Orange Hall - Historic District - St. Marys
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New! Click here to see photos from inside Orange Hall.
While the exact date of the construction of this Greek Revival home is unknown, it's generally believed that Orange Hall was built around 1829. Reverend Horace Southworth Pratt and his father-in-law, John Wood, had the house built for their own use. The name Orange Hall is said to have come from the orange trees planted on the property.
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John Wood was born in Yorkshire, England, and is buried beside the Presbyterian Church with his wife, Laleah, in St. Marys. The Woods were the parents of Jane F., who married Horace on Feb. 25, 1825. She, and their daughter Jane, died young. Jane T. died on September 27, 1829 when she was only 29 years old - and only a few short months after her father's death. Her mother, Laleah, died in 1836. Jane Wood Pratt is also buried beside the Presbyterian Church where her husband preached. Her daughter and husband are buried elsewhere.
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Several people have owned Orange Hall. James Mongin Smith, Floyd Mizell, Charles Gillican, and others have resided here. It once served as a home for wintering northerners and as a shelter for books during its stint as a library. It was used as a school and divided up for apartments.
Now owned by the City of St. Marys, Orange Hall was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. Extensive renovations have restored the beauty of Orange Hall and made it the Belle of the Historic District.
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Orange Hall is said to be haunted by 3 ghosts - one of an old man, an old woman, and a young girl of about 6 or 8 years old. The girl is thought to be the ghost of young Jane Pratt. Even though she died out of this county, word has it she came back to the home she knew best. I have yet to see any of these ghosts myself, but I have heard workers there speak of eerie happenings. All seem to agree that the ghosts are friendly and are never harmful.
Click here to see photos from inside Orange Hall.
