It survives but the third story and its Romanesque embellishments were removed. Best Restaurants in Decatur, AL - The RailYard, Two Fish & A Toad, The Moody Crab, Simp McGhee's, Brick Deli, Francesco's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria, Bank Street Grill, Hard Dock, Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q, Sushi Sumo Alabama Unclaimed Property - Official State Website This home was allegedly the site of the murders of an entire family that haunts the site. Vernon Hospital for the Colored Insane. Apparitions have been seen, and captured on film by paranormal society investigations; orbs have been reported as well. List of ghost towns in Colorado - Wikipedia 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. At least one of the buildings at Robinson's Switch has the shape of a depot and another long building appears to have been a railroad warehouse. The spirit of an inmate who committed suicide in the building is reported to walk its halls. Her spirit can also be seen floating past windows on the second floor. 28 Abandoned Alabama ideas | alabama, abandoned, historical - Pinterest Today, the home has been beautifully restored by the City of Opelika and is the centerpiece of Spring Villa Park. Rumored to be haunted by an old man ghost with a fondness for flammables as well as a young boy who is often heard laughing. Mrs. Locals tell a story that this building once was occupied by a young girl, Molly, who died in the 1930s or 1940s. Owners Bobby and Lynn Bright are refurbishing the film set of Spectre because public interest remains high. Legends of hauntings in the home include one about a screaming woman dressed in Victorian clothing. We hope to get permission to go photograph it very soon.. The best-known ghost tale from each Alabama county - al.com The Jemison Center was built in the 1920s as part of Bryce Hospital, which opened in Tuscaloosa as the Alabama State Hospital for the Insane at the outset of the Civil War. 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. The woods off Hinds Road are said the be haunted by a witch who sold her soul to the devil. Temple B'nai Shalom in Huntsville's Old Town Historic District, in Huntsville. Hall Hotel dates to 1895 and residents of Gurley hope to restore it. Several witnesses have reported seeing the statues of Romeo and Juliet floating around The University of North Alabama's campus during a full moon. 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. See more ideas about alabama, abandoned, historical sites. This airfield built in 1941, shown above in aerial view, was used to train the famous Tuskegee Airmen. Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. 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. It is located across fromShelby Iron Works Park, which has been preserved as an educational site. Coal towns were abandoned when the coal (or the need for it) ran out. Folks say that when you stand outside the crypt, you can hear the rocking chair rocking. Although this hospital is now closed and operates a geriatric-psych ward, employees tell tales of "Homer" a ghost who roamsthe halls. The Goode-Hall house in Town Creek, also known as Saunders Hall, was near collapse when this photo was taken in the 1930s. The oddest sighting is an apparition that appears to be half-wolf and half-man. The site is reportedly haunted by numerous spirits with the most famous known as Pegues Ghost. The old Bibb County Jail, built ca. The only things remaining in Bellefonte today are the cemetery, the chimney of the local inn (see picture), and piles of bricks. Don Robinson State Park, Cedar Hill has a plethora of ruins. 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. 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. GHOST HUNTER'S TOUR: Created in 2005, the extended Ghost Hunter's Tour is a supernatural bus trip with an extra hour of spirits, scandals and sins! Decatur Mill | Ardent Mills This building now houses a geriatric treatment facility but when it was a hospital, employees claimed it was haunted by a ghost named Homer. Homer would roam the halls as a dark shape. Click here to see Robinson Switch Road on Google Maps. 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. 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. There were a couple of towns that were flooded during the creation of the Norris Dam in 1936. 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. This abandoned funeral home in Opelika still has hearses and caskets inside its casket showcase room. However, the legend tied to one of the most haunted sights in Alabama, the Drish House in Tuscaloosa, is absolutely chilling. Several of the brick structures that Pratt built are still used today for an industry manufacturing cotton gins. 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. Each home has it's own unique style which makes it stand out amid the modern homes we see today. 4 Haunted Houses Near Decatur, Alabama - Summer Lodge Apartment Homes A hearse can be seen inside the garage of the abandoned Wards Funeral Home in Opelika. He is reportedly always looking toward the Tombigbee River, where his beloved steamboat exploded. This cemetery is reportedly haunted by the sweetheart of a real man named Robert Musgrove, who was killed in a train wreck in 1904. 3 bedrooms (63 homes) $205,869. To visit Norwood, take exit 126B off Interstate 20/59, just north of downtown Birmingham. 