Located in Decatur, Alabama, the Ardent Mills Decatur facility is a pneumatic mill and one of the most automated mills in the United States. 1 of 16 1. SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM! Thank you! Mining towns were abandoned when the mines closed; many due to the devaluation of silver in 1893. As Ive discovered over the years, people are fascinated with abandoned places. The cotton press in the Dallas Compress Co. in Selma. Some sources sayit opened in the 1890s as a mental hospital. This slideshow includes photos gathered from state archives and from two federal programs that helped document our history: The Historic American Buildings Survey taken in the 1930s, and the Historic American Engineering Record from the late 1960s. This is one of the outbuildings at the site. Molly was bittem by her puppy, which had contracted rabies. Sadly, nature has reclaimed much of Old Cahawba. She never harmed them, other than perhaps causing some ringing in their ears. It is reportedly haunted by men killed during training. It produced plating for Civil War-era ironclad vessels, as well as pig iron for munitions and other wartime materials. From it's earliest days, the city of Decatur gained a reputation as a place where ghost stories were common -- from tales told by the settlers to haunted houses and hotels. It was destroyed by Union forces in 1865. During the Civil War, Nancy lived with her husband and son on a small farm but her son was killed in the war and his body was never recovered. The back of the dilapidated William Chancellor House in Harpersville in Shelby County is shown in 1935. According to legend, the grounds are haunted by the ghost of a Confederate soldier. While visiting the house, a relative, Sally Carter, died of a short illness at the mansion in 1837. (Sources: Alabama Department of Youth Services, left; Kelly Kazek, right). It is now home to the Lowndesboro Town Hall. Local Online Auctions in Alabama. It is also known as the Colby Building. Cook Museum. Passersby often say they can see the swings moving on their own volition, as well as orbs or spectral figures. This abandoned town is reportedly haunted by spirits if former residents. 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." When the Gold Rush began in California, residents headed west. That makes sense, because the fort was in use during the Civil War, Spanish American War, World War I and World War II. Reportedly haunted by the ghost of a woman who hanged herself back in the day when the Center was a teaching college. (Source: Don and Susie via FindaGrave.com). Ruins of theMemphis and Charleston Freight Depot at 303 Church St. in Huntsville. In the 1850s, the settlement had disappeared and was replaced by adjoining plantations. The ghost of a boy who died there is said to haunt the park. People are fascinated with abandoned sites. Peacock said it's the "site of numerous unusual accidents over the years, including several that have resulted in fatalities and catastrophic fires. The figure was as much as 7 feet tall, wearing dark clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. Following her death in 1962, people claimed to see a kneeling figure at the grave, according to "Haunted Places: The National Directory." Did you know about these Alabama ghost towns? Beelitz Military Hospital, Berlin. Remember, the majority of homes are occupied, private residences and those that are abandoned are marked "No Trespassing" and are a hazard. The neglected building is Birmingham's Masonic Temple, also once known as the Colored Masonic Lodge. The historic, two-story jail was built in ca. Also, the construction of Millers Ferry Lock and Dam in 1963 was really overwhelming. Coffins were stacked on racks like a storage facility. The bridge was built in 1861 as an access route for Confederate forces to Mississippi. Having promised her adoring audience she would return, she was killed in an accident on the way. Soon, the family heard the sounds of Evelyn playing the piano down there and decided to send her body to Virginia to be buried in her familys cemetery. But, after burning twice in its 186-year history, the elegant mansion is more famous in its ruinous state than it ever was as a family home. We only offer a very limited number of these tours each season and it's one not to miss! The able-bodied patients at Jemison worked on a hospital farm. Tales of Huggin' Molly also can be found in Louisiana and Florida, with variations. Tuscumbia, Alabama 39 miles from Decatur, AL 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. Don't Edit The two-story structure made of brick is said to be haunted by the souls of those who were incarcerated there. Jennifer is the Alabama staff writer for Only In Your State and has nearly 15 years of professional writing experience. People report hearing maniacal screaming among other reported paranormal activity. 