When his spirit would pass people in the halls, they would feel cold. 1820 plantation house. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. I worked there as a jailor in the county jail there in the old part when it was on the 2nd floor. The ruins of the building that served as the Alabama Capitol from 1826-1846 have been preserved as Capitol Park in Tuscaloosa. B.B. As they crossed the bridge, the horses were spooked and the carriage was tipped into the water below. SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM! Some say theyve heard voices and felt cold spots inside the jail. Posted: (10 days ago) Decatur, AL: 1802 Central Pkwy SW Decatur, AL 35601-5808 1 520.30 Haywood County, NC: 2147 Asheville Rd Waynesville, NC 28786-3139 1 520.90 Rogers Water Utilities, AR: 601 S 2nd St Rogers, AR 72756-4608 3 521.10 Galax, VA: 111 E Grayson St Galax, VA 24333-2903 View Details Govdeals.com Fitness View More Whatley home no longer stands, it is shown above in 1936, but legend says the site is still haunted. According to legend, a small bridge on an isolated road is haunted by a baby who died there. According to the Chamber of Commerce website, a scarecrow apparition moves from room to room on this floor. The story was told by author Kathryn Tucker Windham in 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey.. 16) You Can Search for Gold in Several Public Places Gold mining and treasure hunting locations in Alabama start in Chilton County and continue northeast to the Georgia State line. When he was hanged, his executioners dug a hole beneath his dangling feet to accommodate his height. (Source: Alabama Department of Archives and History). Please log in, or sign up for a new account and. The Decatur Mall is anchored by Belk, jcpenney Outlet, Sears and Regal Cinemas. Fort Crawford was built on a bluff in 1816. The laws of the state of Alabama first and foremost follow the laws of the ARPA (the Archaeological Resources Protection Act). The image turned out to be a silhouette etched into the stone. 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). Visitors have claimed to have a feeling of being watched and cold chills even on the hottest days. What is now a non-denominational chapel was built in 1850 as a Presbyterian church. Take I-65 to Decatur, Exit 334. William Chancellor House in Harpersville today. Others claim to have witnessed the spirit of a mysterious mist, a crying baby and a strange man dressed in black. ", 3. The home was reportedly built atop old slave quarters and a cemetery. "Abandoned Alabama: Exploring The Heart of Dixie," by Leland Kent, (Arcadia Publishing), 2021, 96 pages, softcover. It's now underwater and the only remnant left of the town is a cemetery. Crime truly came to Decatur in the 1850s with the arrival of the railroads. The chain purchased Sears. 14. Adjoining Huntsville's historic Maple Hill Cemetery is a playground that looks much like any other, featuring a swing set and slide. The Marengo House was originally built in 1847 in Autauga County before being disassembled in 1854 and moved to its current location. The burned-out shell of the Dicksonia mansion was left after a 1964 fire because the damage to the foundation was too extensive for repairs. To visit Norwood, take exit 126B off Interstate 20/59, just north of downtown Birmingham. During the Civil War, Nancy lived with her husband and son on a small farm but her son was killed in the war and his body was never recovered. Residents hear screaming and footsteps and other ghostly sounds. Abandoned Western Railway of Alabama building in Montgomery is shown in the late 1960s. 3. Stories of figures haunting cemeteries, ghostly marching soldiers, and mysterious music playing in empty abandoned buildings are told in every corner of our state. Prairie Bluff disappeared from maps around 1900. Murder Creek Bridge is located on this stretch. Before the settlement of the original St. Stephens was abandoned, it sat atop a limestone bluff overlooking the Tombigbee River. Best Restaurants in Decatur, AL - The RailYard, Two Fish & A Toad, The Moody Crab, Simp McGhee's, Brick Deli, Francesco's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria, Bank Street Grill, Hard Dock, Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q, Sushi Sumo 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. When filming was completed, the owners of the property on Jackson Lake Island near Millbrook told director Tim Burton to leave the sets rather than bulldoze them. Visitors to the inn and restaurant have reported hearing disembodied footsteps and eerie noises throughout the home. If you stop on the bridge and turn off your lights, the couple will enter your car and leave behind a wet stain on your car seat. Local residents have reported seeing a strange mist rise up in the area in front of the statue of boxing great Joe Louis, who was born in Chambers County. This church on AvenueU in Pratt City has been empty since it was struck by a tornado. GHOST HUNTER'S TOUR: Created in 2005, the extended Ghost Hunter's Tour is a supernatural bus trip with an extra hour of spirits, scandals and sins! The rare folk-art stones, declared historic sites by the National Park Service, have unfortunately been all but destroyed by vandals. The 1893 Peyton building in downtown Bridgeport in the 1930s. Local lore says that this 1857 mansion built by cotton broker Foster Kirksey is haunted by the spirit of a woman who died on the property. The abandoned Memphis and Charleston Freight Depot at 303 Church St. in Huntsville. The hospital closed for good in 1957 and the building was later used for a variety of purposes, including Dorsey Yarbrough's National School of Music. 1888 as a private residence. The woods off Hinds Road are said the be haunted by a witch who sold her soul to the devil. An old bridge off Mothershed Road is known as Mary Daniel Bridge. White orbs also appear in the childrens room. The home was featured in the late Katherine Tucker Windham's book 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey., The skeletal facade ofan abandoned jail lurks in the woods in the community of Townley in Walker County, near Carbon Hill. Abandoned Storage Unit Auctions. Gen. John Brahan, a veteran of the War of 1812, began construction on Sweetwater Plantation in the 1830s. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. In the 1830s, settlers continued to move into the area to use Arcola as a river landing. Updated at 1 p.m. after the owner of the home previously mentioned said the details were incorrect and there are no legends surrounding his home. Bass Cemetery is located off a dirt road in the woods. The Tennessee River railroad bridge on Alabama Highway 43 in Florence is shown in the late 1960s. Decatur was one of the first mills to take advantage of river transportation of grain. When Huntingdon was a Methodist female college, a young woman allegedly committed suicide in the dorm and continues to haunt it. The bank was founded in the 1850s. Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge 159 Nature & Wildlife Areas By 460LizF Outstanding location to view wintering Sandhill Cranes. Jesse James is rumored to have holed up in the canyon. A local storyteller dressed in period clothing leads the one-mile tour of haunted hotels, infamous murder sites, cemeteries, and more. All rights reserved (About Us). His spirit has been seen wearing a white zoot suit, and he may try to catch a ride with you to Florence. Kids and adults will enjoy exploring various hands-on exhibits, including a gallery of bees, turtles, alligators and snakes, a recreated Alabama cave, insect galleries, a 15,000-gallon aquarium, and more. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Tales of Huggin' Molly also can be found in Louisiana and Florida, with variations. Abandoned slave quarters and workshops behind the Cabaniss House at 603 Randolph St. in Huntsville. The historic rock building is said to be haunted by two ghosts: one of an older man whose spirit reportedly sets things on fire and slams doors, and one of a little boy whose laughter is heard throughout the theater. This research was done using searches of a variety of sites about local haunts. Are the former owners of this home-turned-library angry at the intrusion into their afterlives or just trying to say hello? This was the exact same year Alabama was admitted to the Union as a state. She enjoys discovering new places and currently calls North Alabama home. (Source: Matt Glasscock at left; Birmingham Public Library at right), http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2016/09/amazing_photos_show_abandoned.html. The home of a former Alabama governor, it is reportedly haunted. Legend says the face of a woman appears on a tombstone in Sandlin Cemetery. The original portrait of Miss Kirtley hangs in the freshman dorm, Kirtley Hall, but often makes surprise appearances in elevators, closets, and beds! (Source: Library of Congress/Historic American Buildings Survey). Col. Christopher Claudius Pegues built a stately home on the property between Pine and Chestnut streets. Listed below are eight creepy Alabama ghost towns worth a visit. Have you visited any before? The David Wade House on Bob Wade Lane in Huntsville shown in 1935. That's right, allegedly there are sightings of a ghost sweeping. NOTE: These homes and buildings are located on private property. A marker was erected nearby detailing the legend. 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. Flickr/Annie Chartrand. A photo of the Richard Crocheron mansion in the 1880s, when it was already an abandoned ruin. Several of the brick structures that Pratt built are still used today for an industry manufacturing cotton gins. 112 Moulton St E, Decatur, AL 35601, United States // +1 256-355 Brick Deli is just around the corner from Josie's. It is open for lunch on Monday and Tuesday, lunch and supper on Wednesday through Saturday, and closed on Sunday. It is thought to be the face of Sarah Kittrell, wife of Thomas Kittrell, who disappeared in 1904. Find . The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. The Rawls Hotel was built in 1903 by Capt. It is located on a street bordering Montgomery's quaint Cottage Hill district, which is filled with refurbished cottages. This site was visited with permission. The site has two city cemeteries as well as a slave cemetery. Click here to see a five-part history of the Mt. (Picture: Old schoolhouse). The most infamous haunted location in Alabama is The Tutwiler Hotel in downtown Birmingham. Information with the photo said: This building stood on the southeast corner of Vine Street and First Street North. were demolished but the main house remains, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. After the main asylum became known as Bryce Hospitalin 1900, the Jemison Center was often called "Old Bryce Hospital," despite the fact that Bryce was built first. Click here to read more. Abandoned Marshall Space Flight Center power plant test stand in the east test area in Huntsville shown in 1968. 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. You may even stumble upon an old, abandoned homestead site in the woods. 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. Condie allegedly ran, screaming, with flames streaming from her. Read more 0 Abbie's House Guntersville, Alabama 39.5 miles from Decatur, AL This home dates back to 1909 and is registered by the local historical society. 