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. People claim to hear disembodied laughter. Crime truly came to Decatur in the 1850s with the arrival of the railroads. 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. Since 1982, the 1824 house has been a museum and event space. The image turned out to be a silhouette etched into the stone. 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." Alabama, Should Be on Your Radar. The Canabiss House in Huntsville today. Police Impound and Abandoned Tow Auctions in Alabama But in the 1800s, it was a town that grew around the Rock Run Mine and Furnace. The penthouse is still up for sale, he said. It was a stormy night and her carriage flipped, killing Burns. Sardis is home to a truly creepy rumor claiming that a man with fiery red eyes and the ghostly figure of a Confederate soldier has also been spotted wandering the property of the Adams Grove Presbyterian Church. 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. She enjoys discovering new places and currently calls North Alabama home. Rural Southwest Alabama says, It was constructed using hand-hewn yellow pine timbers joined together with large wooden pegs. It has been moved twice and now rests across Duck Pond at the University of West Alabama. Cry Baby Hollow Bridge | Haunted Places | Hartselle, AL 35640 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. CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR COPY! ", StrangeUSA.comsays ghosts of inmates can be heard: "Legend has it that their screams can be heard as they were being burned to death, and you can hear the laugher of the guards that stood by watching.". White orbs also appear in the childrens room. The destruction of these burial mounds cast a mysterious pall over the city -- a darkness that continues to linger today. The building was constructed in 1930. (Picture: Old schoolhouse). Some say theyve heard voices and felt cold spots inside the jail. And if you consider yourself a ghost hunter, youll love this creepy road trip in Alabama. We're sure this Victorian home in rural Missouri was once quite beautiful. The Gaines Ridge Dinner Club is a restaurant inside a ca. People claim if they get out of their cars, they hear and feel a presence beside them. Others claim to have witnessed the spirit of a mysterious mist, a crying baby and a strange man dressed in black. 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 This isolated, one-lane bridge in rural Chilton County is said the be haunted by a malevolent spirit that chases people who cross it. Other times, its merely because they are so haunting and raise the questions: Who would leave such beautiful places to rot? Haunted Decatur Tours, 141 North Main Street, Decatur, IL, 62523, United States. In the 1930s, this beautiful 1842 home known as the Bethea-Strother House, located on Alabama Highway 28 in Camden, was abandoned and deteriorating. The legend was recorded by author Kathryn Tucker Windham in 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey.. When they turn to look, nothing is there. (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. 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. It is said that a mysterious fog covers this area day or night, and it surrounds the gravestones. A curved staircase inside the 1850 Carpenter Gothic-style home called Spring Villa in Opelika. It was rebuilt and operated until 1923. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Rawls, who repeatedly took down window treatments he tried to install. No trespassing. After a mummified woman was discovered in her home, people claimed she was a witch. And why? Read more 0 Abbie's House Guntersville, Alabama 39.5 miles from Decatur, AL This home dates back to 1909 and is registered by the local historical society. Alabama's 12 Most Haunted Places 1. This cemetery, established in 1834, is said the be haunted by the spirits of Confederate and Union soldiers. 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. After a sensational trial in Huntsville in 1884, two years after Jesse had been shot to death, Frank was acquitted of that crime. What are the most popular ghost stories in Alabama? Alabama's Official Travel Guide The ghost of a boy who died there is said to haunt the park. That makes sense, because the fort was in use during the Civil War, Spanish American War, World War I and World War II. Abandoned Fitness Decatur Al - 2023 | UsFitnessFinder.com (Source: ecjmartin1 via Wikimedia Commons). Mining continued in Arbacoochee until the 1930s, but the town never recovered and became a ghost town by 1990. She would squeeze them tightly, then scream in their ears. Because after an entire life of drudgery and cleaning, that's how every woman wants to spend her afterlife. 