TOURS OFFERED FOR THE 2023 SEASON: Haunted History Bus Tours: $32 Per Person 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. Prattville was founded by Daniel Pratt, a manufacturer of cotton gins. 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. According to legend, as Wells peered out of the north window, at a mob gathering below, lightning struck nearby, indelibly etching his image on the pane. Officials have marked the site with an arrow so visitors can spot the face.. Legends often say that he was hanged on trumped-up charges for deserting the Confederate army, although details vary. Now it looks like something from a horror movie. St. Clair's Bait & Tackle, Grocery and Hardware. Some claim to see the orb today. Support@storageauctoins.com (866) 944-8530 . The story was told by author Kathryn Tucker Windham in 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey.. It is alleged that you can hear the screams of soldiers who died in the Civil War at this cemetery. The home of a former Alabama governor, it is reportedly haunted. The reason there are all these caves . According to legend, the site is haunted by spirits of numerous people hung from the limbs of the tree in its 200- to 300-year history. The building was constructed in Northport on what was once called Cherokee Plantation, owned by Robert Jemison. The hotel closed in the 1970s. He playfully flushed toilets and used ice machines. The tale of its resident ghost, a Confederate soldier named Sydney Grimmett who died there, is the most popular ghost story on campus. William Chancellor House in Harpersville today. This photo was taken in 1973. The newly renovated inn is now called Hotel Finial. (Source: Namaan Fletcher/What's Left of Birmingham). YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Sometimes its because they bring back memories of places they once loved. 15 most haunted places in Decatur. Information with the photo said: This building stood on the southeast corner of Vine Street and First Street North. Apparitions have been seen, and captured on film by paranormal society investigations; orbs have been reported as well. Peacock said it's the "site of numerous unusual accidents over the years, including several that have resulted in fatalities and catastrophic fires. Gen. John Brahan, a veteran of the War of 1812, began construction on Sweetwater Plantation in the 1830s. Legend says the apparition of a woman named Nancy, for whom Nancys Mountain is named, haunts a path to the river on Haines Island, shown above. The woods off Hinds Road are said the be haunted by a witch who sold her soul to the devil. Folks say that when you stand outside the crypt, you can hear the rocking chair rocking. Copper Center - Tonseno Lodge - A man was killed in the hotel, and now he's haunting it. 1830s to 1866. Residents hear screaming and footsteps and other ghostly sounds. The tale was repeated in Kathryn Tucker Windham's"13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey." Bellefonte is a ghost town in Jackson County, Alabama and is situated near the site of the Bellefonte Nuclear Generating Station. At one point, a caretaker claimed to have seen a coffin in one of the rooms set up as if for a wake. From lost burial grounds to haunted theaters, the Haunted Decatur Tour is much more than just a run-of-the-mill ghost tour! For tour information and fees, visit the ghost town's websitehere. This account of the hauntings comes from RawlsBandB.com: Unusual occurrences are not uncommon in the historic Rawls hotel. Location: 1205 Tennessee St., Courtland, Alabama Hours: 7 to 10 p.m. An old bridge off Mothershed Road is known as Mary Daniel Bridge. People have claimed to hear wails of banshees and see ghostly hell hounds and apparitions of Confederate soldiers. 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 Tennessee River railroad bridge on Alabama Highway 43 in Florence is shown in the late 1960s. Some report that is you park on the bridge, your car will begin to rock. The Grace Evans house in Cahaba, the states first capital city, in the 1930s, decades after the town was abandoned due to flooding. There's legend here of a ghost who does housework! Guests of the inn reported seeing apparitions on the porch and downstairs of a woman in Victorian dress and a little girl. Shown: The Old Shelby Hotel in Shelby County. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Boshells Mill was built in 1902 beside Lost Creek on Alabama Route 124 in Townley, Ala. An abandoned 1913 schoolhouse in rural Cherokee County was photographed in the 1930s. The Penney Building is a 31,000-square-foot structure in downtown Dothan. the interior, seen here from the doorway, is closed to the public because it is unsafe. Penn's and Big Bob's have the greatest longevity and are synonymous with Decatur. One-by-one, the boys killed anyone involved in the deaths of their family. On Feb. 4, a fellow student spilled cleaning fluid onto the open stove and the kitchen caught fire. Beelitz Military Hospital, Berlin. Norwood, a community in Birmingham, is known among photographers and urban explorers for its crumbling abandoned mansions. It was abandoned for years and is currently being refurbished. 