Savannah is full of haunting tales. Just step into any historic building, and chances are good you’ll hear tales of ghostly figures or strange sensations.
This haunted hotel and tavern once housed Anna Powers, who died after jumping to her death from one of its rooms. Her spirit can often be felt nudge guests and move their bed covers. Anna can often be found most active in room 204.
17Hundred90 Inn & Restaurant
The 17Hundred90 Inn & Restaurant in Savannah offers delicious food with some paranormal intrigue. Reportedly haunted by several spirits – most notably that of Anne who haunts Room 204 after apparently taking her life after suffering a tragic loss – one version is that Anna White built parts one and two of this building; after his untimely death during a horse riding accident in 1823 she moved on with her sister-in-laws to Isle of Hope south of Savannah with them.
Hotel guests who stay in Room 204 report having their belongings misplaced or even taken, according to staff reports. Anne may play havoc with people’s belongings – moving furniture around or throwing items across the room are common examples of her antics.
Wright Square
Wright Square in Savannah is one of its most historic and haunted squares. As the location for Savannah’s original gallows, many early criminals were hanged here – including first murderer Alice Riley (reportedly her ghost still walks around at night! ).
It has also been speculated that this square was once used to house a yellow fever quarantine camp, where victims would be wrapped in sheets and burned at its center to contain any further spread of infection.
At nightfall, this gorgeous square comes alive with shadowy trees and Spanish moss that seem to come to life, creating an immersive ghost tour experience. Don’t miss this stop on any Savannah ghost tour!
Mercer Williams House
Savannah offers visitors an unforgiving glimpse of its complicated past, making it hard to miss its many haunted houses like Mercer Williams House which offer glimpses into Savannah’s turbulent history.
The gorgeous Italianate mansion at 429 Bull Street has long been a destination for ghost hunters and history enthusiasts. Once home to Jim Williams, an antique dealer and preservationist known throughout Savannah for his love of Savannah’s heritage and architecture.
John Berendt used the Mercer Williams House in 1994 for his bestseller Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, depicting Danny Hansford’s murder by Jim Williams as part of his story about evil. This book became a New York Times best seller.
Williams is said to still haunt his home, often seen in his study where his body was discovered. Additionally, the spirit of young Tommy Downs can sometimes be seen wandering about on the property; Tommy was killed when climbing onto the roof to catch pigeons but fell from its edge onto an iron gate spike and perished there.
Marshall House
The Marshall House in Savannah has long been associated with paranormal activity and is one of its most haunted hotels. Constructed in 1851 as a hospital during both Civil War battles and two yellow fever epidemics, guests have reported hearing footsteps and voices walking about, furniture moving by itself and faucets turning themselves on spontaneously.
Mary Marshall was a prominent Savannah property developer. Born into a prominent Georgia family, her relatives included both sides of the Revolutionary War – making her an esteemed member of Savannah’s financial and social elite circles.
This hotel closed due to an economic downturn and was then used by various businesses until 1998 when renovations started and it reopened as Savannah’s oldest hotel. Many original components remain, such as Philadelphia pressed brick and a grand staircase; and many believe that Toby still haunts these premises.
