The Knight Sanitorium is a three-story brick building. According to legend, as Wells peered out of the north window, at a mob gathering below, lightning struck nearby, indelibly etching his image on the pane. Officials have marked the site with an arrow so visitors can spot the face.. It would go on to boast others, including the "Second Most Corrupt City in Illinois." The rare folk-art stones, declared historic sites by the National Park Service, have unfortunately been all but destroyed by vandals. Another story says when people feel a sudden sense of dread, they will soon see the apparition of a soldier. Cahawba, or Cahaba, was the state capital from 1820-1825 but was eventually abandoned because of flooding from the Alabama and Cahaba rivers. The Goode-Hall house in Town Creek, also known as Saunders Hall, in 2010. There's legend here of a ghost who does housework! Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, USA. the interior, seen here from the doorway, is closed to the public because it is unsafe. People claim that her ghost still haunts her Bankhead Forest property, angry at anyone who trespasses. This haunted house is huge and horrifyingso make sure to get your tickets ASAP. One-by-one, the boys killed anyone involved in the deaths of their family. In the absence of documented fact, people are free to claim their own version of history and never is that more Reported sightings of paranormal activity at this cemetery include a fiery orb that floats through the air. (Source: Judyanne Waters via FindaGrave.com), Grave of Norman Staples and Ghost Ship, Bladon Springs. The three-story tower was added to the home after the Civil War. Some people say they've heard a baby cry or a dog panting or growling while on the. The hotel's location next to the Shelby Iron Works, built in 1842 for access to a spring on the property, made it a popular weekend destination for the public but it was also used by employees of the Iron Works. Simp McGhee's It is alleged that you can hear the screams of soldiers who died in the Civil War at this cemetery. And why? If that wasnt creepy enough, visitors have been known to hear the sounds of a rocking chair moving back and forth as they pass. In 1902 the new facility was finished, featuring 33 buildings, a power station, and a general store. That's right, allegedly there are sightings of a ghost sweeping. CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR COPY! Haunted Decatur Tours, 141 North Main Street, Decatur, IL, 62523, United States. Condie allegedly ran, screaming, with flames streaming from her. Most cemeteries are closed at night. This abandoned railway line was originally chartered as the Rome and Decatur Railroad sometime after the Civil War to build a line from Rome, GA across Alabama to Decatur, starting in 1887. Abandoned Storage Unit Auctions. After a fire and years of deterioration, only a few buildings remain but it has become a popular destination for tourists and photographers. The family reportedly had the image sandblasted from the stone but it soon returned. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Prairie Bluff is a ghost town in Wilcox County, Alabama that first appeared on maps in 1819. Others say they have experienced their cars rocking while on the bridge. The Goode-Hall house in Town Creek, also known as Saunders Hall, was near collapse when this photo was taken in the 1930s. Either way, the photos are intriguing. Each tour gets on and off the bus during the evening and we do go inside some of Decatur's most haunted locations. Others claim to have seen the apparition of a man in a top hat in the parlor. A little farther to the east is a waterway known as Gun Island Chute that leads to the Alabama River. The preserved ruins of Alabama's first permanent capital city can be toured at Old Cahawba Archaeological Site. It is the largest city and county seat of Morgan County. Cook Museum of Natural Science 123 Science Museums Educational sites By alwildflower3 It's fun for groups, children of all ages, and solo adults or couples. It was designed in the Eastlake style of. This photo shows the Crocheron Columns, the only things remaining from a mansion built in Cahaba in 1843 by Richard Crocheron. (Source: Edward Bennett/Gaines Ridge Dinner Club Facebook page). People have claimed to hear wails of banshees and see ghostly hell hounds and apparitions of Confederate soldiers. St. Stephens is located nearly 70 miles north of Mobile and served as the capital of Alabama between the years 1817-1819, until Cahawba became the capital. Others claim to have seen phantom cars, strange balls of light and the apparition of a small figure, about 4 feet tall. The cemetery remains. Today, Jackson Lake Island is open to the public for camping and fishing. Frederic Ravesies, Arcola's first settler, established himself at what later became known as the Hatch Plantation. A local storyteller dressed in period clothing leads the one-mile tour of haunted hotels, infamous murder sites, cemeteries, and more. Following the deaths of John Drish and his wife Sarah, the home was used as a school from 1906 to 1925 and was used as an auto parts warehouse for several years. Click hereto see more photos. For the next 100 years,the mansion was owned by members of the Winston family. For information, contact Craig Drescher,info@historicwinterplace.com. Abandoned slave quarters and workshops behind the Cabaniss House at 603 Randolph St. in Huntsville. It is now a concert venue. Each year, unclaimed or abandoned assets are turned over to Alabama Unclaimed Property by financial institutions and businesses that lose contact with the owners. Winter Place at 454 Goldthwaite Street is one of the most iconic properties in Montgomery and in the state, both because of its Second Empire-style beauty and its history, which includes acting as offices for the Confederate Army and, according to legend, being the place where F. Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda Sayre met, setting off one of the most fiery romances of the Jazz Age. One of the most important factors to keep in mind is that metal detecting on historical grounds is prohibited. Water faucets that turn on and off. This popular ghost town was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. The building has been abandoned since the 1980s. (Megan Willis via Forgotten Alabama Facebook page). Click hereto see more from Cottage Hill. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Love Alabama? There are several websites out there that state something to the effect of "Aunt Johnson would hang anyone who trespassed on her property and the rope can still be seen to this day." He playfully flushed toilets and used ice machines. Legends surrounding this church are astounding in number and scope. Add Photos In the 1850s, the settlement had disappeared and was replaced by adjoining plantations. The home was reportedly built atop old slave quarters and a cemetery. Completely inundated, this abandoned town exists in a watery grave. She is said to have died instantly. Each tour gets on and off the bus throughout the night at the most haunted places in town and includes indoor locations, where you might just have the chance to meet a deceased Decatur resident face-to-face! The training school, shown when it was in use at left, was abandoned after a tornado destroyed several buildings and a new facility was built in 2015. Brick Deli is housed in a building that dates back over a century. We're sure this Victorian home in rural Missouri was once quite beautiful. According to Prattvilleal.gov: Pratt's "love of beauty is evidenced in Prattville in his manufactories which feature graceful arches, soaring ceilings and vast open spaces, interesting brick and stonework and a picturesque site alongside Autauga Creek. It is located across fromShelby Iron Works Park, which has been preserved as an educational site. The hangings were carried out inside the jail, and the spirits of those men reportedly never left. 33.7 miles from Decatur, TX A former gambling parlour in 1910, the Bull Ring is located in the historic district of the Fort Worth Stockyards. (Source: Matt Glasscock at left; Birmingham Public Library at right), http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2016/09/amazing_photos_show_abandoned.html. William Chancellor House in Harpersville today. The Chamber of Commerce building, above right, was constructed in 1910 as a bank. What is now a non-denominational chapel was built in 1850 as a Presbyterian church. Read more 0 In 1909, Kirkseys wheelchair-bound daughter Margaretta Eliza, who was 29 years old, fell from the second-floor balcony. Detail of the abandoned mansion on Goldthwaite. It is also home to numerous legends and ghost tales. (Illustration from historic photo/AL.com file). It once consisted of 25 buildings constructed in the 1870s or 1880. Inside Alabama's abandoned Ruffner Mountain mine, site of 1971 explosion, These abandoned Alabama bridges will make you wonder what's on the other side, Eerie abandoned campus of Alabama's girls reform school, Ghost boats: Abandoned Alabama watercraft, Inside the spooky skeleton of Bryce, Alabama's historic insane hospital, 15 riveting ruins that recount Alabama's past, Crumbling Shelby Hotel gives spooky glimpse into Alabama's resort era. One truck driver said that he struck the bridge after a ghostly horse-drawn carriage crossed the interstate in front of him. Although the spot where the Dallas Mill was is now open field, legend has it was once haunted by a man who died while working there. "Forks of Cypress" ruins near Florence. According . Many spooky tales surround Bear Creek Swamp. He was buried in Bladon Springs Cemetery alongside the graves of his three children who died before the age of six, including Bertha Jaquetta, Mabel Clare, and James Alfred. It was torn down in 1952. (Namaan Fletcher/What's Left of Birmingham). Before the settlement of the original St. Stephens was abandoned, it sat atop a limestone bluff overlooking the Tombigbee River. Legend says the area is haunted by spirits of residents in the form of strange lights that float among surviving buildings. Perrins, Alfonso's, Josie's, and Let's Do Lunch are very casual. This photo of the Alabama Capitol in Tuscaloosa was taken in the 1890s or early 1900s. Jesse James is rumored to have holed up in the canyon. It is said to be haunted by former patients. They were holding candles, and her hair caught fire. . Remnants of the town remain, including the courthouse, shown above, two cemeteries and the grave of an unknown War of 1812 soldier. Today, only its stone foundations remain. They will come with a title that will be put into the auction bidder's name. All rights reserved (About Us). Alabamas many historic cemetery sites can be bone-chilling, especially those with an eerie legend associated with it. This research was done using searches of a variety of sites about local haunts. This floor is allegedly haunted by an inmate who hanged himself in one of the cells, where visitors have reported feeling a sad presence. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. (Picture: Old schoolhouse). A stretch of Highway 5 between Natural Bridge and Jasper is reportedly haunted by the ghost of a teenage girl who was killed while returning from prom. One version of the story claims Molly was the ghost of a woman who had lost an infant who dealt with the tragedy by hugging local children. According to the Chamber of Commerce website, "Haunted Places: The National Directory. According to legend, the site is haunted by spirits of numerous people hung from the limbs of the tree in its 200- to 300-year history. IMPORTANT NOTE: Many of the sites listed below are on private property; others may be condemned or located in dangerous locations. InsideEastern Bank of Alabama in Eufaula. Legend says those who face the front of the house will feel a tap on their shoulders and see a dark figure running across the roof. A baby is said to have died there, either from murder, a car accident, a wagon accident from pioneer days, or variations on the theme. Local Online Auctions in Alabama. Montevallo, established in 1896, is reportedly haunted by the spirit of student Condie Cunningham. In some cases, homes and buildings on the verge of collapse were saved. Flatwoods was a settlement of freed slaves during Reconstruction but it was later burned. were demolished but the main house remains, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. This historic hotel is the home of a disruptive entity known only as 'the knocker.' It gets its name from the fact that when it appears on the sixth floor, knocking loudly on hotel room doors in the dead of night! Kelly Kazek |kkazek@al.com. For 75 years, the stone structures built by the Works Progress Administration in Chalkville sheltered girls labeled "incorrigible," "delinquent," or "wayward," although most arrived at the Alabama Training School for Girls because of behavioral and emotional problems and had committed no crimes, according toits superintendent in 1966. The Gaines Ridge Dinner Club is a restaurant inside a ca. HauntedPlaces.org makes no claims that any of the statements posted here are factually accurate. Thank you! Its surprising how many ghost towns are in Alabama. People are fascinated with abandoned sites. 15 most haunted places in Decatur. ADVANCE PERMISSION REQUIRED. Contact this Facility Decatur Mill 2050 Market St NE Decatur, AL 35601 256-280-4761 Number of Team Members: 40+ Winter Place at 454 Goldthwaite Street is one of the most iconic properties in Montgomery and in the state, both because of its Second Empire-style beauty and its history, which includes acting as. Trespassing is punishable by law. Many people believe the ghost is that of the Governor's son who died in the Civil War. Following her death in 1962, people claimed to see a kneeling figure at the grave, according to "Haunted Places: The National Directory." What are the most popular ghost stories in Alabama? Eerie. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Prattville was founded by Daniel Pratt, a manufacturer of cotton gins. The ghost of a boy who died there is said to haunt the park. During the Confederate occupation General John Bell resided there and during the Union occupation, General Sherman himself stayed at Wesleyan. If you want to suggest another tale, email kkazek@al.com or comment below. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Home Size. People report hearing strange noises and seeing apparitions at the site. For 50 years, the woman brought flowers and kneeled to pray at the foot of his 8-foot obelisk marker. This abandoned funeral home in Opelika still has hearses and caskets inside its casket showcase room. Dicksonia Plantation in Lowndesboro had a reputation in its day as a stately mansion in picturesque surroundings. Abandoned Places In Alabama 1. NOTE: These homes and buildings are located on private property. The vast majority of information provided on this web site is anecdotal, and as such, should be viewed in the same light as local folklore and urban legends. Soon, the family heard the sounds of Evelyn playing the piano down there and decided to send her body to Virginia to be buried in her familys cemetery. Jemison Center, former insane asylum for African Americans. This Greek Revival-style mansion was built in 1837 by Dr. John R. Drish who died in 1867. Beelitz Military Hospital, Berlin. The remains were removed in 2015. The two-story structure made of brick is said to be haunted by the souls of those who were incarcerated there. The tale of its resident ghost, a Confederate soldier named Sydney Grimmett who died there, is the most popular ghost story on campus. This home dates back to 1909 and is registered by the local historical society. The home was built for Dr. Alexander Mitchell, who sold it to Isaac Winston in 1833. Western Railway of Alabama building in Montgomery as it looks today. The hotel closed in the 1970s. During the Civil War, her husband and oldest son were reportedly murdered by members of the Home Guard because the son refused to join the army. Rumored to be haunted by an old man ghost with a fondness for flammables as well as a young boy who is often heard laughing. Mt. Winter Place in Montgomery. See map for precise location. The neglected building is Birmingham's Masonic Temple, also once known as the Colored Masonic Lodge. 9. At night, ghosts of the people buried there haunt the area. Decatur Alabama Population The newly renovated inn is now called Hotel Finial. . The Forks of Cypress Plantation in Florence was one of the most beautiful antebellum mansions in the state, built by the Jackson family who is buried on the plantation grounds. Today, the Old State Bank in Decatur is open for tours. The chain purchased Sears. The historic Josephine Hotel, built in 1880 in downtown Union Springs, now houses a cafe, art studio and gift shop. A massive oak at the junction of the Pea and Choctahatchee rivers is known as the Constitution Oak and is one of the largest in the state. The historic courthouse is used for events and education art displays. Abandoned Western Railway of Alabama shedin Montgomery is shown in the late 1960s. (Source: Historic Drish House Facebook page), This home was built by Dr. John R. Drish in 1837.