Beelitz Military Hospital, Berlin. 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. This photo shows the Crocheron Columns, the only things remaining from a mansion built in Cahaba in 1843 by Richard Crocheron. This home dates back to 1909 and is registered by the local historical society. Penn's and Big Bob's have the greatest longevity and are synonymous with Decatur. However, in the 2010s, no one was managing the site and vandals began tearing up the facility. This abandoned railway line was originally chartered as the Rome and Decatur Railroad sometime after the Civil War to build a line from Rome, GA across Alabama to Decatur, starting in 1887. Located at 112 Moulton Street E Decatur, AL 35601; Scares start Friday, October 22, from 7-11 p.m. . All rights reserved (About Us). Take a look. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. On the third floor, people report doors opening and closing and furniture moving of its own accord. See map for precise location. In 2020, Troy introduces the 25th Anniversary Edition of his first book! An old bridge off Mothershed Road is known as Mary Daniel Bridge. However, the house was saved and restored and is now on the National Register of Historic Places. Others claim to have witnessed the spirit of a mysterious mist, a crying baby and a strange man dressed in black. 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." Because the ground was frozen at the time, she was placed in a coffin in the cellar. You may even stumble upon an old, abandoned homestead site in the woods. Princess Theatre in Decatur, Alabama M MSNHA Storage Buildings Old Barns Built In Storage Lauderdale Garages Sheds Beautiful Things Old Barn on Spring Avenue, Decatur, Alabama B Bonnie Goodman Little Theatre Old Signs Once In A Lifetime Movie Theater Performance Art Decatur Alabama great little Theater C Coil Billingsley Southern Homes 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. Isaac Nettles Sr., a black inventor born in the 1880s, created cement masks of people in life and later used them to adorn headstones in the cemetery adjoining Mt. 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. Vernon Hospital for the Colored Insane. From lost burial grounds to haunted theaters, the Haunted Decatur Tour is much more than just a run-of-the-mill ghost tour! 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. It is now home to the Lowndesboro Town Hall. We can promise that you'll never look at the city of Decatur in the same way again! For the next 100 years,the mansion was owned by members of the Winston family. (Picture: Hatch Plantation), Between the years 1819-1826, Cahawba was Alabama's state capital. Contact this Facility Decatur Mill 2050 Market St NE Decatur, AL 35601 256-280-4761 Number of Team Members: 40+ Shortly after the American Civil War, Cahawba became a ghost town. It is continually guarded and visitors are not allowed without prior approval. To visit Norwood, take exit 126B off Interstate 20/59, just north of downtown Birmingham. Decatur Alabama Population The Canabiss House in Huntsville today. 16. Flatwoods was a settlement of freed slaves during Reconstruction but it was later burned. At the heart of the Deep South, the state of Alabama offers a wealth of opportunities for urban explorers. 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. This cemetery is reportedly haunted by the sweetheart of a real man named Robert Musgrove, who was killed in a train wreck in 1904. 9 Best . Every year during Halloween a pumpkin mysteriously makes its way into Romeo's hands. The spirit of a murdered woman is said to haunt a dirt road behind a Texaco station in this small community. According to Judson.edu, the Anne Kirtley dorm is haunted by its namesake. 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. With its troubling past of murder, manslaughter and illegal activity, it isn't that hard to believe either. Several of the brick structures that Pratt built are still used today for an industry manufacturing cotton gins. 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 American Civil War, the town suffered a lot of damage and it was completely abandoned by the 1920s. 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. This photo was taken in 1934 when the home was abandoned. No matter what part of the state you are in, if you ask around youre sure to be pointed to a haunted site. The newly renovated inn is now called Hotel Finial. Alabama's 12 Most Haunted Places 1. The historic Josephine Hotel, built in 1880 in downtown Union Springs, now houses a cafe, art studio and gift shop. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Check out the 15 most haunted places in Decatur then learn more by visiting HauntedDecatur.com. Although there are no detailed legends about this site, many believe it is haunted. At least two, possibly . Having promised her adoring audience she would return, she was killed in an accident on the way. Legend says the face of a woman appears on a tombstone in Sandlin Cemetery. Prattville was founded by Daniel Pratt, a manufacturer of cotton gins. HAUNTED DECATUR is part of AMERICAN HAUNTINGS INKEMAIL: GHOSTS@AMERICANHAUNTINGS.NET Copyright 2023 by American Hauntings Ink. Coffins were stacked on racks like a storage facility. During the Civil War, Nancy lived with her husband and son on a small farm but her son was killed in the war and his body was never recovered. Alabama, Should Be on Your Radar. Hall Hotel dates to 1895 and residents of Gurley hope to restore it. Her sons pulled her from the wreckage, but she died in the front bedroom on the eastern side. The family reportedly had the image sandblasted from the stone but it soon returned. 