10 Crazy Abandoned Places in TN Nature Is Reclaiming Quickly Apparitions seen floating through the hotel are thought to be those of people who checked in but never checked out. (Source: Rivers Langley via Wikimedia Commons). According to legend, she was driving her baby in a horse-drawn carriage one night. Located among the graves is an open tomb missing its corpse. It was restored but is once again in need of repairs. In the era of segregation, it was central to the cultural life of black Birmingham residents. When his spirit would pass people in the halls, they would feel cold. They are evidence of past lives and of the history we are in danger of losing. When he was hanged, his executioners dug a hole beneath his dangling feet to accommodate his height. This home dates back to 1909 and is registered by the local historical society. Now her ghost is often seen along the road. This gorgeous natural site is said to be haunted by the spirits of outlaws who once hid there. The Spookiest Things to See and Do in Gatlinburg - Southern Living Huggin Mollys restaurant in downtown Abbeville is named for the legend. (Source: Judyanne Waters via FindaGrave.com), Grave of Norman Staples and Ghost Ship, Bladon Springs. The site is beneath the Alabama Highway 134 bridge over the Choctawhatchee River. The J.W. Her sons pulled her from the wreckage, but she died in the front bedroom on the eastern side. Today, it is house museum that can be toured by appointment. Amazing Abandoned Places in Alabama: Top 10 Choices In 2023 The property is still owned by the Department of Mental Health and is trespassing is illegal. 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. 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. The Marengo House was originally built in 1847 in Autauga County before being disassembled in 1854 and moved to its current location. Contact this Facility Decatur Mill 2050 Market St NE Decatur, AL 35601 256-280-4761 Number of Team Members: 40+ The family reportedly had the image sandblasted from the stone but it soon returned. It is now a concert venue. In the 1850s, the settlement had disappeared and was replaced by adjoining plantations. There is a place in the Talladega National Forest, shown above, were a road was laid over some graves, according to legend. If you'd like to see the "behind the scenes" drama of Decatur's haunted past, then this is the tour for you! Flatwoods was a settlement of freed slaves during Reconstruction but it was later burned. Spectre, Ala., is a fictional town built as a set for the 2003 movie "Big Fish." Please follow the law and be safe. 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. ", The Pickens County Courthouse in Carrollton is widely known as the site of hauntings by the spirit of Henry Wells, who was once incarcerated in a jail cell on the second floor. It is thought to be the face of Sarah Kittrell, wife of Thomas Kittrell, who disappeared in 1904. Typical cemetery haunting fare including orbs and reports that your car will die if you drive there on specific dates. It's now underwater and the only remnant left of the town is a cemetery. VIN Date Reported Stolen Vehicle Year Make Model Tag State Status The city of Cahaba, or Cahawba, located where the Cahaba and Alabama rivers meet, was abandoned in 1825 after severe flooding. The church is now a ruin but the adjoining cemetery remains. Share your experiences with us in the comments below! (Source: Matt Glasscock at left; Birmingham Public Library at right), http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2016/09/amazing_photos_show_abandoned.html. This photo was taken in 1973. It was used during the Civil War as a hospital. 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. At the heart of the Deep South, the state of Alabama offers a wealth of opportunities for urban explorers. The home was built for Dr. Alexander Mitchell, who sold it to Isaac Winston in 1833. The Tennessee River railroad bridge on Alabama Highway 43 in Florence is shown in the late 1960s. The city was the capital after Huntsville was the temporary capital city in 1819 so a Constitutional Convention could be held to choose the first official capital, which was Cahawba. From lost burial grounds to haunted theaters, the Haunted Decatur Tour is much more than just a run-of-the-mill ghost tour! Although there are no detailed legends about this site, many believe it is haunted. Bellefonte is a ghost town in Jackson County, Alabama and is situated near the site of the Bellefonte Nuclear Generating Station. Read about the Brights and the plans for the island by clickinghere. 15. Read more 0 The hotel has been closed down. Here is a look at 21 of the most photographed abandoned sites in Alabama. A local storyteller dressed in period clothing leads the one-mile tour of haunted hotels, infamous murder sites, cemeteries, and more. The image of a Confederate soldier appeared inside, which meant it may have been the ghost of one of Patton's sons. Before the settlement of the original St. Stephens was abandoned, it sat atop a limestone bluff overlooking the Tombigbee River. the interior, seen here from the doorway, is closed to the public because it is unsafe. 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. Haunted Places in Decatur, Indiana ", Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. This is not just a collection of ghost stories, but a true history of how the city became so haunted -- which means we also include local sites of death, unsolved murders, strange crimes, gambling parlors, vice districts and more plagued the city in days gone by. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and. At the WHBC frat house, they say former Youth Minister Anthony Stephens' spirit walks through the house later at night. It hasnt been used since 2000. Adjoining Huntsville's historic Maple Hill Cemetery is a playground that looks much like any other, featuring a swing set and slide. If that wasnt creepy enough, visitors have been known to hear the sounds of a rocking chair moving back and forth as they pass. Did you know about these Alabama ghost towns? 