16. The city, affectionately known as "The River City", is located in Northern Alabama on the banks of Wheeler Lake, along the Tennessee River. The abandoned P. D. Barker House at 109 Saint Anthony St. in Mobile in the 1930s. See map for precise location. There were a couple of towns that were flooded during the creation of the Norris Dam in 1936. Many people believe the ghost is that of the Governor's son who died in the Civil War. (Source: ecjmartin1 via Wikimedia Commons). (Source: Karen Manasco via FindaGrave.com). He is known to flush toilets, independently operate ice machines and brush past people leaving them with chills. A marker on Court Square North in Carrollton tells of the Pickens County portrait: "A freedman, Henry Wells, was accused of burning the second on November 16, 1876. It is the property of the Department of Youth Services. Decatur is the nearest city to the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, which includes 35,000 acres of land to provide a safe habitat for wintering and migrating birds in the eastern United States. (Alabama Department of Archives and History). The house has been restored and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Vice districts, gambling parlors and brothels sprang up in the wake of the railroads and the Civil War, bringing bloodshed and violence to the city. For the next 125 years, people claimed the hole would always return no matter how many times it was filled. The son of former Alabama governor, Robert Patton is said to be one of many ghosts to haunt the Sweetwater Mansion in Florence. By the end of 1888, the R&D had built 51 miles of track from Rome, GA to Attalla (west of Gadsden), AL. Decatur Alabama is a city in Morgan and Limestone counties in the State of Alabama. The hotel closed in the 1970s. Inside a seven-story, Renaissance Revival-style building in downtown Birmingham, framed photos of unknown people linger on desks that haven't been used in three decades. Princess Theatre in Decatur, Alabama M MSNHA Storage Buildings Old Barns Built In Storage Lauderdale Garages Sheds Beautiful Things Old Barn on Spring Avenue, Decatur, Alabama B Bonnie Goodman Little Theatre Old Signs Once In A Lifetime Movie Theater Performance Art Decatur Alabama great little Theater C Coil Billingsley Southern Homes Click hereto see more photos. Her spirit reportedly haunts McCandless because she had told her audience she would return. Apparently the entire length of Main Street is haunted by the ghosts of tornado victims. Members of Steel City Urbex were allowed into the bank area and the basement that are being developed for a business such as a restaurant or wine cellar, he said. Owners Bobby and Lynn Bright are refurbishing the film set of Spectre because public interest remains high. It is now an event venue. These, shown in 1935, were demolished but the main house remains. Its surprising how many ghost towns are in Alabama. One of the most important factors to keep in mind is that metal detecting on historical grounds is prohibited. NOTE: This site is continually monitored with video surveillance. The building has been abandoned since the 1980s. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. TOURS OFFERED FOR THE 2023 SEASON:Haunted History Bus Tours: $32 Per PersonGhost Hunter's Bus Tours: $42 Per PersonTOURS DEPART: Decatur Civic Center411 East William Street | South Parking LotFree Parking in Lot. The abandoned Memphis and Charleston Freight Depot in Huntsville. We know not everyone will agree about the legend in his or her county. 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. 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 was destroyed by Union forces in 1865. Western Railway of Alabama building in Montgomery as it looks today. Fort Gaines, a historic fort on Dauphin Island, was established in 1821 and is well known for its role in the Battle of Mobile Bay during the American Civil War. This private property houses the infamous ghost bridge that has numerous claims of haunting. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 1914. Our "history tour with ghosts" reveals not only the highlights of the city's history, but also reveals the history "that no one wants you to know" -- from crime scenes, to scandals, unsolved murders, and more. ADVANCE PERMISSION REQUIRED. At this playground set up near the cemetery, the ghosts of children play and swing on the swingsets. Jacksons Military Road passed through the town. This photo was taken in 1973. The Heart of Dixie is steeped in history, making for truly spooky tales. 3 bedrooms (63 homes) $205,869. Click herefor more photos. It is said that in one of the crypts stands an antique rocking chair, a favorite possession of a lady who was buried in her family crypt. The Jemison Center was built in the 1920s as part of Bryce Hospital, which opened in Tuscaloosa as the Alabama State Hospital for the Insane at the outset of the Civil War. For information, call 334-320-5330 or visitthe Facebook page. This is not just a collection of ghost stories, but a true history of how the city became so haunted -- which means we also include local sites of death, unsolved murders, strange crimes, gambling parlors, vice districts and more plagued the city in days gone by. Love Alabama? (Source: Historic Drish House Facebook page), This home was built by Dr. John R. Drish in 1837. 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. The Goode-Hall house in Town Creek, also known as Saunders Hall, was near collapse when this photo was taken in the 1930s. Some sources sayit opened in the 1890s as a mental hospital. No trespassing. Ghost towns, especially those that have been completely abandoned, can be a bit creepy. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. An old well house at the Chalkville Training School for Girls. Located in a beautiful 1820s home, the restaurant is known for its family of ghosts including a woman screaming and calling out as she floats past the windows and the ghostly reflection of a tall, bearded man in black, known as Old Ebeneezer Hearn. 9 Best . We have the list of places to check out! Take a look. the interior, seen here from the doorway, is closed to the public because it is unsafe. During the 1920s, Decatur would gain infamy as a place where murder, bootlegging, prostitution, kidnapping, gambling, corruption and, of course, ghosts, were commonplace. The grounds are maintained and the site is available to rent for photography and events from Dorothy Skipper Rental LLC. Simp McGhee's 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..