Legends often say that he was hanged on trumped-up charges for deserting the Confederate army, although details vary. Vernon Hospital for the Colored Insane. The remains were removed in 2015. This is part of the warehouse complex for Dallas Compress Co. in Selma, photographed in the late 1960s. In the 1830s, settlers continued to move into the area to use Arcola as a river landing. It is the property of the Department of Youth Services. It is thought to be the face of Sarah Kittrell, wife of Thomas Kittrell, who disappeared in 1904. 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. According toGhostsofAmerica.com: "We heard a sound like chains clinking together right behind us and beside us. It is located at 1928 First Avenue North. Legend says she fought with her boyfriend and decided to walk home. Many spooky tales surround Bear Creek Swamp. It was also once the site of Castle Morgan, used to house prisoners of war during the Civil War. Flickr/Jon Dickson. Abandoned rail shops at the Western Railway of Alabama at 701 North Perry St. in Montgomery are shown in the 1960s. Apparently the entire length of Main Street is haunted by the ghosts of tornado victims. 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. In Huntsville, the Maple Hill Cemetery is also known as the Dead Children's Playground. Some people say they've heard a baby cry or a dog panting or growling while on the. Some have been completely abandoned, making them TRUE ghost towns. The facility on Dartmouth Avenue in Bessemer was abandoned with bodies inside but they were removed in 2015. Unfortunately, the introduction of new railroads following the American Civil War really hurt the town. "Abandoned Alabama: Exploring The Heart of Dixie," by Leland Kent, (Arcadia Publishing), 2021, 96 pages, softcover. The cemetery remains. Cook Museum. Hall Hotel dates to 1895 and residents of Gurley hope to restore it. At the heart of the Deep South, the state of Alabama offers a wealth of opportunities for urban explorers. We have the list of places to check out! Did you know about these Alabama ghost towns? At the WHBC frat house, they say former Youth Minister Anthony Stephens' spirit walks through the house later at night. Don Robinson State Park, Cedar Hill has a plethora of ruins. (Sources: Alabama Department of Youth Services, left; Kelly Kazek, right). It served as the Jackson County seat from 1821 to 1859. The newly renovated inn is now called Hotel Finial. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 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. Whatley home no longer stands, it is shown above in 1936, but legend says the site is still haunted. The David Wade House on Bob Wade Lane in Huntsville shown in 1935. This building, constructed in 1856, has a rich and interesting history. The house has been restored and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Here is a look at 21 of the most photographed abandoned sites in Alabama. St. Clair's Bait & Tackle, Grocery and Hardware. While visiting the house, a relative, Sally Carter, died of a short illness at the mansion in 1837. Contact this Facility Decatur Mill 2050 Market St NE Decatur, AL 35601 256-280-4761 Number of Team Members: 40+ The Haunted Decatur Tours are based on the bestselling book by Troy Taylor, HAUNTED DECATUR. 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. During the Civil War it was occupied by both Confederate and Union troops at different times. 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. The courthouse burned in 1866 and was rebuilt. 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. Some say the noises come from the ghosts of the original owners. Guests of the inn reported seeing apparitions on the porch and downstairs of a woman in Victorian dress and a little girl. 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. The bridge was built in 1861 as an access route for Confederate forces to Mississippi. Beelitz Military Hospital, Berlin. Employees claim they've heard disembodied footsteps and voices. This isolated, one-lane bridge in rural Chilton County is said the be haunted by a malevolent spirit that chases people who cross it. Supposedly you can still hear what sounds like the body swaying on the second floor. Residents hear screaming and footsteps and other ghostly sounds. The Knight Sanitorium is a three-story brick building. (Submitted by Callum Swift). Eerie screams have been heard and ghostly apparitions have been seen haunting the Moncrief cemetery. You are reading "15 Best Things to Do in Decatur, Alabama " Back to Top. Various urban legends have arisen around the claims that Cry Baby Hollow and the bridge going across it are haunted. They are evidence of past lives and of the history we are in danger of losing. In the 1850s, the settlement had disappeared and was replaced by adjoining plantations. A hearse can be seen inside the garage of the abandoned Wards Funeral Home in Opelika. In some cases, homes and buildings on the verge of collapse were saved. 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. It is the largest city and county seat of Morgan County. Months after Pegues was killed in battle in 1862, strolling lovers claimed to see an orb in the garden behind the home. Jack Cole Road is a dirt road in a densely wooded area off Highway 7. Following her death in 1962, people claimed to see a kneeling figure at the grave, according to "Haunted Places: The National Directory." In 1874, a tornado took the life of lady of the house Judith Winston, who was crushed beneath rubble. Her ghost is said to look down from the upstairs window. It is no longer in use and the abandoned building is reportedly haunted. 