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. This photo of the Alabama Capitol in Tuscaloosa was taken in the 1890s or early 1900s. At right, a historical photo of City Federal. This historic hotel is the home of a disruptive entity known only as 'the knocker.' It gets its name from the fact that when it appears on the sixth floor, knocking loudly on hotel room doors in the dead of night! 10. The Decatur Mall is anchored by Belk, jcpenney Outlet, Sears and Regal Cinemas. 1890s commissary that served the mining families still stands but the vine-covered building is said the be the site of miners killed at the site. However, that doesn't stop the tales from being told and retold. The caskets were left neglected and families were angry. 2 bedrooms (5 homes) $159,629. Jennifer is the Alabama staff writer for Only In Your State and has nearly 15 years of professional writing experience. Its surprising how many ghost towns are in Alabama. . Today, it is a historical landmark and is open for tours. People claim to see Marys spirit on the bridge, searching for her lost child. 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. (Illustration from a photo of Old Cahawba/Will Elrick), Old Cahawba Archaeological Site is the preserved remnants of the ghost town of Alabamas first capital city. For information, contact Craig Drescher,info@historicwinterplace.com. HAUNTED DECATUR is part of AMERICAN HAUNTINGS INKEMAIL: GHOSTS@AMERICANHAUNTINGS.NET Copyright 2023 by American Hauntings Ink. The firefighters felt that is simply wasn't worth the risk to aggressively try to stop the fire, and to let the fire burn itself. In a little-known cemetery deep in the woods of Clarke County are tombstones created by a man who was ahead of his time. Ashland Place Historic District in Mobile. Ive noted those of which I am aware. Frederic Ravesies, Arcola's first settler, established himself at what later became known as the Hatch Plantation. In 1874, a tornado took the life of lady of the house Judith Winston, who was crushed beneath rubble. I worked there as a jailor in the county jail there in the old part when it was on the 2nd floor. It is said to be haunted by former patients. Read more 0 Reportedly haunted by the ghost of a woman who hanged herself back in the day when the Center was a teaching college. All rights reserved (About Us). Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Abandoned Storage Unit Auctions. 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. The city, affectionately known as "The River City", is located in Northern Alabama on the banks of Wheeler Lake, along the Tennessee River. For information, call 334-320-5330 or visitthe Facebook page. People claim the churchs pastor went mad one day and murdered his entire family and their spirits haunt the grounds. The most infamous haunted location in Alabama is The Tutwiler Hotel in downtown Birmingham. 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! Reportedly haunted by the ghost of a young singer who died on the night of her greatest triumph. Decatur, Alabama | Ghostly World After the capital was moved to Montgomery, the Tuscaloosa building was used as the Alabama Central Female College. It is reportedly haunted by men killed during training. Legend says she fought with her boyfriend and decided to walk home. 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. On Feb. 4, a fellow student spilled cleaning fluid onto the open stove and the kitchen caught fire. Possibly among the most inane of haunted reports, people claim to see a green light in the cemetery at night. She was struck by a truck and her body was later found beside the highway. Some say they can hear the call of a bird that soon morphs into a young girls screams. A pyromaniac ghost? In Huntsville, the Maple Hill Cemetery is also known as the Dead Children's Playground. (Source: Historic American Buildings Survey/Library of Congress). Abandoned Western Railway of Alabama building in Montgomery is shown in the late 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. 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. Chalkville Training School for 'Incorrigible' Girls. Legend says a girl named Sally hung herself in a stairwell on the third floor of the building. The home was reportedly built atop old slave quarters and a cemetery. InsideEastern Bank of Alabama in Eufaula when it was abandoned. Today only ruins remain. It is said to be haunted by the inmates executed there, with the last one in 1949. 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. Deaths include several from a cholera outbreak in 1900 and one from murder. People also love vintage photos that show what those past lives were like in Alabama. Local lore says that this 1857 mansion built by cotton broker Foster Kirksey is haunted by the spirit of a woman who died on the property. Although the haunting of Sloss Furnaces is oft repeated, legends surrounding Bass Cemetery in Irondale are definitely the spookiest. Abandoned slave quarters and workshops behind the Cabaniss House at 603 Randolph St. in Huntsville. Many people claim theyve seen a face behind the barred windows of the second floor but the building was empty.