Self-Guided Visit
Dine-In Visit
Trowbridge's has operated continuously since 1918 and the dining room occupies the site of the Stewart family home. The parlor area near the front window is the focal point of the ghost sightings.
- Duration:
- 1 hr
No photograph
on file
Est. 1918on file
HauntBound archive · catalog record
Reported phenomena — as catalogued
- 01Apparitions
- 02Window Figure
Haunted Dining / Bar
Trowbridge's Ice Cream and Sandwich Bar
Florence's oldest ice cream shop, built where a Confederate soldier was shot dead in 1861
316 N Court St, Florence, AL 35630
Wheelchair Accessible
Research-Backed · 3 sources
Research updated June 2026
Age
All Ages
Cost
$
Restaurant prices; no admission charge
Access
Wheelchair OK
Ground-floor restaurant with accessible entrance
Equipment
Photos OK
Est. 1918 · Civil War Death Site (1861) · Century-Old Florence Institution · Haunted Dining Landmark
Trowbridge's opened in 1918 and has been serving ice cream and sandwiches from the same North Court Street address for over a century — a degree of longevity unusual even by Southern small-city standards. The building occupies the footprint of an earlier structure, the Stewart family home, which was standing at the time of the Civil War.
The specific incident that anchors the site's dark history is the death of Charles Daniel Stewart, a Confederate soldier. According to the account documented by Fox News in a feature on the restaurant and corroborated by the Haunted History of the Shoals Ghost Walk, Stewart was shot and killed on the property in 1861 while fleeing Union troops. The parlor area of the Stewart home — which corresponds to the front-window seating area of the current restaurant — is described as the location of his death.
The owner of Trowbridge's gave a firsthand account to Fox News of paranormal experiences in the building, adding a proprietor-level attestation that distinguishes the site from venues where the ghost story is purely external. The restaurant has leaned into the history as part of its identity, earning its designation as 'downtown Florence's most haunted restaurant' through the local ghost walk circuit.
Sources
- https://foxnews.com/food-drink/man-says-coffee-shop-haunted-civil-war-soldier.amp
- https://www.florenceghostwalk.com/tours
- https://onlyinyourstate.com/alabama/haunted-restaurants-al/amp
ApparitionsWindow Figure
The primary legend at Trowbridge's centers on the ghost of Charles Daniel Stewart, the Confederate soldier killed on the property in 1861. His apparition is described as appearing in or near the front parlor window — the area that corresponds to the seating section closest to the street — during evening hours. No specific time range has been documented with consistency, though the sighting cluster in post-sunset visits.
The restaurant's owner gave a firsthand account to Fox News that provided an unusual level of proprietor corroboration for a paranormal claim. Most haunted dining venues rely on customer reports; Trowbridge's has the owner's own testimony as a primary source.
The ghost walk designation as 'downtown Florence's most haunted restaurant' has reinforced the site's reputation, drawing visitors who come specifically for the history rather than the ice cream — though the ice cream is reportedly also worth the trip.
Notable Entities
Charles Daniel Stewart (Confederate soldier, killed 1861)
Plan Your Visit
2 ways to experience Guided Tour
Haunted History of the Shoals Ghost Walk Stop
Trowbridge's is listed as downtown Florence's most haunted restaurant and a named stop on the Haunted History of the Shoals Ghost Walk, where guides cover the 1861 shooting and subsequent ghost reports.
- Duration:
- 20 min
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Sources & Further Reading
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Trowbridge's Ice Cream and Sandwich Bar family-friendly?
An ice cream shop with a Civil War ghost story. Suitable for all ages. Overall family fit: High.
How much does it cost to visit Trowbridge's Ice Cream and Sandwich Bar?
Restaurant prices; no admission charge
Do I need to book in advance?
No advance booking is required, but checking availability is recommended.
Is Trowbridge's Ice Cream and Sandwich Bar wheelchair accessible?
Yes, Trowbridge's Ice Cream and Sandwich Bar is wheelchair accessible. Terrain: Ground-floor restaurant with accessible entrance.