John Street, Rosewood – Image courtesy of Picture Ipswich

On Saturday 7 January,1914 the original Rosewood Hotel in John Street was destroyed by fire despite the efforts of locals. The history of the present day Rosewood Hotel, known as the Middle Pub, includes continual references to its “water ghost”. Sheets of water have been seen flowing over the veranda, clothes have been found wet and streams of water felt dripping from the ceiling.

An acknowledged Queensland clairvoyant says she can sense two spirits “Rusty”, a red-haired Scotsman, who was probably one of those who fought the pub fire and a second “sadder” spirit. This is reputedly an African American who was based at a munitions camp at Calvert. He was drinking at the pub during World War II and was shot by Military Police. He was young beautiful man. He felt cheated of his life. I think his money was going home to his mother, the clairvoyant said.