133 Fourth Avenue NE, Decatur, Alabama 35601, Phone: 256-351-4505. The most haunted bridge in our state is aptly named Hell's Gate Bridge, located in Oxford. See map for precise location. Add Photos (Alabama Department of Archives and History). 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. Late at night, people have reported hearing eerie footsteps echoing on the decks of the War World II-era battleship USS Alabama. When he was hanged, his executioners dug a hole beneath his dangling feet to accommodate his height. 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. 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. Coal towns were abandoned when the coal (or the need for it) ran out. They were holding candles, and her hair caught fire. Buildings in Downtown Decatur have a long and . (Historic American Buildings Survey/Library of Congress). Alabama, Should Be on Your Radar. Temple B'nai Shalom in Huntsville's Old Town Historic District, in Huntsville. In other cases, the buildings are lost to history. It was also a very thriving town. Tales extend to the adjoining cemetery and even the churchs outhouse. Or they are shocked by the waste of still-useful homes and buildings. She enjoys discovering new places and currently calls North Alabama home. Some people say theyve heard a baby cry or a dog panting or growling while on the property. Some say the noises come from the ghosts of the original owners. He may flush the toilet as well. It is no longer standing. Legends of hauntings in the home include one about a screaming woman dressed in Victorian clothing. Visitors to the inn and restaurant have reported hearing disembodied footsteps and eerie noises throughout the home. Both federal and state laws govern this activity. Click hereto see more from Cottage Hill. The Rawls Hotel was built in 1903 by Capt. She would squeeze them tightly, then scream in their ears. (Historic American Engineering Record/Library of Congress). Rock Run is a residential community in Cherokee County where a small pocket of residents live in well-kept homes. 1888 as a private residence. If that wasnt creepy enough, visitors have been known to hear the sounds of a rocking chair moving back and forth as they pass. Arcola, established in the early 1820s, is a ghost town on the Black Warrior River in Hale County, Alabama - formerly Marengo County. The Alabama Center for the Arts, a 44,000 square foot arts education facility, and the Princess Theater, a historic art-deco theater built in 1919 are also nearby. He is reportedly always looking toward the Tombigbee River, where his beloved steamboat exploded. (Namaan Fletcher/What's Left of Birmingham). She is buried in Birminghams Elmwood Cemetery. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. According to legend, she was driving her baby in a horse-drawn carriage one night. Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge 159 Nature & Wildlife Areas By 460LizF Outstanding location to view wintering Sandhill Cranes. If you want to suggest another tale, email kkazek@al.com or comment below. A local storyteller dressed in period clothing leads the one-mile tour of haunted hotels, infamous murder sites, cemeteries, and more. Are the former owners of this home-turned-library angry at the intrusion into their afterlives or just trying to say hello? (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. The family reportedly had the image sandblasted from the stone but it soon returned. It is to her that witnesses attribute the sound of footsteps, lights that turn on and off by themselves, cold spots, and a phantom Locals tell a tale of playground sounds that can be heard at night: children laughing, playing and having fun. Gold was discovered in Arbacoochee in the 1830s, causing the town to grow rapidly. Sometimes its because they bring back memories of places they once loved. Brick Deli is housed in a building that dates back over a century. The hangings were carried out inside the jail, and the spirits of those men reportedly never left. He was buried in Bladon Springs Cemetery alongside the graves of his three children who died before the age of six, including Bertha Jaquetta, Mabel Clare, and James Alfred. Decatur's sordid reputation also added to the ghostly stories of the city through incidents of murder and death. It was restored but is once again in need of repairs. 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." Ive noted those of which I am aware. 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. Legend says the face of a woman appears on a tombstone in Sandlin Cemetery. Shown: The Old Shelby Hotel in Shelby County. 