Kelly Kazek |kkazek@al.com. One surviving example is the stone on the grave of Korea Nettles, which has three faces said to be those of her children. Decatur, AL Homes For Sale & Decatur, AL Real Estate | Trulia In some cases, homes and buildings on the verge of collapse were saved. Supposedly you can still hear what sounds like the body swaying on the second floor. This haunted house is huge and horrifyingso make sure to get your tickets ASAP. At the site of Mount Vernon Arsenal, founded in 1828, more than 30 historic buildings are rotting where they stand, including those that housed, at differing times, Geronimo, a Civil War militia,Dr. Walter Reedand African American mental patients when it was the Mount Vernon Asylum for the Colored Insane, later known as Searcy Hospital. In other cases, the buildings are lost to history. An elevator that runs by itself. 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! Legend says a girl named Sally hung herself in a stairwell on the third floor of the building. This cemetery is reportedly haunted by the sweetheart of a real man named Robert Musgrove, who was killed in a train wreck in 1904. The tale was repeated in Kathryn Tucker Windham's"13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey." He is reportedly always looking toward the Tombigbee River, where his beloved steamboat exploded. Each tour gets on and off the bus during the evening and we do go inside some of Decatur's most haunted locations. The home of a former Alabama governor, it is reportedly haunted. Deaths include several from a cholera outbreak in 1900 and one from murder. All are on my list of favorites, but they are not listed in order of preference. He playfully flushed toilets and used ice machines. Several witnesses have reported seeing the statues of Romeo and Juliet floating around The University of North Alabama's campus during a full moon. 2. Folks say that when you stand outside the crypt, you can hear the rocking chair rocking. Several abandoned mill sites remain in the town, although historic groups hope to re-purpose some of the factories. According to Judson.edu, the Anne Kirtley dorm is haunted by its namesake. 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. The hotel closed in the 1970s. (Source: Don and Susie via FindaGrave.com). The two-story structure made of brick is said to be haunted by the souls of those who were incarcerated there. The site has two city cemeteries as well as a slave cemetery. In 1908, Condie Cunningham came to Montevallo, then called the Alabama Girls Industrial School, and was known to make fudge in the Main Hall kitchen at night. Railroad tracks run alongside the backs of the surviving buildings, parallel to the dirt lane called Robinson Switch Road. 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. 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. The oddest sighting is an apparition that appears to be half-wolf and half-man. They were holding candles, and her hair caught fire. A curved staircase inside the 1850 Carpenter Gothic-style home called Spring Villa in Opelika. Owners Bobby and Lynn Bright are refurbishing the film set of Spectre because public interest remains high. It has several ghost legends but the tale of Abigail Burns is the most popular. 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. InsideEastern Bank of Alabama in Eufaula. Months after Pegues was killed in battle in 1862, strolling lovers claimed to see an orb in the garden behind the home. Some sources sayit opened in the 1890s as a mental hospital. Every year during Halloween a pumpkin mysteriously makes its way into Romeo's hands. Home Size. Ruins of theMemphis and Charleston Freight Depot at 303 Church St. in Huntsville. Her spirit reportedly haunts McCandless because she had told her audience she would return. This home dates back to 1909 and is registered by the local historical society. ADVANCE PERMISSION REQUIRED. This church on AvenueU in Pratt City has been empty since it was struck by a tornado. For tour information and fees, visit the ghost town's websitehere. It is located at 1928 First Avenue North. However, they say eventually the happy noises turn to unhappy ones, as if the children are screaming for their lives. All rights reserved (About Us). One-by-one, the boys killed anyone involved in the deaths of their family. An old bridge off Mothershed Road is known as Mary Daniel Bridge. An old well house at the Chalkville Training School for Girls. Properly called Jackson Ford Bridge, there are currently plans to demolish the bridge due to vandalism and decay making for a safety hazard. The Decatur Mall is anchored by Belk, jcpenney Outlet, Sears and Regal Cinemas. 4 bedrooms (42 homes) $317,230. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Share your experiences with us in the comments below! Legend says those who face the front of the house will feel a tap on their shoulders and see a dark figure running across the roof. Legends often say that he was hanged on trumped-up charges for deserting the Confederate army, although details vary. Alabama Unclaimed Property - Official State Website Mining continued in Arbacoochee until the 1930s, but the town never recovered and became a ghost town by 1990. The bridge was built in 1861 as an access route for Confederate forces to Mississippi. In Huntsville, the Maple Hill Cemetery is also known as the Dead Children's Playground. Cry Baby Hollow Bridge | Haunted Places | Hartselle, AL 35640 According to legend, Jenny and her remaining sons set out to get revenge. The destruction of these burial mounds cast a mysterious pall over the city -- a darkness that continues to linger today. We went online to see which stories were most repeated ineach of Alabama's counties to make the following list. The book, "Haunted Places: The National Directory" by Dennis William Hauck claims that this section of highway is haunted by the spirits of displaced Creek Indians and has resulted in an "accident rate that is well above average." The woods off Hinds Road are said the be haunted by a witch who sold her soul to the devil. THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Decatur - Tripadvisor Some people say they've heard a baby cry or a dog panting or growling while on the. Others have reported seeing large, panther-like cats cross the highway in this area.". We only offer a very limited number of these tours each season and it's one not to miss! (Historic American Buildings Survey/Library of Congress). This is part of the warehouse complex for Dallas Compress Co. in Selma, photographed in the late 1960s. 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. HAUNTED DECATUR is part of AMERICAN HAUNTINGS INKEMAIL: GHOSTS@AMERICANHAUNTINGS.NET Copyright 2023 by American Hauntings Ink. The abandoned Hall Hotel building is among the loveliest - if spooky - structures in the Madison County town of Gurley. Saunders Hall | 40+ Photos | Abandoned Alabama The facility on Dartmouth Avenue in Bessemer was abandoned with bodies inside but they were removed in 2015. This courthouse was built in 1868 when Seale was the county seat from 1866-1942. The spirit of an inmate who committed suicide in the building is reported to walk its halls. (Alabama Department of Archives and History). You may even stumble upon an old, abandoned homestead site in the woods. (Picture: Wheeler Dam Village - 1937). All Rights Reserved. William J. Samford Hall in the Auburn University Historic District. The hotel's location next to the Shelby Iron Works, built in 1842 for access to a spring on the property, made it a popular weekend destination for the public but it was also used by employees of the Iron Works. 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. Penn's and Big Bob's have the greatest longevity and are synonymous with Decatur. Have you visited any before? Connie Pearson 1. During the American Civil War, the town suffered a lot of damage and it was completely abandoned by the 1920s. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. It is privately owned and closed to the public. (Submitted by Callum Swift) Read more 0 Baker Mansion Weatherford, Texas 35.4 miles from Decatur, TX The most infamous haunted location in Alabama is The Tutwiler Hotel in downtown Birmingham. On Feb. 4, a fellow student spilled cleaning fluid onto the open stove and the kitchen caught fire. The bank is defunct but the building is still in use. One version of the story claims Molly was the ghost of a woman who had lost an infant who dealt with the tragedy by hugging local children. Decatur was one of the first mills to take advantage of river transportation of grain. Because of the legends, the site was often vandalized. (Source: Alabama Department of Archives and History). The able-bodied patients at Jemison worked on a hospital farm. Condie allegedly ran, screaming, with flames streaming from her. (Source: Namaan Fletcher/What's Left of Birmingham). Read about the Brights and the plans for the island by clickinghere. 42 places sorted by traveler favorites 1. With its troubling past of murder, manslaughter and illegal activity, it isn't that hard to believe either. Having promised her adoring audience she would return, she was killed in an accident on the way. The buildings, built only for filming exteriors, were not completed and not built to code. At her death, her family searched the mansion for the candles but were unable to find them. During the 1920s, Decatur would gain infamy as a place where murder, bootlegging, prostitution, kidnapping, gambling, corruption and, of course, ghosts, were commonplace. Aunt Jenny Brooks Johnson, shown above, was a real mountain woman whose sons became outlaws. Abandoned Storage Unit Auctions. Haunted Places in Decatur, Texas (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. Coffins were stacked on racks like a storage facility. In 1902 the new facility was finished, featuring 33 buildings, a power station, and a general store. According . Mining towns were abandoned when the mines closed; many due to the devaluation of silver in 1893. A little farther to the east is a waterway known as Gun Island Chute that leads to the Alabama River. 