The Spookiest Things to See and Do in Gatlinburg - Southern Living Detail of the abandoned mansion on Goldthwaite. People claim if they get out of their cars, they hear and feel a presence beside them. Apr 16, 2018 - Explore Kelly Kazek's board "Abandoned Alabama", followed by 561 people on Pinterest. 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. Ghost towns, especially those that have been completely abandoned, can be a bit creepy. We know not everyone will agree about the legend in his or her county. However, that doesn't stop the tales from being told and retold. Find out if abandoned structures in these vintage photos were saved - al According to legend, many apparitions haunt the house. Although the haunting of Sloss Furnaces is oft repeated, legends surrounding Bass Cemetery in Irondale are definitely the spookiest. Exploring Abandoned Yet Standing Kmart Decatur Alabama| the Showstopper There's legend here of a ghost who does housework! NOTE: These homes and buildings are located on private property. Having promised her adoring audience she would return, she was killed in an accident on the way. Dicksonia Plantation in Lowndesboro had a reputation in its day as a stately mansion in picturesque surroundings. These buildings are the longest continuously occupied industrial buildings in the state. If you go, drive by only. 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. Her ghost is said to look down from the upstairs window. Mary survived. According to the Dothan Eagle, employees noticed strange sights in Bella's and Colby's restaurants on the lower floors, including lights turning off and on by themselves and dishes crashing to the floor. Parts of the building have been renovated into living space but the penthouse, basement and old bank area remain abandoned and off-limits, awaiting restoration. It is to her that witnesses attribute the sound of footsteps, lights that turn on and off by themselves, cold spots, and a phantom Locals tell a tale of playground sounds that can be heard at night: children laughing, playing and having fun. It's notorious for the vast amount of caves, and also for the true cavers spirit among its inhabitants. 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. 1820 plantation house. Information with the photo said: This building stood on the southeast corner of Vine Street and First Street North. The Greek Revival and Italianate architecture is covered in stucco, making it one of the most unique homes in the state. HAUNTED DECATUR is part of AMERICAN HAUNTINGS INKEMAIL: GHOSTS@AMERICANHAUNTINGS.NET Copyright 2023 by American Hauntings Ink. Take I-65 to Decatur, Exit 334. (Source: Judyanne Waters via FindaGrave.com), Grave of Norman Staples and Ghost Ship, Bladon Springs. Others may still have residents, but not as many as they once had, making them living ghost towns in Alabama. Some abandoned historic sites may even be classified as a ghost town, depending on the size of the site. The site is beneath the Alabama Highway 134 bridge over the Choctawhatchee River. The Alabama Center for the Arts, a 44,000 square foot arts education facility, and the Princess Theater, a historic art-deco theater built in 1919 are also nearby. The building is believed to be haunted by several apparitions and ghostly voices are heard. Remember, the majority of homes are occupied, private residences and those that are abandoned are marked "No Trespassing" and are a hazard. 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. CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR COPY! (Source: Edward Bennett/Gaines Ridge Dinner Club Facebook page). Don't Edit Cemeteries near Decatur, AL Beelitz Military Hospital, Berlin. For this feature, Ive combined those two loves. 9. Some say it is haunted by a mother in search of her long-lost child. It was also a very thriving town. After a sensational trial in Huntsville in 1884, two years after Jesse had been shot to death, Frank was acquitted of that crime. Ruins of theMemphis and Charleston Freight Depot at 303 Church St. in Huntsville. (Picture: Prairie Bluff, taken from the Alabama River in 1894), Blakeley, founded in 1813, is a ghost town in Baldwin County, Alabama and was a location of a major fort during the American Civil War. 15. Haunted Places in Decatur, Texas In the 1930s, this beautiful 1842 home known as the Bethea-Strother House, located on Alabama Highway 28 in Camden, was abandoned and deteriorating. Decatur Alabama Population 4 bedrooms (42 homes) $317,230. This courthouse was built in 1868 when Seale was the county seat from 1866-1942. However, they say eventually the happy noises turn to unhappy ones, as if the children are screaming for their lives. 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). Sometimes its because they bring back memories of places they once loved. The bank is defunct but the building is still in use. 