Ghosts from America’s past are said to haunt buildings, hotels and restaurants across many cities across the US. These locations could have supernatural reasons – like being the site of a gang war, hospital or even once being used as a brothel.
Others are caused by verifiable historical events or unverifiable rumors; here are a few haunted places across America.
Fort Abraham Lincoln
Fort Abraham Lincoln in North Dakota is one of America’s most haunted places, said to be haunted by ghosts from those who once lived and died there, including female ghost sightings at Custer House and doors opening and closing on their own. Visitors have reported hearing footsteps moving about inside this fort.
Fort Iroquois’ history is one of tragedy. Here, Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer led his 7th Cavalry before their battle at Little Big Horn. At this same time, Sitting Bull operated within its boundaries.
Matt Schanandore serves as interpretive director at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park and creative director for Haunted Fort, an annual Halloween event that takes place there. Each year, various buildings at the fort are transformed into haunted attractions which draw crowds from across the nation to witness them first-hand – they hear screams, feel chills in their bodies and hear footsteps stomping through buildings! People from near and far visit this haunted place each Halloween for its special effects – you may hear screams from all directions – they hear footsteps stomps stomps as they pass.
Moonville Tunnel
Moonville Tunnel in Ohio’s wooded southeastern region provides an exciting haunt for ghost hunters, dating back to its construction as part of a railroad track in 1856.
Samuel Coe, a Vinton County farmer living in the wilderness, offered to grant access to his land so the railroad company could more efficiently ship coal. When this offer was accepted by them, Moonville soon developed around their tracks; becoming home for a depot, school, homes and 23 saloons.
Saloons proved deadly for many patrons who crossed the railway drunk. One such victim was a brakeman walking late at night to his car when they were hit by a train; his ghost is said to haunt the tracks frantically swinging his lantern back and forth; as well as Lavender Lady – another victim killed on a trestle when trying to visit their loved ones.
Mercer House
Jim Williams made Savannah his home for several decades prior to his death, making Mercer House an epicenter of socializing for Savannah’s elite. His extravagant parties have become legend; stories still circulate regarding them today. Perhaps most unnerving was a tale about an incident where an unsuspecting child playing on the roof fell down onto an iron fence spike below, impaling his head on it, before screeching back down off.
Today, the Mercer House Museum is a popular Savannah attraction and one of the city’s most haunted places. Staff and visitors regularly report strange occurrences like unexplained sounds or feeling someone is watching them; though current owner Dr. Dorothy Kingery remains tight-lipped regarding her brother Tommy Downs’ murder; many speculate his ghost can still roam freely through its halls, often appearing full spirit form in photographs taken of the building.
Bonaventure Cemetery
Bonaventure Cemetery is one of America’s most haunted locations, known for both its beauty and historic significance. However, visitors have reported hearing unusual sounds – laughter or shattering crystal glasses have even been reported by visitors! Rumors persist about ghostly activity within the graveyard grounds themselves, though none has ever been verified as of yet.
Rumors of hauntings at Bonaventure Cemetery stem from its history as a plantation and slave-holding property. One legend asserts that when the mansion for Bonaventure Plantation burnt twice, parties continued on despite it; one legend suggests it interrupted an important discussion among guests who continued as usual while it burned down.
Johnny Mercer, an award-winning Savannah composer buried here as is American poet laureate Conrad Aiken who witnessed their murder-suicide at age 11.
Little Gracie Watson’s statue captures visitors’ imagination most. Her wrought iron fence often becomes covered in trinkets and toys left by guests as comfort for this youngster who died at six. Her image became famous due to being used on John Berendt’s best-selling book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil cover.
