Sometimes, you’re just in the mood for a good scare. Luckily, there are plenty of places in Mississippi where you can find just that. From historic homes with lingering spirits to secluded roadways that are known to be haunted, here are 13 of the most terrifying places in Mississippi and the horrifying stories behind them.
1. Kuhn Memorial State Hospital
Located in Vicksburg, the now abandoned Kuhn State Memorial Hospital first opened its doors in 1832. Throughout its years in operation, the hospital saw many pass before their time, which may have something to do with the unexplainable occurrences that have taken place there. In the years that followed its closing in 1989, several paranormal investigators have visited the property. One investigative team noted several strange happenings, including an EVP recording of a little girl, the K-2 meter, which lights up when spirits are present, went off several times, a pendulum was used to communicate with an entity, and the word "help" suddenly appeared written backwards in a pile of dust on the floor of the embalming room.
2. Adams County Jail
Susan C. Allen/Used with permission. © scwallen 2016 - May not be reproduced or reposted without permission.
Located at 314 State Street in Natchez, the Adams County jail was constructed in 1891. Claims of supernatural occurrences within the jail have been circulating ever since it was first built. In the building’s early days, prisoners complained about hearing moaning, footsteps, clanking chains, and cells opening and closing when there were no guards around. Over time, prisoners’ claims were validated by jailers and trustees, who had strange experiences of their own. By the mid-1990s, the building was no longer used as a jail, but that doesn’t mean the hauntings stopped. The historic structure now houses city offices, and to this day, employees still experience supernatural phenomenon within the building.
3. Satartia Bridge
Located in the Mississippi Delta, Satartia is a small town home to less than one hundred residents and... one creepy bridge, which can be found on Satartia Road, spanning the Yazoo River. Over the years, some unusual things have taken place on the bridge and in the river below, prompting paranormal investigators to visit the area. One investigator described her experience as "truly terrifying." She claimed to see yellow-green bubbling water in the river below, which was accompanied by phantom moans, the smell of rotting flesh, and an overwhelming sense of panic. Some believe the haunting can be attributed to the Yazoo Indians, who originally inhabited the area. According to legend, members of the tribe marched into the river to their deaths after being defeated by the French. Others believe former crew members of the boats sunk in the Yazoo River are behind the paranormal activity.
4. Three-Legged Lady Road
The tale of Columbus’ ghost has been around for quite some time, and while there are several variations of this local urban legend, they all include the ghost of a three-legged lady. One version includes the kidnapping and murder of a young girl, possibly by a satanic cult. Supposedly, the girl’s body was dismembered and thrown into the woods that line the road. According to legend the ghost of both the three-legged lady and her mother can be seen on Nash Road.
5. Anchuca
Located in Vicksburg, Anchuca dates back to 1830. One of the past owners, Richard Archer, had five daughters, and it is one of his daughters that is believed to haunt the mansion. Legend has it that Archer wouldn’t let his daughter marry the love of her life and, for that, she is eternally resentful. Throughout the years, the spirit of the heartbroken woman has been seen in several locations throughout the home; however, she is most frequently spotted at the fireplace in the main dining room.
6. The Lyric Theater
In the late 1930s, the city of Tupelo was struck by a deadly tornado. Being one of only two large buildings left standing, the Lyric Theater served as a makeshift hospital used to treat the injured. Unfortunately, several residents lost their lives in the theater and, as it turns out, some of the victims are still lingering. One spirit in particular, Antoine, has been known to move things around and, on several occasions, has been heard humming as he moves about the theater.
7. The Cemetery at Chapel of the Cross
Located at this Madison cemetery, the grave of Henry Grey Vick has quite an interesting story. Just days before Henry was to marry Helen Johnstone, he was killed in a duel. Losing the love of her life so suddenly, Helen was extremely heartbroken, so much so, that she reportedly wore her wedding dress to Henry’s funeral. There have been numerous reports that Helen’s ghost, still in her wedding dress, visits Henry’s grave quite frequently – often times sitting in the bench shown in the background of this photo.
8. Devil Worshipper Road
While some believe the haunting of this road is the direct result of sacrifices made by a satanic cult, others think it has to do with a local devil-worshipping farmer who sold his soul to the devil and was, in turn, transformed into a demonic creature known as Goat Man. Witnesses have reported all kinds of strange happenings, such as car engines turning off by themselves, a feeling of being watched, the appearance of shadowy figures, vehicles being shook, and handprints appearing on the vehicle. Other witnesses have actually had run-ins with Goat Man. The seven-foot tall figure with glowing eyes is said to carry a pitch fork, and is known to suddenly appear in front of stopped cars, staring intently at the occupants.
9. Monmouth Historic Inn
Monmouth Historic Inn was originally the plantation home of General John Quitman, and it appears as if he never left. The General, a hero in the U.S.- Mexican War, has been seen at the inn, still wearing his military uniform. Some guests have even reported being woken up by the General, checking on them in their rooms. Between the supernatural sightings and chilling wakeup calls, Monmouth has been named one of the South’s most haunted hotels.
10. Deer Island
This 400-acre island is the site of not one, but two, of the state’s most mysterious entities. Both ghosts were documented for the first time in 1922. According to records, two fishermen were on the island and heard something move in nearby bushes. As they approached the bushes to investigate, they came face to face with a headless skeleton, which then chased them off the island. This same story was repeated by several others, leading to the entity being deemed the "Ghost of Deer Island." Throughout the years, there were reports of the island being afflicted by another entity – a supernatural blue light known as "Firewater Ghost." The mysterious light has been spotted moving across the bay between Biloxi and Ocean Springs long before the invention of electricity. Many believe the light is some type of ghostly guard, patrolling the area with a lantern in his hand.
11. Stuckey’s Bridge
This bridge received its name after a member of the Dalton Gang, Stuckey, was hung from its railings after it was discovered that he had been robbing and murdering unsuspecting travelers. After killing several customers, Stuckey was caught and hung from this bridge with his lifeless body left up for quite some time before finally being cut down. Since Stuckey’s death, several witnesses have reported seeing his ghost carrying a lantern along the river. Others have reported seeing his ghost hanging from the bridge. Even more frightening, some locals have experienced up close encounters with the ghost of Stuckey. According to one resident, the angry apparition pushed him off the bridge.
12. McRaven
Considered the "most haunted house in Mississippi" and the "third most haunted in the country," McRaven is beyond deserving of a spot on this list. The supernatural activity at the Vicksburg home has been documented by A&E, The Travel Channel, and 48 Hours. The home is opened for tours, and over the years, thousands of witnesses have reported seeing more than a dozen different spirits in the home, including Civil War soldiers, former owners of the home, and even Native American Indians.
13. Beauvoir
Although Beauvoir is most widely known as being the former home of Jefferson Davis, it also has another identifying characteristic – it’s a paranormal hot spot. Since being opened for touring in 1941, several visitors have found something unusual in the photos taken during their time at Beauvoir. Dozens of photos appear to have apparitions in the background. Jefferson Davis along with his wife and daughter have all been caught on film. Beauvoir wasn’t officially investigated by a paranormal team until 2014. The group spent the night in the home, at which time several occurrences were caught on film and in recordings.
Were you familiar with all of the spooky sites listed above? Have a terrifying place to add to the list? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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