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. Location: 1205 Tennessee St., Courtland, Alabama Hours: 7 to 10 p.m. This was the exact same year Alabama was admitted to the Union as a state. Buildings in Downtown Decatur have a long and . People also love vintage photos that show what those past lives were like in Alabama. (Picture: The Boyaux fortification at the Blakeley battleground). Allegedly there is a photo that shows a ghost in it. The image turned out to be a silhouette etched into the stone. Flickr/Annie Chartrand. (Source: ecjmartin1 via Wikimedia Commons). The interior of the Goode-Hall house in the 1930s. 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. 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. Legend says the face of a woman appears on a tombstone in Sandlin Cemetery. 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. Haunted houses, hospitals and hayrides: This list has all of North 1820 plantation house. The remains were removed in 2015. 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. VIN Date Reported Stolen Vehicle Year Make Model Tag State Status Today only ruins remain. Although the spot where the Dallas Mill was is now open field, legend has it was once haunted by a man who died while working there. These assets may be in the form of cash, stocks, bonds, insurance benefits or even valuables from safe deposit boxes. Take a look. Temple B'nai Shalom in Huntsville's Old Town Historic District, in Huntsville. The current owners of the Moody Brick claim that the old plantation is definitely not haunted. It's now underwater and the only remnant left of the town is a cemetery. 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. 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. If you agree to give him a ride, witnesses Alabama is fond of getting into Hell it seems. Prairie Bluff is a ghost town in Wilcox County, Alabama that first appeared on maps in 1819. What is now a non-denominational chapel was built in 1850 as a Presbyterian church. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 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. Possibly among the most inane of haunted reports, people claim to see a green light in the cemetery at night. Click here to read more. To visit Norwood, take exit 126B off Interstate 20/59, just north of downtown Birmingham. StorageAuctions is the best place to find online storage auctions. (Source: Karen Manasco via FindaGrave.com). Farming towns on the eastern plains were often deserted due to rural depopulation. The historic, two-story jail was built in ca. We know not everyone will agree about the legend in his or her county. Parts of the building have been renovated into living space but the penthouse, basement and old bank area remain abandoned and off-limits, awaiting restoration. Many ghost hunters have visited the hotel. Although there are no detailed legends about this site, many believe it is haunted. 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. 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." Chalkville Training School for 'Incorrigible' Girls. Police Impound and Abandoned Tow Auctions in Alabama Don't Edit Shortly after the American Civil War, Cahawba became a ghost town. Although the mist is not thought to be connected to the statue, it does form the shape of a figure as it rises, before disappearing. In 1861, Prairie Bluff was at its height. (Illustration from historic photo/AL.com file). According toGhostsofAmerica.com: "We heard a sound like chains clinking together right behind us and beside us. The Goode-Hall house in Town Creek, also known as Saunders Hall, was near collapse when this photo was taken in the 1930s. A defunct prison said to have been in operation from 1945 to 1995. Old abandoned, mill in Decatur, Alabama. | Historical place, Abandoned The figure was as much as 7 feet tall, wearing dark clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. HauntedPlaces.org makes no claims that any of the statements posted here are factually accurate. Perrins, Alfonso's, Josie's, and Let's Do Lunch are very casual. But in the 1800s, it was a town that grew around the Rock Run Mine and Furnace. It served as the Jackson County seat from 1821 to 1859. Legend says she fought with her boyfriend and decided to walk home. This building, constructed in 1856, has a rich and interesting history. 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 Pikeville was Marion Countys first county seat, serving from 1820-1882. It was restored and listed on the NRHP but its buildings burned in 1976 and 1986. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. This isolated, one-lane bridge in rural Chilton County is said the be haunted by a malevolent spirit that chases people who cross it. 