Who doesn’t like a good spooky story? Well, Rhode Island is chock full of them! For the smallest state, we have experienced our fair share of haunted happenings. In fact, there are entire state parks in Rhode Island that carry a history of hauntings. Dubbed the Fort Wetherill Murders, this story really gives us the creeps in Fort Wetherill State Park in Jamestown, Rhode Island.

Fort Wetherill was originally built to help defend the state during World War I as part of a string of bayside forts.
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Well before Fort Wetherill was haunted, it played an important military role on Conanicut Island on the Narragansett Bay.
After falling out of use following World War II, the fort was turned into a public recreation area in 1972, and as you can see, it has become a favorite of local graffiti artists.
Jessica Forte/Alltrails
Often quite empty, it is easy to see why this old fort frightens so many people!
Jessice Forte/Alltrails
Keep your wits about you if you decide to visit this spooky old fort. Incredibly, there have been hundreds incidents of paranormal activity reported to police!
The first rumors of haunting came during the first World War, when soldiers reported seeing a black dog with red eyes that could walk through walls! In all the years since there have been many more reports of this mangy beast prowling the grounds, particularly the tunnels.
Jessica Forte/Alltrails
Visitors of the site say they can hear a dog growling in the long and dark tunnels.
The soldiers believed that when the dog looked at you, it was a warning that death was near. Barking and howling when no dog can be found has also been reported.
Jessica Forte/Alltrails

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And even though Fort Wetherill never saw any direct combat, many people claim to see ghostly visions of soldiers walking through the grounds in uniforms from both World Wars.
Jessica Forte/Alltrails
The park is truly impressive even without the haunted history, but while you're taking in the gorgeous sites and sounds, it's quite likely you will feel a chill run up your spine, even in the bright light of day.
Jessica Forte/Alltrails
The number of paranormal incidents reported to Police mean that Fort Wetherill is thought to be one of the most haunted places in the country.
Jessica Forte/Alltrails
While the soldiers and demon dog are more that enough to scare anyone, in 1985 a great tragedy happened at Fort Wetherill. Four young women were found murdered and dumped by the docks, all of them just in their early twenties.
Jessica Forte/Alltrails
This sad discovery only flamed the legends and stories of ghostly sightings and sounds. The discovery of the Fort Wetherill deaths have solidified the state park as one of the most eerie and haunting places in Rhode Island.
Since this tragic occurence, over 200 calls have been made to police reporting various paranormal phenomena. Many skeptics have had their own run ins with spirits here!
Jessica Forte/Alltrails
The Fort Wetherill murders of1985 make this state park a spooky place to see. With military history and horrible tragedies, too, this state park is one that is both beautiful and macabre.

Fort Wetherill State Park is open 24 hours a day, so you can make your trek through the tunnels in the dark if you are a bit of a daredevil! What a cool and spooky expedition in such an unexpected spot. Are you brave enough to make the trip to Fort Wetherill?

Do you know of any other scary places in Rhode Island that horror fans would love to see? Be sure to comment below to let us know!

If haunted locations is spine-tingling fun, then take a roadtrip to some of the most terrifying places in Rhode Island!

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fort wetherill murders

Christina Arrascaeta | August 19, 2022

Can I visit any abandoned places in Rhode Island?

There is a plethora of abandoned places throughout the state of Rhode Island just waiting to be explored. From forts like Fort Wetherill built in 1895 to an old train station in Pawtucket, visiting these abandoned places is an adventure for thrill seekers and ghost hunters, too, as many of these locations are said to be haunted!

What are the most haunted places in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island is home to many haunted places, including the farmhouse from the story that inspired the film, "The Conjuring" (2013). In Burrillville, Rhode Island, residents of the house during the 1970s claimed to have witnessed paranormal activity and disturbing occurrences that led to an investigation by paranormal researchers. Please note, the house is private property and may be occupied.

Are there any urban legends in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island is more to more than its share of urban legends. Due to its location and colorful past, many places in the state have a scary story to tell. One such place is Ladd School which schooled children who were said to be “feeble-minded.” This led to unfortunate mistreatment and overcrowding at the institution, including the keeping of children without their parent or guardian’s consent. The building was known locally to be haunted with people claiming to hear the sound of voices, locked doors without locks, and even instances of being touched by unseen forces.

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Fort Wetherill State Park, 3 Fort Wetherill Rd, Jamestown, RI 02835, USA