(Source: Karen Manasco via FindaGrave.com). Some say theyve heard voices and felt cold spots inside the jail. Legend says if you stop by the cemetery gate and put your car in neutral, the Lady in White will push you away from the spot where she was killed so youll be safe. She founded many of the things Judson students still love: theConversationalistyearbook, theTriangle(student newspaper), theScrimshawliterary magazine, the college archives, and several (shh!) Read more 0 . It was rebuilt and operated until 1923. Jennifer is the Alabama staff writer for Only In Your State and has nearly 15 years of professional writing experience. An old bridge off Mothershed Road is known as Mary Daniel Bridge. These, shown in 1935, were demolished but the main house remains. It is named for war veteran and politician Joseph Wheeler, as is nearby Wheeler Lake. Guests of the inn reported seeing apparitions on the porch and downstairs of a woman in Victorian dress and a little girl. Remnants of the town remain, including the courthouse, shown above, two cemeteries and the grave of an unknown War of 1812 soldier. 3 bedrooms (63 homes) $205,869. (Historic American Engineering Record/Library of Congress). From lost burial grounds to haunted theaters, the Haunted Decatur Tour is much more than just a run-of-the-mill ghost tour! Either way, the photos are intriguing. It is now an event venue. 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. If you'd like to see the "behind the scenes" drama of Decatur's haunted past, then this is the tour for you! The northeast of Alabama is part of the TAG area (the region where Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia meet). Every year during Halloween a pumpkin mysteriously makes its way into Romeo's hands. She would die from her burns on Feb. 6 at the age of 17. It was torn down in 1952. The Heart of Dixie is steeped in history, making for truly spooky tales. Gold was discovered in Arbacoochee in the 1830s, causing the town to grow rapidly. The once flourishing Eastern Bank of Alabama at 201 Broad Street in Eufaula, was abandoned and in bad shape when this photo was taken in 1935. The Chamber of Commerce building, above right, was constructed in 1910 as a bank. Battleship Island, Japan. 5) Higdon Hotel Joy Castello / Flickr The Higdon Hotel has been closed for business since 1920, but the beautiful building still stands. Before the settlement of the original St. Stephens was abandoned, it sat atop a limestone bluff overlooking the Tombigbee River. InsideEastern Bank of Alabama in Eufaula. That might be a first. Each year, unclaimed or abandoned assets are turned over to Alabama Unclaimed Property by financial institutions and businesses that lose contact with the owners. The chain purchased Sears. After the capital was moved to Montgomery, the Tuscaloosa building was used as the Alabama Central Female College. VIN Date Reported Stolen Vehicle Year Make Model Tag State Status Supposedly you can still hear what sounds like the body swaying on the second floor. This research was done using searches of a variety of sites about local haunts. It produced plating for Civil War-era ironclad vessels, as well as pig iron for munitions and other wartime materials. We only offer a very limited number of these tours each season and it's one not to miss! 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." Some have heard footsteps from the second floor and the sound of the piano playing when no one is there. Alabama, Should Be on Your Radar. After Old Main burned in 1887, the Chapel was used for classrooms until Samford Hall was built. Abandoned rail shops at the Western Railway of Alabama at 701 North Perry St. in Montgomery are shown in the 1960s. Kelly Kazek |kkazek@al.com. No trespassing. Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. Reportedly haunted by the ghost of a woman who hanged herself back in the day when the Center was a teaching college. The woods off Hinds Road are said the be haunted by a witch who sold her soul to the devil. 16. The only trace that remains is the nearby cemetery, which some believe was initially established as the posts burial ground. The home of a former Alabama governor, it is reportedly haunted. Because after an entire life of drudgery and cleaning, that's how every woman wants to spend her afterlife. And if you consider yourself a ghost hunter, youll love this creepy road trip in Alabama. Bass Cemetery is located off a dirt road in the woods. The tale of its resident ghost, a Confederate soldier named Sydney Grimmett who died there, is the most popular ghost story on campus. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! The population in 2010 census was 55,683. 