These 17 Terrifying Places In Vermont Will Haunt Your Dreams Tonight
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Kristin Grimes
Author
If you’re afraid of things that go bump in the night, then these places may not be for you. Vermont has a rich history of hauntings that could make even the most skeptical people think twice about dismissing these terrifying tales. After all, many others claimed the stories were false and then experienced strange happenings while investigating. If you’ve ever had a book fly across the room or spoken to a ghostly apparition, you may not need convincing, but for those who don’t believe, here are 17 of the scariest places in Vermont that may haunt your dreams tonight.
The Eddy House was originally the home of Zepaniah Eddy, whose three children descended from a long line of psychics. From a young age the children, named William, Horatio and Mary, were mediums and played with ghostly children, went into trances, spoke in spirit’s voices, and were eventually expelled from school for levitating desks and making books fly through the air.
Zepaniah had enough of the paranormal activity and sold his children to a traveling sideshow where they were cruelly exploited for 14 years. The children moved back to the Eddy House after their father’s death and turned the home into an Inn called the Green Tavern where they held séances for guests and conjured up spirits. Henry Steel Olcott went to validate the authenticity of the stories and, convinced of the authenticity of the Eddys’ abilities, wrote a book called People from Other Worlds, which included a description of his exploration of the Eddys, including drawings of the spirits, the grounds, and the Eddy house. Today the Eddy House is home to the High Life Ski Club.
Zepaniah had enough of the paranormal activity and sold his children to a traveling sideshow where they were cruelly exploited for 14 years. The children moved back to the Eddy House after their father’s death and turned the home into an Inn called the Green Tavern where they held séances for guests and conjured up spirits. Henry Steel Olcott went to validate the authenticity of the stories and, convinced of the authenticity of the Eddys’ abilities, wrote a book called People from Other Worlds, which included a description of his exploration of the Eddys, including drawings of the spirits, the grounds, and the Eddy house. Today the Eddy House is home to the High Life Ski Club.
Originally built in 1793, this historic inn was purchased by John Porter in 1845. He and his wife Jane lived there until they passed, John in 1886 and Jane in 1900, and Jane Porter’s ghost is said to still reside in the inn. Witnesses have heard noises and footsteps in rooms when they are vacant and her apparition has been seen coming from the dining room into the main hallway. Additionally, her presence has been felt in the dining area and unexplained whistling has been heard in the bar area. Another spirit thought to dwell here is young Patrick Marsh, who hides guests’ belongings and returns them later. He is also blamed for tinkering with the TVs and lights. Today the inn is till in operation. To find out more about the inn, follow this link to their website.
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The Vermont Police Academy was once a state hospital for tuberculosis patients, and it is said to still be haunted by a nurse named Mary who worked here during that era and had contracted TB herself. All of the old call buttons are still in the recruits' rooms, and it is said that if pushed, the friendly ghost of the nurse, Mary, will pay a visit during the night.
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Legend has it that the Gold Brook Bridge, also known as "Emily’s Bridge" is haunted by a ghost named Emily. There are many stories of how Emily died on the bridge. The most popular is that she was supposed to elope with a lover who was meeting her at the bridge, and when he didn't show, she hung herself from the rafters. Even the locals are a bit weary of this place since sightings, noises and lights have all been reported over the years. It says something when even the locals are talking about these Vermont ghost stories.
There have been several unsolved disappearances on Glastonbury Mountain and folklore has it that the Native Americans believed it to be cursed and used it as a burial ground. All the trails abruptly stop partway up the mountain as if forbidding hikers to go any further, and the mountain is said to be eerily silent, as if birds and animals don’t even venture there. Complete silence in a woodland is highly unusual for Vermont, even without the stories! This is why this mountain is one of the scariest places in Vermont.
Constructed in 1892, the Opera House is said to be home to a ghost named Willy, who was the son of a workman and died alone after breaking his leg in the attic. Willy is blamed for moving props and stealing scripts as well as the footsteps that come from the attic.
The apparition of a women, believed to be Mrs. Bowman, has been seen here. Legend has it that those who stand in a dark stain at the top of the stairs develop an intense feeling of foreboding. Also, the spirits here don’t stand for misbehaving! It is said that a visiting child who stuck out her tongue at a picture was punished when the picture flew off the wall and struck her. We can't think of many more haunted places in Vermont than this one.
Four halls are involved in haunting legends at Norwich University. At Alumni Hall, legend has it that there is a haunted, boarded-up dorm room in which a student hanged himself, and a few years later, his brother was given the same room and hanged himself as well. The legend surrounding Chaplin Hall concerns a spirit who lurks by the front door and, when the hall was used as a library, caused books to float off the shelves. In both Hawkins and Ransom Halls, students say they have awoken screaming and unable to move or breathe. And at Sabine Field, a ghostly female is said to stand guard over the gate to the football field.