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. The neglected building is Birmingham's Masonic Temple, also once known as the Colored Masonic Lodge. All rights reserved (About Us). Click hereto see more photos. Unfortunately, the introduction of new railroads following the American Civil War really hurt the town. In 1874, a tornado took the life of lady of the house Judith Winston, who was crushed beneath rubble. St. Clair's Bait & Tackle, Grocery and Hardware. However, the legend tied to one of the most haunted sights in Alabama, the Drish House in Tuscaloosa, is absolutely chilling. Home Value*. Molly was bittem by her puppy, which had contracted rabies. People are fascinated with abandoned sites. Kelly Kazek |kkazek@al.com. Bellefonte is a ghost town in Jackson County, Alabama and is situated near the site of the Bellefonte Nuclear Generating Station. Gen. John Brahan, a veteran of the War of 1812, began construction on Sweetwater Plantation in the 1830s. Decatur was one of the first mills to take advantage of river transportation of grain. NOTE: This site is continually monitored with video surveillance. Police Impound and Abandoned Tow Auctions in Alabama Since 1982, the 1824 house has been a museum and event space. People who cross the bridge hear the sounds of a babys cries. An abandoned 1913 schoolhouse in rural Cherokee County was photographed in the 1930s. 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. People claim to hear singing and voices in the area surrounding the property and some claim they have seen the apparition of a woman walking the grounds. 19 Abandoned Places In Illinois [MAP] - Urbex And if you consider yourself a ghost hunter, youll love this creepy road trip in Alabama. It is now home to the Lowndesboro Town Hall. Legend says a girl named Sally hung herself in a stairwell on the third floor of the building. Some people claim Sydneys ghost followed the drama students to the Telfair Peet Theater when it was constructed in the 1970s. It is said to be haunted by the men and women who died during the raid. 2 bedrooms (5 homes) $159,629. Remnants of the town remain, including the courthouse, shown above, two cemeteries and the grave of an unknown War of 1812 soldier. This church on AvenueU in Pratt City has been empty since it was struck by a tornado. Other times, its merely because they are so haunting and raise the questions: Who would leave such beautiful places to rot? Melton also writes that Hall married Mary E. Scruggs of Lawrence County, Tennessee in 1859 where they resided until his death on May 28, 1880. For tour information and fees, visit the ghost town's websitehere. Jack Cole Road is a dirt road in a densely wooded area off Highway 7. The historic courthouse is used for events and education art displays. It is located across fromShelby Iron Works Park, which has been preserved as an educational site. 15 Best Things to Do in Decatur, Alabama - VacationIdea The site is reportedly haunted by numerous spirits with the most famous known as Pegues Ghost. 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. Decatur's sordid reputation also added to the ghostly stories of the city through incidents of murder and death. Construction on Kendall Manor began before the Civil War but it could not be completed until 1867. If you'd like to see the "behind the scenes" drama of Decatur's haunted past, then this is the tour for you! During the American Civil War, the town suffered a lot of damage and it was completely abandoned by the 1920s. It is no longer standing. (Picture: Hatch Plantation), Between the years 1819-1826, Cahawba was Alabama's state capital. (Sources: Alabama Department of Youth Services, left; Kelly Kazek, right). William J. Samford Hall in the Auburn University Historic District. Located in Decatur, Alabama, the Ardent Mills Decatur facility is a pneumatic mill and one of the most automated mills in the United States. A photo of the Richard Crocheron mansion in the 1880s, when it was already an abandoned ruin. Winter Place 32.3713, -86.31589 History: Winter Place is the name of two old conjoined homes that date back to the mid-1850s. Another legend says if an 18-wheeler travels down the road, her spirit can be seen hanging onto the side of the truck so she can look inside and see if it is being driven by the same person who killed her. An abandoned property is usually a property whose original owner is no longer in possession of the home. Each tour gets on and off the bus during the evening and we do go inside some of Decatur's most haunted locations. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! That's right, allegedly there are sightings of a ghost sweeping. The historic Josephine Hotel, built in 1880 in downtown Union Springs, now houses a cafe, art studio and gift shop. 1914. 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. 1. 