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). secret traditions. Flatwoods was a settlement of freed slaves during Reconstruction but it was later burned. Local Online Auctions in Alabama. The site is reportedly haunted by numerous spirits with the most famous known as Pegues Ghost. Mt. Her spirit can also be seen floating past windows on the second floor. The grounds are maintained and the site is available to rent for photography and events from Dorothy Skipper Rental LLC. Some have heard footsteps from the second floor and the sound of the piano playing when no one is there. One of the most important factors to keep in mind is that metal detecting on historical grounds is prohibited. Visitors have claimed to have a feeling of being watched and cold chills even on the hottest days. 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! 14. After the capital was moved to Montgomery, the Tuscaloosa building was used as the Alabama Central Female College. During the Civil War it was occupied by both Confederate and Union troops at different times. Click hereto see more photos. The ruins of the building that served as the Alabama Capitol from 1826-1846 have been preserved as Capitol Park in Tuscaloosa. This home was allegedly the site of the murders of an entire family that haunts the site. These, shown in 1935, were demolished but the main house remains. The most infamous haunted location in Alabama is The Tutwiler Hotel in downtown Birmingham. The home was reportedly built atop old slave quarters and a cemetery. Located in Decatur, Alabama, the Ardent Mills Decatur facility is a pneumatic mill and one of the most automated mills in the United States. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! It would go on to boast others, including the "Second Most Corrupt City in Illinois." Connie Pearson 1. It was reportedly closed in 1924 and was later opened as a medical hospital. Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion in Tuscaloosa. Sketoe's Hole is the site where Methodist minister William "Bill" Sketoe Sr. (1818- 1864) was hanged during the Civil War. Thank you! White orbs also appear in the childrens room. The current owners of the Moody Brick claim that the old plantation is definitely not haunted. Either way, the photos are intriguing. The abandoned Memphis and Charleston Freight Depot at 303 Church St. in Huntsville. Several of the brick structures that Pratt built are still used today for an industry manufacturing cotton gins. The Cedarhurst Mansion Estate was originally built in 1823 by Stephen Ewing. The house is reportedly haunted by the spirit of an invalid woman who killed herself in the home in the 1960s. 1820 plantation house. 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. Legend claims a phantom woman would appear to children, but only at night. The 1893 Peyton building in downtown Bridgeport in the 1930s. Coffins were stacked on racks like a storage facility. 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. 5) Higdon Hotel Joy Castello / Flickr The Higdon Hotel has been closed for business since 1920, but the beautiful building still stands. 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. 1910, was slated for demolition, but a citizens group hopes to save it. That's right, allegedly there are sightings of a ghost sweeping. People claim the churchs pastor went mad one day and murdered his entire family and their spirits haunt the grounds. It is also known as the Colby Building. 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. It was rebuilt and operated until 1923. More history, more hauntings, and more off-the-bus locations, this 4-hour tour delves into the most ghost-infested people and places in Decatur's history. The war ended before the plant went into operation. Nancys spirit is distraught over not being able to bury her son. But this playground is different. Although there are no detailed legends about this site, many believe it is haunted. 4 bedrooms (42 homes) $317,230. Some people claim Sydneys ghost followed the drama students to the Telfair Peet Theater when it was constructed in the 1970s. Haunted Decatur Tours, 141 North Main Street, Decatur, IL, 62523, United States. 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. During the American Civil War, the town suffered a lot of damage and it was completely abandoned by the 1920s. Today, it is a historical landmark and is open for tours. 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. In the 1850s, the settlement had disappeared and was replaced by adjoining plantations. Today only ruins remain. Located among the graves is an open tomb missing its corpse. Click here to see Robinson Switch Road on Google Maps. It was named for nearby Sweetwater Creek. 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. (Picture: Old schoolhouse). William J. Samford Hall in the Auburn University Historic District. Hall Hotel dates to 1895 and residents of Gurley hope to restore it. Kelly Kazek |kkazek@al.com. Today, the Old State Bank in Decatur is open for tours. There were a couple of towns that were flooded during the creation of the Norris Dam in 1936. Local writer and historian Lee Peacock said the 40-mile stretch of Interstate 65 between Evergreen and Greenville is known as "The Haunted Highway." Before the settlement of the original St. Stephens was abandoned, it sat atop a limestone bluff overlooking the Tombigbee River. The woods along here is reportedly the site where a group of freed black slaves set up a settlement following the Civil War that was burned out and destroyed by the KKK. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The original portrait of Miss Kirtley hangs in the freshman dorm, Kirtley Hall, but often makes surprise appearances in elevators, closets, and beds! It is said that a mysterious fog covers this area day or night, and it surrounds the gravestones. All rights reserved (About Us). People claim to hear disembodied laughter. Another story says when people feel a sudden sense of dread, they will soon see the apparition of a soldier. 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. Many people believe the ghost is that of the Governor's son who died in the Civil War. The Jemison Center changed focusin the 1970s because of desegregation laws and closed in the 1980s. (Source: Rivers Langley via Wikimedia Commons). 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. People are fascinated with abandoned sites. 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. Share your experiences with us in the comments below! The abandoned Memphis and Charleston Freight Depot in Huntsville. The site has two city cemeteries as well as a slave cemetery. Are the former owners of this home-turned-library angry at the intrusion into their afterlives or just trying to say hello? Adjoining Huntsville's historic Maple Hill Cemetery is a playground that looks much like any other, featuring a swing set and slide. We can promise that you'll never look at the city of Decatur in the same way again! 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. By the end of 1888, the R&D had built 51 miles of track from Rome, GA to Attalla (west of Gadsden), AL. It had no ballroom, no gold-leafed interior, no orchestra. The third floor of this historic courthouse formerly housed a row of cells, dating back to the early twentieth century. Read about the Brights and the plans for the island by clickinghere. Click here to see Robinson Switch Road on Google Maps. 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. Here is a look at 21 of the most photographed abandoned sites in Alabama. Now, it's just old and long abandoned. Today, it is house museum that can be toured by appointment. But by far the creepiest spot is the 200+-year-old Bass Cemetery in Irondale. NOTE: These homes and buildings are located on private property. People who cross the bridge hear the sounds of a babys cries. Currently, there are 14 new listings and 212 homes for sale in Decatur. 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. Some people say theyve heard a baby cry or a dog panting or growling while on the property. The Haunted Decatur Tours are based on the bestselling book by Troy Taylor, HAUNTED DECATUR. The David Wade House on Bob Wade Lane in Huntsville shown in 1935. We hope to get permission to go photograph it very soon.. Dicksonia Plantation in Lowndesboro had a reputation in its day as a stately mansion in picturesque surroundings. 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. According to the Chamber of Commerce website, "Haunted Places: The National Directory. (Historic American Buildings Survey/Library of Congress). If that wasnt creepy enough, visitors have been known to hear the sounds of a rocking chair moving back and forth as they pass. It is located across fromShelby Iron Works Park, which has been preserved as an educational site. Apparently the entire length of Main Street is haunted by the ghosts of tornado victims. According . Col. Christopher Claudius Pegues built a stately home on the property between Pine and Chestnut streets. 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. It was torn down in 1952. Ghost towns, especially those that have been completely abandoned, can be a bit creepy. The slave quarters were demolished. These auctions tend to occur less frequently than typical public car auctions in Alabama. When they turn to look, nothing is there. Legend says Evelyn Carter, the sister of a housekeeper, died on the grounds of Gaineswood Plantation in the late 1800s. 112 Moulton St E, Decatur, AL 35601, United States // +1 256-355 Brick Deli is just around the corner from Josie's. It is open for lunch on Monday and Tuesday, lunch and supper on Wednesday through Saturday, and closed on Sunday. See the last slide for links to more photos of abandoned sites in Alabama. Eerie screams have been heard and ghostly apparitions have been seen haunting the Moncrief cemetery. The swings sometimes can be seen swinging by themselves, and the sounds of laughter Urban legend tells of a man who was hit by a car and killed while walking across this bridge. HAUNTED DECATUR is part of AMERICAN HAUNTINGS INKEMAIL: GHOSTS@AMERICANHAUNTINGS.NET Copyright 2023 by American Hauntings Ink. She was struck by a truck and her body was later found beside the highway. In a little-known cemetery deep in the woods of Clarke County are tombstones created by a man who was ahead of his time.