It's sure to be a frightful day in Lakeland. Get a headstone head start on the festivities with this collection of our best Halloween-themed stories from over the years. Read them by flickering candlelight with a cup of hot cider to keep your blood from running cold.

Meet the three ghosts that haunt the Polk Theatre
This theater built in 1928 has its fair share of hauntings, from an organ that plays itself to voices whispering in the ears of employees. Our team took a tour to experience the ghosts firsthand.

Polk County's creepiest antique dolls
We won't lie to you, this story is not for those with a fear of dolls. But if you're into that kind of thing, we've got a map for easy access to these antique toys.

I-4: America's most haunted highway
Nearly 2,000 accidents — and a whole lot of paranormal activity — have happened in this one stretch of highway that's built on top of yellow fever victim grave sites, aptly named the "I-4 Dead Zone."

The automobile boom of the 20th century put Spook Hill on the map. | Photo via Florida Memory

Experience Spook Hill in Lake Wales
Visit this site to see the impossible — cars roll uphill rather than downhill. Is it just an optical illusion, or could it be a paranormal force?

Bartow’s oldest man
Spend Halloween unraveling the mystery of 137-year-old Charlie Smith, thought to be the oldest man in America. Pay your respects at his grave at Woodland Cemetery in Bartow.

Haunted landmarks in Polk County
Have you seen a ghost appear at Florida Southern College or the Old Polk County Courthouse? Learn more about locations around our county inhabited by apparitions.

Have a creepy story of your own? Send it in and we may share it in a future newsletter... if we live to tell the tale.