Located in Franklin County Georgia. This old abandoned school house was once an orphanage. The story around town is, the boys and girls who lived in the home were regularly abused by the owners and staff. Very, very sad and horrible to think about.
Apparently this went on for years until one day, a little girl escaped and ran to a store down the road. She told the lady working there about what was happening at the orphanage. She immediately reported it. The establishment was then investigated and shut down.
The building has been used for various things such as a school and a community center. Rumor has it that the orphans who once lived in the center are still around haunting the place. Doors open and close by themselves, foot steps and children's voices are heard when no one is around, and there have even been reports of little hand print appearing on the windows.
My overall impression of the old Sandy Cross school house? Really creepy. The whole place gave me chills. Maybe because there is really some sort of paranormal presence, or maybe it's just the thought all the awful things that went on there.
I'm a paranormal investigator and would love some information on who to contact to get access, also would like the address to research it further.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
I have been in the school many, many times. The claims that it is haunted is NOT true.
DeleteJust a bunch of quack. Nothing is haunted in this area.. This was just a heresy kind of Rumor to make it noticed.
DeleteU never know go n there especially n the at night,turn on your camera,if u don't c anything,I'm sure the camera would,I've done it before and it was Franklin co.I'm sure there are places u don't know of n Franklin county
DeleteI am one of the children that grew up there in the orphanage. It was just awful.
DeleteRon, in what way was it awful? My family was there, and our view is different. Just curious.
DeleteI agree with Ron, it was an awful place. I was there when I was about 10 years old. The only ghost in there I can remember was the Green Ghost! Ask any adult that was in the so called "christian children's home" as a kid about the green ghost. They'll remember.
DeleteDo some research and find out why they closed the home down. I am 53 years old now and will NEVER forget the beatings I and all the other kids got! Some of the people that worked there at the time should be in jail still today for the things they did! I know it and they know it! Look up Phillip... you know his last name...he worked there too!
Just a bunch of evil people! Believe me , I could name names and tell a lot of stuff as could a lot more kids that were there.
I was one of the children
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI wasn't able t read the article I could make it large enough (I'm on my phone)I got word awhile back that Paul had passed away.I wish there was a way of us kids being about to contact each other maybe make an email just for this so we can post it? Or hat do y'all think?
DeleteYes, maybe make an email to post here. I know some of the former kids have Facebook accounts. I don't anymore ,but I did post a few pictures from the home when I had Facebook. You may have already seen them if you have Facebook and are friends with any of them that have accounts. If not, I still have the original pictures.
DeleteI also have a facebook but I have tried to find everyone but no luck
DeleteIam also one of the children we have a facebook Maranatha children's home to join there..my email is rubypittman20@gmail.com
DeleteI'm a paranormal investigator and would love some information on who to contact to get access, also would like the address to research it further.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
You'll need to contact Mr. Hayward Hart to get inside. Highly doubtful you'll get in, unless your willing to pay.
DeleteName: SANDY CROSS COMMUNITY & RECREATION ASSOCIATION, INC.
ReplyDeleteFile Number: A503084
Filing State: Georgia (GA)
Filing Status: Admin. Dissolved
Filing Date: August 2, 1965
Company Age: 50 Years, 7 Months
Registered Agent:
Wayne Starrett
1584 Cromers Bridge Rd
Royston, GA 30662
Principal Address:
1584 Cromers Bridge Rd
Royston, GA 30662-3335
I live six miles from this place been here many many times i even helped remodel some of the back rooms and hanged sheet rock here i have been here late at night alone for hours working THIS PLACE IS NOT HAUNTED ....
ReplyDeleteGrew up in Sandy Cross. My dad and my aunt attended school there. I have been in the school many, many times. It certainly doesn't appear to be haunted. Just a beautiful old school that has been there since the 1920s.
ReplyDeleteI've never in my life seen or heard ghosts in the day or night at the school, what happened was tragic, but nothing that hasn't happened in a hundred other places to children. But as far as ghosts in the old school. A bunch of poppycock
ReplyDeleteWould be great if somebody did something with it. It is a historical place. No ghost though.
ReplyDeleteLaura, I agree. I last visited a few years ago. I was there as child and would love to see it used.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteBTW. I've never seen or heard any ghost at the old school house. But for sure demon's ran the orphanage.
