This slideshow includes photos gathered from state archives and from two federal programs that helped document our history: The Historic American Buildings Survey taken in the 1930s, and the Historic American Engineering Record from the late 1960s. Another popular tale is the appearance of theapparition of the ghost ship of the Eliza Battle, which burned on the Tombigbee River in 1858 killing more than 30 people. Rock Run is a residential community in Cherokee County where a small pocket of residents live in well-kept homes. She is said to have died instantly. That might be a first. Another story says when people feel a sudden sense of dread, they will soon see the apparition of a soldier. Today only ruins remain. InsideEastern Bank of Alabama in Eufaula. At the heart of the Deep South, the state of Alabama offers a wealth of opportunities for urban explorers. Some people say theyve heard a baby cry or a dog panting or growling while on the property. Most cemeteries are closed at night. They were holding candles, and her hair caught fire. It served as the Jackson County seat from 1821 to 1859. But in the 1800s, it was a town that grew around the Rock Run Mine and Furnace. The ROW can still be made out in many places . The caskets were left neglected and families were angry. The face appeared on the grave of Thomas second wife, Mary Jane Kittrell. Unfortunately, the introduction of new railroads following the American Civil War really hurt the town. Before long he was drunk and, in his anger, he dragged his wife to the bridge and hanged her from the railing before jumping to his death. The legend was recorded by author Kathryn Tucker Windham in 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey.. Legend says if someone says, We have your baby, she will attack. This is one of the outbuildings at the site. Our "history tour with ghosts" reveals not only the highlights of the city's history, but also reveals the history "that no one wants you to know" -- from crime scenes, to scandals, unsolved murders, and more. The abandoned Hall Hotel building is among the loveliest - if spooky - structures in the Madison County town of Gurley. Gold was discovered in Arbacoochee in the 1830s, causing the town to grow rapidly. Decatur's sordid reputation also added to the ghostly stories of the city through incidents of murder and death. Residents hear screaming and footsteps and other ghostly sounds. Built in 1842, the old Coosa County Jail, known as the Old Rock Jail, is the oldest surviving stone jail in Alabama. According to legend, a female student was killed while she was trying to sneak out after curfew. She would die from her burns on Feb. 6 at the age of 17. Abandoned Places In Alabama 1. When they turn to look, nothing is there. The courthouse burned in 1866 and was rebuilt. InsideEastern Bank of Alabama in Eufaula when it was abandoned. . Huntsville, Alabama 27.7 miles from Hartselle, AL The Cedarhurst Mansion Estate was originally built in 1823 by Stephen Ewing. When he was hanged, his executioners dug a hole beneath his dangling feet to accommodate his height. This isolated, one-lane bridge in rural Chilton County is said the be haunted by a malevolent spirit that chases people who cross it. Every community has a ghost tale that everyone has heard, often related to an old or abandoned house, a spooky cemetery or a dark and creepy road. 30+ Abandoned Industrial Buildings In Alabama | Abandoned Alabama Archive - Industrial Western Railway of Alabama February 13, 2023 Add comment | City/Town: Montgomery The Montgomery Railroad, later known as the Western Railway of Alabama, was one of the earliest railroads in the South. Legend says the face of a woman appears on a tombstone in Sandlin Cemetery. (Picture: Old schoolhouse). Deaths include several from a cholera outbreak in 1900 and one from murder. Mary survived. That's right, allegedly there are sightings of a ghost sweeping. The house has been restored and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In a little-known cemetery deep in the woods of Clarke County are tombstones created by a man who was ahead of his time. This abandoned town is reportedly haunted by spirits if former residents. Home Value*. Others say they have experienced their cars rocking while on the bridge. One truck driver said that he struck the bridge after a ghostly horse-drawn carriage crossed the interstate in front of him. The oddest sighting is an apparition that appears to be half-wolf and half-man. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. What are the creepiest cemeteries in Alabama? This church on AvenueU in Pratt City has been empty since it was struck by a tornado. For information, call 334-320-5330 or visitthe Facebook page. It is also known as the Colby Building. Click here to read more. