The most haunted places in America depend in part on whom you ask, but there are some places that nearly everyone agrees should make the list. My selection of the most haunted locations is based on those that have been investigated by paranormal teams and have revealed evidence of the paranormal.
Eastern State Penitentiary located in Philadelphia, PA has long been regarded as haunted with reports of paranormal activity dating to the 1940’s. It opened in 1839 and served as a prison until the doors closed in 1971. Inmates were subjected to solitary confinement in a single cell with a small window in the ceiling, reportedly to represent the eye of God. Inmates entered the prison with a hood over the head to prevent them being seen but other inmates and entered their cells through small doors that required them to stoop to remind them to be humble under God. Living their lives in total isolation took its toll on the incarcerated driving many to the brink of insanity and death.
Many believe that the souls of these forgotten men and women haunt the halls of the now abandoned prison. Numerous paranormal investigation teams have visited to collect evidence of the paranormal. When Syfy’s Ghost Hunters investigated the site an eerie apparition was captured on film. Reports of black shadows and an overpowering sense of being watched have been reported by many visitors.
Waverly Sanitarium in Louisville, Kentucky was built to house tuberculosis patients in 1926. Patients entered through the front door, but few exited it. Lack of understanding of the disease lead to inhumane treatment of patients that ranged from extreme exposure to sunlight (thought to be a cure for TB) even in snow covered conditions, to barbaric medical procedures to expose the lungs to radiation. Balloons were surgically inserted into lungs and expanded to make room for more oxygen and ribs and muscles were removed to make room for the lungs to expand. The procedures were bloody and painful, often resulting in the death. A tunnel designed to transport the dead from the building became a body chute shuttling away untold numbers of its dead in an attempt to conceal the death rate from patients.
It is believed that the souls of patients who suffered between the walls of Waverly Sanitarium linger to this day. Reports include apparitions, shadows, and disembodied voices commanding visitors to “Get out!”
The Stanley Hotel located 70 miles north of Denver Colorado is the site of Stephen King’s movie The Shining and may well have been the inspiration for much of his work. Reports indicate that he observed children playing and other ghostly activities during his stay at the Stanley Hotel. Many paranormal investigators have captured evidence of strange and unusual activity. On a visit to Stanley Hotel, SyFy’s Ghost Hunters captured doors opening and closing on their own accord and Jason experienced a glass breaking for no reason on his night table. The original owners are thought to haunt the hotel playing the piano and strolling through billiard room and lobby.
St Augustine’s Lighthouse in St Augustine, Florida has long history of paranormal activity ranging from tour guide accounts of hearing someone climb the stairs to seeing a little girl in the keeper’s house and a tall man in the basement.
Ghost Hunters captured several recordings of a female voice on saying, “help me” and dark figure that moved quickly up the spiral staircase and peered down over the top. Further investigation revealed that the only exit was a padlocked door at the top and that a motion sensor light at the top of the staircase was not activated by this figure. It only came on when Jay and Grant climbed to the top.
Myrtles Plantation located in St Francisville, LA is thought be haunted by a host of spirits. The most famous is that of Chloe a slave who reportedly poisoned her master and his children after he cast her aside for another mistress. Although there is little evidence the story is factual, she is thought to haunt the location along with the two small children. Other spirits attributed to Myrtles Plantation include a young curly haired girl who looks into the game room, a crying baby, a French woman who wonders from room to room, a piano that plays on its own, a dancing lady, slamming doors and moving pictures.
Although there are many other locations that may qualify for the most haunted locations in the US, these provide the most promise for a spine-tingling ghost tour. So, if you are in the neighborhood, why not stop by and find out what ghostly activity you is in store for you.
Sources:
Terror Behind the Walls
Americas Most Haunted Places
Haunted America Tours
