You may even stumble upon an old, abandoned homestead site in the woods. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Passersby often say they can see the swings moving on their own volition, as well as orbs or spectral figures. The home was built for Dr. Alexander Mitchell, who sold it to Isaac Winston in 1833. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Its surprising how many ghost towns are in Alabama. Legend says she fought with her boyfriend and decided to walk home. 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. 15. Share your experiences with us in the comments below! The land this was built on was at one time a cemetery. Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion in Tuscaloosa. The face appeared on the grave of Thomas second wife, Mary Jane Kittrell. In the 1930s, this beautiful 1842 home known as the Bethea-Strother House, located on Alabama Highway 28 in Camden, was abandoned and deteriorating. Visitors to the inn and restaurant have reported hearing disembodied footsteps and eerie noises throughout the home. The caskets were left neglected and families were angry. According to legend, a small bridge on an isolated road is haunted by a baby who died there. Her ghost is said to look down from the upstairs window. The Spookiest Things to See and Do in Gatlinburg - Southern Living secret traditions. The two-story structure made of brick is said to be haunted by the souls of those who were incarcerated there. Today, the home has been beautifully restored by the City of Opelika and is the centerpiece of Spring Villa Park. It is also home to numerous legends and ghost tales. 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. Oct 13, 2016; Decatur has a sordid reputation and a . Another story says when people feel a sudden sense of dread, they will soon see the apparition of a soldier. People who cross the bridge hear the sounds of a babys cries. Mrs. Locals tell a story that this building once was occupied by a young girl, Molly, who died in the 1930s or 1940s. List of ghost towns in Colorado - Wikipedia 2. The ca. (Source: Matt Glasscock at left; Birmingham Public Library at right), http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2016/09/amazing_photos_show_abandoned.html. I worked there as a jailor in the county jail there in the old part when it was on the 2nd floor. Some also like to repeat the myth that children were buried in the playground following a series of abductions in the 1960s. 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. The Gainesridge Dinner Club has been named the "Most Haunted Restaurant" in Alabama. Haunted Places in Hartselle, Alabama (Sources: Alabama Department of Youth Services, left; Kelly Kazek, right). Today, it is a historical landmark and is open for tours. The most haunted bridge in our state is aptly named Hell's Gate Bridge, located in Oxford. William J. Samford Hall in the Auburn University Historic District. 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. 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. Located at 112 Moulton Street E Decatur, AL 35601; Scares start Friday, October 22, from 7-11 p.m. . The newly renovated inn is now called Hotel Finial. In 1902 the new facility was finished, featuring 33 buildings, a power station, and a general store. Haunted Places Decatur, Alabama Decatur High School Decatur High School was built in 1950. 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). Alabamas many historic cemetery sites can be bone-chilling, especially those with an eerie legend associated with it. That's right, allegedly there are sightings of a ghost sweeping. Dicksonia Plantation in Lowndesboro had a reputation in its day as a stately mansion in picturesque surroundings. However, they say eventually the happy noises turn to unhappy ones, as if the children are screaming for their lives. 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 At right, a historical photo of City Federal. Thank you! Perrins, Alfonso's, Josie's, and Let's Do Lunch are very casual. 1914. Home Size. 1830s to 1866. The historic, two-story jail was built in ca. HauntedPlaces.org makes no claims that any of the statements posted here are factually accurate. The building is believed to be haunted by several apparitions and ghostly voices are heard. It is now a concert venue. Some report that is you park on the bridge, your car will begin to rock. 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. Molly was bittem by her puppy, which had contracted rabies. 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. People claim to hear knocking on the floors and walls. 18 Abandoned Places in Missouri That Nature is Reclaiming - OnlyInYourState She founded many of the things Judson students still love: theConversationalistyearbook, theTriangle(student newspaper), theScrimshawliterary magazine, the college archives, and several (shh!) Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. According to legend, she was driving her baby in a horse-drawn carriage one night. 