The story was told by author Kathryn Tucker Windham in 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey.. Did you know about these Alabama ghost towns? The Spookiest Things to See and Do in Gatlinburg - Southern Living . Local writer and historian Lee Peacock said the 40-mile stretch of Interstate 65 between Evergreen and Greenville is known as "The Haunted Highway." Huggin Mollys restaurant in downtown Abbeville is named for the legend. It's notorious for the vast amount of caves, and also for the true cavers spirit among its inhabitants. Remember, the majority of homes are occupied, private residences and those that are abandoned are marked "No Trespassing" and are a hazard. 3. 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. The penthouse is still up for sale, he said. Reportedly, an unusually high number people who lived along the road have died; some say 68 since 1890. The hole disappeared in the past couple of years when the area was flooded but people continue to visit. Legend says the area is haunted by spirits of residents in the form of strange lights that float among surviving buildings. Dicksonia Plantation in Lowndesboro had a reputation in its day as a stately mansion in picturesque surroundings. According to legend, Jenny and her remaining sons set out to get revenge. Decatur's sordid reputation also added to the ghostly stories of the city through incidents of murder and death. Within 15 years, the town had 5,000 residents. The bridge was built in 1861 as an access route for Confederate forces to Mississippi. When he was hanged, his executioners dug a hole beneath his dangling feet to accommodate his height. Brick Deli is housed in a building that dates back over a century. Contact this Facility Decatur Mill 2050 Market St NE Decatur, AL 35601 256-280-4761 Number of Team Members: 40+ He is reportedly always looking toward the Tombigbee River, where his beloved steamboat exploded. Here is a look at 21 of the most photographed abandoned sites in Alabama. Decatur, Dothan, Hoover, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, and more. The current owners of the Moody Brick claim that the old plantation is definitely not haunted. The destruction of these burial mounds cast a mysterious pall over the city -- a darkness that continues to linger today. 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). . The historic courthouse is used for events and education art displays. (Source: Karen Manasco via FindaGrave.com). . Now, it's just old and long abandoned. Before the settlement of the original St. Stephens was abandoned, it sat atop a limestone bluff overlooking the Tombigbee River. 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. Her ghost is said to look down from the upstairs window. 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. 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 What is now a non-denominational chapel was built in 1850 as a Presbyterian church. In the 1850s, the settlement had disappeared and was replaced by adjoining plantations. Passersby often say they can see the swings moving on their own volition, as well as orbs or spectral figures. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Thank you! A little farther to the east is a waterway known as Gun Island Chute that leads to the Alabama River. Mining continued in Arbacoochee until the 1930s, but the town never recovered and became a ghost town by 1990. The spirit of a murdered woman is said to haunt a dirt road behind a Texaco station in this small community. The historic Josephine Hotel, built in 1880 in downtown Union Springs, now houses a cafe, art studio and gift shop. The Decatur Mall is anchored by Belk, jcpenney Outlet, Sears and Regal Cinemas. The canyon's proximity to the Natchez Trace, which was known as the Devil's Backbone, made it a choice hideout for many outlaws who robbed and murdered travelers along the Trace. Unfortunately, the introduction of new railroads following the American Civil War really hurt the town. Some have heard footsteps from the second floor and the sound of the piano playing when no one is there. 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. These, shown in 1935, were demolished but the main house remains. From lost burial grounds to haunted theaters, the Haunted Decatur Tour is much more than just a run-of-the-mill ghost tour! Completely inundated, this abandoned town exists in a watery grave. 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. Since 1982, the 1824 house has been a museum and event space. This weathered concrete frame on Shelby County Road 42 was once part of Shelby Chemical Co., a plant owned by Shelby Iron Co. The preserved ruins of Alabama's first permanent capital city can be toured at Old Cahawba Archaeological Site. 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. 