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. Another story says when people feel a sudden sense of dread, they will soon see the apparition of a soldier. These assets may be in the form of cash, stocks, bonds, insurance benefits or even valuables from safe deposit boxes. It once consisted of 25 buildings constructed in the 1870s or 1880. 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. 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. However, that doesn't stop the tales from being told and retold. Currently, there are 14 new listings and 212 homes for sale in Decatur. The tale of its resident ghost, a Confederate soldier named Sydney Grimmett who died there, is the most popular ghost story on campus. The war ended before the plant went into operation. It is also home to numerous legends and ghost tales. 15. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Legend says if someone says, We have your baby, she will attack. HAUNTED DECATUR is part of AMERICAN HAUNTINGS INKEMAIL: GHOSTS@AMERICANHAUNTINGS.NET Copyright 2023 by American Hauntings Ink. In a little-known cemetery deep in the woods of Clarke County are tombstones created by a man who was ahead of his time. Here is a look at 21 of the most photographed abandoned sites in Alabama. Apparitions have been seen, and captured on film by paranormal society investigations; orbs have been reported as well. Now it looks like something from a horror movie. 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. A staircase in the Empire building before renovations began. It is privately owned and closed to the public. This is one of the outbuildings at the site. In 2020, Troy introduces the 25th Anniversary Edition of his first book! 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. (Picture: The Boyaux fortification at the Blakeley battleground). The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. This abandoned home on Watts Mill Road was built in 1905 by Charles and William Hudson for their brother, John. Mary survived. These buildings are the longest continuously occupied industrial buildings in the state. The abandoned Memphis and Charleston Freight Depot at 303 Church St. in Huntsville. In life, she reportedly lived in a shack in the woods. 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. It is now home to the Lowndesboro Town Hall. The site has two city cemeteries as well as a slave cemetery. 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. The Haunted Decatur Tours are based on the bestselling book by Troy Taylor, HAUNTED DECATUR. 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. William J. Samford Hall in the Auburn University Historic District. An old bridge off Mothershed Road is known as Mary Daniel Bridge. This airfield built in 1941, shown above in aerial view, was used to train the famous Tuskegee Airmen. Today only ruins remain. Coal towns were abandoned when the coal (or the need for it) ran out. Across fromSt. Clair's Bait & Tackle, Grocery and Hardware, a tiny catch-all store at the crossroads of Lowndes County Roads 29 and 40, is a narrow, shaded dirt lane that leads to one of Alabama's best-kept secrets. Check out the 15 most haunted places in Decatur then learn more by visiting HauntedDecatur.com. What are the creepiest cemeteries in Alabama? She is said to have died instantly. Completely inundated, this abandoned town exists in a watery grave. This haunted house is huge and horrifyingso make sure to get your tickets ASAP. Local Online Auctions in Alabama. During the American Civil War, the town suffered a lot of damage and it was completely abandoned by the 1920s. According to legend, many apparitions haunt the house. Some have heard footsteps from the second floor and the sound of the piano playing when no one is there. 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. His spirit has been seen wearing a white zoot suit, and he may try to catch a ride with you to Florence. the inventory is constantly changing as new places come up for auction. 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. Various urban legends have arisen around the claims that Cry Baby Hollow and the bridge going across it are haunted. The date of the photograph is unknown, but it was probably taken in the late 19th or early 20th century, after the building had been used as a grist mill. It is no longer standing. People claim to hear disembodied laughter. Today, the home has been beautifully restored by the City of Opelika and is the centerpiece of Spring Villa Park. All rights reserved (About Us). Sadly, nature has reclaimed much of Old Cahawba. (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. Aunt Jenny Brooks Johnson, shown above, was a real mountain woman whose sons became outlaws. Alabama's 12 Most Haunted Places 1. Others claim to have seen phantom cars, strange balls of light and the apparition of a small figure, about 4 feet tall. All rights reserved (About Us). The Victoria Inn was built ca. Now her ghost is often seen along the road. 12 Best Things to Do in Decatur, Alabama. 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. 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. Hall Hotel dates to 1895 and residents of Gurley hope to restore it. When they turn to look, nothing is there. If you want to suggest another tale, email kkazek@al.com or comment below. Local legend claims that a woman appears should a visitor kiss the tallest tombstone. 133 Fourth Avenue NE, Decatur, Alabama 35601, Phone: 256-351-4505. 