abandoned places in decatur, alabama abandoned places in decatur, alabama

When Memorial Mound opened on Dartmouth Avenue in Bessemerin 1993, it was billed as a new method of laying loved ones to rest. The Goode-Hall house in Town Creek, also known as Saunders Hall, was near collapse when this photo was taken in the 1930s. In the 1850s, the settlement had disappeared and was replaced by adjoining plantations. Stories of figures haunting cemeteries, ghostly marching soldiers, and mysterious music playing in empty abandoned buildings are told in every corner of our state. No matter what part of the state you are in, if you ask around youre sure to be pointed to a haunted site. Many spooky tales surround Bear Creek Swamp. The site has two city cemeteries as well as a slave cemetery. Parts of the building have been renovated into living space but the penthouse, basement and old bank area remain abandoned and off-limits, awaiting restoration. See more onSteel City Urbex's Facebook page. Both federal and state laws govern this activity. The figure was as much as 7 feet tall, wearing dark clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. The site is reportedly haunted by numerous spirits with the most famous known as Pegues Ghost. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. People report hearing strange noises and seeing apparitions at the site. Mill towns were abandoned when the mining towns they serviced closed. (Submitted by Callum Swift). This historic fort is one of the best-preserved Civil War era masonry forts in the U.S. Fort Gaines has become a tourist attraction and on the property you'll find original cannons, a blacksmith shop, kitchens, a museum, gift shop and a few tunnels. Princess Theatre in Decatur, Alabama M MSNHA Storage Buildings Old Barns Built In Storage Lauderdale Garages Sheds Beautiful Things Old Barn on Spring Avenue, Decatur, Alabama B Bonnie Goodman Little Theatre Old Signs Once In A Lifetime Movie Theater Performance Art Decatur Alabama great little Theater C Coil Billingsley Southern Homes A pearly white marble known as Chewacla Marble was mined in the quarry. NOTE: These homes and buildings are located on private property. 5. (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. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The image of a Confederate soldier appeared inside, which meant it may have been the ghost of one of Patton's sons. At her death, her family searched the mansion for the candles but were unable to find them. Others say they have experienced their cars rocking while on the bridge. The building has been abandoned since the 1980s. Information with the photo said: This building stood on the southeast corner of Vine Street and First Street North. The reason there are all these caves . Haunted Places Decatur, Alabama Decatur High School Decatur High School was built in 1950. All rights reserved (About Us). Today, it is a historical landmark and is open for tours. Jack Cole Road is a dirt road in a densely wooded area off Highway 7. During the Confederate occupation General John Bell resided there and during the Union occupation, General Sherman himself stayed at Wesleyan. Properly called Jackson Ford Bridge, there are currently plans to demolish the bridge due to vandalism and decay making for a safety hazard. With its troubling past of murder, manslaughter and illegal activity, it isn't that hard to believe either. This weathered concrete frame on Shelby County Road 42 was once part of Shelby Chemical Co., a plant owned by Shelby Iron Co. The activity is reportedly caused by the spirit of a woman who died on the top floor in the 1950s. Molly was bittem by her puppy, which had contracted rabies. The cotton press in the Dallas Compress Co. in Selma. 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. The church is now a ruin but the adjoining cemetery remains. It's now underwater and the only remnant left of the town is a cemetery. 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. According to the Chamber of Commerce website, a scarecrow apparition moves from room to room on this floor. Japeth Rawls. Coal towns were abandoned when the coal (or the need for it) ran out. (Sources: Alabama Department of Youth Services, left; Kelly Kazek, right). (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. HAUNTED HISTORY TOUR: Our longest-running tour is a spirited bus tour that takes guests on a 3-hour excursion to Decatur's most haunted locations. Click here to see a five-part history of the Mt. Click here to read more. Peacock said it's the "site of numerous unusual accidents over the years, including several that have resulted in fatalities and catastrophic fires. White orbs also appear in the childrens room. In the 1900s, it was used as a YMCA and later as the college drama departments theater. Rumored to be haunted by an old man ghost with a fondness for flammables as well as a young boy who is often heard laughing. As the tale goes, a couple's car drove off the bridge, plunging into the water below. The J.W. During the 1920s, Decatur would gain infamy as a place where murder, bootlegging, prostitution, kidnapping, gambling, corruption and, of course, ghosts, were commonplace. (Source: Don and Susie via FindaGrave.com). 