With so many haunted places in Alabama, you’re bound to spot a ghost eventually. From colleges to plantation homes, and restaurants to hotels, here are 10 places in Alabama where you might spot a ghost:
Please note, Sloss Furnaces in Birmingham is temporarily closed.
1. Gaineswood - Demopolis
Gaineswood is a historic plantation home that's known for its classic beauty, in addition to its hauntings. The owner of Gaineswood was Nathan Whitfield. Following his wife's death, he hired a woman to help care for his children. Her name was Evelyn Carter, and she spent many hours playing musical instruments with them. Sadly, after an extended illness, Ms. Carter passed away. However, her spirit never left Gaineswood and many visitors have reported the sounds of her playing the piano.
2. Sweetwater Mansion - Florence
Please note, Sweetwater Mansion is no longer in business.
Sweetwater Mansion belonged to Robert Patton, a former Alabama governor. Over the years, many apparitions have been spotted in the mansion, including the one belonging to Governor Patton's son. This comes as no surprise considering his son's funeral was held inside the home. In April 2011, A&E's Paranormal State featured Sweetwater Mansion in an episode.
3. Fort Morgan - Gulf Shores
In the early 1900s, a prisoner hung himself in the barracks of Fort Morgan. In recent years, many witnesses have reported what they believe to be the sounds of the prisoner's cries. There have also been reports of a woman's ghostly figure wondering within the walls of the fort. This woman was murdered onsite in the late 19th-century.
4. Huntingdon College - Montgomery
According to legend, two Red Ladies haunt Huntingdon College. During the late 1800s, the first Red Lady was seen wearing a scarlet dress and walking the halls of the dorm one night. She disappeared and was never seen again. During the early 1900s, the second Red Lady was an incoming freshman named Martha. Because she was upset that nobody wanted to be her roommate at Pratt Hall, she committed suicide by slitting her wrists. Today, Pratt Hall is an education building, and there have been several reports of a red apparition walking down the hallway she once lived on.
5. Pickens County Courthouse - Carrollton
The Pickens County Courthouse is best known for its "Face in the Courthouse Window." According to legend, Henry Wells, a former slave who was freed at the end of the Civil War, was wrongly accused of burning down the county's second courthouse. While a lynching mob searched for him, he escaped to the courthouse's attic. Henry peeked out the window and threatened the crowd below that if they kill him, he'll haunt their lives forever. At that moment, lightning struck and etched his face into the glass of the window. Soon after, the mob made their way into the attic, pulled Henry out and lynched him. Today, Henry's face can still be seen in the courthouse window.
6. Dead Children's Playground - Huntsville
Located in the middle of Maple Hill Cemetery is Dead Children's Playground. According to legend, there were several child abductions in the 1960s and the bodies of the children were found within the cemetery's playground area. In this area, many people have reported hearing children's laughter, in addition to seeing swings move on their own.
7. Albertville Main Street - Albertville
During the early 1900s, a tornado destroyed this area of town and killed many residents. Since then, there have been several reports of ghostly voices and the sounds of footsteps. Many business owners have also reported hearing the sounds of people screaming during the night, but when they go outside, nobody would be there.
8. St. James Hotel - Selma
Please note, St. James Hotel is no longer in business.
The St. James Hotel is considered to be Alabama's most haunted hotel. Several visitors have reported seeing the ghosts of Jesse James, the famous outlaw, and his girlfriend Lucinda. Jesse James stayed at the hotel in 1881. Barking sounds have also been reported. These sounds were heard coming from the courtyard, and many believe they're coming from the ghost of Jesse James' dog. No dog has ever been found.
9. Gaines Ridge Dinner Club - Camden
Gaines Ridge Dinner Club is one of the oldest restaurants in southwest Alabama, and it's also considered to be the state's most haunted restaurant. Miss Betty, the restaurant's owner, has experienced the screams of a lady calling out her name. And one night, Betty's daughter and several restaurant guests heard someone fall in the restroom and saw the door shake. When the door was opened, nobody was there.
10. Sloss Furnaces - Birmingham
At Sloss Furnaces, during the growing industrial age, many workers died a slow, insufferable death. Several visitors have reported seeing the ghosts of workers chained up. As a matter of fact, more than 100 recorded reports of strange activity are on file at the Birmingham Police Department.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.