Kentucky is famous for horse racing, bourbon production and bluegrass music; however it also hosts its share of haunted spots – from Pope Lick monster to Portal 31 coal mine there are numerous frightening places in this state to visit.
Rumors swirl of a black hearse following drivers along this stretch of road and of mournful spirits being present near Cry Baby Bridge.
Waverly Hills Sanitorium
Waverly Hills Sanatorium, one of Kentucky’s oldest buildings and once used to treat tuberculosis patients, is now one of its most haunted places. It has even been featured on multiple television programs.
Prior to the creation of a vaccine against tuberculosis, treatments were often harsh. Some of the more severe ones included amputations and pulmonary resections – both which led to deaths at Waverly Hills. It’s thought that their ghosts still wander its halls.
One of the more frequently seen spirits in Waverly Hills is that of a young boy who enjoys playing catch. Another popular sighting is of a nurse who hanged herself at the facility; her ghost is said to still roam its hallways at night. Additionally, Waverly Hills also hosts a mysterious tunnel said to be haunted by someone who died within its walls.
Bobby Mackey’s Music World
Kentucky offers plenty of creepy locations if you’re in search of haunted excitement. Home to ghosts left behind due to death, disease or other tragedies – from stunning Bluegrass mansions and prisons that house tortured souls – Kentucky will leave you chills!
Stephen Foster made it famous through the song, “My Old Kentucky Home”, but this stunning home also has its share of tragic history: including cholera epidemic and murder of family members. Even today, ghosts from this home may still reside there, including that of Judge John Rowan’s wife who committed suicide.
At this slaughterhouse-turned nightclub, guests have reported mysterious footsteps, sounds and sightings; as well as being terrorized by poltergeist activity which has resulted in many visitors signing affidavits detailing their frightening experiences! Gatekeeper Paranormal offers two hour ghost tours every Friday evening.
The Old Talbott Tavern
The Old Talbott Tavern, established in 1779, is both the world’s oldest bourbon bar and one of America’s oldest western stagecoach stops. Once considered the farthest western point for travelers heading into frontier wilderness of a young nation, many notable guests visited including Daniel Boone, Jesse James and Henry Clay (a hero from American Revolutionary War), leading many rumor mills as to whether its ghost haunts.
Jesse James reportedly fired several bullets into a painting inside of the tavern, leaving visible bullet holes that remain to this day. It is thought he continues to visit it to this day, along with King Louis Philippe of France (banned), General George Patton and John James Audubon who remain as ghostly figures.
Kentucky offers thrill-seekers plenty of eerie spots this autumn, and for an unmissable guided tour of some of Kentucky’s most haunted sites, join a Bardstown Ghost Trek tour – this local company has been offering tours in Bardstown for more than 25 years!
The Varick Mansion
This historic home is an essential stop for anyone intrigued by supernatural phenomena. It is said to be haunted by the spirit of a young man seen staring through windows at people outside and peeping inside, apparently pining for love and searching the property for someone. Another ghost seen roaming is that of an opera singer from Spain who vanished here around 1805 but continues haunting the premises today.
Waverly Hills Sanatorium was known for being one of the most haunted places in America. Its haunted tunnels were used to transport dead bodies out of sight so as not to cause distress among patients who witnessed so many deaths occurring, thus earning it its nickname as the Death Tunnel.
Visitors have reported feeling as though they are being observed, hearing strange voices or footsteps, seeing orbs of green light, or even feeling touched at Varick Mansion near Perryville Battle Field – this property has even been featured on various paranormal TV shows! Some have also noticed furniture moving on its own at this property which has been featured several times as being haunted.
