The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. It produced plating for Civil War-era ironclad vessels, as well as pig iron for munitions and other wartime materials. Decatur's sordid reputation also added to the ghostly stories of the city through incidents of murder and death. His wife Sarah was said to have become obsessed with planning an elaborate funeral for him and insisted on saving the candles from the funeral to be burned at her own. Please follow the law and be safe. But at night, people have reported seeing shadowy figures wandering inside the crumbling walls, as well as strange mists and odd noises. She would die from her burns on Feb. 6 at the age of 17. We can promise that you'll never look at the city of Decatur in the same way again! The buildings flank Alabama Avenue.. And why? The historic rock building is said to be haunted by two ghosts: one of an older man whose spirit reportedly sets things on fire and slams doors, and one of a little boy whose laughter is heard throughout the theater. He playfully flushed toilets and used ice machines. Listed below are eight creepy Alabama ghost towns worth a visit. If. This building, constructed in 1856, has a rich and interesting history. Now, join us for our award-winning tours of Decatur as we journey back in time to uncover the "other side" of the city's history and reveal not only the scandals and sins that haunt Decatur, but the many ghosts that linger here as well! It had no ballroom, no gold-leafed interior, no orchestra. However, the family cemetery remains. The hole disappeared in the past couple of years when the area was flooded but people continue to visit. 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. There is a place in the Talladega National Forest, shown above, were a road was laid over some graves, according to legend. Find museums in Decatur, AL, Dead Children's Playground - Maple Hill Cemetery, Off Campus Book Store - University of North Alabama, University of North Alabama - Romeo and Juliet statues, Wesleyan Hall - University of North Alabama, Norton Auditorium - University of North Alabama. That's right, allegedly there are sightings of a ghost sweeping. And if you consider yourself a ghost hunter, youll love this creepy road trip in Alabama. Late at night, people have reported hearing eerie footsteps echoing on the decks of the War World II-era battleship USS Alabama. It is located across fromShelby Iron Works Park, which has been preserved as an educational site. NOTE: These homes and buildings are located on private property. Thank you! The house has been restored and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Remember, the majority of homes are occupied, private residences and those that are abandoned are marked "No Trespassing" and are a hazard. Many ghost hunters have visited the hotel. The son of former Alabama governor, Robert Patton is said to be one of many ghosts to haunt the Sweetwater Mansion in Florence. Legend says it is haunted by a woman named Annie, who acted as a nanny for the children in the home and was later the owners caretaker. Following her death in 1962, people claimed to see a kneeling figure at the grave, according to "Haunted Places: The National Directory." Don't Edit Unfortunately, the introduction of new railroads following the American Civil War really hurt the town. It was also a very thriving town. 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 Athens State was founded in 1822 as the Athens Female Academy, making it the oldest higher learning institute in the state. But this playground is different. According to Prattvilleal.gov: Pratt's "love of beauty is evidenced in Prattville in his manufactories which feature graceful arches, soaring ceilings and vast open spaces, interesting brick and stonework and a picturesque site alongside Autauga Creek. All rights reserved (About Us). The historic Josephine Hotel, built in 1880 in downtown Union Springs, now houses a cafe, art studio and gift shop. This popular ghost town was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. 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. It is now the site of a Hampton Inn. She enjoys discovering new places and currently calls North Alabama home. The historic courthouse is used for events and education art displays. Dicksonia Plantation in Lowndesboro had a reputation in its day as a stately mansion in picturesque surroundings. "Abandoned Alabama: Exploring The Heart of Dixie," by Leland Kent, (Arcadia Publishing), 2021, 96 pages, softcover. Some say theyve heard voices and felt cold spots inside the jail. After a mummified woman was discovered in her home, people claimed she was a witch. Huggin Mollys restaurant in downtown Abbeville is named for the legend. (Source: Don and Susie via FindaGrave.com). 