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. Others claim to have witnessed the spirit of a mysterious mist, a crying baby and a strange man dressed in black. A pearly white marble known as Chewacla Marble was mined in the quarry. Legends often say that he was hanged on trumped-up charges for deserting the Confederate army, although details vary. 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. Click hereto see more. Boshells Mill was built in 1902 beside Lost Creek on Alabama Route 124 in Townley, Ala. Red Lady of Huntingdon College, Montgomery, Pratt Hall, a dorm at Huntingdon College, is haunted by a spirit known as the Red Lady because she is always dressed in red. 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. A shadow, a moan, a creak lead visitors to wonder if the five crew members who died in a 1944 turret explosion are still on duty, refusing to let even death end their watch. Cry Baby Hollow Bridge | Haunted Places | Hartselle, AL 35640 Due to the owner's financial difficulties, the house is run-down and in need of repair. Penn's and Big Bob's have the greatest longevity and are synonymous with Decatur. The Heart of Dixie is steeped in history, making for truly spooky tales. 100+ Abandoned Places In Alabama | Explore Alabama 2023 The able-bodied patients at Jemison worked on a hospital farm. Rock Run is a residential community in Cherokee County where a small pocket of residents live in well-kept homes. Whatley home no longer stands, it is shown above in 1936, but legend says the site is still haunted. She would die from her burns on Feb. 6 at the age of 17. She is said to have died instantly. On the third floor, people report doors opening and closing and furniture moving of its own accord. Children have reported seeing a face peering down from a second-floor window when the courthouse is closed. This is part of the warehouse complex for Dallas Compress Co. in Selma, photographed in the late 1960s. This research was done using searches of a variety of sites about local haunts. This home dates back to 1909 and is registered by the local historical society. The remains were removed in 2015. People report hearing strange noises and seeing apparitions at the site. In the era of segregation, it was central to the cultural life of black Birmingham residents. The buildings flank Alabama Avenue.. 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. Here is a look at 21 of the most photographed abandoned sites in Alabama. The Jemison Center changed focusin the 1970s because of desegregation laws and closed in the 1980s. It is said that a mysterious fog covers this area day or night, and it surrounds the gravestones. It was named for nearby Sweetwater Creek. Atlanta Prison Farm - Atlanta, Georgia - Atlas Obscura VIN Date Reported Stolen Vehicle Year Make Model Tag State Status Listed below are eight creepy Alabama ghost towns worth a visit. This photo shows the Crocheron Columns, the only things remaining from a mansion built in Cahaba in 1843 by Richard Crocheron. The laws of the state of Alabama first and foremost follow the laws of the ARPA (the Archaeological Resources Protection Act). It served as the Jackson County seat from 1821 to 1859. The hotel has been closed down. Shelby Iron Co. began operations in the 1840s. Her sons pulled her from the wreckage, but she died in the front bedroom on the eastern side. Employees claim they've heard disembodied footsteps and voices. To visit Norwood, take exit 126B off Interstate 20/59, just north of downtown Birmingham. The three-story tower was added to the home after the Civil War. Haunted Decatur Tours, 141 North Main Street, Decatur, IL, 62523, United States. This abandoned home on Watts Mill Road was built in 1905 by Charles and William Hudson for their brother, John. Don Robinson State Park, Cedar Hill has a plethora of ruins. Others have claimed to see odd sights while driving the road, from lights darting through the trees to ghostly figures. Go north on AL-67 approximately 7 miles. Winter Place is actually a complex with two huge homes; the second is that both homes are in dire need of renovation. Her spirit reportedly haunts McCandless because she had told her audience she would return. The Canabiss House in Huntsville today. Legend says Evelyn Carter, the sister of a housekeeper, died on the grounds of Gaineswood Plantation in the late 1800s. Some say theyve seen orbs of light that appear to float on the river. Late at night, people have reported hearing eerie footsteps echoing on the decks of the War World II-era battleship USS Alabama. This historic fort is one of the best-preserved Civil War era masonry forts in the U.S. Fort Gaines has become a tourist attraction and on the property you'll find original cannons, a blacksmith shop, kitchens, a museum, gift shop and a few tunnels. Abandoned Marshall Space Flight Center power plant test stand in the east test area in Huntsville shown in 1968. Not much info on this, apart from the fact that it is an old, abandoned butcher's shop on the side of this dirt road, about 1.5 miles south from Fletcher Road. She never harmed them, other than