatre and the upstairs hallways as being some of the spots where they feel the most ghostly activity. | Image via @fmofmpodcast

Strange occurrences

A few examples of haunting behavior patrons and employees have purportedly experienced at the theater include:

Seeing shadows in the dark during children’s shows
The pipe organ playing itself
Keys disappearing
The theater’s first house manager — a former music teacher — heard a “shush” in her ear when singing to herself.
One employee said they once heard someone say “hello” directly into their ear
A theater patron caught an outline on camera of what appears to be an apparition on someone’s back.

What area of the theater do you think the ghosts spend the most time in? | Image via @fmofmpodcast

Meet the ghosts

Lee Greg | A Polk Theatre employee in the 1930s and 1940s, Greg was so dedicated to the theater, he would come in on his days off just to pull the curtain. According to legend, when Elvis visited and did a stunt where he tipped the mic, Greg supposedly yelled at him to not mess up the equipment. Our theory: Lee Greg haunts the theater because it is like a beloved second home to him.
John E. Melton | Best known as the Lakeland businessman who planned the Polk Theatre, Melton was forced to sell the uncompleted building after facing financial difficulties. Our theory: John Melton haunts the Polk because he feels as though his work remains unfinished.
Unnamed Actress | Not much is known about the unnamed actress who haunts the halls of the Polk, though it’s thought that her energy is still attached to the place. Our theory: She haunts the theater to continue the stage life from the shadows of the night.