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. Take I-65 to Decatur, Exit 334. According to legend, people have heard the sounds of muffled explosions, screams and voices. If you go, drive by only. The national recognized museum first opened in 1980 and was reinvented and reopened in summer 2019. In 1874, a tornado took the life of lady of the house Judith Winston, who was crushed beneath rubble. After a fire and years of deterioration, only a few buildings remain but it has become a popular destination for tourists and photographers. It is named for war veteran and politician Joseph Wheeler, as is nearby Wheeler Lake. Located among the graves is an open tomb missing its corpse. The site is beneath the Alabama Highway 134 bridge over the Choctawhatchee River. 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. During the 1920s, Decatur would gain infamy as a place where murder, bootlegging, prostitution, kidnapping, gambling, corruption and, of course, ghosts, were commonplace. Many people believe the ghost is that of the Governor's son who died in the Civil War. For 50 years, the woman brought flowers and kneeled to pray at the foot of his 8-foot obelisk marker. Each tour gets on and off the bus during the evening and we do go inside some of Decatur's most haunted locations. Others have claimed to see odd sights while driving the road, from lights darting through the trees to ghostly figures. Most cemeteries are closed at night. Apparitions seen floating through the hotel are thought to be those of people who checked in but never checked out. Some claim to see the orb today. 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. It is the largest city and county seat of Morgan County. An abandoned property is usually a property whose original owner is no longer in possession of the home. These buildings are the longest continuously occupied industrial buildings in the state. After a mummified woman was discovered in her home, people claimed she was a witch. 2 bedrooms (5 homes) $159,629. If you'd like to see the "behind the scenes" drama of Decatur's haunted past, then this is the tour for you! The Knight Sanitorium is a three-story brick building. Coal towns were abandoned when the coal (or the need for it) ran out. The chain purchased Sears. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Haunted houses, hospitals and hayrides: This list has all of North According to the Chamber of Commerce website, a scarecrow apparition moves from room to room on this floor. However, the legend tied to one of the most haunted sights in Alabama, the Drish House in Tuscaloosa, is absolutely chilling. 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. That might be a first. 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). Eerie. 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. Cahawba, or Cahaba, was the state capital from 1820-1825 but was eventually abandoned because of flooding from the Alabama and Cahaba rivers. 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. Abandoned slave quarters and workshops behind the Cabaniss House at 603 Randolph St. in Huntsville. TOURS OFFERED FOR THE 2023 SEASON: Haunted History Bus Tours: $32 Per Person Adjoining Huntsville's historic Maple Hill Cemetery is a playground that looks much like any other, featuring a swing set and slide. Alabama Unclaimed Property - Official State Website Because of the legends, the site was often vandalized. But this playground is different. Completely inundated, this abandoned town exists in a watery grave. While visiting the house, a relative, Sally Carter, died of a short illness at the mansion in 1837. An elevator that runs by itself. For this feature, Ive combined those two loves. She never harmed them, other than perhaps causing some ringing in their ears. See the last slide for links to more photos of abandoned sites in Alabama. We have the list of places to check out! It's notorious for the vast amount of caves, and also for the true cavers spirit among its inhabitants. In 1861, Prairie Bluff was at its height. See more ideas about alabama, abandoned, historical sites. Haunted Places in Decatur, Indiana His spirit has been seen wearing a white zoot suit, and he may try to catch a ride with you to Florence. The buildings, built only for filming exteriors, were not completed and not built to code. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. It was also once the site of Castle Morgan, used to house prisoners of war during the Civil War. (Source: Namaan Fletcher/What's Left of Birmingham). Flatwoods was a settlement of freed slaves during Reconstruction but it was later burned. It was a stormy night and her carriage flipped, killing Burns. Love Alabama? Apr 16, 2018 - Explore Kelly Kazek's board "Abandoned Alabama", followed by 561 people on Pinterest. Haunted Places in Alabama - Tuscaloosa Paranormal Research Group TheMcNab Bank Buildingin Eufaula, formerly Eastern Bank of Alabama. (Historic American Buildings Survey/Library of Congress). The current owners of the Moody Brick claim that the old plantation is definitely not haunted. Bass Cemetery is located off a dirt road in the woods. Trespassing is punishable by law. The old Bibb County Jail, built ca. The historic Josephine Hotel, built in 1880 in downtown Union Springs, now houses a cafe, art studio and gift shop. During the Confederate occupation General John Bell resided there and during the Union occupation, General Sherman himself stayed at Wesleyan. Click hereto see more photos. When she finally reached her home and reported the accident to her husband, the man began drinking to soothe his grief. 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. Combined, the TAG area contains more than 14,000 caves (9,200 in Tennessee and 600 in Georgia). It was also a very thriving town. Legend says if someone says, We have your baby, she will attack. There's legend here of a ghost who does housework! 1910, was slated for demolition, but a citizens group hopes to save it. These are cars, trucks, and SUVs that were abandoned or otherwise not claimed by their owners after a period of time. InsideEastern Bank of Alabama in Eufaula when it was abandoned. What are the most popular ghost stories in Alabama? 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. Have you visited any before? Legend says it is haunted by a woman named Annie, who acted as a nanny for the children in the home and was later the owners caretaker. People claim to see Marys spirit on the bridge, searching for her lost child. His ghost has been sited several times by a lot of people. In a little-known cemetery deep in the woods of Clarke County are tombstones created by a man who was ahead of his time. If you want to suggest another tale, email [email protected] or comment below. The Italianate mansion was built for James Turner Kendall but decades later, the home was used as an inn. However, the house was saved and restored and is now on the National Register of Historic Places. Condie allegedly ran, screaming, with flames streaming from her. 5. 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. Ruins of theMemphis and Charleston Freight Depot at 303 Church St. in Huntsville. Sloss Furnaces (Birmingham, AL) 20 32nd St. N., Birmingham, AL 35222 (205) 254-2025 In the years following the Civil War, Birmingham's Sloss Furnaces became the mecca of pig iron needed for thousands of steel products around the country. Some say the noises come from the ghosts of the original owners. However, the family cemetery remains. The Victoria Inn was built ca. The original portrait of Miss Kirtley hangs in the freshman dorm, Kirtley Hall, but often makes surprise appearances in elevators, closets, and beds! Storage Auctions in Alabama - AL - StorageAuctions.com (Submitted by Callum Swift). According toGhostsofAmerica.com: "We heard a sound like chains clinking together right behind us and beside us. Currently, there are 14 new listings and 212 homes for sale in Decatur. The Forks of Cypress Plantation in Florence was one of the most beautiful antebellum mansions in the state, built by the Jackson family who is buried on the plantation grounds. During the Civil War it was occupied by both Confederate and Union troops at different times. An old well house at the Chalkville Training School for Girls. Buildings in Downtown Decatur have a long and . The grounds are maintained and the site is available to rent for photography and events from Dorothy Skipper Rental LLC. Others say they have experienced their cars rocking while on the 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. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The church is now a ruin but the adjoining cemetery remains. They will come with a title that will be put into the auction bidder's name. Today, the Old State Bank in Decatur is open for tours. It is no longer in use and the abandoned building is reportedly haunted. 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. The training school, shown when it was in use at left, was abandoned after a tornado destroyed several buildings and a new facility was built in 2015. This gorgeous natural site is said to be haunted by the spirits of outlaws who once hid there. Penn's and Big Bob's have the greatest longevity and are synonymous with Decatur. Fort Crawford was built on a bluff in 1816. ", 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. Today, it is a historical landmark and is open for tours. This abandoned funeral home in Opelika still has hearses and caskets inside its casket showcase room. Simp McGhee's the inventory is constantly changing as new places come up for auction. 