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. Adjoining Huntsville's historic Maple Hill Cemetery is a playground that looks much like any other, featuring a swing set and slide. The ghost of a boy who died there is said to haunt the park. 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. Eerie. 15 most haunted places in Decatur. The buildings flank Alabama Avenue.. 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. 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. (Historic American Engineering Record/Library of Congress). Some have heard footsteps from the second floor and the sound of the piano playing when no one is there. This floor is allegedly haunted by an inmate who hanged himself in one of the cells, where visitors have reported feeling a sad presence. The property is for sale. This photo was taken in 1973. Brick Deli specializes in sandwiches and live music at night. Find . People report hearing strange noises and seeing apparitions at the site. Find museums in Decatur, AL, Dead Children's Playground - Maple Hill Cemetery, Off Campus Book Store - University of North Alabama, University of North Alabama - Romeo and Juliet statues, Wesleyan Hall - University of North Alabama, Norton Auditorium - University of North Alabama. Support@storageauctoins.com (866) 944-8530 . It is reportedly haunted by men killed during training. Before the settlement of the original St. Stephens was abandoned, it sat atop a limestone bluff overlooking the Tombigbee River. 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. At this playground set up near the cemetery, the ghosts of children play and swing on the swingsets. On October 27, Hood arranged his army as it arrived to encircle Decatur. Abandoned Storage Unit Auctions. Matt Glasscock, who took the photo at left, and members of Steel City Urbex were invited by the owner to tour some of the closed portions of the City Federal building in downtown Birmingham. The Empire building was erected in 1909 on the site of the former Bank Saloon, according to Bham Wiki. Some say theyve heard voices and felt cold spots inside the jail. He may flush the toilet as well. 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. 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. For information, call 334-320-5330 or visitthe Facebook page. (Source: Judyanne Waters via FindaGrave.com), Grave of Norman Staples and Ghost Ship, Bladon Springs. 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. The 1893 Peyton building in downtown Bridgeport in the 1930s. In 1861, Prairie Bluff was at its height. That might be a first. Cripple Creek - Palace Hotel - Like much of Cripple Creek, the Palace Hotel has a long history. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. Many people believe the ghost is that of the Governor's son who died in the Civil War. Decatur was one of the first mills to take advantage of river transportation of grain. Folks say that when you stand outside the crypt, you can hear the rocking chair rocking. Reportedly haunted by the ghost of a woman who hanged herself back in the day when the Center was a teaching college. The laws of the state of Alabama first and foremost follow the laws of the ARPA (the Archaeological Resources Protection Act). Click herefor more photos. 15. For the next 100 years,the mansion was owned by members of the Winston family. Check out the 15 most haunted places in Decatur then learn more by visiting HauntedDecatur.com. The cotton press in the Dallas Compress Co. in Selma. 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. (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 city, affectionately known as "The River City", is located in Northern Alabama on the banks of Wheeler Lake, along the Tennessee River. Abandoned Marshall Space Flight Center power plant test stand in the east test area in Huntsville shown in 1968. 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. At least two, possibly . Located in Decatur, Alabama, the Ardent Mills Decatur facility is a pneumatic mill and one of the most automated mills in the United States. Abandoned collapsing mines below the surface were to blame, but others suspect that the first building too closely resembled a grim medieval castle, and was scrapped for a more modern cottage design. The only trace that remains is the nearby cemetery, which some believe was initially established as the posts burial ground. The building is believed to be haunted by several apparitions and ghostly voices are heard. Chalkville Training School for 'Incorrigible' Girls. People also love vintage photos that show what those past lives were like in Alabama. The Chamber of Commerce building, above right, was constructed in 1910 as a bank. Click here to see Robinson Switch Road on Google Maps. (Namaan Fletcher/What's Left of Birmingham). The property is still owned by the Department of Mental Health and is trespassing is illegal. Once the world's most expensive prison, from 1829 this Philadelphia facility boasted grand architecture, modern luxuries and notorious inmates