1914. And why? Local legend claims that a woman appears should a visitor kiss the tallest tombstone. A photo of the Richard Crocheron mansion in the 1880s, when it was already an abandoned ruin. Are the former owners of this home-turned-library angry at the intrusion into their afterlives or just trying to say hello? NOTE: Horton House burned and nothing remains. This courthouse was built in 1868 when Seale was the county seat from 1866-1942. This cemetery is reportedly haunted by the sweetheart of a real man named Robert Musgrove, who was killed in a train wreck in 1904. 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. She was struck by a truck and her body was later found beside the highway. Before long he was drunk and, in his anger, he dragged his wife to the bridge and hanged her from the railing before jumping to his death. The ruins of the building that served as the Alabama Capitol from 1826-1846 have been preserved as Capitol Park in Tuscaloosa. This private property houses the infamous ghost bridge that has numerous claims of haunting. 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. 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. Montevallo, established in 1896, is reportedly haunted by the spirit of student Condie Cunningham. Cripple Creek - Palace Hotel - Like much of Cripple Creek, the Palace Hotel has a long history. The Gainesridge Dinner Club has been named the "Most Haunted Restaurant" in Alabama. It once consisted of 25 buildings constructed in the 1870s or 1880. The abandoned Memphis and Charleston Freight Depot in Huntsville. The woods off Hinds Road are said the be haunted by a witch who sold her soul to the devil. Hayden Pursley spent three years restoring the historic hotel and had several stories he often told to include seeing a girl around the age of 12 running down the halls. He also experienced a ghost, thought to Capt. She is buried in Birminghams Elmwood Cemetery. After the capital was moved to Montgomery, the Tuscaloosa building was used as the Alabama Central Female College. For information, contact Craig Drescher,info@historicwinterplace.com. According to legend, many apparitions haunt the house. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. 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. We only offer a very limited number of these tours each season and it's one not to miss! The A ghost named George is said to live here, a former construction worker who fell from a scaffold as the place was being built. This account of the hauntings comes from RawlsBandB.com: Unusual occurrences are not uncommon in the historic Rawls hotel. It is said to be haunted by slaves who died on the grounds and also by former owners. This is one of the outbuildings at the site. The Cedarhurst Mansion Estate was originally built in 1823 by Stephen Ewing. All rights reserved (About Us). As the river trade continued to increase, the town continued to grow. This haunted house is huge and horrifyingso make sure to get your tickets ASAP. The J.W. The house has been restored and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Ghost towns, especially those that have been completely abandoned, can be a bit creepy. Today, Jackson Lake Island is open to the public for camping and fishing. 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. 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. See the last slide for links to more photos of abandoned sites in Alabama. 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. 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. 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. Legends of hauntings in the home include one about a screaming woman dressed in Victorian clothing. She is said to have died instantly. HAUNTED DECATUR is part of AMERICAN HAUNTINGS INKEMAIL: GHOSTS@AMERICANHAUNTINGS.NET Copyright 2023 by American Hauntings Ink. In 1854, Colonel Dan Conklin started a whiskey distillery, racetrack and brothel on the outskirts of Decatur, which would earn the city its first unflattering nickname of "Hell's Half Acre." At the heart of the Deep South, the state of Alabama offers a wealth of opportunities for urban explorers. People claim to hear knocking on the floors and walls. 30+ Abandoned Industrial Buildings In Alabama | Abandoned Alabama Archive - Industrial Western Railway of Alabama February 13, 2023 Add comment | City/Town: Montgomery The Montgomery Railroad, later known as the Western Railway of Alabama, was one of the earliest railroads in the South. Guests of the inn reported seeing apparitions on the porch and downstairs of a woman in Victorian dress and a little girl. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 35.2 miles from Decatur, IN This 1912 former hotel now houses the offices of a paranormal investigative team, who claim that the building is one of the most haunted in the entire state. Legend says Evelyn Carter, the sister of a housekeeper, died on the grounds of Gaineswood Plantation in the late 1800s. This photo was taken in 1934 when the home was abandoned. Youve Never Experienced Anything Like The Epic Old Railroad Bed Trail, An Abandoned Railroad Hike In Alabama, The Alabama Ghost Town Thats Perfect For An Autumn Day Trip, A Haunting Road Trip Through Alabama Ghost Towns To Take If You Dare, Most People Have Long Forgotten About This Vacant Ghost Town In Rural Alabama, This Small Alabama Town Is One Of The Creepiest Ghost Towns In America, This Abandoned Funeral Home In Alabama Will Chill You To The Bone, Nature Is Reclaiming This Deserted Alabama Resort And Its Actually Amazing, Everyone In Alabama Should See What This Abandoned Film Set Looks Like. (Alabama Department of Archives and History). Others claim to have witnessed the spirit of a mysterious mist, a crying baby and a strange man dressed in black. Exploring Abandoned Yet Standing Kmart Decatur Alabama| the Showstopper Please log in, or sign up for a new account and. For this feature, Ive combined those two loves. 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. William J. Samford Hall in the Auburn University Historic District. The cemetery is said to be haunted by the ghost of Norman Staples, captain of a sternwheel steamer who killed himself with a shotgun in 1913 at the age of 44. Haunted Decatur Tours, 141 North Main Street, Decatur, IL, 62523, United States. Measured by other resorts built in Alabama in the 1800s, such as nearby Shelby Springs Hotel or Blount Springs Resort, the Dennemora Hotel offered a pared-down version of entertainment. 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. 1830s to 1866. At least one of the buildings at Robinson's Switch has the shape of a depot and another long building appears to have been a railroad warehouse. The home was completed in 1835 by Robert Patton, Brahan's son-in-law and former Alabama governor. White orbs also appear in the childrens room. Legends often say that he was hanged on trumped-up charges for deserting the Confederate army, although details vary. This site was visited with permission. Some people say theyve heard a baby cry or a dog panting or growling while on the property. See more ideas about alabama, abandoned, historical sites. 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. 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." Aunt Jenny Brooks Johnson, shown above, was a real mountain woman whose sons became outlaws. 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. The Rawls Hotel was built in 1903 by Capt. 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! Today, the home has been beautifully restored by the City of Opelika and is the centerpiece of Spring Villa Park. were demolished but the main house remains, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. Decatur was one of the first mills to take advantage of river transportation of grain. Cook Museum. Police Impound and Abandoned Tow Auctions in Alabama Students and teachers alike have reported seeing white (no reviews) Haunted Places Decatur, Alabama Highway 11 In September 1934, a young man named Lonnie Stephens was wrongfully accused of murdering his (no reviews) BESbswy Although the haunting of Sloss Furnaces is oft repeated, legends surrounding Bass Cemetery in Irondale are definitely the spookiest. (Source: Matt Glasscock at left; Birmingham Public Library at right), http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2016/09/amazing_photos_show_abandoned.html. After Old Main burned in 1887, the Chapel was used for classrooms until Samford Hall was built. The able-bodied patients at Jemison worked on a hospital farm. Water faucets that turn on and off. 14. Condie allegedly ran, screaming, with flames streaming from her. What are the creepiest cemeteries in Alabama? (Source: Don and Susie via FindaGrave.com). An elevator that runs by itself. 19 Abandoned Places In Illinois [MAP] - Urbex The building was constructed in Northport on what was once called Cherokee Plantation, owned by Robert Jemison. William Chancellor House in Harpersville today. Legends surrounding this church are astounding in number and scope. The Haunted Decatur Tours are based on the bestselling book by Troy Taylor, HAUNTED DECATUR. 