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. Penn's and Big Bob's have the greatest longevity and are synonymous with Decatur. The property is still owned by the Department of Mental Health and is trespassing is illegal. The ghost of a woman who died after being hit by a truck is said to haunt this stretch of road. Now, join us for our award-winning tours of Decatur as we journey back in time to uncover the "other side" of the city's history and reveal not only the scandals and sins that haunt Decatur, but the many ghosts that linger here as well! His spirit has been seen wearing a white zoot suit, and he may try to catch a ride with you to Florence. 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. Legend says the face of a woman appears on a tombstone in Sandlin Cemetery. Some people say theyve heard a baby cry or a dog panting or growling while on the property. The son of former Alabama governor, Robert Patton is said to be one of many ghosts to haunt the Sweetwater Mansion in Florence. People have claimed to see a ghostly face in the windows of this historic covered bridge, known as the Livingston Covered Bridge and the Alamuchee-Bellamy Covered Bridge. Each tour gets on and off the bus during the evening and we do go inside some of Decatur's most haunted locations. This photo was taken in 1973. Furthermore, it is not allowed for any person to excavate . This popular ghost town was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. What it did offer was good food, comfortable bedrooms, outdoor activities and, according toa history of Shelby Iron Works, the first accommodations with electricity and indoor plumbing in the state. Although the mist is not thought to be connected to the statue, it does form the shape of a figure as it rises, before disappearing. 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. Some people say they've heard a baby cry or a dog panting or growling while on the. 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. Built in 1842, the old Coosa County Jail, known as the Old Rock Jail, is the oldest surviving stone jail in Alabama. Buildings in Downtown Decatur have a long and . Many ghost hunters have visited the hotel. The 1833 Old State Bank of Alabama in Decatur as it was getting a coat of paint in 1934 after it had been abandoned for decades. Read more 0 Some have been completely abandoned, making them TRUE ghost towns. He is reportedly always looking toward the Tombigbee River, where his beloved steamboat exploded. When she finally reached her home and reported the accident to her husband, the man began drinking to soothe his grief. It would go on to boast others, including the "Second Most Corrupt City in Illinois." Are the former owners of this home-turned-library angry at the intrusion into their afterlives or just trying to say hello? Tales extend to the adjoining cemetery and even the churchs outhouse. HAUNTED HISTORY TOUR: Our longest-running tour is a spirited bus tour that takes guests on a 3-hour excursion to Decatur's most haunted locations. ", StrangeUSA.comsays ghosts of inmates can be heard: "Legend has it that their screams can be heard as they were being burned to death, and you can hear the laugher of the guards that stood by watching.". Nearby, a pair of eyeglasses gathers dust, as if the owner were suddenly interrupted in the middle of a workday and never returned. Legend says the spirits of the children buried in the cemetery, founded in 1822, come there to play. Spectre, Ala., is a fictional town built as a set for the 2003 movie "Big Fish." The hole disappeared in the past couple of years when the area was flooded but people continue to visit. He was arrested January 1878, and confined to the garret of the present building. Others claim to have seen phantom cars, strange balls of light and the apparition of a small figure, about 4 feet tall. Have you visited any before? 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. See more ideas about alabama, abandoned, historical sites. Thank you! According . 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. Jesse James is rumored to have holed up in the canyon. (Source: Matt Glasscock at left; Birmingham Public Library at right), http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2016/09/amazing_photos_show_abandoned.html. An obituary written by J. T. Melton states that Hall was born on March 3, 1830, in Lawrence County, Tennessee, although there is conflicting evidence that he was actually born on March 4, 1924. Late at night, people have reported hearing eerie footsteps echoing on the decks of the War World II-era battleship USS Alabama. Haunted Places Decatur, Alabama Decatur High School Decatur High School was built in 1950. Cook Museum. Take a look. 