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 cotton press in the Dallas Compress Co. in Selma. Haunted Places Decatur, Alabama Decatur High School Decatur High School was built in 1950. When they turn to look, nothing is there. Legend says the area is haunted by spirits of residents in the form of strange lights that float among surviving buildings. The city was the capital after Huntsville was the temporary capital city in 1819 so a Constitutional Convention could be held to choose the first official capital, which was Cahawba. As they crossed the bridge, the horses were spooked and the carriage was tipped into the water below. Some say it is haunted by a mother in search of her long-lost child. But by far the creepiest spot is the 200+-year-old Bass Cemetery in Irondale. If you want to suggest another tale, email kkazek@al.com or comment below. According toGhostsofAmerica.com: "We heard a sound like chains clinking together right behind us and beside us. Winter Place at 454 Goldthwaite Street is one of the most iconic properties in Montgomery and in the state, both because of its Second Empire-style beauty and its history, which includes acting as offices for the Confederate Army and, according to legend, being the place where F. Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda Sayre met, setting off one of the most fiery romances of the Jazz Age. All the locals know it as "Abbie's House," as it was built and lived in by Abbie Smith, who founded the United Methodist church in nearby Warrenton, AL. Stewartfield in Mobile. secret traditions. An elevator that runs by itself. Home Size. Are the former owners of this home-turned-library angry at the intrusion into their afterlives or just trying to say hello? The hangings were carried out inside the jail, and the spirits of those men reportedly never left. Don Robinson State Park, Cedar Hill has a plethora of ruins. 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. Decatur was one of the first mills to take advantage of river transportation of grain. 33.7 miles from Decatur, TX A former gambling parlour in 1910, the Bull Ring is located in the historic district of the Fort Worth Stockyards. After the Jemison Center was built, the hospitals were kept segregated. Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge 159 Nature & Wildlife Areas By 460LizF Outstanding location to view wintering Sandhill Cranes. The Grace Evans house in Cahaba, the states first capital city, in the 1930s, decades after the town was abandoned due to flooding. At night, ghosts of the people buried there haunt the area. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Guests of the inn reported seeing apparitions on the porch and downstairs of a woman in Victorian dress and a little girl. Did you know about these Alabama ghost towns? Jeff E. Newman of Steel City Urbex took photos. The Empire Building, one of four that make up the "Heaviest Corner on Earth" in downtown Birmingham, is a 16-story, 247-foot-tall Classical Revival-style skyscraper. However, in the 2010s, no one was managing the site and vandals began tearing up the facility. Visitors here may see ghostly children coming out to play. The face appeared on the grave of Thomas second wife, Mary Jane Kittrell. 3. Red Lady of Huntingdon College, Montgomery, Pratt Hall, a dorm at Huntingdon College, is haunted by a spirit known as the Red Lady because she is always dressed in red. 5. Before the settlement of the original St. Stephens was abandoned, it sat atop a limestone bluff overlooking the Tombigbee River. According to Judson.edu, the Anne Kirtley dorm is haunted by its namesake. Some people say they've heard a baby cry or a dog panting or growling while on the. It was rebuilt and operated until 1923. We hope to get permission to go photograph it very soon.. The city, affectionately known as "The River City", is located in Northern Alabama on the banks of Wheeler Lake, along the Tennessee River. The chain purchased Sears. For information, contact Craig Drescher,info@historicwinterplace.com. Today, the only thing remaining in the area is the Prairie Bluff Cemetery. Currently, there are 14 new listings and 212 homes for sale in Decatur. The interior of the Goode-Hall house in the 1930s. Local residents have reported seeing a strange mist rise up in the area in front of the statue of boxing great Joe Louis, who was born in Chambers County. Either way, the photos are intriguing. It is no longer in use and the abandoned building is reportedly haunted. A little farther to the east is a waterway known as Gun Island Chute that leads to the Alabama River. Inside a seven-story, Renaissance Revival-style building in downtown Birmingham, framed photos of unknown people linger on desks that haven't been used in three decades. InsideEastern Bank of Alabama in Eufaula when it was abandoned. They were holding candles, and her hair caught fire. Legend says a girl named Sally hung herself in a stairwell on the third floor of the building. This is part of the warehouse complex for Dallas Compress Co. in Selma, photographed in the late 1960s. The Empire building was erected in 1909 on the site of the former Bank Saloon, according to Bham Wiki. Mining towns were abandoned when the mines closed; many due to the devaluation of silver in 1893. Another story says when people feel a sudden sense of dread, they will soon see the apparition of a soldier. The site is beneath the Alabama Highway 134 bridge over the Choctawhatchee River. CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR COPY! It would go on to boast others, including the "Second Most Corrupt City in Illinois." The area is said to be haunted by the spirits of those who died in the mines. We know not everyone will agree about the legend in his or her county. The only trace that remains is the nearby cemetery, which some believe was initially established as the posts burial ground. Molly was bittem by her puppy, which had contracted rabies. Brick Deli is housed in a building that dates back over a century. It is reportedly haunted by men killed during training. Students and teachers alike have reported seeing white (no reviews) Haunted Places Decatur, Alabama Highway 11 In September 1934, a young man named Lonnie Stephens was wrongfully accused of murdering his (no reviews) BESbswy 42 places sorted by traveler favorites 1. Most cemeteries are closed at night. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. The buildings, built only for filming exteriors, were not completed and not built to code. 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. (Sources: Alabama Department of Youth Services, left; Kelly Kazek, right). These, shown in 1935, were demolished but the main house remains. Share your experiences with us in the comments below! 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. Legends surrounding this church are astounding in number and scope. Vernon/Searcy Hospital site, shown here in 1935, with photo galleries. 1914. This haunted house is huge and horrifyingso make sure to get your tickets ASAP. His spirit has been seen wearing a white zoot suit, and he may try to catch a ride with you to Florence. Mrs. Locals tell a story that this building once was occupied by a young girl, Molly, who died in the 1930s or 1940s. Today, it is a historical landmark and is open for tours. The building was constructed in 1930. 112 Moulton St E, Decatur, AL 35601, United States // +1 256-355 Brick Deli is just around the corner from Josie's. It is open for lunch on Monday and Tuesday, lunch and supper on Wednesday through Saturday, and closed on Sunday. This airfield built in 1941, shown above in aerial view, was used to train the famous Tuskegee Airmen. This floor is allegedly haunted by an inmate who hanged himself in one of the cells, where visitors have reported feeling a sad presence. A former slave plantation, it is believed to be haunted by slaves that lived and died here and also possibly by the ghosts of its former owners. The hospital closed for good in 1957 and the building was later used for a variety of purposes, including Dorsey Yarbrough's National School of Music. Inside Alabama's abandoned Ruffner Mountain mine, site of 1971 explosion, These abandoned Alabama bridges will make you wonder what's on the other side, Eerie abandoned campus of Alabama's girls reform school, Ghost boats: Abandoned Alabama watercraft, Inside the spooky skeleton of Bryce, Alabama's historic insane hospital, 15 riveting ruins that recount Alabama's past, Crumbling Shelby Hotel gives spooky glimpse into Alabama's resort era. This abandoned home on Watts Mill Road was built in 1905 by Charles and William Hudson for their brother, John. Some say they can hear the call of a bird that soon morphs into a young girls screams. When his spirit would pass people in the halls, they would feel cold. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. During the American Civil War, the town suffered a lot of damage and it was completely abandoned by the 1920s. If you'd like to see the "behind the scenes" drama of Decatur's haunted past, then this is the tour for you! 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. The most haunted bridge in our state is aptly named Hell's Gate Bridge, located in Oxford. Today, it is house museum that can be toured by appointment. The Jemison Center was built in the 1920s as part of Bryce Hospital, which opened in Tuscaloosa as the Alabama State Hospital for the Insane at the outset of the Civil War. Click hereto see more photos. She never harmed them, other than perhaps causing some ringing in their ears. Ghost towns, especially those that have been completely abandoned, can be a bit creepy. When Huntingdon was a Methodist female college, a young woman allegedly committed suicide in the dorm and continues to haunt it. Cook Museum. A curved staircase inside the 1850 Carpenter Gothic-style home called Spring Villa in Opelika. A shadow, a moan, a creak lead visitors to wonder if the five crew members who died in a 1944 turret explosion are still on duty, refusing to let even death end their watch. Updated at 1 p.m. after the owner of the home previously mentioned said the details were incorrect and there are no legends surrounding his home. Trespassing is punishable by law. (Source: Historic American Buildings Survey/Library of Congress). An abandoned 1913 schoolhouse in rural Cherokee County was photographed in the 1930s. Decatur Mall is located in the southwest corridor of Decatur at the Beltline Road/Danville Road intersection, approximately 7 miles NW from I-65. Due to the owner's financial difficulties, the house is run-down and in need of repair. Click hereto see more photos of Robinson's Switch. Alabamas many historic cemetery sites can be bone-chilling, especially those with an eerie legend associated with it. Check out the 15 most haunted places in Decatur then learn more by visiting HauntedDecatur.com. Others have claimed to see odd sights while driving the road, from lights darting through the trees to ghostly figures. The activity is reportedly caused by the spirit of a woman who died on the top floor in the 1950s. Supposedly you can still hear what sounds like the body swaying on the second floor. People claim to see Marys spirit on the bridge, searching for her lost child. The abandoned Memphis and Charleston Freight Depot at 303 Church St. in Huntsville. What are the most popular ghost stories in Alabama? Groups