Autumn in the US is the perfect time to go on a ghost hunt. Whether you’re a firm believer in the paranormal or are ghost-curious and need some convincing of the supernatural, here are the most haunted places in the US to visit. You’ll get a chance to learn about America’s rich history – and who knows, you may see a spectre or two while you’re at it.
The 17Hundred90 Inn – Savannah, Georgia
The American South is brimming with haunted history. One of the spookiest hotels in the South is the 17Hundred90 Inn in Savannah, Georgia, the Hostess City of the South.
In 1790, Savannah held its first free elections for mayor, from which the hotel drew its name. The 17Hundred90 Inn consists of three buildings, including one that is said to have been standing since Savannah’s early days (although much of the inn has been reconstructed due to fires), hence the name.
The most well-known spectre of the 17 Hundred90 Inn belongs to a woman named Anna, who resided in room 204. A simple barmaid, she fell in love with a travelling sailor who slept with her and promised her the world. The sailor spent quite a bit of time with her in Savannah but ultimately set out to sea, promising to return. He never did, and after months of waiting, a distraught Anna threw herself from the window.
While many guests report bizarre occurrences, such as lights flickering, doors becoming unlocked, and clocks being changed, those who stay in room 204 feel the brunt of Anne’s ghost’s presence. Travellers report always feeling an otherworldly presence in the room and strange breezes, even when the windows are closed.
The Ryman Auditorium – Nashville, Tennessee
Another ghost-ridden building in the South is the Ryman Auditorium, from where country music was made famous. It was established by Thomas, a steamboat captain and a former drunkard who found God and built the Union Gospel Tabernacle. After his death, the building was renamed after him, but in direct contrast to his intentions, people started holding concerts there.
It enraged his spirit, which frequently came to wreak havoc and disrupt these concerts, especially those that he deemed inappropriate. In one famous example, a loud stomping was heard during the airing of Carmen, an opera about a seductive temptress.
Ryman’s ghost continued to haunt the building. For a while, the radio show Grand Ole Opry, which featured up-and-coming country musicians, was streamed from this building. Unfortunately, dozens of country music singers who were featured on or associated with the Grand Ole Opry came to an untimely demise.
In March 1963, five Grand Ole Opry stars died within a single month. First, Pasty Cline, Cowboy Copas, and Hawkshaw Hawkins died in a plane crash. Later that week, Jack Anglin veered into a ditch while driving and crashed into a tree, leading to his death. Towards the end of the month, fiddler Curly Fox, husband of country music singer and Grand Ole Opry star Texas Ruby, was appearing on the Grand Ole Opry when a fire broke out in the couple’s home, killing Texas Ruby.
The Grand Ole Opry Curse, as it became known, forced the radio show to move out of the Ryman Auditorium to a new venue.
The Middleton Tavern – Annapolis, Maryland
Looking over City Harbour in Annapolis is Middleton Tavern, a structure that has been standing since the 1700s. Many distinguished individuals have refreshed themselves at this watering hole, including generals and politicians, as well as numerous seafaring men passing through the port of Annapolis.
A shadowy ghost has decided to call this tavern home, revelling in playing harmless “pranks” on its visitors. Some of his antics include tipping over glasses, turning the lights in the bathroom on and off while people are relieving themselves, interfering with the internal workings of the cash register and electronics, and just being a nuisance overall.
A medium revealed that the ghost belonged to an old-timer who frequented the tavern in the 18th century—a man named Roland Johnstone, who always got on other visitors’ nerves.
Annapolis looks like a quant colonial city, but underneath its charming innocence lies a dark and sordid past. I recommend spending an evening taking an Annapolis ghost tour to uncover the secret spookiness of Annapolis and visit haunted places like the Maryland Inn and the James Brice House.
King’s Chapel Burial Grounds – Boston, Massachusetts
The King’s Chapel Burial Grounds is Boston’s oldest cemetery, and it’s no surprise that it’s also one of the most ghost-infested places in the city. Many who visit the cemetery after dusk report disembodied voices and strange cackling coming from gravestones, only for the voices to stop as they approach.
Others report seeing a headless body arise from one of the graves, disappearing as quickly as it appeared. Legend has it that she was decapitated after her death because her coffin was made too small for her to fit in, so they cut off her head.
The US Capitol Building – Washington, DC
Washington, DC, has a long and rich haunted history. From political assassinations to the torture of suspected spies, the capital has seen it all. In 1898, the Philadelphia Press referred to the Capitol as “the most thoroughly haunted building in the world.”
The ghosts of Civil War soldiers who died in battle are said to haunt the Capitol building, roaming the hallways at night. Former spies attempt to resume their espionage activities and look over the shoulders of Congressmen when perusing classified documents.
Since the 1800s, there have been reports of a demon black cat appearing before major political events in the Capitol building. Night watchmen have reported seeing the cat before the assassinations of Abraham Lincoln and JFK, as well as the stock market crash of 1929 in the leadup to the Great Depression. The demon cat has earned itself its own Wikipedia page.
Bio: Ben from US Ghost Adventures
Ben is an avid traveller with a passion for exploring the mysterious and the macabre. He has a particular fascination with haunted places across the United States, seeking out eerie locations and uncovering the chilling stories behind them. With a keen interest in history and the paranormal, Ben’s adventures take him to some of the most infamous haunted spots in the country, sharing his experiences with fellow thrill-seekers and history buffs alike.
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