Outside of Poogan’s Porch Restaraunt
In 2011 a tourist visiting Charleston, SC with her husband for the weekend went to eat lunch at one of the city’s most popular food spots: Poogan’s Porch. After putting her drink order in, the young women excused herself to go to the bathroom anticipating a delicious meal. After returning to her table, the woman would be surprised to see a painting of the woman she passed in the hallway. Initially believing the woman was the owner, the woman would be horrified to find out she had just seen Zoe, a ghost who roams the restaurant frequently.
Stories of hauntings at the old Victorian house on 72 queen street have occurred for decades. It is said many people don’t realize they saw a ghost until they see Zoe on the wall.
Over the years perhaps the individuals who have witnessed the most frightening events have been restaurant staff. One cook recalls his encounter that occurred early on a work morning. He stated he poured coffee, heard a knock on the back door and went to greet a delivery man. After putting fresh produce in the kitchen, he returned to get his coffee and was astounded that it was missing. The chef initially believed he had misplaced it or not poured it. Feeling confused, the chef decided to pour another cup and after returning to his stool he was terrified to see the cup of coffee had returned. The cup was empty and had lipstick.
Another cook reported a strange event while working alone one morning. he suddenly hurt a loud noise upstairs. Startled as the alarm was set and he knew no one was upstairs he decided to go investigate. After finding nothing, he resumed baking biscuits downstairs in the kitchen and soon heard singing right next to him. When he turned around no one was there.
Others have reported seeing apparitions. One staff member stated that cleaning one night she had a terrible feeling something was watching her. After working a bit more, the woman looked into a mirror to discover another woman staring at her. When the worker spoke and turned around, the ghost of Zoe had disappeared.
(Read about the Grey Man of Charleston)
Apparitions aren’t just reported by staff and tourists in the restaurant, but also by people outside looking into the window. The hotel across the street has had numerous people report a woman in a black dress peering through the window late at night. Tourists and residents walking by have also reported the same thing.
It is said the ghost that haunts this property can be traced back more than a century.
In the early 1900s, a woman named Zoe St. Amand lived at 72 Queen with her sister, Elizabeth. Zoe was a schoolteacher, and it is said she had given up on ever finding true love. Zoe and Elizabeth were very close, preferring each other’s company to the outside world. The sisters would continue to keep to themselves for decades.
in 1945, Elizabeth died, and with Zoe’s only friend gone she became very withdrawn and depressed. Soon, Zoe’s mental health quickly began to decline.
On one night Zoe left her house, hollering out her sister’s name. Neighbors came out to check on Zoe, and one eventually took her to Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital.
Zoe would spend the rest of her life at the hospital.
Stories of Zoe’s ghost began shortly after she died, but really picked up once her residence was turned into the restaurant.
In the 1970’s the property at 72 Queen was bought with the intention of turning the property into restaurant. It is said the owners moved out so quickly, that they abandoned their dog, later to be named Poogan. As the new owner became fond of the dog, the restaurant was named Poogan’s porch where the dog liked to be.
Over the years there’s been hundreds of sightings and countless strange activity. Charleston is renowned for its food, hospitality, history and culture. Still, being such an old city, there tends to be lots of paranormal activity reported and purported haunted places. As such, Poogan’s porch stands out in a city rich with haunted places.
Perhaps the most compelling part of the ghostly encounters are the sheer number of independent witnesses who have reported either seeing Zoe or having a paranormal experience. patrons have also reported spotting Poogan, although less frequently than Zoe. Based on the various encounters, Zoe doesn’t appear to ever harm guests, but just a soul searching for her best friend.