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. Although the haunting of Sloss Furnaces is oft repeated, legends surrounding Bass Cemetery in Irondale are definitely the spookiest. Others claim to have seen the apparition of a man in a top hat in the parlor. These auctions tend to occur less frequently than typical public car auctions in Alabama. The date of the photograph is unknown, but it was probably taken in the late 19th or early 20th century, after the building had been used as a grist mill. It is no longer standing. Reportedly haunted by the ghost of a young singer who died on the night of her greatest triumph. 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. 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. From vacant factories and industrial sites to long-shuttered schoolhouses, our list of the 10 most amazing abandoned places in Alabama has a little bit of everything. Located at 112 Moulton Street E Decatur, AL 35601; Scares start Friday, October 22, from 7-11 p.m. . 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. "Abandoned Alabama: Exploring The Heart of Dixie," by Leland Kent, (Arcadia Publishing), 2021, 96 pages, softcover. A photo of the Richard Crocheron mansion in the 1880s, when it was already an abandoned ruin. This building now houses a geriatric treatment facility but when it was a hospital, employees claimed it was haunted by a ghost named Homer. Homer would roam the halls as a dark shape. Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion in Tuscaloosa. (Submitted by Callum Swift) Read more 0 Baker Mansion Weatherford, Texas 35.4 miles from Decatur, TX The woods along here is reportedly the site where a group of freed black slaves set up a settlement following the Civil War that was burned out and destroyed by the KKK. Because the ground was frozen at the time, she was placed in a coffin in the cellar. And why? Click hereto see more photos. As the Drish mansion lore goes, the ghost of Sarah was furious about this and occasionally locals will see the third-story tower lit in flames. When they turn to look, nothing is there. Sloss Furnaces (Birmingham, AL) 20 32nd St. N., Birmingham, AL 35222 (205) 254-2025 In the years following the Civil War, Birmingham's Sloss Furnaces became the mecca of pig iron needed for thousands of steel products around the country. Aunt Jenny Brooks Johnson, shown above, was a real mountain woman whose sons became outlaws. Location: 30338 Lester Road, Lester, Alabama Hours: 7 to 11 p.m. Website: Click here Haunted House of Horror About: Wander around an 8,000 square-foot town filled with supernatural scares. The Empire Building, one of four that make up the "Heaviest Corner on Earth" in downtown Birmingham, is a 16-story, 247-foot-tall Classical Revival-style skyscraper. The Greek Revival and Italianate architecture is covered in stucco, making it one of the most unique homes in the state. The abandoned Peerless Laundry building at Royal and Conti streets in Mobile. (Picture: Hatch Plantation), Between the years 1819-1826, Cahawba was Alabama's state capital. 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! If that wasnt creepy enough, visitors have been known to hear the sounds of a rocking chair moving back and forth as they pass. However, that doesn't stop the tales from being told and retold. Montevallo, established in 1896, is reportedly haunted by the spirit of student Condie Cunningham. HAUNTED DECATUR is part of AMERICAN HAUNTINGS INKEMAIL: GHOSTS@AMERICANHAUNTINGS.NET Copyright 2023 by American Hauntings Ink. Detail of the abandoned mansion on Goldthwaite. Condie allegedly ran, screaming, with flames streaming from her. The image turned out to be a silhouette etched into the stone. (Illustration from a photo of Old Cahawba/Will Elrick), Old Cahawba Archaeological Site is the preserved remnants of the ghost town of Alabamas first capital city. In this 1934 photo, renovation work had begun on Spring Villa in Opelika. Some report that is you park on the bridge, your car will begin to rock. It is the largest city and county seat of Morgan County. More history, more hauntings, and more off-the-bus locations, this 4-hour tour delves into the most ghost-infested people and places in Decatur's history. To visit Norwood, take exit 126B off Interstate 20/59, just north of downtown Birmingham. The spirit of an inmate who committed suicide in the building is reported to walk its halls. It is located at 1928 First Avenue North. Check out the 15 most haunted places in Decatur then learn more by visiting HauntedDecatur.com. Abandoned Places In Alabama 1. The courthouse burned in 1866 and was rebuilt. The bank was founded in the 1850s. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Her spirit reportedly haunts McCandless because she had told her audience she would return. The ruins of Fort Morgan, built in 1819, are spooky on their own. Get directions Red Hat Road Decatur , Alabama , 35601 USA Coordinates: 34.65420, -87.07780 Cemetery ID: 21888 Members have Contributed 3 Memorials 0% photographed 0% with gps About these numbers Photos No additional photos. Now, it's just old and long abandoned. White orbs also appear in the childrens room. At the WHBC frat house, they say former Youth Minister Anthony Stephens' spirit walks through the house later at night. 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. The Goode-Hall house in Town Creek, also known as Saunders Hall, in 2010. According toGhostsofAmerica.com: "We heard a sound like chains clinking together right behind us and beside us. The Tennessee River railroad bridge on Alabama Highway 43 in Florence is shown in the late 1960s. It was a stormy night and her carriage flipped, killing Burns. The story was told by author Kathryn Tucker Windham in 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey.. Shown: The Old Shelby Hotel in Shelby County. The abandoned Memphis and Charleston Freight Depot at 303 Church St. in Huntsville. See the last slide for links to more photos of abandoned sites in Alabama. (Source: Judyanne Waters via FindaGrave.com), Grave of Norman Staples and Ghost Ship, Bladon Springs. 1910, was slated for demolition, but a citizens group hopes to save it. She never harmed them, other than perhaps causing some ringing in their ears. A curved staircase inside the 1850 Carpenter Gothic-style home called Spring Villa in Opelika. The area is said to be haunted by the spirits of those who died in the mines. If you go, drive by only. After a sensational trial in Huntsville in 1884, two years after Jesse had been shot to death, Frank was acquitted of that crime. For tour information and fees, visit the ghost town's websitehere. 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. 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. The building has been abandoned since the 1980s. The hotel closed in the 1970s. This church on AvenueU in Pratt City has been empty since it was struck by a tornado. Flickr/Jon Dickson. 4 bedrooms (42 homes) $317,230. It served as the Jackson County seat from 1821 to 1859. Many people claim theyve seen a face behind the barred windows of the second floor but the building was empty. The site is beneath the Alabama Highway 134 bridge over the Choctawhatchee River. 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. William J. Samford Hall in the Auburn University Historic District. For 50 years, the woman brought flowers and kneeled to pray at the foot of his 8-foot obelisk marker. In life, she reportedly lived in a shack in the woods. Or they are shocked by the waste of still-useful homes and buildings. The remains were removed in 2015. It is said to be haunted by the inmates executed there, with the last one in 1949. The interior of the Goode-Hall house in the 1930s. But this playground is different. It burned in 1923, leaving only ruins. At night, ghosts of the people buried there haunt the area. Some also like to repeat the myth that children were buried in the playground following a series of abductions in the 1960s. Visitors to the inn and restaurant have reported hearing disembodied footsteps and eerie noises throughout the home. The war ended before the plant went into operation. The house is reportedly haunted by the spirit of an invalid woman who killed herself in the home in the 1960s. When he was hanged, his executioners dug a hole beneath his dangling feet to accommodate his height. The Rawls Hotel was built in 1903 by Capt. Prattville was founded by Daniel Pratt, a manufacturer of cotton gins. She is buried in Birminghams Elmwood Cemetery. According to the Auburn University Libraries, this is the only known interior photograph of the building that served as the Dallas County Courthouse at Old Cahaba from ca. Legends claim the captains spirit roams the cemetery, keeping watch over his children. The Victoria Inn was built ca. It survives but the third story and its Romanesque embellishments were removed. The abandoned Hall Hotel building is among the loveliest - if spooky - structures in the Madison County town of Gurley. The face appeared on the grave of Thomas second wife, Mary Jane Kittrell. 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. We went online to see which stories were most repeated ineach of Alabama's counties to make the following list. According to legend, many apparitions haunt the house. 1914. 15. A local storyteller dressed in period clothing leads the one-mile tour of haunted hotels, infamous murder sites, cemeteries, and more. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The firefighters felt that is simply wasn't worth the risk to aggressively try to stop the fire, and to let the fire burn itself. It is said that a mysterious fog covers this area day or night, and it surrounds the gravestones. Murder Creek Bridge is located on this stretch. Alabama's 12 Most Haunted Places 1. Love Alabama? Perrins, Alfonso's, Josie's, and Let's Do Lunch are very casual. The Canabiss House in Huntsville today. According to the Chamber of Commerce website, "Haunted Places: The National Directory. Today, only its stone foundations remain. These are cars, trucks, and SUVs that were abandoned or otherwise not claimed by their owners after a period of time. With its troubling past of murder, manslaughter and illegal activity, it isn't that hard to believe either. During the 1920s, Decatur would gain infamy as a place where murder, bootlegging, prostitution, kidnapping, gambling, corruption and, of course, ghosts, were commonplace. Nancys spirit is distraught over not being able to bury her son. Its surprising how many ghost towns are in Alabama. The Penney Building is a 31,000-square-foot structure in downtown Dothan. The Cedarhurst Mansion Estate was originally built in 1823 by Stephen Ewing. Eerie screams have been heard and ghostly apparitions have been seen haunting the Moncrief cemetery. Find . The ghost of a boy who died there is said to haunt the park. He may flush the toilet as well. In a little-known cemetery deep in the woods of Clarke County are tombstones created by a man who was ahead of his time. Typical cemetery haunting fare including orbs and reports that your car will die if you drive there on specific dates. People claim to hear knocking on the floors and walls. All the locals know it as "Abbie's House," as it was built and lived in by Abbie Smith, who founded the United Methodist church in nearby Warrenton, AL. Ruins of theMemphis and Charleston Freight Depot at 303 Church St. in Huntsville. This isolated, one-lane bridge in rural Chilton County is said the be haunted by a malevolent spirit that chases people who cross it. See more onSteel City Urbex's Facebook page. 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. The historic courthouse is used for events and education art displays. Sometimes its because they bring back memories of places they once loved. This airfield built in 1941, shown above in aerial view, was used to train the famous Tuskegee Airmen. Apr 16, 2018 - Explore Kelly Kazek's board "Abandoned Alabama", followed by 561 people on Pinterest. 2. Ashland Place Historic District in Mobile. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. It's now underwater and the only remnant left of the town is a cemetery. The bank is defunct but the building is still in use. It is the property of the Department of Youth Services. Today, the home has been beautifully restored by the City of Opelika and is the centerpiece of Spring Villa Park. Haunted Decatur Tours, 141 North Main Street, Decatur, IL, 62523, United States. After a mummified woman was discovered in her home, people claimed she was a witch. IMPORTANT NOTE: Many of the sites listed below are on private property; others may be condemned or located in dangerous locations. 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. 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. (Alabama Department of Archives and History). Athens State was founded in 1822 as the Athens Female Academy, making it the oldest higher learning institute in the state. Location: 1205 Tennessee St., Courtland, Alabama Hours: 7 to 10 p.m. The activity is reportedly caused by the spirit of a woman who died on the top floor in the 1950s. The historic, two-story jail was built in ca. Adjoining Huntsville's historic Maple Hill Cemetery is a playground that looks much like any other, featuring a swing set and slide. 1890s commissary that served the mining families still stands but the vine-covered building is said the be the site of miners killed at the site. Local writer and historian Lee Peacock said the 40-mile stretch of Interstate 65 between Evergreen and Greenville is known as "The Haunted Highway." Possibly among the most inane of haunted reports, people claim to see a green light in the cemetery at night. It was named for nearby Sweetwater Creek. This slideshow includes photos gathered from state archives and from two federal programs that helped document our history: The Historic American Buildings Survey taken in the 1930s, and the Historic American Engineering Record from the late 1960s. . Two Federal gunboats patrolled the river. Sardis is home to a truly creepy rumor claiming that a man with fiery red eyes and the ghostly figure of a Confederate soldier has also been spotted wandering the property of the Adams Grove Presbyterian Church.