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. The Chamber of Commerce building, above right, was constructed in 1910 as a bank. It is said to be haunted by the inmates executed there, with the last one in 1949. After a sensational trial in Huntsville in 1884, two years after Jesse had been shot to death, Frank was acquitted of that crime. Pikeville was Marion Countys first county seat, serving from 1820-1882. The stately relics are located, oddly, on the outskirts of a neighborhood of beautifully restored turn-of-the-20th-century cottages, a beautifully restored 1925 elementary school, churches and a few businesses. Bellefonte is a ghost town in Jackson County, Alabama and is situated near the site of the Bellefonte Nuclear Generating Station. Before the settlement of the original St. Stephens was abandoned, it sat atop a limestone bluff overlooking the Tombigbee River. The land this was built on was at one time a cemetery. 10. It is named for war veteran and politician Joseph Wheeler, as is nearby Wheeler Lake. Nancys spirit is distraught over not being able to bury her son. Some claim to see the orb today. The hangings were carried out inside the jail, and the spirits of those men reportedly never left. 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. ", Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. The building has been abandoned since the 1980s. (Historic American Engineering Record/Library of Congress). This is part of the warehouse complex for Dallas Compress Co. in Selma, photographed in the late 1960s. 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. At least two, possibly . People claim to see Marys spirit on the bridge, searching for her lost child. B.B. Huntsville, Alabama 27.7 miles from Hartselle, AL The Cedarhurst Mansion Estate was originally built in 1823 by Stephen Ewing. Murder Creek Bridge is located on this stretch. Her spirit reportedly haunts McCandless because she had told her audience she would return. The property is still owned by the Department of Mental Health and is trespassing is illegal. 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). 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. Cripple Creek - Palace Hotel - Like much of Cripple Creek, the Palace Hotel has a long history. Bass Cemetery is located off a dirt road in the woods. The family reportedly had the image sandblasted from the stone but it soon returned. Click hereto see more photos. Jeff E. Newman of Steel City Urbex took photos. Sometimes its because they bring back memories of places they once loved. Today, it is a historical landmark and is open for tours. It is thought to be the face of Sarah Kittrell, wife of Thomas Kittrell, who disappeared in 1904. Molly was bittem by her puppy, which had contracted rabies. The Cedarhurst Mansion Estate was originally built in 1823 by Stephen Ewing. However, the family cemetery remains. At this playground set up near the cemetery, the ghosts of children play and swing on the swingsets. They were holding candles, and her hair caught fire. Winter Place 32.3713, -86.31589 History: Winter Place is the name of two old conjoined homes that date back to the mid-1850s. The church is now a ruin but the adjoining cemetery remains. Beelitz Military Hospital, Berlin. Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge 159 Nature & Wildlife Areas By 460LizF Outstanding location to view wintering Sandhill Cranes. It is said to be haunted by the men and women who died during the raid. 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. 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. It is located at 1928 First Avenue North. The Knight Sanitorium is a three-story brick building. The caskets were left neglected and families were angry. 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. Peacock said it's the "site of numerous unusual accidents over the years, including several that have resulted in fatalities and catastrophic fires. The courthouse burned in 1866 and was rebuilt. Or they are shocked by the waste of still-useful homes and buildings. 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. Read more 0 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. As they crossed the bridge, the horses were spooked and the carriage was tipped into the water below. 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. 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. There were a couple of towns that were flooded during the creation of the Norris Dam in 1936. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. The cemetery remains. In some cases, homes and buildings on the verge of collapse were saved. Others claim to have witnessed the spirit of a mysterious mist, a crying baby and a strange man dressed in black. (Source: Don and Susie via FindaGrave.com). 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. This research was done using searches of a variety of sites about local haunts. 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. This courthouse was built in 1868 when Seale was the county seat from 1866-1942. Haunted Decatur Tours, 141 North Main Street, Decatur, IL, 62523, United States. Before that period, the canyon was used as a holding pen for Indians who were removed from their land. Rawls, who repeatedly took down window treatments he tried to install. Site of Consolation Church and Cemetery, Greenville. On the third floor, people report doors opening and closing and furniture moving of its own accord. It is now a concert venue. She founded many of the things Judson students still love: theConversationalistyearbook, theTriangle(student newspaper), theScrimshawliterary magazine, the college archives, and several (shh!) Are the former owners of this home-turned-library angry at the intrusion into their afterlives or just trying to say hello? 