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The home was completed in 1835 by Robert Patton, Brahan's son-in-law and former Alabama governor. A little farther to the east is a waterway known as Gun Island Chute that leads to the Alabama River. Allegedly there is a photo that shows a ghost in it. Japeth Rawls. It is said to be haunted by the inmates executed there, with the last one in 1949. It is no longer standing. A photo of the Richard Crocheron mansion in the 1880s, when it was already an abandoned ruin. The building was constructed in Northport on what was once called Cherokee Plantation, owned by Robert Jemison. Visitors here may see ghostly children coming out to play. Read more 0 (Source: Matt Glasscock at left; Birmingham Public Library at right), http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2016/09/amazing_photos_show_abandoned.html. Home Size. One version of the story claims Molly was the ghost of a woman who had lost an infant who dealt with the tragedy by hugging local children. Legends claim the captains spirit roams the cemetery, keeping watch over his children. Since 1982, the 1824 house has been a museum and event space. 4 bedrooms (42 homes) $317,230. The story was told by author Kathryn Tucker Windham in 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey.. It says, "Anne E. Kirtley gave many years of her life as a beloved professor at Judson. Measured by other resorts built in Alabama in the 1800s, such as nearby Shelby Springs Hotel or Blount Springs Resort, the Dennemora Hotel offered a pared-down version of entertainment. Whatley home no longer stands, it is shown above in 1936, but legend says the site is still haunted. In the 1830s, settlers continued to move into the area to use Arcola as a river landing. The third floor of this historic courthouse formerly housed a row of cells, dating back to the early twentieth century. Her ghost is said to look down from the upstairs window. Also, the construction of Millers Ferry Lock and Dam in 1963 was really overwhelming. The building was constructed in 1930. Kelly Kazek |kkazek@al.com. Flatwoods was a settlement of freed slaves during Reconstruction but it was later burned. The tale was repeated in Kathryn Tucker Windham's"13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey." Late at night, people have reported hearing eerie footsteps echoing on the decks of the War World II-era battleship USS Alabama. (Source: Spyder_Monkey via Wikimedia Commons). Information with the photo said: This building stood on the southeast corner of Vine Street and First Street North. But this playground is different. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Apparitions seen floating through the hotel are thought to be those of people who checked in but never checked out. ", StrangeUSA.comsays ghosts of inmates can be heard: "Legend has it that their screams can be heard as they were being burned to death, and you can hear the laugher of the guards that stood by watching.". According to the Library of Congress, The brick warehouses had 12 -inch firewalls and fire doors. This abandoned home on Watts Mill Road was built in 1905 by Charles and William Hudson for their brother, John. Located at 112 Moulton Street E Decatur, AL 35601; Scares start Friday, October 22, from 7-11 p.m. . 133 Fourth Avenue NE, Decatur, Alabama 35601, Phone: 256-351-4505. 1910, was slated for demolition, but a citizens group hopes to save it. It is named for a woman who lived in the area in the late 1800s or early 1900s and was thought to be a witch. Best Restaurants in Decatur, AL - The RailYard, Two Fish & A Toad, The Moody Crab, Simp McGhee's, Brick Deli, Francesco's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria, Bank Street Grill, Hard Dock, Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q, Sushi Sumo It was used during the Civil War as a hospital. At this playground set up near the cemetery, the ghosts of children play and swing on the swingsets. The building has been abandoned since the 1980s. At night, ghosts of the people buried there haunt the area. Haunted Decatur Tours, 141 North Main Street, Decatur, IL, 62523, United States. Visitors to the inn and restaurant have reported hearing disembodied footsteps and eerie noises throughout the home. This historic hotel is the home of a disruptive entity known only as 'the knocker.' It gets its name from the fact that when it appears on the sixth floor, knocking loudly on hotel room doors in the dead of night! It is now home to the Lowndesboro Town Hall. Every year during Halloween a pumpkin mysteriously makes its way into Romeo's hands. This building, constructed in 1856, has a rich and interesting history. During the Confederate occupation General John Bell resided there and during the Union occupation, General Sherman himself stayed at Wesleyan. Trespassing is punishable by law. It was destroyed by Union forces in 1865. Kids and adults will enjoy exploring various hands-on exhibits, including a gallery of bees, turtles, alligators and snakes, a recreated Alabama cave, insect galleries, a 15,000-gallon aquarium, and more. Some report that is you park on the bridge, your car will begin to rock. The ruins of the building that served as the Alabama Capitol from 1826-1846 have been preserved as Capitol Park in Tuscaloosa. For decades, even before the great ship's arrival in Mobile Bay in 1965 when she was established as a tourist attraction, people have reported hearing strange noises and seeing shadowy figures below decks. The Chamber of Commerce building, above right, was constructed in 1910 as a bank. Copper Center - Tonseno Lodge - A man was killed in the hotel, and now he's haunting it. William Chancellor House in Harpersville today. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). A pyromaniac ghost? But, after burning twice in its 186-year history, the elegant mansion is more famous in its ruinous state than it ever was as a family home. Others have reported hearing disembodied screams and footsteps. The Gaines Ridge Dinner Club is a restaurant inside a ca. B.B. Remember, the majority of homes are occupied, private residences and those that are abandoned are marked "No Trespassing" and are a hazard. Bellefonte is a ghost town in Jackson County, Alabama and is situated near the site of the Bellefonte Nuclear Generating Station. This photo was taken in 1934 when the home was abandoned. Decatur is the nearest city to the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, which includes 35,000 acres of land to provide a safe habitat for wintering and migrating birds in the eastern United States. According to legend, she was driving her baby in a horse-drawn carriage one night. The ca. TOURS OFFERED FOR THE 2023 SEASON: Haunted History Bus Tours: $32 Per Person The first reports of a haunting was around 1919 after a teenage boy who slept at the house had a . At least one of the buildings at Robinson's Switch has the shape of a depot and another long building appears to have been a railroad warehouse. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. NOTE: Horton House burned and nothing remains. At one point, a caretaker claimed to have seen a coffin in one of the rooms set up as if for a wake. (Submitted by Callum Swift) Read more 0 Baker Mansion Weatherford, Texas 35.4 miles from Decatur, TX It's now underwater and the only remnant left of the town is a cemetery. (Picture: St. Stephens Gravesite), Riverton, located in Colbert County, Alabama, was an old trade town that was destroyed when the Pickwick Landing Dam was built during the 1930s. Located in Decatur, Alabama, the Ardent Mills Decatur facility is a pneumatic mill and one of the most automated mills in the United States. We know not everyone will agree about the legend in his or her county. Belle Mont, built between 1828 and 1832, was a plantation that used slave labor. It was a stormy night and her carriage flipped, killing Burns. It is now the site of a Hampton Inn. Oct 13, 2016; Decatur has a sordid reputation and a . Two Federal gunboats patrolled the river. After the Jemison Center was built, the hospitals were kept segregated. It produced plating for Civil War-era ironclad vessels, as well as pig iron for munitions and other wartime materials. See more onSteel City Urbex's Facebook page. In other cases, the buildings are lost to history. An obituary written by J. T. Melton states that Hall was born on March 3, 1830, in Lawrence County, Tennessee, although there is conflicting evidence that he was actually born on March 4, 1924. The cemetery is said to be haunted by the ghost of Norman Staples, captain of a sternwheel steamer who killed himself with a shotgun in 1913 at the age of 44. Local Online Auctions in Alabama. Legend says if you stop by the cemetery gate and put your car in neutral, the Lady in White will push you away from the spot where she was killed so youll be safe. People claim to see Marys spirit on the bridge, searching for her lost child. Not much info on this, apart from the fact that it is an old, abandoned butcher's shop on the side of this dirt road, about 1.5 miles south from Fletcher Road. This photo shows the Crocheron Columns, the only things remaining from a mansion built in Cahaba in 1843 by Richard Crocheron. Many people believe the ghost is that of the Governor's son who died in the Civil War. TheMcNab Bank Buildingin Eufaula, formerly Eastern Bank of Alabama. secret traditions. The swings sometimes can be seen swinging by themselves, and the sounds of laughter Urban legend tells of a man who was hit by a car and killed while walking across this bridge. These auctions tend to occur less frequently than typical public car auctions in Alabama. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. The war ended before the plant went into operation. Scare-seekers with an appreciation for history will love this night-time walking tour of Gatlinburg's most "haunted" places. Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion in Tuscaloosa. Take I-65 to Decatur, Exit 334. The bank was founded in the 1850s. According to legend, as Wells peered out of the north window, at a mob gathering below, lightning struck nearby, indelibly etching his image on the pane. Officials have marked the site with an arrow so visitors can spot the face.. The home was built for Dr. Alexander Mitchell, who sold it to Isaac Winston in 1833. Rawls, who repeatedly took down window treatments he tried to install. Each tour gets on and off the bus during the evening and we do go inside some of Decatur's most haunted locations. Some have been completely abandoned, making them TRUE ghost towns. This account of the hauntings comes from RawlsBandB.com: Unusual occurrences are not uncommon in the historic Rawls hotel. HauntedPlaces.org makes no claims that any of the statements posted here are factually accurate. . However, the legend tied to one of the most haunted sights in Alabama, the Drish House in Tuscaloosa, is absolutely chilling. Mining continued in Arbacoochee until the 1930s, but the town never recovered and became a ghost town by 1990. Vice districts, gambling parlors and brothels sprang up in the wake of the railroads and the Civil War, bringing bloodshed and violence to the city. The able-bodied patients at Jemison worked on a hospital farm. He is known to flush toilets, independently operate ice machines and brush past people leaving them with chills. Railroad tracks run alongside the backs of the surviving buildings, parallel to the dirt lane called Robinson Switch Road. Since it was erected in 1922, the Masonicbuilding has a public library for black residents and home to offices for prominent black doctors and lawyers, as well as the local NAACP. However, the family cemetery remains. What are the most haunted places in Alabama? And why? Properly called Jackson Ford Bridge, there are currently plans to demolish the bridge due to vandalism and decay making for a safety hazard. Matt Glasscock, who took the photo at left, and members of Steel City Urbex were invited by the owner to tour some of the closed portions of the City Federal building in downtown Birmingham. If you have a specific location from the list below In the small south Alabama town of Mount Vernon, one of the state's greatest historical treasures is slowly being consumed by kudzu, time and apathy. It is said to be haunted by slaves who died on the grounds and also by former owners. If that wasnt creepy enough, visitors have been known to hear the sounds of a rocking chair moving back and forth as they pass. Each year, unclaimed or abandoned assets are turned over to Alabama Unclaimed Property by financial institutions and businesses that lose contact with the owners. The site is reportedly haunted by numerous spirits with the most famous known as Pegues Ghost. More history, more hauntings, and more off-the-bus locations, this 4-hour tour delves into the most ghost-infested people and places in Decatur's history. This photo of the Alabama Capitol in Tuscaloosa was taken in the 1890s or early 1900s. Reportedly, an unusually high number people who lived along the road have died; some say 68 since 1890. Decatur Alabama Population The old Bibb County Jail, built ca. Western Railway of Alabama building in Montgomery as it looks today. If you agree to give him a ride, witnesses Alabama is fond of getting into Hell it seems. Buildings in Downtown Decatur have a long and . In the era of segregation, it was central to the cultural life of black Birmingham residents. 9. As Ive discovered over the years, people are fascinated with abandoned places. Please follow the law and be safe. Although there are no detailed legends about this site, many believe it is haunted. If you go, drive by only. See the last slide for links to more photos of abandoned sites in Alabama. The tale of its resident ghost, a Confederate soldier named Sydney Grimmett who died there, is the most popular ghost story on campus. William J. Samford Hall in the Auburn University Historic District. (Historic American Buildings Survey/Library of Congress). The once flourishing Eastern Bank of Alabama at 201 Broad Street in Eufaula, was abandoned and in bad shape when this photo was taken in 1935. ", Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. The historic courthouse is used for events and education art displays. Aunt Jenny Brooks Johnson, shown above, was a real mountain woman whose sons became outlaws. The last of our abandoned places: Balaklava, Ukraine. NOTE:This site was visited with permission and under supervision of the State Department of Mental Health. Get directions Red Hat Road Decatur , Alabama , 35601 USA Coordinates: 34.65420, -87.07780 Cemetery ID: 21888 Members have Contributed 3 Memorials 0% photographed 0% with gps About these numbers Photos No additional photos. If. The home of a former Alabama governor, it is reportedly haunted. Click hereto see more photos. Because after an entire life of drudgery and cleaning, that's how every woman wants to spend her afterlife. This home dates back to 1909 and is registered by the local historical society. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and. CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR COPY! It is located across fromShelby Iron Works Park, which has been preserved as an educational site. Chalkville Training School for 'Incorrigible' Girls. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). IMPORTANT NOTE: Many of the sites listed below are on private property; others may be condemned or located in dangerous locations. Furthermore, it is not allowed for any person to excavate . St. Clair's Bait & Tackle, Grocery and Hardware. Another legend says if an 18-wheeler travels down the road, her spirit can be seen hanging onto the side of the truck so she can look inside and see if it is being driven by the same person who killed her. Many ghost hunters have visited the hotel. The 1833 Old State Bank of Alabama in Decatur as it was getting a coat of paint in 1934 after it had been abandoned for decades. Click hereto see more photos of Robinson's Switch. It is to her that witnesses attribute the sound of footsteps, lights that turn on and off by themselves, cold spots, and a phantom Locals tell a tale of playground sounds that can be heard at night: children laughing, playing and having fun. This photo shows a casket on a top shelf that is rusted through the bottom. There's legend here of a ghost who does housework! The Italianate mansion was built for James Turner Kendall but decades later, the home was used as an inn. Sloss Furnaces (Birmingham, AL) 20 32nd St. N., Birmingham, AL 35222 (205) 254-2025 In the years following the Civil War, Birmingham's Sloss Furnaces became the mecca of pig iron needed for thousands of steel products around the country. However, they say eventually the happy noises turn to unhappy ones, as if the children are screaming for their lives. 10. You may even stumble upon an old, abandoned homestead site in the woods. In the 1930s, this beautiful 1842 home known as the Bethea-Strother House, located on Alabama Highway 28 in Camden, was abandoned and deteriorating. This cemetery is reportedly haunted by the sweetheart of a real man named Robert Musgrove, who was killed in a train wreck in 1904. Pikeville was Marion Countys first county seat, serving from 1820-1882. It was reportedly closed in 1924 and was later opened as a medical hospital. Bellefonte is a ghost town in Jackson County, Alabama and is situated near the site of the Bellefonte Nuclear Generating Station. Some claim to see the orb today. Today, it is a historical landmark and is open for tours. (Illustration from a photo of Old Cahawba/Will Elrick), Old Cahawba Archaeological Site is the preserved remnants of the ghost town of Alabamas first capital city. It once consisted of 25 buildings constructed in the 1870s or 1880. Legend says Evelyn Carter, the sister of a housekeeper, died on the grounds of Gaineswood Plantation in the late 1800s. But by far the creepiest spot is the 200+-year-old Bass Cemetery in Irondale. According to legend, people have heard the sounds of muffled explosions, screams and voices. Others may still have residents, but not as many as they once had, making them living ghost towns in Alabama. Some abandoned historic sites may even be classified as a ghost town, depending on the size of the site. Alabamas many historic cemetery sites can be bone-chilling, especially those with an eerie legend associated with it. As the river trade continued to increase, the town continued to grow. Jack Cole Road is a dirt road in a densely wooded area off Highway 7. From vacant factories and industrial sites to long-shuttered schoolhouses, our list of the 10 most amazing abandoned places in Alabama has a little bit of everything. Decatur, Dothan, Hoover, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, and more. At least, nothing human. We went online to see which stories were most repeated ineach of Alabama's counties to make the following list. They are evidence of past lives and of the history we are in danger of losing. Penn's and Big Bob's have the greatest longevity and are synonymous with Decatur. A stretch of Highway 5 between Natural Bridge and Jasper is reportedly haunted by the ghost of a teenage girl who was killed while returning from prom. Although the mist is not thought to be connected to the statue, it does form the shape of a figure as it rises, before disappearing. Sardis is home to a truly creepy rumor claiming that a man with fiery red eyes and the ghostly figure of a Confederate soldier has also been spotted wandering the property of the Adams Grove Presbyterian Church.

Sour Cream Looks Grainy, Mariano Rivera Charity Golf, Articles A