such as Main Street Birmingham, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Alabama Trust for Historic Preservation have attempted to find a use for it and funding to refurbish it. A staircase in the Empire building before renovations began. If you have a specific location from the list below When he was hanged, his executioners dug a hole beneath his dangling feet to accommodate his height. The cemetery remains. Crime truly came to Decatur in the 1850s with the arrival of the railroads. The image of a Confederate soldier appeared inside, which meant it may have been the ghost of one of Patton's sons. In other cases, the buildings are lost to history. The burned-out shell of the Dicksonia mansion was left after a 1964 fire because the damage to the foundation was too extensive for repairs. Passersby often say they can see the swings moving on their own volition, as well as orbs or spectral figures. In 1854, Colonel Dan Conklin started a whiskey distillery, racetrack and brothel on the outskirts of Decatur, which would earn the city its first unflattering nickname of "Hell's Half Acre." 1888 as a private residence. Hayden Pursley spent three years restoring the historic hotel and had several stories he often told to include seeing a girl around the age of 12 running down the halls. He also experienced a ghost, thought to Capt. Shelby Iron Co. began operations in the 1840s. The first reports of a haunting was around 1919 after a teenage boy who slept at the house had a . 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). Take a look. After Old Main burned in 1887, the Chapel was used for classrooms until Samford Hall was built. Possibly among the most inane of haunted reports, people claim to see a green light in the cemetery at night. Rawls, who repeatedly took down window treatments he tried to install. Ashland Place Historic District in Mobile. The reason there are all these caves . (Picture: Prairie Bluff, taken from the Alabama River in 1894), Blakeley, founded in 1813, is a ghost town in Baldwin County, Alabama and was a location of a major fort during the American Civil War. The Gainesridge Dinner Club has been named the "Most Haunted Restaurant" in Alabama. Simp McGhee's According to the Dothan Eagle, employees noticed strange sights in Bella's and Colby's restaurants on the lower floors, including lights turning off and on by themselves and dishes crashing to the floor. Others claim to have seen the apparition of a man in a top hat in the parlor. At one point, a caretaker claimed to have seen a coffin in one of the rooms set up as if for a wake. People claim to hear disembodied laughter. The J.W. The Heart of Dixie is steeped in history, making for truly spooky tales. It was named for nearby Sweetwater Creek. However, the house was saved and restored and is now on the National Register of Historic Places. Folks say that when you stand outside the crypt, you can hear the rocking chair rocking. Mill towns were abandoned when the mining towns they serviced closed. the interior, seen here from the doorway, is closed to the public because it is unsafe. 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. For tour information and fees, visit the ghost town's websitehere. There's legend here of a ghost who does housework! This account of the hauntings comes from RawlsBandB.com: Unusual occurrences are not uncommon in the historic Rawls hotel. This historic museum operated as a hospital during the civil war, so the rumours of haunting's appear to have a leg to stand on; which can't be said for some of the apparitions supposedly reported. 15 most haunted places in Decatur. In this 1934 photo, renovation work had begun on Spring Villa in Opelika. Legend says the apparition of a woman named Nancy, for whom Nancys Mountain is named, haunts a path to the river on Haines Island, shown above. Abandoned Western Railway of Alabama building in Montgomery is shown in the late 1960s. The spirit of an inmate who committed suicide in the building is reported to walk its halls. (Source: Library of Congress/Historic American Buildings Survey). Norwood, a community in Birmingham, is known among photographers and urban explorers for its crumbling abandoned mansions. 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. It is said to be haunted by the inmates executed there, with the last one in 1949. This private property houses the infamous ghost bridge that has numerous claims of haunting. At the WHBC frat house, they say former Youth Minister Anthony Stephens' spirit walks through the house later at night. For 75 years, the stone structures built by the Works Progress Administration in Chalkville sheltered girls labeled "incorrigible," "delinquent," or "wayward," although most arrived at the Alabama Training School for Girls because of behavioral and emotional problems and had committed no crimes, according toits superintendent in 1966. Decatur Alabama Population The penthouse is still up for sale, he said. It is said to be haunted by the men and women who died during the raid. The press room in Dallas Compress Co. in Selma. This home was allegedly the site of the murders of an entire family that haunts the site. 35.2 miles from Decatur, IN This 1912 former hotel now houses the offices of a paranormal investigative team, who claim that the building is one of the most haunted in the entire state.
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