3 bedrooms (63 homes) $205,869. In 1909, Kirkseys wheelchair-bound daughter Margaretta Eliza, who was 29 years old, fell from the second-floor balcony. The current owners of the Moody Brick claim that the old plantation is definitely not haunted. 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. But, after burning twice in its 186-year history, the elegant mansion is more famous in its ruinous state than it ever was as a family home. Love Alabama? (Megan Willis via Forgotten Alabama Facebook page). Railroad tracks run alongside the backs of the surviving buildings, parallel to the dirt lane called Robinson Switch Road. Several abandoned mill sites remain in the town, although historic groups hope to re-purpose some of the factories. (Source: Judyanne Waters via FindaGrave.com), Grave of Norman Staples and Ghost Ship, Bladon Springs. Many spooky tales surround Bear Creek Swamp. (Illustration from historic photo/AL.com file). Click hereto see more photos. The house is reportedly haunted by the spirit of an invalid woman who killed herself in the home in the 1960s. 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. 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. The Canabiss House in Huntsville today. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. You are reading "15 Best Things to Do in Decatur, Alabama " Back to Top. Several of the brick structures that Pratt built are still used today for an industry manufacturing cotton gins. At right, a historical photo of City Federal. According to Prattvilleal.gov: Pratt's "love of beauty is evidenced in Prattville in his manufactories which feature graceful arches, soaring ceilings and vast open spaces, interesting brick and stonework and a picturesque site alongside Autauga Creek. It is no longer in use and the abandoned building is reportedly haunted. (Source: Rivers Langley via Wikimedia Commons). 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. A hearse can be seen inside the garage of the abandoned Wards Funeral Home in Opelika. Cook Museum. Typical cemetery haunting fare including orbs and reports that your car will die if you drive there on specific dates. Others claim to have seen the apparition of a man in a top hat in the parlor. To visit Norwood, take exit 126B off Interstate 20/59, just north of downtown Birmingham. Flickr/Jon Dickson. She is buried in Birminghams Elmwood Cemetery. It is reportedly haunted by men killed during training. The chemical plant was built by the company in 1918 to make wood alcohol from charcoal for World War I. Either way, the photos are intriguing. Abandoned rail shops at the Western Railway of Alabama at 701 North Perry St. in Montgomery are shown in the 1960s. At the heart of the Deep South, the state of Alabama offers a wealth of opportunities for urban explorers. Decatur's sordid reputation also added to the ghostly stories of the city through incidents of murder and death. It would go on to boast others, including the "Second Most Corrupt City in Illinois." It hasnt been used since 2000. People claim the churchs pastor went mad one day and murdered his entire family and their spirits haunt the grounds. 16) You Can Search for Gold in Several Public Places Gold mining and treasure hunting locations in Alabama start in Chilton County and continue northeast to the Georgia State line. In 1902 the new facility was finished, featuring 33 buildings, a power station, and a general store. Oct 13, 2016; Decatur has a sordid reputation and a . Properly called Jackson Ford Bridge, there are currently plans to demolish the bridge due to vandalism and decay making for a safety hazard. One truck driver said that he struck the bridge after a ghostly horse-drawn carriage crossed the interstate in front of him. Abandoned Marshall Space Flight Center power plant test stand in the east test area in Huntsville shown in 1968. For the next 100 years,the mansion was owned by members of the Winston family. Jemison Center, former insane asylum for African Americans. Jennifer is the Alabama staff writer for Only In Your State and has nearly 15 years of professional writing experience. In this 1934 photo, renovation work had begun on Spring Villa in Opelika. Simp McGhee's A photo of the Richard Crocheron mansion in the 1880s, when it was already an abandoned ruin. Visitors have claimed to have a feeling of being watched and cold chills even on the hottest days. This site was visited with permission. 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. 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." Click hereto see more photos. 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. ADVANCE PERMISSION REQUIRED. It is located on a street bordering Montgomery's quaint Cottage Hill district, which is filled with refurbished cottages. The Tennessee River railroad bridge on Alabama Highway 43 in Florence is shown in the late 1960s. Other times, its merely because they are so haunting and raise the questions: Who would leave such beautiful places to rot? He is reportedly always looking toward the Tombigbee River, where his beloved steamboat exploded.