including Al Capone. It is named for a woman who lived in the area in the late 1800s or early 1900s and was thought to be a witch. At least, nothing human. Location: 1205 Tennessee St., Courtland, Alabama Hours: 7 to 10 p.m. People claim if they get out of their cars, they hear and feel a presence beside them. The Goode-Hall house in Town Creek, also known as Saunders Hall, in 2010. Mary survived. While visiting the house, a relative, Sally Carter, died of a short illness at the mansion in 1837. This cemetery, established in 1834, is said the be haunted by the spirits of Confederate and Union soldiers. Local legend claims that a woman appears should a visitor kiss the tallest tombstone. The story was told by author Kathryn Tucker Windham in 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey.. Visitors to the inn and restaurant have reported hearing disembodied footsteps and eerie noises throughout the home. Legend says if someone says, We have your baby, she will attack. It survives but the third story and its Romanesque embellishments were removed. Now it looks like something from a horror movie. According to the Chamber of Commerce website, a scarecrow apparition moves from room to room on this floor. Remember, the majority of homes are occupied, private residences and those that are abandoned are marked "No Trespassing" and are a hazard. Take a look. Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion in Tuscaloosa. Stewartfield in Mobile. Please follow the law and be safe. Groups such as Main Street Birmingham, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Alabama Trust for Historic Preservation have attempted to find a use for it and funding to refurbish it. Abandoned Places In Alabama 1. It is now a concert venue. The ruins of the building that served as the Alabama Capitol from 1826-1846 have been preserved as Capitol Park in Tuscaloosa. When the Gold Rush began in California, residents headed west. At her death, her family searched the mansion for the candles but were unable to find them. Temple B'nai Shalom in Huntsville's Old Town Historic District, in Huntsville. According to legend, a female student was killed while she was trying to sneak out after curfew. 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). Some say they can hear the call of a bird that soon morphs into a young girls screams. Each tour gets on and off the bus during the evening and we do go inside some of Decatur's most haunted locations. Legends claim the captains spirit roams the cemetery, keeping watch over his children. InsideEastern Bank of Alabama in Eufaula when it was abandoned. Rock Run is a residential community in Cherokee County where a small pocket of residents live in well-kept homes. History and Hauntings Tours of Decatur's Spirits, Scandals & Sins, TOURS:The Haunted Decatur Tours run either 3 or 4 hours in length -- depending on the tour - and travel by bus to various locations throughout the city. 1914. Stories of figures haunting cemeteries, ghostly marching soldiers, and mysterious music playing in empty abandoned buildings are told in every corner of our state. Some say theyve seen orbs of light that appear to float on the river. Dicksonia ruins have been used to film an opening scene in the 2003 movie"Big Fish,"was the site of a photo shoot by legendary celebrity photographerAnnie Leibovitz,who photographed actressNatalie Portmanfor the May 1999 issue of Vanity Fair magazine, and is now a sought-aftervenuefor artistic photography and weddings. The tale of its resident ghost, a Confederate soldier named Sydney Grimmett who died there, is the most popular ghost story on campus. One-by-one, the boys killed anyone involved in the deaths of their family. Located among the graves is an open tomb missing its corpse. Coffins were stacked on racks like a storage facility. 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. If you agree to give him a ride, witnesses Alabama is fond of getting into Hell it seems. The two-story structure made of brick is said to be haunted by the souls of those who were incarcerated there. Read about the Brights and the plans for the island by clickinghere. Ashland Place Historic District in Mobile. Some also like to repeat the myth that children were buried in the playground following a series of abductions in the 1960s. Today, the only thing remaining in the area is the Prairie Bluff Cemetery. Have you visited any before? Today, only its stone foundations remain. (Source: Rivers Langley via Wikimedia Commons). 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. Some people say theyve heard a baby cry or a dog panting or growling while on the property. Water faucets that turn on and off. A photo of the Richard Crocheron mansion in the 1880s, when it was already an abandoned ruin. Col. Christopher Claudius Pegues built a stately home on the property between Pine and Chestnut streets. Deaths include several from a cholera outbreak in 1900 and one from murder. Ruins of theMemphis and Charleston Freight Depot at 303 Church St. in Huntsville. According to legend, Jenny and her remaining sons set out to get revenge. 