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West Castleton was once full of quarries and mills with immigrants from Italy, Ireland and Eastern Europe thriving in the busy village. But by the 1930s, West Castelton was completely abandoned and is now known as a ghost town and not just because no one resides there. No one living, that is. There is something terrifying about these abandoned places in Vermont.
Residents would travel by rowboat to their favorite pub at the other side of the lake. But one night, three friends set out and never returned to West Castleton. In the morning, their empty boat was found floating in the lake. Today it is said that a ghostly rowboat can be seen moving across the lake, the oars not making ripples in the tranquil water.
The University of Vermont, better known as UVM, is not only the largest higher education institution in Vermont, it has more haunted buildings than anywhere else in the state. UVM has bought many former homes in the city and turned them into campus buildings. One such building is the Counseling Center and people have reported seeing there the ghost of Captain John Nabb, the house’s former owner. Nabb causes havoc by knocking over buckets and slamming doors and windows.
The nearby Public Relations building was once owned by one John E. Booth, and some think that he makes banging sounds around the building and speaks when no one else is around. One of the most haunted buildings on campus is the Bittersweet House. Multiple people have reported seeing full body apparitions there and the ghost is believed to be Margaret Smith, who lived a solitary life in the house after becoming widowed at a young age until her death there in 1961. Some have seen, in detail, a woman with neat hair and a long dress. Other people have claimed to see a blurry version of the woman. Perhaps one of the most tragic stories on campus is the residence hall Converse. In 1920, a young medical student named Henry committed suicide there. Students have experienced lost items, and unexplained movement of doors and windows.
The nearby Public Relations building was once owned by one John E. Booth, and some think that he makes banging sounds around the building and speaks when no one else is around. One of the most haunted buildings on campus is the Bittersweet House. Multiple people have reported seeing full body apparitions there and the ghost is believed to be Margaret Smith, who lived a solitary life in the house after becoming widowed at a young age until her death there in 1961. Some have seen, in detail, a woman with neat hair and a long dress. Other people have claimed to see a blurry version of the woman. Perhaps one of the most tragic stories on campus is the residence hall Converse. In 1920, a young medical student named Henry committed suicide there. Students have experienced lost items, and unexplained movement of doors and windows.
This 1769 resort is storied to be haunted by Abraham Lincoln’s wife, Mary Todd Lincoln. She visited the hotel in 1865 and has been seen as a quickly vanishing apparition, along with one of her children. If you dare, consider playing a round at The Equinox Golf Resort or spending a day at the Spa.
Builder James Hartness was an inventor who built a system of underground tunnels in which to work. His underground rooms included a library, workshop, lavatory, study and lounge. Witnesses say something supernatural here causes objects to disappear and show up in another place, and electricity goes off for no reason. Perhaps Mr. Hartness is still inventing things down there. Want to see it for yourself? Check it out here by visiting their website
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Edward Hamlin Everett was a very wealthy man, and the battle for his estate upon his death was a public and messy affair. Discord such as this can leave people upset, but parties involved usually don’t stick around for the long haul. According to years of students and staff alike doing night security, the reports of who haunts the house include Everett’s second wife, who is commonly seen, Everett himself, who is rarely seen, and also a person in a black hooded robe, who has been the most commonly seen apparition.
The most common occurrences are smoke filled hallways, lights that turn on in rooms that are locked, doors and windows unlocked after being locked on a previous security round, and footsteps being heard all around the college when no one else is in the building. The two main haunts in this mansion are the third floor and a classroom that used to be the sleeping quarters for house staff, and is also where a maid is said to have hung herself.
The most common occurrences are smoke filled hallways, lights that turn on in rooms that are locked, doors and windows unlocked after being locked on a previous security round, and footsteps being heard all around the college when no one else is in the building. The two main haunts in this mansion are the third floor and a classroom that used to be the sleeping quarters for house staff, and is also where a maid is said to have hung herself.
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This mountain mystery began in 1945 and lasted for five years starting with 74-year-old, Middie Rivers (who was very familiar with the area), when he escorted a party of four hunters into the mountain woodlands. While leading the way back to their campsite, Middie disappeared from view and vanished leaving only one clue. After an extensive search, investigators found a single bullet beside a streambed but no trace of Middie was ever found.
Rivers' disappearance was the first in a series of missing persons over the next five years. Because four of the five disappearances remain unsolved, rumors and theories are plentiful. Indian legend tells of a "rock that swallows" those who step on it. Some folks believe that the Bigfoot-like "Bennington Monster" is responsible for the mishaps. Could there be a Champ of the woods?
Rivers' disappearance was the first in a series of missing persons over the next five years. Because four of the five disappearances remain unsolved, rumors and theories are plentiful. Indian legend tells of a "rock that swallows" those who step on it. Some folks believe that the Bigfoot-like "Bennington Monster" is responsible for the mishaps. Could there be a Champ of the woods?
