There’s no denying that the majority of Alabamians have experienced their fair share of hauntings. From cemeteries to battle sites, and hotels to restaurants, Alabama is home to many haunted places. Listed below are 10 of the most haunted places in Alabama, and they’ll leave you terrified.
1. St. James Hotel - Selma, AL
The St. James Hotel, located within the historic district of Selma, is one of the most haunted places in Alabama. Several hotel guests have had ghostly encounters during their stay. For example, many have reported seeing the ghosts of famous outlaw Jesse James and his girlfriend, Lucinda. Barking noises have also been heard within the courtyard area. Many believe this could be the ghost of Jesse James' dog because he had one as a companion for many years.
2. Pickens County Courthouse - Carrollton, AL
The Pickens County Courthouse is best known for its "Face in the Window." According to local legend, this face is a ghostly image of Henry Wells, a slave who was wrongly accused of burning down a previous courthouse. A lynching mob was out to get him. After he made it to the attic of the courthouse, he peeked out the window and warned the people outside that he would haunt them forever if they killed him. At that same moment, lightning struck and etched an image of his face into the glass. The mob eventually lynched him. Today, this ghostly image of Henry's face can still be seen in the courthouse window.
3. Bass Cemetery - Irondale, AL
Bass Cemetery, located in Irondale, is one of the most haunted cemeteries in Alabama. There have been many reports of strange noises heard throughout this cemetery, but the strangest thing to occur here was the discovery of a tomb. And not just any tomb. An open tomb without the corpse. Creepy!
4. Gaineswood Plantation Home - Demopolis, AL
In addition to Gaineswood being one of Alabama's most beautiful plantation homes, it's also one of the state's most haunted places. As the story goes, a man by the name of Nathan Whitfield owned Gaineswood. Soon after his wife passed away, he hired a woman named Evelyn Carter to assist him in caring for his children. As a fun activity, she would spend countless hours playing musical instruments with them. Following an extended illness, Evelyn passed away. Even though she's no longer at Gaineswood, her spirit still is. Several visitors have reported hearing her play the piano.
5. Hell's Gate Bridge - Oxford, AL
Sometime during the 1950s, a young couple lost their lives when their car drove off this bridge and into the water. According to local legend, if you stop on the bridge and turn off your lights, a member of the couple will sneak into your vehicle and leave a wet spot on your seat. This has happened to several people. If you're wondering how this haunted bridge got its name, wonder know more. Many people have reported seeing the fiery gates of Hell when they stopped on the bridge and looked over their shoulder. Today, because of its condition, Hell's Gate Bridge is blocked off to prevent motorists from crossing over it.
6. The Rawls Hotel - Enterprise, AL
The Rawls Hotel, which dates back to 1903, is the most haunted hotel in Enterprise, Alabama. Many guests have reported seeing a ghostly figure that resembled Mr. Rawls, the original owner. Hotel workers and several guests have also reported hearing children's laughter when no children were around.
7. Gaines Ridge Dinner Club - Camden, AL
The Gaines Ridge Dinner Club is well known for its ghosts, so it's not surprising that it's considered to be Alabama's most haunted restaurant. Many guests have reported hearing the screams of a woman and constant cries of a baby, and others have reported the smell of pipe smoke even though nobody had been smoking. One of the strangest events to occur at the Gaines Ridge Dinner Club was when the apparition of a woman was seen floating past the windows.
8. Sloss Furnaces - Birmingham, AL
It's no secret that Sloss Furnaces, a National Historic Landmark in Birmingham, is also one of the most haunted places in Alabama. During the late 1800s to early 1900s, several workers from Sloss Furnaces died a painful and gruesome death, and several people have reported seeing the ghosts of these furnace workers. There have also been many reports of screams.
9. Maple Hill Cemetery/Dead Children's Playground - Huntsville, AL
Maple Hill Cemetery is Huntsville's oldest and largest cemetery. Tucked within the trees of this cemetery is the "Dead Children's Playground." Supposedly, between 10:00pm to 3:00am, the spirits of the children who are buried nearby come out to play. There have been several reports of children's laughter and swings moving on their own at this haunted playground.
10. Fort Morgan - Gulf Shores, AL
In the early 1900s, within the barracks of Fort Morgan, a prisoner hung himself. Since then, several people have reported hearing the cries from who they believe is the prisoner. There have also been many reports of a woman's apparrition strolling through the fort. This woman was murdered onsite during the late 1800s and is searching for her killer.
Have you been to any of these haunted places? If so, did you have a ghostly encounter? Have you experienced a ghostly encounter anywhere else in Alabama?
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