Kentucky may be known for horse racing, bourbon production and bluegrass music; but Kentucky also boasts an intriguing dark side – from an unsavory distillery to haunted sanatoriums – sure to leave an unforgettable scare in their wake.
Waverly Hills Sanatorium (Louisville/Jefferson County) – Opened in 1910 in response to an epidemic of tuberculosis, this haunted house is thought to be haunted by both past patients as well as ghostly residents from its establishment.
Mammoth Caves
Mammoth Cave National Park boasts the world’s largest cave system and has long been revered as an natural marvel, but many also consider it a place where ghosts may reside.
Native Americans used this cave for prehistoric mining of minerals and burial of their dead, many remains have been discovered there. Later, tuberculosis patients sought shelter there in hopes that breathing the cool cave air would cure their illness; many are said to still haunt its confines today.
More recently, cavers have reported unusual experiences. One such caver was Floyd Collins, who discovered many of the rooms that visitors now explore. Unfortunately he died two weeks after becoming trapped inside. Visitors report often seeing his ghost. Also other apparitions have been seen throughout the cave including a woman screaming loudly in darkness.
Seelbach Hilton
Kentucky is well known for its world-class bourbon production and amazing outdoor adventures, but the state also plays host to some earthbound spirits. Visitors can tour candlelit historic downtown Paducah or meet ghostly figures at Civil War-era plantations farms before partaking in paranormal investigations to witness these spirits up close and personal.
The Seelbach Hilton, famous for serving as the inspiration for Tom Buchanan and Daisy Buchanan’s wedding in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, has also long been said to be haunted by a mysterious Lady in Blue. One staff member reported seeing someone wearing blue attire walk into an elevator without opening its doors and enter without going through security screening in 1987.
Hotel guests have reported seeing many ghosts, including Patricia Wilson who committed suicide in 1936 and was known to haunt the lobby area and produce strange noises or experiences such as TVs turning on by themselves and footsteps in hallways. Today, this historic landmark offers haunted tours during Halloween season.
Gray Lady of Liberty Hall
The Gray Lady is said to haunt Liberty Hall in Frankfort, once owned by John Brown. Since its construction in 1796, many have lived and died there – including members of John’s family.
Margaret Varick, also known as “the Gray Lady”, has been seen by numerous people over time. Her spirit can often be seen opening and closing doors while always wearing gray clothing – she is known as an extremely kind ghost who takes care of their house!
Horror fans of all kinds should experience this haunted attraction, where guests will likely be terrified by orbs, footsteps and other unexplained phenomena. Considered one of America’s premier haunted houses with numerous different themes for an immersive horror experience!
Octagon Hall
Octagon Hall in Franklin, Kentucky was created by Andrew Jackson Caldwell in 1859 and remains one of a-kind to this day. There have been reports that both Confederate and Union soldiers who lived or died there still haunt it, making this location popular with ghost hunters and paranormal enthusiasts.
The house is believed to be haunted by the spirits of Caldwell family members, slaves and soldiers from both sides of the Civil War – as evidenced by numerous paranormal reports of unexplained activities such as doors slamming by themselves, voices heard throughout the home and mysterious lights seen.
Visitors have reported feeling as if they are being followed or watched while alone in the building, with many attributing this experience to power of suggestion and the history of Octagon Hall as opposed to true supernatural happenings. Octagon Hall hosts paranormal team hunts as well as amateur ghost hunting events, with staff at the museum having collected video, photographic, sound and apparition evidence of hauntings in and around Octagon Hall.