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. Properly called Jackson Ford Bridge, there are currently plans to demolish the bridge due to vandalism and decay making for a safety hazard. It was rebuilt and operated until 1923. Decatur Mill | Ardent Mills (Picture: St. Stephens Gravesite), Riverton, located in Colbert County, Alabama, was an old trade town that was destroyed when the Pickwick Landing Dam was built during the 1930s. The ghost of a boy who died there is said to haunt the park. Abandoned Western Railway of Alabama shedin Montgomery is shown in the late 1960s. It's now underwater and the only remnant left of the town is a cemetery. Share your experiences with us in the comments below! Flickr/Renee May. Some report that is you park on the bridge, your car will begin to rock. Take a look. It is continually guarded and visitors are not allowed without prior approval. Metal Detecting In Alabama (Laws,Locations,Gold,Clubs ) Because after an entire life of drudgery and cleaning, that's how every woman wants to spend her afterlife. The Italianate mansion was built for James Turner Kendall but decades later, the home was used as an inn. Employees claim they've heard disembodied footsteps and voices. From it's earliest days, the city of Decatur gained a reputation as a place where ghost stories were common -- from tales told by the settlers to haunted houses and hotels. This abandoned town is reportedly haunted by spirits if former residents. Since it was erected in 1922, the Masonicbuilding has a public library for black residents and home to offices for prominent black doctors and lawyers, as well as the local NAACP. Some sources sayit opened in the 1890s as a mental hospital. Rawls, who repeatedly took down window treatments he tried to install. Trespassing is punishable by law. Combined, the TAG area contains more than 14,000 caves (9,200 in Tennessee and 600 in Georgia). It was a stormy night and her carriage flipped, killing Burns. According to legend, Burns performed at the buildings opening night and was carrying a bouquet of roses as she boarded her carriage to return to her hotel in Huntsville. However, that doesn't stop the tales from being told and retold. Click hereto see more photos. It served as the Jackson County seat from 1821 to 1859. Haunted houses, hospitals and hayrides: This list has all of North This historic museum operated as a hospital during the civil war, so the rumours of haunting's appear to have a leg to stand on; which can't be said for some of the apparitions supposedly reported. The three-story tower was added to the home after the Civil War. The bank is defunct but the building is still in use. But this playground is different. The two-story structure made of brick is said to be haunted by the souls of those who were incarcerated there. Folks say that when you stand outside the crypt, you can hear the rocking chair rocking. The population in 2010 census was 55,683. With its troubling past of murder, manslaughter and illegal activity, it isn't that hard to believe either. 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. 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 The third floor of this historic courthouse formerly housed a row of cells, dating back to the early twentieth century. Oct 13, 2016; Decatur has a sordid reputation and a . The hotel has been closed down. Many spooky tales surround Bear Creek Swamp. These display caskets left inside Memorial Mound still had price tags on them. Possibly among the most inane of haunted reports, people claim to see a green light in the cemetery at night. Fort Crawford was built on a bluff in 1816. Decatur Alabama - Digital Alabama 8 Ghost Towns And Abandoned Places In Alabama - OnlyInYourState 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. Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion in Tuscaloosa. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. (Source: Namaan Fletcher/What's Left of Birmingham). This floor is allegedly haunted by an inmate who hanged himself in one of the cells, where visitors have reported feeling a sad presence. According to the Chamber of Commerce website, "Haunted Places: The National Directory. He playfully flushed toilets and used ice machines. According . Jesse was thought to be in the area when his brother Frank were accused of robbery of a United States Army Corps of Engineers payroll in Muscle Shoals in 1881. During the Civil War it was occupied by both Confederate and Union troops at different times. According to legend, she was driving her baby in a horse-drawn carriage one night. The Heart of Dixie is steeped in history, making for truly spooky tales. The buildings, built only for filming exteriors, were not completed and not built to code. The spirit of an inmate who committed suicide in the building is reported to walk its halls. Abandoned slave quarters and workshops behind the Cabaniss House at 603 Randolph St. in Huntsville. "When it was built, it was the tallest building in Alabama.". Stewartfield in Mobile. 10.7K subscribers Exploring Abandoned Kmart Decatur Alabama Kmart is a chain of big box department stores headquartered in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States. Brick Deli specializes in sandwiches and live music at night. Tales of Huggin' Molly also can be found in Louisiana and Florida, with variations. One of the most important factors to keep in mind is that metal detecting on historical grounds is prohibited. Due to the owner's financial difficulties, the house is run-down and in need of repair.

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