3 bedrooms (63 homes) $205,869. Each year, unclaimed or abandoned assets are turned over to Alabama Unclaimed Property by financial institutions and businesses that lose contact with the owners. The activity is reportedly caused by the spirit of a woman who died on the top floor in the 1950s. Read more 0 Others have reported seeing large, panther-like cats cross the highway in this area.". The baby reportedly drowned and was buried not far from the bridge. When the Gold Rush began in California, residents headed west. The bank was founded in the 1850s. Police Impound and Abandoned Tow Auctions in Alabama 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. We know not everyone will agree about the legend in his or her county. The family reportedly had the image sandblasted from the stone but it soon returned. In the era of segregation, it was central to the cultural life of black Birmingham residents. Burt Cemetery in Decatur, Alabama - Find a Grave Cemetery Properly called Jackson Ford Bridge, there are currently plans to demolish the bridge due to vandalism and decay making for a safety hazard. Having promised her adoring audience she would return, she was killed in an accident on the way. Western Railway of Alabama building in Montgomery as it looks today. Belle Mont, built between 1828 and 1832, was a plantation that used slave labor. 5) Higdon Hotel Joy Castello / Flickr The Higdon Hotel has been closed for business since 1920, but the beautiful building still stands. It is said to be haunted by the inmates executed there, with the last one in 1949. The site is reportedly haunted by numerous spirits with the most famous known as Pegues Ghost. Gadsden, AL to Coosa, GA - Abandoned Rails The tale was repeated in Kathryn Tucker Windham's"13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey." After the Jemison Center was built, the hospitals were kept segregated. One surviving example is the stone on the grave of Korea Nettles, which has three faces said to be those of her children. This airfield built in 1941, shown above in aerial view, was used to train the famous Tuskegee Airmen. A marker was erected nearby detailing the legend. Either way, the photos are intriguing. Sadly, nature has reclaimed much of Old Cahawba. It was torn down in 1952. Several abandoned mill sites remain in the town, although historic groups hope to re-purpose some of the factories. Some people say they've heard a baby cry or a dog panting or growling while on the. 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! Site of Consolation Church and Cemetery, Greenville. Locals get an eerie feeling around this building. It is said to be haunted by former patients. 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. Click here to see Robinson Switch Road on Google Maps. Because the ground was frozen at the time, she was placed in a coffin in the cellar. The 13 Most Haunted Hotels in Alabama | Haunted Rooms America 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. Railroad tracks run alongside the backs of the surviving buildings, parallel to the dirt lane called Robinson Switch Road. 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. 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. According to legend, the grounds are haunted by the ghost of a Confederate soldier. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Add Photos Some have been completely abandoned, making them TRUE ghost towns. Beelitz Military Hospital, Berlin. All rights reserved (About Us). Others claim to have seen phantom cars, strange balls of light and the apparition of a small figure, about 4 feet tall. Go north on AL-67 approximately 7 miles. 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. Decatur was one of the first mills to take advantage of river transportation of grain. The only trace that remains is the nearby cemetery, which some believe was initially established as the posts burial ground. See map for precise location. Flickr/Jon Dickson. VIN Date Reported Stolen Vehicle Year Make Model Tag State Status He was arrested January 1878, and confined to the garret of the present building. When his spirit would pass people in the halls, they would feel cold. She is buried in Birminghams Elmwood Cemetery. It served as the Jackson County seat from 1821 to 1859. It served as the Jackson County seat from 1821 to 1859. National Register of Historic Places listings in Alabama BOOK REVIEW: 'Abandoned Alabama' should be on historians' read list Montevallo, established in 1896, is reportedly haunted by the spirit of student Condie Cunningham. Metal Detecting in Alabama: 50 Secrets You Need to Know 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. 10.7K subscribers Exploring Abandoned Kmart Decatur Alabama Kmart is a chain of big box department stores headquartered in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States. It was restored and listed on the NRHP but its buildings burned in 1976 and 1986. 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. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and. Built in 1842, the old Coosa County Jail, known as the Old Rock Jail, is the oldest surviving stone jail in Alabama.