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. She never harmed them, other than perhaps causing some ringing in their ears. At night, ghosts of the people buried there haunt the area. Others have reported seeing large, panther-like cats cross the highway in this area.". Get more stories delivered right to your email. Each tour gets on and off the bus during the evening and we do go inside some of Decatur's most haunted locations. TOURS OFFERED FOR THE 2023 SEASON: Haunted History Bus Tours: $32 Per Person Temple B'nai Shalom in Huntsville's Old Town Historic District, in Huntsville. For 50 years, the woman brought flowers and kneeled to pray at the foot of his 8-foot obelisk marker. (Historic American Buildings Survey/Library of Congress). In a little-known cemetery deep in the woods of Clarke County are tombstones created by a man who was ahead of his time. Dicksonia Plantation in Lowndesboro had a reputation in its day as a stately mansion in picturesque surroundings. Adjoining Huntsville's historic Maple Hill Cemetery is a playground that looks much like any other, featuring a swing set and slide. People claim to hear knocking on the floors and walls. It was torn down in 1952. The facility on Dartmouth Avenue in Bessemer was abandoned with bodies inside but they were removed in 2015. 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. 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. All rights reserved (About Us). See more ideas about alabama, abandoned, historical sites. 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 The activity is reportedly caused by the spirit of a woman who died on the top floor in the 1950s. 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. 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. Her ghost is said to look down from the upstairs window. 1830s to 1866. Murder Creek Bridge is located on this stretch. The land this was built on was at one time a cemetery. The abandoned Memphis and Charleston Freight Depot at 303 Church St. in Huntsville. According to legend, Jenny and her remaining sons set out to get revenge. 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. But this playground is different. . Haunted Places Decatur, Alabama Decatur High School Decatur High School was built in 1950. Add Photos Each year, unclaimed or abandoned assets are turned over to Alabama Unclaimed Property by financial institutions and businesses that lose contact with the owners. Click herefor more photos. According to legend, she was driving her baby in a horse-drawn carriage one night. Reportedly, an unusually high number people who lived along the road have died; some say 68 since 1890. There is a place in the Talladega National Forest, shown above, were a road was laid over some graves, according to legend. Belle Mont, built between 1828 and 1832, was a plantation that used slave labor. It served as the Jackson County seat from 1821 to 1859. The home was built for Dr. Alexander Mitchell, who sold it to Isaac Winston in 1833. We're sure this Victorian home in rural Missouri was once quite beautiful. The house has been restored and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 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. She would squeeze them tightly, then scream in their ears. Following her death in 1962, people claimed to see a kneeling figure at the grave, according to "Haunted Places: The National Directory." Reportedly, visitors to the home can still hear the sounds of the piano Some have reported seeing the apparition of a woman walking around the home. This airfield built in 1941, shown above in aerial view, was used to train the famous Tuskegee Airmen. We hope to get permission to go photograph it very soon.. Gen. John Brahan, a veteran of the War of 1812, began construction on Sweetwater Plantation in the 1830s. Some say theyve seen orbs of light that appear to float on the river. Guests of the inn reported seeing apparitions on the porch and downstairs of a woman in Victorian dress and a little girl. People have claimed to hear wails of banshees and see ghostly hell hounds and apparitions of Confederate soldiers. During the 1920s, Decatur would gain infamy as a place where murder, bootlegging, prostitution, kidnapping, gambling, corruption and, of course, ghosts, were commonplace. The Empire building was erected in 1909 on the site of the former Bank Saloon, according to Bham Wiki. It is alleged that you can hear the screams of soldiers who died in the Civil War at this cemetery. 14. Chalkville Training School for 'Incorrigible' Girls. The face appeared on the grave of Thomas second wife, Mary Jane Kittrell. Built in 1842, the old Coosa County Jail, known as the Old Rock Jail, is the oldest surviving stone jail in Alabama. The property is still owned by the Department of Mental Health and is trespassing is illegal. Legend says if someone says, We have your baby, she will attack. See the last slide for links to more photos of abandoned sites in Alabama. Legends of hauntings in the home include one about a screaming woman dressed in Victorian clothing. The home of a former Alabama governor, it is reportedly haunted. Children have reported seeing a face peering down from a second-floor window when the courthouse is closed. This site was visited with permission. At her death, her family searched the mansion for the candles but were unable to find them. Residents hear screaming and footsteps and other ghostly sounds. The home was reportedly built atop old slave quarters and a cemetery. Another popular tale is the appearance of theapparition of the ghost ship of the Eliza Battle, which burned on the Tombigbee River in 1858 killing more than 30 people. Locals get an eerie feeling around this building. The site is beneath the Alabama Highway 134 bridge over the Choctawhatchee River. 