2 bedrooms (5 homes) $159,629. An abandoned property is usually a property whose original owner is no longer in possession of the home. Please follow the law and be safe. As the Drish mansion lore goes, the ghost of Sarah was furious about this and occasionally locals will see the third-story tower lit in flames. This photo shows a casket on a top shelf that is rusted through the bottom. This is not just a collection of ghost stories, but a true history of how the city became so haunted -- which means we also include local sites of death, unsolved murders, strange crimes, gambling parlors, vice districts and more plagued the city in days gone by. Sadly, nature has reclaimed much of Old Cahawba. Others claim to have witnessed the spirit of a mysterious mist, a crying baby and a strange man dressed in black. Because the ground was frozen at the time, she was placed in a coffin in the cellar. According to legend, people have heard the sounds of muffled explosions, screams and voices. 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. 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. The training school, shown when it was in use at left, was abandoned after a tornado destroyed several buildings and a new facility was built in 2015. It was also once the site of Castle Morgan, used to house prisoners of war during the Civil War. In 1902 the new facility was finished, featuring 33 buildings, a power station, and a general store. He is reportedly always looking toward the Tombigbee River, where his beloved steamboat exploded. the interior, seen here from the doorway, is closed to the public because it is unsafe. Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion in Tuscaloosa. It was restored and listed on the NRHP but its buildings burned in 1976 and 1986. 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. Take a look. In a little-known cemetery deep in the woods of Clarke County are tombstones created by a man who was ahead of his time. To visit Norwood, take exit 126B off Interstate 20/59, just north of downtown Birmingham. The Haunted Decatur Tours are based on the bestselling book by Troy Taylor, HAUNTED DECATUR. Love Alabama? Shelby Iron Co. began operations in the 1840s. Late at night, people have reported hearing eerie footsteps echoing on the decks of the War World II-era battleship USS Alabama. The home was completed in 1835 by Robert Patton, Brahan's son-in-law and former Alabama governor. 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. Owners Bobby and Lynn Bright are refurbishing the film set of Spectre because public interest remains high. The Rawls Hotel was built in 1903 by Capt. 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. After the capital was moved to Montgomery, the Tuscaloosa building was used as the Alabama Central Female College. This was the exact same year Alabama was admitted to the Union as a state. Others have reported hearing disembodied screams and footsteps. B.B. Melton also writes that Hall married Mary E. Scruggs of Lawrence County, Tennessee in 1859 where they resided until his death on May 28, 1880. It was destroyed by Union forces in 1865. Folks say that when you stand outside the crypt, you can hear the rocking chair rocking. By the end of 1888, the R&D had built 51 miles of track from Rome, GA to Attalla (west of Gadsden), AL. If you go, drive by only. The Haunted Decatur Tours run either 3 or 4 hours in length -- depending on the tour - and travel by bus to various locations throughout the city. The legend was recorded by author Kathryn Tucker Windham in 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey.. The most haunted bridge in our state is aptly named Hell's Gate Bridge, located in Oxford. CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR COPY! 10.7K subscribers Exploring Abandoned Kmart Decatur Alabama Kmart is a chain of big box department stores headquartered in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States. We only offer a very limited number of these tours each season and it's one not to miss! After the Jemison Center was built, the hospitals were kept segregated. . When the Gold Rush began in California, residents headed west. The oddest sighting is an apparition that appears to be half-wolf and half-man. Nebo Baptist Church. Some claim to see the orb today. Apparitions have been seen, and captured on film by paranormal society investigations; orbs have been reported as well. Some report that is you park on the bridge, your car will begin to rock. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Others claim to have seen phantom cars, strange balls of light and the apparition of a small figure, about 4 feet tall. According to legend, many apparitions haunt the house. (Illustration from historic photo/AL.com file). Jennifer is the Alabama staff writer for Only In Your State and has nearly 15 years of professional writing experience. The A ghost named George is said to live here, a former construction worker who fell from a scaffold as the place was being built. When Hood arrived at Decatur on October 26, he found a Federal infantry force of 3,000 to 5,000 men defending an entrenched line that included two forts and 1,600 yards of rifle pits; a much heavier force than Roddey had believed. Ruins of theMemphis and Charleston Freight Depot at 303 Church St. in Huntsville. Montevallo, established in 1896, is reportedly haunted by the spirit of student Condie Cunningham. 12 Best Things to Do in Decatur, Alabama. The site is beneath the Alabama Highway 134 bridge over the Choctawhatchee River. Construction on Kendall Manor began before the Civil War but it could not be completed until 1867. This research was done using searches of a variety of sites about local haunts. Combined, the TAG area contains more than 14,000 caves (9,200 in Tennessee and 600 in Georgia). This is one of the outbuildings at the site. For tour information and fees, visit the ghost town's websitehere. Typical cemetery haunting fare including orbs and reports that your car will die if you drive there on specific dates. Isaac Nettles Sr., a black inventor born in the 1880s, created cement masks of people in life and later used them to adorn headstones in the cemetery adjoining Mt. Listed below are eight creepy Alabama ghost towns worth a visit. It is now a concert venue. Alabama's 12 Most Haunted Places 1. It was a stormy night and her carriage flipped, killing Burns. It is also home to numerous legends and ghost tales. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Although the spot where the Dallas Mill was is now open field, legend has it was once haunted by a man who died while working there. Jeff E. Newman of Steel City Urbex took photos. Although this hospital is now closed and operates a geriatric-psych ward, employees tell tales of "Homer" a ghost who roamsthe halls. Also, the construction of Millers Ferry Lock and Dam in 1963 was really overwhelming. Reportedly, visitors to the home can still hear the sounds of the piano Some have reported seeing the apparition of a woman walking around the home. (Picture: The Boyaux fortification at the Blakeley battleground). The Greek Revival and Italianate architecture is covered in stucco, making it one of the most unique homes in the state. Located in a beautiful 1820s home, the restaurant is known for its family of ghosts including a woman screaming and calling out as she floats past the windows and the ghostly reflection of a tall, bearded man in black, known as Old Ebeneezer Hearn. 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). Simp McGhee's 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. 1910, was slated for demolition, but a citizens group hopes to save it. ", 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.". Haunted Decatur Tours, 141 North Main Street, Decatur, IL, 62523, United States. Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, USA. 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. At the WHBC frat house, they say former Youth Minister Anthony Stephens' spirit walks through the house later at night. 16. People claim to hear disembodied laughter. Cemeteries near Decatur, AL The hotel has been closed down. Residents hear screaming and footsteps and other ghostly sounds. The bank was founded in the 1850s. He playfully flushed toilets and used ice machines. Coffins were stacked on racks like a storage facility. Local Online Auctions 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. Decatur's sordid reputation also added to the ghostly stories of the city through incidents of murder and death. The Canabiss House in Huntsville today. 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. William Chancellor House in Harpersville today. (Source: Library of Congress/Historic American Buildings Survey). Legend says a girl named Sally hung herself in a stairwell on the third floor of the building. This home was allegedly the site of the murders of an entire family that haunts the site. Completely inundated, this abandoned town exists in a watery grave. 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. 3 bedrooms (63 homes) $205,869. While visiting the house, a relative, Sally Carter, died of a short illness at the mansion in 1837. Some also like to repeat the myth that children were buried in the playground following a series of abductions in the 1960s. 