In his book, “Ghostland,” Colin Dickey takes readers on a fascinating journey through America’s most haunted places. Unlike other collections of supposed “true” ghost stories, Dickey provides a broader context for each tale, examining how they relate to the larger American consciousness. Here are ten of his favorite haunted locations that he explores in depth.
I’ve always had a fascination for peculiar places – abandoned structures, eerie hotels, graveyards, and ruins. In a world where everything is always being replaced with something new and improved, I find myself drawn to these forgotten places where the passage of time is evident. It’s as if the spirits of the past have congregated in these spaces, making it feel like they are still present. These are the places where I feel most alive and connected to history.
To me, ghost stories are not just about spooky tales of the supernatural. They serve as a unique window into our past and how we relate to it. The way in which these stories are passed down from generation to generation, gradually evolving over time, can reveal much about our history, perhaps even more so than what is found in textbooks. As I delved deeper into the mysteries surrounding some of America’s most famous haunted places, I realized that we often turn to ghost stories as a means of coming to terms with and sometimes even erasing the difficult and traumatic events of our past that we are unable to fully understand or access through other means.
As I delved into the world of ghosts and hauntings, I discovered that the structure of a building can also play a significant role. It seems that an unusually designed house, hotel, prison, or asylum is more likely to become a magnet for supernatural activity than a standard one. Furthermore, some places simply give off an eerie vibe, and we may create ghost stories to explain the unsettling feeling. Therefore, it’s safe to say that hauntings are not only about the paranormal but also our connection to the spaces we occupy. In this article, we’ll explore ten notorious locations in the United States known for their ghostly inhabitants. By examining their history and architecture, we may uncover unexpected insights into the past if we’re open to listening.
1. Exploring the Enigmatic Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California
The sprawling Victorian mansion, built by Sarah Winchester, is often referred to as the most haunted house in the country. Sarah was the daughter-in-law of the founder of Winchester Rifle Company. It is believed that after going through a series of personal tragedies, Sarah developed a strong conviction that she was being haunted by the spirits of those who were killed by Winchester rifles. To keep them away, she constructed a labyrinthine house. However, the truth behind the story is more complex than what is commonly believed.
2. Exploring Downtown Los Angeles in California
If you’re looking for a spooky place to stay in Downtown Los Angeles, you’re in luck. There are haunted hotels to suit any budget and vibe. You can opt for the luxurious and historic Millennium Biltmore, where the infamous Black Dahlia ghost is said to roam (it’s where she was last seen alive). Or, for a more chilling experience, try the Hotel Cecil, a massive and rundown hotel with a dark past that includes housing at least two serial killers, including Richard Ramirez. Even the modern and sleek Westin Bonaventure has its share of ghost stories. Deep below the parking lot, amidst the remains of an old subway terminal, some claim to have seen a young girl in a red dress wandering the tunnels.
3. Exploring the Las Vegas Strip in Nevada
The city of Las Vegas is known for its haunted hotels, with many ghostly sightings reported across the fabled Las Vegas Strip. The MGM Grand, for instance, was the site of a terrible hotel fire in 1980, and guests have reported seeing apparitions in the hallways. At Caesar’s Palace, the faucets in a women’s bathroom are said to turn on and off by themselves, adding to the eerie ambiance. The Flamingo is another haunted hotspot, with reports of Bugsy Siegel’s ghost still hanging around the pool area. And then there’s the Luxor, a hotel built in the shape of an Egyptian mausoleum, where paranormal activity has been reported by guests and staff alike.
One of the most famous haunted hotels in America is The Stanley Hotel, located in Estes Park, Colorado. This hotel is renowned for its paranormal activity and has been investigated by numerous paranormal experts. It was the inspiration for Stephen King’s novel “The Shining,” and it’s said that King himself experienced ghostly encounters during his stay here. Guests have reported seeing apparitions, hearing strange noises, and feeling cold spots throughout the hotel. The Stanley Hotel offers ghost tours for those brave enough to explore its haunted history.
4. Estes Park’s Stanley Hotel in Colorado
The Stanley Hotel in the Rockies is considered to be haunted by a book and it’s none other than “The Shining” by Stephen King. Interestingly, the hotel did not have any ghostly reputation during its initial seventy years of existence. However, things took a spooky turn after King’s stay at the hotel, which inspired him to write about the Overlook Hotel. Ever since then, ghost enthusiasts have been frequenting the place to experience what Danny Torrance and his father did in the book.
Number five on the list is the Lemp Mansion, located in St. Louis, Missouri. This historic mansion was originally built in the 1860s and was home to the wealthy Lemp family, who made their fortune in the brewing industry. The mansion has a dark history, with several family members passing away in tragic circumstances and rumors of hauntings and paranormal activity. Today, the mansion operates as a restaurant and bed and breakfast, with guests reporting strange occurrences and sightings of ghostly apparitions.
