These 10 Urban Legends In Vermont Will Keep You Awake At Night
Vermont has its share of history and legends, but these stories have been told time and time again and the locals swear that they are true. Ghosts, noises, and peculiar happenings are afoot in these 10 places that have stories which will leave you terrified. Are you brave enough to explore these Vermont urban legends?

Some of the paranormal activity visitors have experienced include scratch marks on cars and feelings of being scratched or grabbed. Sounds resembling footsteps, ropes, and screams have been reported. Apparently, the more hostile manifestations have been aimed at males who cross the bridge. Full body apparitions have also been reported, with most of the activity occurring in the hours immediately after midnight. Whether or not the story of Emily is the real cause of the bizarre activity at the Gold Brook Bridge, paranormal investigators believe something supernatural occurs there.

Legend has it that on her death-bed in 1806, Mercie cursed her party animal son-in-law and his family, saying that the third generation would be the last of the Hayden line. In 1854, William Hayden Jr. built the mansion that still stands today looking the same as it did more than 150 years ago. He is thought to have been a party animal like his father as plans for the building included a spring-suspended dance floor on the third floor to add a little bounce to his ballroom dances. Mercie's curse from the grave came true because by 1927, according to various accounts, the entire Hayden family had gradually died due to an assortment of inexplicable illnesses. The curse was now complete.


Although it has changed hands over the centuries and now guests come and go, some residents are there to stay. A newer section of the inn may be home to a kind-hearted and handsome ghostly spirit. He reportedly looks like Robert Redford and wanders the halls in an old-fashioned coat. Other people have heard unexplained footsteps and electronics turning on and off on their own.



Previously, the workers at Carbur’s Restaurant reported similar happenings, including a server who mysteriously got locked in a cooler. The establishment has a sordid history starting decades earlier when a young cook killed himself. Before that, from 1790 to 1820, a man named Gideon King ran the trade on Lake Champlain, and during an embargo he built a series of tunnels to illegally transport goods under the building. Legend says that later, during the prohibition era, the tunnels were part of the booze trade. Strange happenings continue at American Flatbread, mostly in the basement. A word to the wise: Don’t go down there alone.

As the years passed, Boots developed a drinking habit and was fired from his job. He then travelled around the country and learned to dance while in jail (hence the nickname "Boots"). 1902 he came back to visit the inn and a young child had snuck onto the roof and was stuck there during a snowstorm. Boots saved the child but wasn’t so lucky himself. He slipped after the rescue and fell to his death. Visitors and employees claim to hear the sound of dancing feet coming from the roof. Stowe sure has some spooky haunted stories 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.

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.

The disaster killed 37 people and injured 50. After the crash, a nearby barn became a makeshift trauma unit where some of the injured survivors died. The barn still stands, and passersby have heard crying coming from there. The area where the bridge stood has been known to emit the smell of burning wood. Some see a ghostly manifestation of Conductor Sturtevant, believed to be patrolling the bridge to prevent another accident. Others see the ghost of a young child in 19th century clothing, hovering above the river, staring at where the crash occurred.

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 residence hall is one of those creepy places in Vermont that we all love to investigate but find so terridying and scary.
What do you think of these Vermont ghost stories? Tell us about other haunts you know of in Vermont! What are things you want to see? Please tell us in the comments and be sure to share these with your friends who love a good ghost story.
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More to Explore
Vermont urban legends
Can I visit any abandoned places in Vermont?
Yes, you can! But, it depends on the area and abandoned attraction you wish to visit. For instance, not all abandoned places in Vermont can be accessed in a safe and respectable way. For some places, it will not be safe for entering, but you can still get a chance to view some of these places from the outside. For other places, however, you will be able to enter and explore. We encourage you to check out this article here where you will learn about a scary road trip that will lead you to some pretty creepy and spooky abandoned places in Vermont. before visiting abandoned places, make sure you are being safe and responsible. Time to start exploring!
Are there other creepy and eerie towns in Vermont?
Yes, there are! 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. If you are seeking out more terrifying and abandoned places in Vermont, take a look at this article here of 17 scary places that will haunt your dreams. Explore at your own risk. Happy haunted adventures!
What are the scariest haunted attractions in Vermont?
Vermont has a plethora of fun and spooky haunted attractions to make a trip to, but to list some of the scariest, we recommend that you consider visiting the Eddy House in Chittendon. This home was owned by a mysterious and ghostly family who dealt in creepy and ghostly affairs. The Eddy House is now the location of the High Life Ski Club Lodge. Another haunted place in Vermont is The Quechee Inn at Marshland Farm. Many locals have claimed to be haunted by the former owner’s ghosts throughout the estate. Enjoy the spooky adventures!