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. However, the legend tied to one of the most haunted sights in Alabama, the Drish House in Tuscaloosa, is absolutely chilling. The vast majority of information provided on this web site is anecdotal, and as such, should be viewed in the same light as local folklore and urban legends. Spectre, Ala., is a fictional town built as a set for the 2003 movie "Big Fish." It was rebuilt and operated until 1923. The tale was repeated in Kathryn Tucker Windham's"13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey." It is said to be haunted by former patients. The abandoned Peerless Laundry building at Royal and Conti streets in Mobile. She is buried in Birminghams Elmwood Cemetery. Arcola, established in the early 1820s, is a ghost town on the Black Warrior River in Hale County, Alabama - formerly Marengo County. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. 16) You Can Search for Gold in Several Public Places Gold mining and treasure hunting locations in Alabama start in Chilton County and continue northeast to the Georgia State line. Those people still haunt the road. Share your experiences with us in the comments below! Decatur, Dothan, Hoover, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, and more. 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. 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. 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. These buildings are the longest continuously occupied industrial buildings in the state. She enjoys discovering new places and currently calls North Alabama home. Sometimes its because they bring back memories of places they once loved. 1 of 16 1. This account of the hauntings comes from RawlsBandB.com: Unusual occurrences are not uncommon in the historic Rawls hotel. A marker on Court Square North in Carrollton tells of the Pickens County portrait: "A freedman, Henry Wells, was accused of burning the second on November 16, 1876. But this playground is different. Another story says when people feel a sudden sense of dread, they will soon see the apparition of a soldier. The laws of the state of Alabama first and foremost follow the laws of the ARPA (the Archaeological Resources Protection Act). Located in Decatur, Alabama, the Ardent Mills Decatur facility is a pneumatic mill and one of the most automated mills in the United States. The house is reportedly haunted by the spirit of an invalid woman who killed herself in the home in the 1960s. Employees claim they've heard disembodied footsteps and voices. After a sensational trial in Huntsville in 1884, two years after Jesse had been shot to death, Frank was acquitted of that crime. In some cases, homes and buildings on the verge of collapse were saved. Trespassing is punishable by law. When she finally reached her home and reported the accident to her husband, the man began drinking to soothe his grief. The Penney Building is a 31,000-square-foot structure in downtown Dothan. If you agree to give him a ride, witnesses Alabama is fond of getting into Hell it seems. Penn's and Big Bob's have the greatest longevity and are synonymous with Decatur. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. The only things remaining in Bellefonte today are the cemetery, the chimney of the local inn (see picture), and piles of bricks. It hasnt been used since 2000. She founded many of the things Judson students still love: theConversationalistyearbook, theTriangle(student newspaper), theScrimshawliterary magazine, the college archives, and several (shh!) 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.. There are several websites out there that state something to the effect of "Aunt Johnson would hang anyone who trespassed on her property and the rope can still be seen to this day." What are the most haunted places in Alabama? Legend says the face of a woman appears on a tombstone in Sandlin Cemetery. Home Value*. Today, it is a historical landmark and is open for tours. Winter Place in Montgomery. 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. You are reading "15 Best Things to Do in Decatur, Alabama " Back to Top. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. Each tour gets on and off the bus during the evening and we do go inside some of Decatur's most haunted locations. Other entities haunt the main staircase and the basement. The slave quarters were demolished. The Marengo House was originally built in 1847 in Autauga County before being disassembled in 1854 and moved to its current location. Many people claim theyve seen a face behind the barred windows of the second floor but the building was empty. (Source: Karen Manasco via FindaGrave.com). Tales of Huggin' Molly also can be found in Louisiana and Florida, with variations. In 2020, Troy introduces the 25th Anniversary Edition of his first book! (Namaan Fletcher/What's Left of Birmingham). 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." 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 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. Some have been completely abandoned, making them TRUE ghost towns. When Huntingdon was a Methodist female college, a young woman allegedly committed suicide in the dorm and continues to haunt it. Children have reported seeing a face peering down from a second-floor window when the courthouse is closed. Located among the graves is an open tomb missing its corpse.