The South has no shortage of ghost stories, largely due to its Civil War battlefields, old plantations, and hotels with a mysterious history. Even a handful of bars come with tales that have been passed down for generations. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, these backstories are fun to read about, especially as we approach the spookiest time of year. These eight Southern locations have some particularly fascinating ghost stories.
The Myrtles Plantation — St. Francisville, Louisiana
The Myrtles Plantation was built in 1796 and now has a reputation as one of Louisiana’s most haunted properties. Indeed, some say it earns the title of most haunted place in the United States. Multiple circulating stories are attached to the property due to an assortment of owners and residents over the decades. However, its best-known ghost story involves an individual named Chloe. As the tale goes, the young slave woman was thought to have poisoned members of the family she worked for. After this accusation, she was killed herself. Even though historians note major problems with the story, most notably that no such woman ever existed, the story is still recounted during nightly tours of the home. The plantation operates as a bed-and-breakfast today, meaning brave visitors can actually spend the night. Guests report strange happenings, including apparitions, falling mirrors, and even toe pulling. Even without the countless stories, the plantation style porches, sprawling oak trees, and nearly 230-year-old structure give the Myrtles a spectacularly spooky atmosphere.
The LaLaurie Mansion — New Orleans, Louisiana
It is rare for a haunted house to have a documented history as disturbing as New Orleans’ LaLaurie Mansion. A woman named Delphine LaLaurie lived in the Royal Street home during the 1830s. She was a wealthy New Orleans socialite until a gruesome discovery led to her being a wanted criminal. A fire brought rescuers into her house, where they found enslaved people who had been bound and abused. LaLaurie escaped the city and was never brought to justice for her crimes. Though it is now privately owned and not open for tours, stories of screams and moans are part of the lore. Pretty much every French Quarter ghost tour stops outside the beautiful mansion with a horrific history.
The Sorrel-Weed House — Savannah, Georgia
Savannah tends to land on lists of America’s most haunted cities, and the Sorrel-Weed House is one of its most famous paranormal spots. The Greek Revival mansion was built way back in the 1840s for a wealthy merchant named Francis Sorrel and his family. Legends tell specifically of the deaths of Sorrel’s wife Matilda, as well as the passing of a household slave named Molly. The details are difficult to document historically, but visitors still love to hear them repeated on ghost tours. Many people, including paranormal investigators, have heard voices, seen shadowy figures, and reported strange experiences in the basement. If you enjoy anything ghosty, the Sorrel-Weed House is a must-visit location in Savannah.
St. Augustine Lighthouse — St. Augustine, Florida
The St. Augustine Lighthouse is a beautiful structure with a creepy history. Several people have died near the property. The most famous tragedy happened in 1873, when a construction cart carrying four girls accidentally dove into the water, killing three of them. Visitors say they hear children’s voices and see figures inside the lighthouse. Another backstory involves a former lighthouse keeper, who is said to haunt the structure. In one episode of Ghost Hunters, investigators even captured some unusual footage there.
The Moon River Brewing Company — Savannah, Georgia
This entry takes us back to Savannah. Moon River Brewing Company operates inside a building that is now two centuries old. The structure was originally the City Hotel in 1821. During these tumultuous years, the hotel saw its share of violence, illness, and death. Employees have experienced bottles moving on their own, footsteps, and dark figures. Many attribute these eerie encounters to a mischievous spirit nicknamed Toby. The location is a regular stop on Savannah ghost tours. Who knew that the simple act of grabbing a beer in Savannah can come with a ghost story?
The Bell Witch Cave — Adams, Tennessee
The Bell Witch legend is one of the oldest and strangest in all of America. In 1817, the Bell family made a rather extraordinary claim. They insisted they were being tormented by an entity at their Tennessee farm. The spirit was said to make odd noises, speak to them, pull blankets from beds, and even physically attack family members. For some unknown reason, this entity later became known as the Bell Witch. A natural cave on the former Bell property also became wrapped into the story, maybe because caves tend to be spooky by default.
The Crescent Hotel — Eureka Springs, Arkansas
The 1886 Crescent Hotel has been owned and operated by many over the years, and one use was particularly dark. During the 1930s, con man Norman Baker used the building as a hospital, claiming he could cure cancer. This, despite having no medical training whatsoever. Since that time in the building’s history, ghost stories abound, mainly of former patients wandering the building. Guests have seen apparitions and doors opening on their own. Some claim to have interacted with a ghost known as Michael, believed to be a worker who died during the hotel’s construction. If you think maybe the bizarre medical stories are made up, you should know that archaeologists once unearthed bottles containing medical specimens buried on the property. It’s hard to get creepier than that. Today, the Crescent is fully open to guests and embraces its ghostly reputation.
The Old Charleston Jail — Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston’s Old City Jail held some notorious criminals during its years of operation from 1802 until 1939. Thousands were held inside the facility, including murderers, pirates, and Civil War prisoners. One of the jail’s most famous inmates was Lavinia Fisher, a woman put to death after being convicted of highway robbery. Some say she was the first woman to be executed by hanging in South Carolina; however, this is not supported by historical documents. Visitors say they have the sensation of being touched while walking through the building. Its deteriorating walls and narrow hallways don’t even need supernatural stories to feel creepy.