A pint and a Spirit at Johnnie MacCracken’s
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| A Pint and a Spirit at Johnnie MacCracken’s
by Melissa Davis 
The oldest remaining firehouse in Cobb County sits on Atlanta Street just off the square in Marietta. The fire department was chartered in 1885 as Marietta Engine Company No. 1. When the firehouse moved down the street, the building became a bank, Session’s Savings and Loan, states Rhetta Akamatsu in her book, Haunted Marietta. Today, the building houses Johnnie MacCracken’s, a pub that serves up Irish fare, live music, and plenty of beer. If you have the chance to visit MacCracken’s, take a look behind the bar; the original bank vaults are there on the left. The original dirt floors can also still be found beneath the hardwood planks that patrons walk on today. There is more than one kind of spirit to be found, though, with ghosts joining the lively setting on a regular basis. Joni Goodin, founder of the Marietta Ghost Tours, claims staff members, primarily women, have reported seeing an apparition of a man with muttonchops, a popular look for facial hair in the late 1800s. The man, who wears a waistcoat and is very tall even by today’s standards, is thought to be one of the firemen who used to be a member of Marietta Engine Company No. 1. The owner of MacCracken’s, Henry Leake, has become a believer after witnessing a number of odd incidents over the years. “The fireman might favor the ladies, but he’s also extremely protective of his home. Our staff has seen several well known trouble makers walking up to the front door, only for them to turn around and leave for no apparent reason,” Leake explains. Could the ghost be turning people away, perhaps as a sort of spectral bouncer? Mr. Leake’s personal experience with the specter happened shortly before Christmas in 1998 and involved a hefty amount of money. Mr. Leake pulled up early one afternoon to prepare for a special event at MacCracken’s, the bar’s bouncer and his wife were holding a celebration there for their baby’s christening. He spotted something sitting on one of the outdoor tables in front of the pub that vaguely resembled a purse. He sat and watched as a couple walked passed the table, seemingly without even noticing the mysterious object. On closer inspection, the “purse” turned out to be the bank bag containing all of the cash and credit card receipts from the previous night. After locking the place up at 4a.m. following a long Saturday night’s business, the manager had forgotten to take the bank bag with him. Amazingly, the money was still there after sitting next to a busy sidewalk for nearly twelve hours. The astounded owner of the bar believes the ghost of the fireman was responsible for keeping the money safe. Michael and Kellie Keaton, founders of the Marietta Paranormal Association, visited MacCracken’s one night to interview one of the maintenance men. After ten minutes into their conversation, he asked them if they felt a spirit there. Both of the Keatons replied no, but the maintenance man went on to describe a gruff-looking man he saw standing near their table. The ghost wore high boots, an overcoat, and had blonde hair. Mentioning that his outfit looked like some sort of uniform, the Keatons suggested that maybe the man was a firefighter who once manned the trucks from the old station. In fact, the description matches that of the protective ghost who has been spotted so many times before. The Keatons and the man toured the pub, and when they approached the stairway that leads to the basement of the old building, the man explained that he could hear eight or nine men shouting up “Hey you!” He thinks they give a holler to everyone who passes but only those open to them can hear their phantom voices. Is there really a ghost guarding MacCracken’s? Is the old fire brigade still on duty? Stop by for a pint and you might more than the spirits in you glass. The beer is good and the Bobby Flay grilled cheese is truly an out-of-this-world experience. However, it’s tight quarters and loud, so when I was there I heard and felt nothing except the hum and slight claustrophobia that comes from a crowded, smoky restaurant. Go and enjoy the atmosphere and let me know what you think. 
Johnnie McCracken's Celtic Pub is located in historic downtown Marietta Square. It is known for traditional Irish food, from corn beef and cabbage to lamb stew along with an extensive beer list. It is open late nights and offers live music of Atlanta's talent. Works CitedAkamatsu, Rhetta. Haunted Marietta. Charleston: The History Press, 2009. Print. Goodin, Joni. Founder of Marietta Ghost Tours Melissa Davis. 1 July 2011. Interview. Keaton, Kellie. Founder of Marietta Paranormal Association Melissa Davis. 20 August 2011. Interview. Leake, Henry. Owner of Johnnie MacCracken's Pub Melissa Davis. 1 July 2011. Interview. Directory: uploads uploads -> 587 Return function, r i(X) r i(0) r i(1) r i(2) r i(3) 1 0 2 4 6 Thermal Station, I 2 0 1 5 6 3 0 3 5 6 10 uploads -> Department of science and humanities department of mathematics part-a questions and answers uploads -> The Case Against the nypd’s Quota-Driven ‘Broken Windows’ Policing What Is It? uploads -> For want of a nail uploads -> Ownership Models There are two different types of ownership models uploads -> Police Militarization uploads -> City of rising star regular meting thursday, july 14, 2016 uploads -> Township of winfield uploads -> Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act of 2014 uploads -> The Black Panther Party’s Ten-Point Program What We Want Now! Download 7.81 Kb. Share with your friends:
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