Another residence with ghostly experiences is the Marble Mansion, which was built in 1867. After one of the inn's previous owners passed away in the Tea Room, guests have reported strange phenomena. One guest awoke in the middle of the night to see a man standing at the foot of her bed wearing a grey suit.
Two children were once locked in a guestroom from the inside. The door would not open even after it had been unlocked with the room key. Additional ghostly happenings took place in the basement of the mansion when a repairman heard footsteps and when he looked up he saw a young woman standing there. He asked her to leave and she ignored him and walked into another room. Durkee followed her, insisting that she leave. When he entered the room, she was no longer there. The room was dark and empty. Would you stay at this haunted inn?
Two children were once locked in a guestroom from the inside. The door would not open even after it had been unlocked with the room key. Additional ghostly happenings took place in the basement of the mansion when a repairman heard footsteps and when he looked up he saw a young woman standing there. He asked her to leave and she ignored him and walked into another room. Durkee followed her, insisting that she leave. When he entered the room, she was no longer there. The room was dark and empty. Would you stay at this haunted inn?
Allegedly haunted by the former mistress of the house, Mrs. Brown. People have reported full body apparitions, cold spots, slamming doors and some claim that the ghost has actually appeared and spoken to them. A few guests have been so disturbed they have left in the middle of the night. Check out their website if you are interested in visiting yourself.
Many Vermonters have visited the Shelburne Museum in northern Vermont, soaking in the 45 acres of historical buildings, ships, carousel, and an old farmhouse. In addition to the rare works of art and hundreds of antique dolls, folks say ghostly spirits can be found wandering the grounds.
One of the buildings that's part of the museum collection is the Dutton House. Originally built in 1782, the house moved to the Shelburne Museum from the small town of Cavendish in 1950 and museum employees have experienced odd occurrences in the old-fashioned colonial home. Tour guides have reported seeing apparitions of an old man, and others have heard a young child crying in the shadows. In the off-season, the house is said to emit unexplained noises and no one but terrified maintenance workers are there to hear them.
One of the buildings that's part of the museum collection is the Dutton House. Originally built in 1782, the house moved to the Shelburne Museum from the small town of Cavendish in 1950 and museum employees have experienced odd occurrences in the old-fashioned colonial home. Tour guides have reported seeing apparitions of an old man, and others have heard a young child crying in the shadows. In the off-season, the house is said to emit unexplained noises and no one but terrified maintenance workers are there to hear them.
What is your favorite haunted place in Vermont? Which places do you think are the scariest places in Vermont? Share this article to let us know you like these ghostly stories and we will pick more stories to share. There are certainly plenty to choose from!
And if you’d like to check out some of the scariest places in Vermont, take a look at this spooky road trip through our state.
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More to Explore
scariest places in Vermont
What are the most haunted places in Vermont?
As was discussed in this article, Emily’s Bridge in Stowe is certainly considered to be one of the most haunted places in Vermont. So beware if you venture across this spooky bridge. Another creepy and haunted place in Vermont to visit is the Glastonbury Mountain in Glastonbury, Vermont. As we read, there have apparently been several unsolved disappearances of hikers and wanders on the mountain.
Can I visit any abandoned places in Vermont?
Yes, there are several abandoned places you can find in Vermont. It is worth mentioning that not all abandoned places will be safe and legal to visit. If you are interested in finding cool abandoned places to check out throughout Vermont, check out this list of 15 abandoned places in Vermont. Not all these places on the list are accessible but it is a good start to find what can and cannot be visited. And even if you can't visit the inside, you can always still view it from the exterior and wander around it outside.
What are the most creepy towns in Vermont?
Lewiston and Somerset are two small towns in Vermont that have a history for being eerie ghost towns. And perhaps the most well-known town in Vermont for having ghosts and spirits is Stowe. According to locals, several ghost stories have been told about this resort town in the Green Mountains.
Featured Addresses
127 Chittenden Rd, Chittenden, VT 05701, USA
1119 Quechee Main St, Quechee, VT 05059, USA
317 Academy Rd, Pittsford, VT 05763, USA
Gold Brook Covered Bridge, Covered Bridge Rd, Stowe, VT 05672, USA
Glastenbury Mountain, Glastenbury, VT 05262, USA
123 Depot St, Enosburg Falls, VT 05450, USA
VT-103, Shrewsbury, VT, USA
158 Harmon Dr, Northfield, VT 05663, USA
Lake Bomoseen, Castleton, VT, USA
Burlington, VT 05405, USA
Manchester, VT 05255, USA
30 Orchard St, Springfield, VT 05156, USA
Southern Vermont College, Bennington, VT 05201, USA
Golden Triangle Rd, Winhall, VT 05340, USA
12 W Park Pl, Fair Haven, VT 05743, USA
The White House Inn, 178 VT-9 E, Wilmington, VT 05363, USA