Alabama is no stranger when it comes to paranormal activity. From scary hotels and spooky bridges to creepy houses and terrifying cemeteries, there are several types of haunted places located throughout the state that are guaranteed to send shivers down your spine. One place, in particular, is the Drish House in Tuscaloosa. In addition to its history, this old house is one of Alabama’s most haunted places; it has also earned the distinction of being called one of the most haunted places in the entire country. For the haunting story behind the Drish House, read on:

In 1837, the Drish House was built in the middle of 450 acres by Dr. John R. Drish, one of Tuscaloosa's earliest settlers.
Alabama Department of Archives and History/Wikimedia
He built the home for himself and his new bride, Sarah Owen McKinney, whom he married in 1835. Dr. Drish was well-known for his gambling and drinking. In 1867, he was heavily drunk, fell over the stairway, and died. While planning her husband's funeral, Sarah became obsessed with making it an elaborate affair. Following the funeral, Sarah saved her husband's candles and informed her family that she wanted them used at her funeral someday.
In 1884, Sarah died and her family frantically searched for the special candles their loved one had saved.
Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, AL-201/Wikimedia
Unfortunately, they had no luck in finding them. Many people believe Sarah was angry with her family for not finding them, and that she's responsible for the hauntings that have occurred at the Drish House over the years. However, of all the hauntings to occur at the Drish House, the most widely-known one is that of the third-story tower fire. Many people have reported seeing a fire in the third-story tower. However, there's never been any evidence of one. It's believed the flames were coming from the candles that were supposed to be used at Sarah's funeral.

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The Drish House has been used for several different things over the decades.
Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs/Wikimedia
In addition to being the home of the Drish Family, it's also been a school, a parts warehouse for a wrecker company, and a church. In recent years, the Drish House was renovated, and it's currently used as an event venue. It's also part of the Haunted Tuscaloosa Tours.
In the popular book "13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey", authors Kathryn Tucker Windham and Margaret Gillis Figh featured a story that was based on the Drish House.
Kathryn Tucker Windham Museum/Facebook
The next time you're in Tuscaloosa, be sure to stop by the Drish House and check it out.
You just might spot Sarah lighting her candles in the three-story tower.
Historic Drish House/Facebook

Have you ever been to the Drish House in Tuscaloosa? If so, did you witness any paranormal activity? If you did, please share your experience with us in the comments. We love hearing from you! For the creepy story behind Alabama’s most haunted bridge, click here.

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Most Haunted House in Alabama

Tori Jane | October 17, 2021

What are some real haunted places in Alabama?  

Alabama is one of those places that just seem like they were destined to be super haunted. It’s got a long, dark history full of twists and turns, and what better situations for ghost stories to arise? There are so many super-haunted places in Alabama that it’s literally impossible to mention them all in this short paragraph, but we do have some favorites that stick out above the rest. The Sloss Furnaces in Birmingham, for example, have had more than 100 police reports filed over the years... for paranormal occurrences. Seriously. Alabama is also no stranger to creepy, haunted old cemeteries; some of the more famous – or should we say infamous? - examples of this are Harrison Cemetery, in Kinston, which is said to be haunted by a farmer named Grancer Harrison, who plays his fiddle at night to this day. There is also the old Bass Cemetery, in Irondale, which is incredibly old, totally under-cared-for, and 100% creepy. It’s more than 200 years old – so take away from that what you will. For more of our favorite haunted places in Alabama, check out this article! 

Where is the Drish House in Alabama?  

The Historic Drish House is located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on 17th Street. It was built in 1837 as a plantation, and ever since, it’s been home to creepy stories and its own dark past. Architecturally speaking, it’s unique in the sense that it blends Greek Revival with an Italianate-style design. It’s beautiful, but don’t let its majesty fool you – it's also an incredibly haunted place, or so they say. It’s one of those hauntings that’s so legendary it’s known across the country, and luckily for those of us who love that kind of thing, you can still tour it to this day.  

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Historic Drish House, 2300 17th St, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401, USA