5 Haunted Places in America

 

If there is one thing we can count on in the world, it's that it is filled with haunted and abandoned places. Speculation alone is fun when we come across these places. What happened and what is going on? Is it real? Or have people imagined it? We are fascinated with the paranormal. We love ghost stories, and whether they are real or not doesn't matter so much. It's the thrill and excitement, the prospect of making a groundbreaking discovery.  The existence of ghosts, proof that we are not alone, proof of life after death, proof of the unknown. Here are 5 Haunted Places in America. 

5. Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast

"Lizzie Borden took an ax and gave her mother forty whacks. When she saw what she had done, she gave her father forty-one."

If you love unsolved crimes and the paranormal then you are in for a treat. The Lizzie Borden story holds both. 

It all started on the morning of August 4th, 1892. The morning began like any other for the family. However, before the clock struck noon that day both Andrew and Abby Borden were dead. 

Andrew and Abby had been living in a Greek-Revival house that was located on Second Street. The couple lived there with their grown daughters, Emma and Lizzie as well as a maid, named Bridget. Emma had been out of town on the morning of August 4th. Bridget was washing windows outside the house, which put all eyes on, Lizzie. It was her hatred of her step-mother, and changing alibi stories that convinced people further that Lizzie was responsible for the murders. However, Lizzie insisted on her innocence. Stating that there must have been an intruder in the home, on the day in question. Andrew had been murdered while napping on a settee, in the sitting room. Abby's body was found in the guest room between the bed and the dresser.

During the investigation, the discovery of a hatchet with a newly broken handle was found in the cellar of the home, and it was discovered that Lizzie burned a dress that may have been worn on the morning of the murders. Because of this Lizzie Borden was charged with the murders of Andrew and Abby Borden. But there was a lack of proof, and therefore Lizzie was acquitted of all charges. The Borden murders remain unsolved. 

However, over 100 years later, and many continue to look into these murders and the paranormal activity that surrounds the house. Everything from touches, tugs, and whispers. As well as children giggling from the attic, this house has it all. Rumor has it that you can bribe the ghosts to leave you alone. (but who wants to do that). Mr. Borden prefers coins placed on his dresser, and the children favor toys. 

If you want you can even stay the night at the Lizzie Borden house, as well as take ghost tours. For more information on this visit this link: Lizzie Borden 

4. Devil's Tramping Ground, NC

About 50 miles from Greensboro, in the middle of the woods, you will find the Devil's Tramping Ground. This is a camping spot that is located in the forest near Harper's Crossroads, in Bear Creek, NC. It is a patch of barren ground in which nothing will grow. Local legends state that this spot is where the Devil comes to think about all the problems he can dump on humanity. 

Several paranormal events occur in the area. This includes objects left in the area disappearing, dogs yipping and barking, as well as many strange occurrences reported by those brave enough to stay there. They say that nothing has grown within 40 feet of this ring in 100 years. 

3.  Myrtles Plantation, St. Francisville, Louisiana 

Myrtles Plantation was built in 1796, by General David Bradford. The house, which has been rumored to sit above an Indian burial ground, is said to be one of America's most haunted places. It is said that the plantation is home to at least 12 different ghosts. We all know that in the deep south there is a thickness in the air. Spirits of overworked slaves and their masters linger in the air there. Myrtles Plantation is no different. 

Meet, Chloe. She was one of many slaves owned by Judge Clarke Woodruff and his wife. Chloe suffered Woodruff's cruelty for many years. One of the things Chloe tried to do to protect herself from the beatings was to listen in on conversations to modify her behavior to suit her master's needs. However, Chloe was caught and as punishment for this act, Woodruff cut Chloe's ears off and forced her to wear a green turban. 

Tired of this abuse, Chloe wanted her revenge. So, on the 9th birthday of Woodruff's daughter, Chloe poisoned the cake. Chloe intended to poison Mrs. Woodruff and the children. It is unclear if she meant to kill them, but unfortunately, the dosage was lethal. It killed the three family members, and once word got out about what Chloe had done, the other slaves decided to take revenge. They hung her until she was dead, weighed her down with rocks, and threw her lifeless body into the Mississippi River! This was only one of a string of tragedies that struck the plantation. 

A new owner took over the plantation. He was a wealthy family-man, but five of his children had passed away on the property, all had come down with Tuberculosis. Later, he passed the home to his daughter and her husband. The couple was known as the Winters. Her husband was a proud member of the community and taught Sunday School from his home. They say that on one such morning, as he was teaching his class an unknown man rode up on a horse, yelling at Mr. Winter. When he came out to address the man, he was shot. Mr. Winter ran into the home and up the stairs where he died in the arms of his wife. To this day people report hearing footsteps on the empty staircase. 