1910, was slated for demolition, but a citizens group hopes to save it. 100+ Abandoned Places In Alabama | Explore Alabama 2023 Recent Locations Judge A. E. Singleton House February 27, 2023 | City/Town: Union Springs Judge Singleton House This home located on North Prairie Street in Union Springs, Alabama was built by Judge A. E. Singleton sometime between 1900 and 1903. Read more 0 At right, a historical photo of City Federal. Cook Museum. 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. Childrens laughter has been heard by those working on the third floor, and even outside the bathroom down in the restaurant when there have been no children around. Passersby often say they can see the swings moving on their own volition, as well as orbs or spectral figures. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Folks say that when you stand outside the crypt, you can hear the rocking chair rocking. . You'll receive your first newsletter soon! During the Confederate occupation General John Bell resided there and during the Union occupation, General Sherman himself stayed at Wesleyan. The preserved ruins of Alabama's first permanent capital city can be toured at Old Cahawba Archaeological Site. These auctions tend to occur less frequently than typical public car auctions in Alabama. This cemetery, established in 1834, is said the be haunted by the spirits of Confederate and Union soldiers. Combined, the TAG area contains more than 14,000 caves (9,200 in Tennessee and 600 in Georgia). Ghost towns, especially those that have been completely abandoned, can be a bit creepy. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. (Megan Willis via Forgotten Alabama Facebook page). Pikeville was Marion Countys first county seat, serving from 1820-1882. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Whatley home no longer stands, it is shown above in 1936, but legend says the site is still haunted. 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. Some sources sayit opened in the 1890s as a mental hospital. 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." The historic courthouse is used for events and education art displays. 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 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. Owners Bobby and Lynn Bright are refurbishing the film set of Spectre because public interest remains high. 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. The tale was repeated in Kathryn Tucker Windham's"13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey." A curved staircase inside the 1850 Carpenter Gothic-style home called Spring Villa in Opelika. One of the most important factors to keep in mind is that metal detecting on historical grounds is prohibited. Various urban legends have arisen around the claims that Cry Baby Hollow and the bridge going across it are haunted. As Ive discovered over the years, people are fascinated with abandoned places. Don Robinson State Park, Cedar Hill has a plethora of ruins. 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! The baby reportedly drowned and was buried not far from the bridge. 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. It is now an event venue. Brick Deli is housed in a building that dates back over a century. An old well house at the Chalkville Training School for Girls. Abandoned Western Railway of Alabama shedin Montgomery is shown in the late 1960s. A photo of the Richard Crocheron mansion in the 1880s, when it was already an abandoned ruin. 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. He is reportedly always looking toward the Tombigbee River, where his beloved steamboat exploded. 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. Many people claim theyve seen a face behind the barred windows of the second floor but the building was empty. The area is said to be haunted by the spirits of those who died in the mines. Some say theyve heard voices and felt cold spots inside the jail. We have the list of places to check out! The cotton press in the Dallas Compress Co. in Selma. Trespassing is illegal. Trespassing is punishable by law. Some have been completely abandoned, making them TRUE ghost towns. The caskets were left neglected and families were angry. Abandoned Marshall Space Flight Center power plant test stand in the east test area in Huntsville shown in 1968. The two-story structure made of brick is said to be haunted by the souls of those who were incarcerated there. In 1874, a tornado took the life of lady of the house Judith Winston, who was crushed beneath rubble. This haunted house is huge and horrifyingso make sure to get your tickets ASAP. Jeff E. Newman of Steel City Urbex took photos. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Others have reported hearing disembodied screams and footsteps. Find . Crime truly came to Decatur in the 1850s with the arrival of the railroads. Legend says Evelyn Carter, the sister of a housekeeper, died on the grounds of Gaineswood Plantation in the late 1800s. Haunted Decatur Tours, 141 North Main Street, Decatur, IL, 62523, United States. We went online to see which stories were most repeated ineach of Alabama's counties to make the following list. People who cross the bridge hear the sounds of a babys cries. Winter Place in Montgomery. Some people claim Sydneys ghost followed the drama students to the Telfair Peet Theater when it was constructed in the 1970s. Flickr/Renee May. 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. 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. It is thought to be the face of Sarah Kittrell, wife of Thomas Kittrell, who disappeared in 1904. Many ghost hunters have visited the hotel. As they crossed the bridge, the horses were spooked and the carriage was tipped into the water below. Nancys spirit is distraught over not being able to bury her son. (Source: Judyanne Waters via FindaGrave.com), Grave of Norman Staples and Ghost Ship, Bladon Springs. 