perhaps causing some ringing in their ears. But by far the creepiest spot is the 200+-year-old Bass Cemetery in Irondale. It was torn down in 1952. The story was told by author Kathryn Tucker Windham in 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey.. List of Caves in Alabama: Locations and Map - startcaving.com Ive noted those of which I am aware. The Gaines Ridge Dinner Club is a restaurant inside a ca. Each home has it's own unique style which makes it stand out amid the modern homes we see today. Montevallo, established in 1896, is reportedly haunted by the spirit of student Condie Cunningham. It survives but the third story and its Romanesque embellishments were removed. The image turned out to be a silhouette etched into the stone. The most haunted bridge in our state is aptly named Hell's Gate Bridge, located in Oxford. Today only ruins remain. It had no ballroom, no gold-leafed interior, no orchestra. 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. Because of the legends, the site was often vandalized. Decatur Mill | Ardent Mills Storage Auctions in Alabama - AL - StorageAuctions.com Legend says if someone says, We have your baby, she will attack. 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. Ashland Place Historic District in Mobile. An old well house at the Chalkville Training School for Girls. The Knight Sanitorium is a three-story brick building. One truck driver said that he struck the bridge after a ghostly horse-drawn carriage crossed the interstate in front of him. 15 most haunted places in Decatur. The 21 coolest and creepiest abandoned places in Alabama Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. 3. Some claim to see the orb today. 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 is thought to be the face of Sarah Kittrell, wife of Thomas Kittrell, who disappeared in 1904. No matter what part of the state you are in, if you ask around youre sure to be pointed to a haunted site. 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. What are the creepiest cemeteries in Alabama? 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. Or they are shocked by the waste of still-useful homes and buildings. Decatur, AL Homes For Sale & Decatur, AL Real Estate | Trulia Legend says the spirits of the children buried in the cemetery, founded in 1822, come there to play. 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. Adjoining Huntsville's historic Maple Hill Cemetery is a playground that looks much like any other, featuring a swing set and slide. Many spooky tales surround Bear Creek Swamp. 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. The first Dennemora Hotel was built at the height of the Civil War, in 1863, along what is now Shelby County Road 42, five miles southwest of Columbiana. Temple B'nai Shalom in Huntsville's Old Town Historic District, in Huntsville. 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. (Source: Library of Congress/Historic American Buildings Survey). Flickr/Jon Dickson. Some people say theyve heard a baby cry or a dog panting or growling while on the property. 10.7K subscribers Exploring Abandoned Kmart Decatur Alabama Kmart is a chain of big box department stores headquartered in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States. 8 Ghost Towns And Abandoned Places In Alabama - OnlyInYourState Jacksons Military Road passed through the town. Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion in Tuscaloosa. According to legend, a small bridge on an isolated road is haunted by a baby who died there. Apparitions have been seen, and captured on film by paranormal society investigations; orbs have been reported as well. This floor is allegedly haunted by an inmate who hanged himself in one of the cells, where visitors have reported feeling a sad presence. It would go on to boast others, including the "Second Most Corrupt City in Illinois." The home of a former Alabama governor, it is reportedly haunted. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. In the small south Alabama town of Mount Vernon, one of the state's greatest historical treasures is slowly being consumed by kudzu, time and apathy. Click hereto see more photos. Brick Deli is housed in a building that dates back over a century. Flickr/Renee May. People claim to hear knocking on the floors and walls. The hotel closed in the 1970s. All are on my list of favorites, but they are not listed in order of preference. Several witnesses have reported seeing the statues of Romeo and Juliet floating around The University of North Alabama's campus during a full moon. TOURS OFFERED FOR THE 2023 SEASON: Haunted History Bus Tours: $32 Per Person In this 1934 photo, renovation work had begun on Spring Villa in Opelika. Many people believe the ghost is that of the Governor's son who died in the Civil War. ", Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Legend says she fought with her boyfriend and decided to walk home. As Ive discovered over the years, people are fascinated with abandoned places. Tuscumbia, Alabama 39 miles from Decatur, AL A former slave plantation, it is believed to be haunted by slaves that lived and died here and also possibly by the ghosts of its former owners. Flickr/Annie Chartrand. Chalkville Training School for 'Incorrigible' Girls. 