The plantation was also used as a film set for the movie: The Long Hot Summer even the filmmakers had their own paranormal experiences while there. They had actually witnessed furniture moving around on its own. The activity in the house became even more active, in the 1970s when the house became the Meyers home. Many guests had noted seeing ghostly apparitions of a young girl in a green turban moving about the house. 

In 1992 the above photo was taken to secure an insurance policy on the house. The human figure in the photo was not noticed at the time the picture was taken but after its development. However, the most disturbing events in the house involve the Grand Hallway and an antique mirror that is hung there. Apparently, Woodruff's children appear in the mirror next to where they were poisoned. Each time the mirror is replaced the same handprint appears on it. Today the house is a bed and breakfast, that offers historical tours, in both day and the dead of the night. 

2. House of the Seven Gables, Salem, Massachusetts

Welcome to the Turner-Ingersoll House, better known as the House of Seven Gables. They say that there isn't a house more haunted in Salem than this particular house, so let's do some exploring. It all starts with a man named John Turner, and how he made his impression in Salem. John was an invested hat and shoe merchant, who had grown a great fortune by 1668. So he built a brand new house, in Salem. The original house was only two rooms and 2 and 1/2 stories. But, Turner was not content and began working in Salem's maritime field, becoming a captain and growing his fortune tremendously. 

By the time of his death in 1742, he was known as the wealthiest man in the area. In fact, John's son, (John II) inherited six homes, 200 acres of land, and a handful of ships. Unfortunately, the third generation lost the fortune as well as the home. It was purchased in 1782 by Samuel Ingersoll. By the time the sea captain took over the house, it had grown. John, I had made a series of additions to the house which included: a kitchen lean-to, a south wing, and a two-story porch. He had also added a hidden staircase. 

However, Samuel had some ideas for the house as well. He removed the framed gables and exchanged them for Victorian detail work. It was at this time that Samuel's daughter, Susannah would invite over her cousin, Nathaniel Hawthorne. 

The house is more than a reminder of lost shipping fortunes, it is also a reminder of Nathaniel Hawthorne's guilt. You see, Hawthorne's great-grandfather was the judge overseeing the Salem witch trials. It is said that his great-grandfather may have felt sympathy towards those women accused of being witches but he never regretted being involved nor did he express any remorse as he sentenced these women to death. He truly believed in the evil of witchcraft and believed it was a threat to Salem. Following the witch trials, the family lost their wealth and some believe this was a curse brought down on them for their involvement. 

By the time Nathaniel was born this curse had not lifted from the family. But it was during his times with his cousin that he learned terrible stories of slavery and other evils within the family. Nathaniel was someway embarrassed about his past, so he allowed his cousin to talk him into alternating his name. By the time he'd become a writer, no one would have known about his involvement but in The Scarlet Letter, he took the time to apologize. 

Again after three generations, the Ingersoll's lost the fortune and the house as well. It was sold in 1879. It wasn't until 1908 when Caroline Emmerton purchased the house, who intended to turn it into a museum. She hired the architect, Joseph Chandler, who restored the eight gables. Today the house is no longer a single unit museum as Caroline had brought in more buildings related to Nathaniel. 

The Hauntings

In the secret staircase, witnesses have reported seeing an apparition of a man walking up and down the staircase. There are other reports of the spirit of a little boy who likes to play in the attic. His footsteps can be heard throughout the day as well as his giggles. The fact that the attic used to be the servant's quarters of the house makes the possibility of the boy even more likely. The last spirit to be found in the house is Susannah Ingersoll. It is said that her spirit walks the halls of the house. 

There have been many haunted encounters at the house, this includes disembodied voices and a feeling of unease in the attic. 

1. Winchester Mystery House, San Jose, California

What's more disturbing than a collection of mazes within a huge mansion? This was once the residence of Sarah Winchester, the widow of William Winchester, maker of the firearms. The mansion was constructed in 1886, and since its construction, the house and grounds are said to be haunted by victims of firearms. It was continuously constructed up until Sarah's death. She randomly built the house, which means that the house is like a fancy maze with doors and stairs that go nowhere, windows that overlook other rooms, and stairs that had odd-sized risers. Some doors lead to brick walls, and windows that can be used as secret passages. 

Sarah Winchester believed heavily in ghosts, and that her husband's fame and fortune from the firearms brought a curse down on the house. It is highly believed that Sarah built the house in this fashion to confuse the ghosts that were haunting her. Whatever the reason for this, it adds to the creepiness of the house.