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. Exploring Abandoned Yet Standing Kmart Decatur Alabama| the Showstopper The city, affectionately known as "The River City", is located in Northern Alabama on the banks of Wheeler Lake, along the Tennessee River. Legend says if someone says, We have your baby, she will attack. Combined, the TAG area contains more than 14,000 caves (9,200 in Tennessee and 600 in Georgia). Mt. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. The Canabiss House in Huntsville today. The penthouse is still up for sale, he said. The bank was founded in the 1850s. On the third floor, people report doors opening and closing and furniture moving of its own accord. InsideEastern Bank of Alabama in Eufaula when it was abandoned. (Megan Willis via Forgotten Alabama Facebook page). 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. He may flush the toilet as well. These, shown in 1935, were demolished but the main house remains. It is now home to the Lowndesboro Town Hall. These display caskets left inside Memorial Mound still had price tags on them. Simp McGhee's CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR COPY! Typical cemetery haunting fare including orbs and reports that your car will die if you drive there on specific dates. At right, a historical photo of City Federal. The Empire building was erected in 1909 on the site of the former Bank Saloon, according to Bham Wiki. Others have claimed to see odd sights while driving the road, from lights darting through the trees to ghostly figures. 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. Abandoned Places In Alabama 1. Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, USA. In this 1934 photo, renovation work had begun on Spring Villa in Opelika. Prattville was founded by Daniel Pratt, a manufacturer of cotton gins. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. The Penney Building is a 31,000-square-foot structure in downtown Dothan. Apparently the entire length of Main Street is haunted by the ghosts of tornado victims. Some say theyve seen orbs of light that appear to float on the river. Abandoned Property for Sale: How To Buy an Abandoned Home - realtor.com The three-story tower was added to the home after the Civil War. Decatur, Dothan, Hoover, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, and more. Find out if abandoned structures in these vintage photos were saved - al She would squeeze them tightly, then scream in their ears. Belle Mont, built between 1828 and 1832, was a plantation that used slave labor. ", 3. 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. 15 most haunted places in Decatur. Because the ground was frozen at the time, she was placed in a coffin in the cellar. The hole disappeared in the past couple of years when the area was flooded but people continue to visit. As the river trade continued to increase, the town continued to grow. 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 report hearing maniacal screaming among other reported paranormal activity. Haunted Places in Decatur, Alabama Reportedly haunted by the ghost of a young singer who died on the night of her greatest triumph. Most cemeteries are closed at night. Others say they have experienced their cars rocking while on the bridge. Click hereto see more. After Old Main burned in 1887, the Chapel was used for classrooms until Samford Hall was built. Since 1982, the 1824 house has been a museum and event space. The home was built for Dr. Alexander Mitchell, who sold it to Isaac Winston in 1833. 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. It is now an event venue. The 21 coolest and creepiest abandoned places in Alabama Are the former owners of this home-turned-library angry at the intrusion into their afterlives or just trying to say hello? Click hereto see more from Cottage Hill. The Gaines Ridge Dinner Club is a restaurant inside a ca. 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). The historic courthouse is used for events and education art displays. This gorgeous natural site is said to be haunted by the spirits of outlaws who once hid there. A pearly white marble known as Chewacla Marble was mined in the quarry. Bellefonte is a ghost town in Jackson County, Alabama and is situated near the site of the Bellefonte Nuclear Generating Station. The slave quarters were demolished. ", 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.". What are the most popular ghost stories in Alabama? The only trace that remains is the nearby cemetery, which some believe was initially established as the posts burial ground. The building was constructed in 1930. People are fascinated with abandoned sites. Also, the construction of Millers Ferry Lock and Dam in 1963 was really overwhelming. List of Caves in Alabama: Locations and Map - startcaving.com
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