ReplyDeleteI agree 100%
DeleteThis sounds awesome you probably remember when I left everyone did...finally one of my brothers I am so excited
DeleteIam one of the children
ReplyDeleteI am the little girl ..and yes I know what the green ghost is...it makes me sick to think of it..and yes Philip Epps was the son..and yes it was awful!!! It was called Maranatha children's home if anyone here is one of the children please let me know..
ReplyDeleteI am one of the children
DeleteI was there. Still bothers me over 40 years later.
ReplyDeleteHere is a link to an old newspaper article you may find interesting. You may have to copy and paste.
https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Xi8sAAAAIBAJ&sjid=EM0EAAAAIBAJ&pg=2074%2C2365161
It mentions Paul and Phillip Epps
I can't seem to find my last two post but here is the email again.
DeleteMaranathaKid@gmail.com
Ruth Epps was in on all of it too. She was up to no good. Worse than Paul and Phillip.
DeleteHave you got an email yet?
ReplyDeleteIt burned down today, 20180312.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness..what happened?
DeleteI remember back in the late 1980's they had the boy's club and girls club here at the old school house. My family moved to the Sandy Cross community in 1982 from Atlanta. I'm in shock to hear about it being a children's home in the 70's and the awful abuse that took place there. For me in the 1980's being there I did have an eerie feeling when I would go there. Franklin Co is known to protect people who abuse children. I really hope in this case justice was served for all the children.
ReplyDeleteI wish that all of us kids could talk and check on one another..
ReplyDeleteAgain I was the little girl who got the help..it's not our faults just some of the adults
I believe we are already. Many of us.
DeleteWhat is the green ghost. Did any of the child decease why living there. I want to know from the children that where there are u glad it burned down .
ReplyDeleteThe green ghost was a large green plastic paddle that was used to "discipline" the kids. It was abused by the owners and a couple adult male staff. Left lots of unnecessary black and blue bruises due to extreme heavy handedness, and then bragged about.
DeleteYes so glad it burned, I am one of the children
DeleteA lot of the comments that are being put on here are also disappearing shortly after they're posted
ReplyDeleteThe place and people were evil . I lived there for a long time . and still have . Dreams and . horrifying story's about it.
ReplyDeletewell,me and my three brothers were there,and still live right down the road from it,and drive by it every day,often I go down there late at night or daytime,and sit alone to get away from the people in the world,and it's very relaxing and peaceful,and no-one ever died there,so how can it be haunted,I hate that it burnt,especially by the fire department,it sits right in in front of the school house and they never even tried to put it out,so,what does that tell you,but it really doesn,t matter that its haunted cause its burnt,just saying!
ReplyDeleteI don't know who wrote the article and if you find comfort in going to the home I think that's great..as for being haunted I don't know
ReplyDeleteDon't know why you think the fire dept never tried to put it out there was three departments there for about 5 hours steadily putting water on it. Something that big and hot don't go out easy.
ReplyDeleteSonya you was not one of the children in the home.your family are the ones who ran the home
ReplyDeleteSteve's daughter
DeleteYou’re incorrect. I was adopted by the family, but I started out being dropped off my my bio mom. I was abandoned, so don’t minimize my situation.
ReplyDeleteWaldrop is or was your last name.
DeleteI'm glad you was never abused in any kind of way but in one of your reply you said your family told a different story we was abused mentally physically and sexual so please don't minimize our situation either
ReplyDeleteYou assume I never was abused...which is not the case. I never would minimize your situation...but you on the other hand don’t know everything! Sorry to match your tone, but I have indeed been through a lot.
ReplyDeleteI do know that abuse happened there. I also know that good things did come from it. The truth is always somewhere between two points. Get some counseling and move on with your life. You are alive and I’m sure have much to be thankful for. Continuing to dwell in that dark place will not help you or anyone.
Oh I don't stay in a dark place but I did see where you told Ron when he said it was awful that your family told a different story I was merely saying regardless of what you have been told it was aweful no need for the bad additude why are you so hateful maybe your the one who needs counseling.i will not argue back and forth with you I'm not the bad guy
ReplyDeleteDo any of you remember a Mr.Stephens who came by sometimes.
ReplyDeleteBack in the early 70s a bus load of kids from Maranatha childrens home did a concert at glassy mtn baptist church and stayed the night at my parents house most of them sleeping outdoors on the bus or on the ground.My dads name was James Stephens.Does anyone remember that?
ReplyDeleteMy co host and I have a true crime podcast, she was one of the agents that handled this case. If anyone who was living at the Maranatha Childrens Home would be willing to contact us, please do so at snowinthemountainspodcast@gmail.com. Thank you.
ReplyDelete