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. Find . However, in the 2010s, no one was managing the site and vandals began tearing up the facility. They are evidence of past lives and of the history we are in danger of losing. Now it looks like something from a horror movie. Jennifer is the Alabama staff writer for Only In Your State and has nearly 15 years of professional writing experience. The oddest sighting is an apparition that appears to be half-wolf and half-man. He is reportedly always looking toward the Tombigbee River, where his beloved steamboat exploded. See map for precise location. Decatur, Alabama | Ghostly World 16. That might be a first. Saunders Hall | 40+ Photos | Abandoned Alabama It is the property of the Department of Youth Services. Abandoned Western Railway of Alabama building in Montgomery is shown in the late 1960s. But Decatur's dark origins can be traced back to the earliest days of the city, when the original settlers built over the top of Native American burial grounds that were scattered throughout the downtown area of what would become Decatur. At least, nothing human. Mining continued in Arbacoochee until the 1930s, but the town never recovered and became a ghost town by 1990. 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. Located among the graves is an open tomb missing its corpse. The bridge was built in 1861 as an access route for Confederate forces to Mississippi. It is also known as the Colby Building. Share your experiences with us in the comments below! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and. 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 chemical plant was built by the company in 1918 to make wood alcohol from charcoal for World War I. The city of Cahaba, or Cahawba, located where the Cahaba and Alabama rivers meet, was abandoned in 1825 after severe flooding. 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. 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. SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM! It once consisted of 25 buildings constructed in the 1870s or 1880. When they turn to look, nothing is there. The press room in Dallas Compress Co. in Selma. After a mummified woman was discovered in her home, people claimed she was a witch. The 1893 Peyton building in downtown Bridgeport in the 1930s. Both federal and state laws govern this activity. Each year, unclaimed or abandoned assets are turned over to Alabama Unclaimed Property by financial institutions and businesses that lose contact with the owners. It was a stormy night and her carriage flipped, killing Burns. . Some report that is you park on the bridge, your car will begin to rock. She reportedly haunts her old room on the third floor. As the tale goes, a couple's car drove off the bridge, plunging into the water below. What is now a non-denominational chapel was built in 1850 as a Presbyterian church. Built in 1842, the old Coosa County Jail, known as the Old Rock Jail, is the oldest surviving stone jail in Alabama. 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. A former slave plantation, it is believed to be haunted by slaves that lived and died here and also possibly by the ghosts of its former owners. The grounds are maintained and the site is available to rent for photography and events from Dorothy Skipper Rental LLC. Before that period, the canyon was used as a holding pen for Indians who were removed from their land. Abandoned Places In Alabama 1. Decatur | Encyclopedia of Alabama People have claimed to hear wails of banshees and see ghostly hell hounds and apparitions of Confederate soldiers. The 12 Most Bone-Chilling & Haunted Places in Alabama - StyleBlueprint Legends of hauntings in the home include one about a screaming woman dressed in Victorian clothing. 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. The ROW can still be made out in many places . 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. For decades, even before the great ship's arrival in Mobile Bay in 1965 when she was established as a tourist attraction, people have reported hearing strange noises and seeing shadowy figures below decks. It is now a concert venue. Every year during Halloween a pumpkin mysteriously makes its way into Romeo's hands. At the WHBC frat house, they say former Youth Minister Anthony Stephens' spirit walks through the house later at night. 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 The reason there are all these caves . It hasnt been used since 2000. For the next 100 years,the mansion was owned by members of the Winston family. Sadly, nature has reclaimed much of Old Cahawba.