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. It is located across fromShelby Iron Works Park, which has been preserved as an educational site. Jack Cole Road is a dirt road in a densely wooded area off Highway 7. It is said that a mysterious fog covers this area day or night, and it surrounds the gravestones. Most cemeteries are closed at night. 1914. Today only ruins remain. 3. 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. . YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Buildings in Downtown Decatur have a long and . A pyromaniac ghost? Others claim to have seen the apparition of a man in a top hat in the parlor. This is one of the outbuildings at the site. 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. 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 press room in Dallas Compress Co. in Selma. Information with the photo said: This building stood on the southeast corner of Vine Street and First Street North. All are on my list of favorites, but they are not listed in order of preference. Each tour gets on and off the bus during the evening and we do go inside some of Decatur's most haunted locations. The city of Cahaba, or Cahawba, located where the Cahaba and Alabama rivers meet, was abandoned in 1825 after severe flooding. These are cars, trucks, and SUVs that were abandoned or otherwise not claimed by their owners after a period of time. People claim to see Marys spirit on the bridge, searching for her lost child. Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, USA. Nearby, a pair of eyeglasses gathers dust, as if the owner were suddenly interrupted in the middle of a workday and never returned. Battleship Island, Japan. The Jemison Center changed focusin the 1970s because of desegregation laws and closed in the 1980s. It was also a very thriving town. If you go, drive by only. (Source: Spyder_Monkey via Wikimedia Commons). No trespassing. These assets may be in the form of cash, stocks, bonds, insurance benefits or even valuables from safe deposit boxes. Each home has it's own unique style which makes it stand out amid the modern homes we see today. She is said to have died instantly. One truck driver said that he struck the bridge after a ghostly horse-drawn carriage crossed the interstate in front of him. Montevallo, established in 1896, is reportedly haunted by the spirit of student Condie Cunningham. Abandoned slave quarters and workshops behind the Cabaniss House at 603 Randolph St. in Huntsville. If. 112 Moulton St E, Decatur, AL 35601, United States // +1 256-355 Brick Deli is just around the corner from Josie's. It is open for lunch on Monday and Tuesday, lunch and supper on Wednesday through Saturday, and closed on Sunday. Apparently the entire length of Main Street is haunted by the ghosts of tornado victims. Abandoned Western Railway of Alabama building in Montgomery is shown in the late 1960s. The hangings were carried out inside the jail, and the spirits of those men reportedly never left. The building was constructed in Northport on what was once called Cherokee Plantation, owned by Robert Jemison. The chemical plant was built by the company in 1918 to make wood alcohol from charcoal for World War I. Nebo Baptist Church. Tales of Huggin' Molly also can be found in Louisiana and Florida, with variations. Ruins of theMemphis and Charleston Freight Depot at 303 Church St. in Huntsville. However, the family cemetery remains. On Feb. 4, a fellow student spilled cleaning fluid onto the open stove and the kitchen caught fire. Listed below are eight creepy Alabama ghost towns worth a visit. 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 It is said to be haunted by former patients. 2. What are the most popular ghost stories in Alabama? A staircase in the Empire building before renovations began. The three-story tower was added to the home after the Civil War. A marker on Court Square North in Carrollton tells of the Pickens County portrait: "A freedman, Henry Wells, was accused of burning the second on November 16, 1876. However, that doesn't stop the tales from being told and retold. It is now a concert venue. The original portrait of Miss Kirtley hangs in the freshman dorm, Kirtley Hall, but often makes surprise appearances in elevators, closets, and beds! 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. The Knight Sanitorium is a three-story brick building. The home was completed in 1835 by Robert Patton, Brahan's son-in-law and former Alabama governor. This Greek Revival-style mansion was built in 1837 by Dr. John R. Drish who died in 1867. 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. Deaths include several from a cholera outbreak in 1900 and one from murder. 2 bedrooms (5 homes) $159,629. Some have heard footsteps from the second floor and the sound of the piano playing when no one is there. When Memorial Mound opened on Dartmouth Avenue in Bessemerin 1993, it was billed as a new method of laying loved ones to rest. Today, the home has been beautifully restored by the City of Opelika and is the centerpiece of Spring Villa Park. According to the Chamber of Commerce website, "Haunted Places: The National Directory. NOTE:This site was visited with permission and under supervision of the State Department of Mental Health. At least, nothing human. The figure was as much as 7 feet tall, wearing dark clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. The oddest sighting is an apparition that appears to be half-wolf and half-man. The national recognized museum first opened in 1980 and was reinvented and reopened in summer 2019. Peacock said it's the "site of numerous unusual accidents over the years, including several that have resulted in fatalities and catastrophic fires.