5. Exploring the Haunted Lemp Mansion in St. Louis, Missouri
In the 1840s, Adam Lemp began brewing German-style lager in St. Louis. His son, William, transformed the Lemp Brewing Company into a formidable empire, rivalling the likes of Budweiser and Pabst. However, the family and the business were plagued by business setbacks, the onset of Prohibition, and a series of tragic events, which ultimately led to their downfall. Today, the Lemp Mansion, where some of the Lemps passed away, is immaculately maintained and is believed to be haunted by their restless spirits. Visitors can take a ghost tour, spend a night in one of the suites, or even purchase a Haunted Lemp Mansion board game from the gift shop.
Ranked as one of the most haunted places in Ohio, The Ridges was once known as the Athens Lunatic Asylum. The asylum housed patients with mental illnesses from 1874 to 1993. The hospital was well-known for its controversial treatments, including lobotomies and electroshock therapy. Visitors to The Ridges report hearing unexplained noises, feeling cold spots, and seeing apparitions of former patients. One of the most famous legends surrounding The Ridges is the story of Margaret Schilling, a patient who disappeared in 1978. Her body was found a month later in an abandoned ward, and her ghost is said to haunt the building to this day.
6. Exploring The Ridges in Athens, Ohio
When you envision a “haunted insane asylum,” you are likely picturing a Kirkbride Asylum. These asylums, designed by Thomas Kirkbride, are characterized by their beautiful Victorian clocktower and spacious, elegant halls that extend in various directions. Unfortunately, as they fell into disrepair and mismanagement, they became more infamous for their terror and haunting. In fact, H. P. Lovecraft based his “Arkham Sanitarium” on the Kirkbride in Danvers, Massachusetts. The Ridges, previously known as the Athens Lunatic Asylum, is a prime example of such a place. Not only is it known for its ghosts, but also for the alligator that used to reside in its central fountain.
Ranked as one of the most haunted places in America, the West Virginia State Penitentiary is a must-visit for those who are brave enough to enter. Located in Moundsville, West Virginia, this prison has a dark history that dates back to 1866. The penitentiary was known for its harsh treatment of prisoners, and many inmates lost their lives due to the brutal conditions. Visitors to the prison have reported eerie experiences, including hearing unexplained noises and feeling a sense of unease. The prison offers tours, and brave visitors can even spend the night in the haunted building.
7. West Virginia State Penitentiary (Moundsville, West Virginia)
The Moundsville prison, designed to resemble a gothic castle, looms over the Adena Grave Creek Mound. This Native American burial mound, standing at 60 feet high, is the largest of its kind, yet its purpose remains a mystery to researchers. The prison’s architecture was intended to be part of the punishment, as inmates were constantly reminded of their grim surroundings and past wrongdoings. However, severe overcrowding and mistreatment ultimately became the prison’s legacy. After numerous lawsuits from prisoners, the prison was finally shut down in the 1990s. Today, the only occupants of the prison are tourists and the reported ghosts that haunt its walls.
Richmond, Virginia’s Shockoe Bottom is a neighborhood that has a rich history. It was once the center of the city’s slave trade and its warehouses were used to store enslaved people. Today, the area has been transformed into a thriving entertainment district, with restaurants, bars, and clubs lining its streets. Despite its dark past, Shockoe Bottom has become a popular destination for locals and visitors alike. Whether you’re looking for a night out on the town or a glimpse into the city’s history, this neighborhood has something for everyone.
8. Shockoe Bottom (Richmond, Virginia)
The city of Richmond, Virginia boasts of being one of the most haunted places in the U.S. Shockoe Bottom, in particular, is known to be an epicenter of ghostly activities. The neighborhood is dotted with bars, restaurants and shops, each with its own eerie tale to tell. These stories often have a connection to the tragic events of the past. However, what I discovered about Shockoe Bottom is that some of the secrets it holds are so horrific that even the bravest ghost hunters would be reluctant to explore.
9. The Lalaurie Mansion (New Orleans, Louisiana)
The Lalaurie Mansion has become a legendary landmark, so much so that it was even featured in an entire season of the popular television series American Horror Story. However, as I delved deeper into the history of this infamous mansion, I discovered that not everything about it is as it appears. Despite this, there’s no denying that the mansion is undeniably creepy. It’s a massive building located at the corner of Royale and Governor Nicholls Streets in the French Quarter. Unfortunately, it’s not open to the public, meaning that you’ll have to contemplate its haunted legacy from the street. But beware, even actor Nicholas Cage couldn’t escape its curse, as he went bankrupt a few years after purchasing the house and ultimately lost it in foreclosure.
10. Exploring the Merchant’s House Museum in New York City
One of my favorite haunted places in New York City is a brownstone located in lower Manhattan. Despite the trend of tearing down old buildings and replacing them with modern high-rises, the Merchant’s House has stood the test of time. It provides a rare peek into what life was like in nineteenth century Manhattan and has become a symbol of defiance against developers. It’s no surprise that so many ghosts have taken up residence here – it may be one of the few places left in the city where they can afford the rent.
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