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." (Source: Library of Congress/Historic American Buildings Survey). I worked there as a jailor in the county jail there in the old part when it was on the 2nd floor. This cemetery is reportedly haunted by the sweetheart of a real man named Robert Musgrove, who was killed in a train wreck in 1904. She would squeeze them tightly, then scream in their ears. She was struck by a truck and her body was later found beside the highway. The tale was repeated in Kathryn Tucker Windham's"13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey." If. This abandoned home on Watts Mill Road was built in 1905 by Charles and William Hudson for their brother, John. It served as the Jackson County seat from 1821 to 1859. The bank is defunct but the building is still in use. Frederic Ravesies, Arcola's first settler, established himself at what later became known as the Hatch Plantation. It is now home to the Lowndesboro Town Hall. 1820 plantation house. A defunct prison said to have been in operation from 1945 to 1995. Its surprising how many ghost towns are in Alabama. By the end of 1888, the R&D had built 51 miles of track from Rome, GA to Attalla (west of Gadsden), AL. Murder Creek Bridge is located on this stretch. Nancys spirit is distraught over not being able to bury her son. NOTE:This site was visited with permission and under supervision of the State Department of Mental Health. Athens State was founded in 1822 as the Athens Female Academy, making it the oldest higher learning institute in the state. 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. In the 1900s, it was used as a YMCA and later as the college drama departments theater. After a sensational trial in Huntsville in 1884, two years after Jesse had been shot to death, Frank was acquitted of that crime. For this feature, Ive combined those two loves. The national recognized museum first opened in 1980 and was reinvented and reopened in summer 2019. 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. 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. 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. It was also a very thriving town. Others have claimed to see odd sights while driving the road, from lights darting through the trees to ghostly figures. During the Confederate occupation General John Bell resided there and during the Union occupation, General Sherman himself stayed at Wesleyan. According . Battleship Island, Japan. 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. If you have a specific location from the list below The slave quarters were demolished. (Source: Spyder_Monkey via Wikimedia Commons). As they crossed the bridge, the horses were spooked and the carriage was tipped into the water below. Others have reported seeing large, panther-like cats cross the highway in this area.". Children have reported seeing a face peering down from a second-floor window when the courthouse is closed. It was restored but is once again in need of repairs. This haunted house is huge and horrifyingso make sure to get your tickets ASAP. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 3 bedrooms (63 homes) $205,869. The son of former Alabama governor, Robert Patton is said to be one of many ghosts to haunt the Sweetwater Mansion in Florence. Because of the legends, the site was often vandalized. Penn's and Big Bob's have the greatest longevity and are synonymous with Decatur. Today, Jackson Lake Island is open to the public for camping and fishing. But at night, people have reported seeing shadowy figures wandering inside the crumbling walls, as well as strange mists and odd noises. It has several ghost legends but the tale of Abigail Burns is the most popular. It hasnt been used since 2000. The book, "Haunted Places: The National Directory" by Dennis William Hauck claims that this section of highway is haunted by the spirits of displaced Creek Indians and has resulted in an "accident rate that is well above average." The back of the dilapidated William Chancellor House in Harpersville in Shelby County is shown in 1935. The Decatur Mall is anchored by Belk, jcpenney Outlet, Sears and Regal Cinemas. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Today only ruins remain. 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. 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. Every community has a ghost tale that everyone has heard, often related to an old or abandoned house, a spooky cemetery or a dark and creepy road. A local storyteller dressed in period clothing leads the one-mile tour of haunted hotels, infamous murder sites, cemeteries, and more. Shortly after the American Civil War, Cahawba became a ghost town. An abandoned 1913 schoolhouse in rural Cherokee County was photographed in the 1930s. At the site of Mount Vernon Arsenal, founded in 1828, more than 30 historic buildings are rotting where they stand, including those that housed, at differing times, Geronimo, a Civil War militia,Dr. Walter Reedand African American mental patients when it was the Mount Vernon Asylum for the Colored Insane, later known as Searcy Hospital. This private property houses the infamous ghost bridge that has numerous claims of haunting. It was restored and listed on the NRHP but its buildings burned in 1976 and 1986. TOURS OFFERED FOR THE 2023 SEASON: Haunted History Bus Tours: $32 Per Person 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. People who cross the bridge hear the sounds of a babys cries. Sometimes its because they bring back memories of places they once loved.
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