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. Belle Mont, built between 1828 and 1832, was a plantation that used slave labor. Nearby, a pair of eyeglasses gathers dust, as if the owner were suddenly interrupted in the middle of a workday and never returned. The Knight Sanitorium is a three-story brick building. Furthermore, it is not allowed for any person to excavate . NOTE: This site is continually monitored with video surveillance. Chalkville Training School for 'Incorrigible' Girls. 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. In this 1934 photo, renovation work had begun on Spring Villa in Opelika. Members of Steel City Urbex were allowed into the bank area and the basement that are being developed for a business such as a restaurant or wine cellar, he said. In the absence of documented fact, people are free to claim their own version of history and never is that more Reported sightings of paranormal activity at this cemetery include a fiery orb that floats through the air. It is named for a woman who lived in the area in the late 1800s or early 1900s and was thought to be a witch. 4 bedrooms (42 homes) $317,230. At the site of Mount Vernon Arsenal, founded in 1828, more than 30 historic buildings are rotting where they stand, including those that housed, at differing times, Geronimo, a Civil War militia,Dr. Walter Reedand African American mental patients when it was the Mount Vernon Asylum for the Colored Insane, later known as Searcy Hospital. Cahawba, or Cahaba, was the state capital from 1820-1825 but was eventually abandoned because of flooding from the Alabama and Cahaba rivers. Cemeteries near Decatur, AL 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Decatur Alabama Population Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. During the 1920s, Decatur would gain infamy as a place where murder, bootlegging, prostitution, kidnapping, gambling, corruption and, of course, ghosts, were commonplace. TOURS OFFERED FOR THE 2023 SEASON:Haunted History Bus Tours: $32 Per PersonGhost Hunter's Bus Tours: $42 Per PersonTOURS DEPART: Decatur Civic Center411 East William Street | South Parking LotFree Parking in Lot. Her spirit reportedly haunts McCandless because she had told her audience she would return. The buildings, built only for filming exteriors, were not completed and not built to code. Possibly among the most inane of haunted reports, people claim to see a green light in the cemetery at night. According to legend, a small bridge on an isolated road is haunted by a baby who died there. According to the Library of Congress, The brick warehouses had 12 -inch firewalls and fire doors. 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. An abandoned 1913 schoolhouse in rural Cherokee County was photographed in the 1930s. 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. Some claim to see the orb today. The cemetery remains. 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. These are cars, trucks, and SUVs that were abandoned or otherwise not claimed by their owners after a period of time. Every year during Halloween a pumpkin mysteriously makes its way into Romeo's hands. Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion in Tuscaloosa. ADVANCE PERMISSION REQUIRED. The remains were removed in 2015. The furnace was destroyed by the Union army during the Civil War but was rebuilt around 1879. According to legend, people have heard the sounds of muffled explosions, screams and voices. 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. In 1902 the new facility was finished, featuring 33 buildings, a power station, and a general store. These auctions tend to occur less frequently than typical public car auctions in Alabama. HAUNTED DECATUR is part of AMERICAN HAUNTINGS INKEMAIL: GHOSTS@AMERICANHAUNTINGS.NET Copyright 2023 by American Hauntings Ink. Some also like to repeat the myth that children were buried in the playground following a series of abductions in the 1960s. This abandoned railway line was originally chartered as the Rome and Decatur Railroad sometime after the Civil War to build a line from Rome, GA across Alabama to Decatur, starting in 1887. People claim to hear disembodied laughter. This photo was taken in 1934 when the home was abandoned. 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. 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. The spirit of an inmate who committed suicide in the building is reported to walk its halls. Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, USA. Abandoned Western Railway of Alabama shedin Montgomery is shown in the late 1960s. From lost burial grounds to haunted theaters, the Haunted Decatur Tour is much more than just a run-of-the-mill ghost tour! Home Value*. Several of the brick structures that Pratt built are still used today for an industry manufacturing cotton gins. The courthouse burned in 1866 and was rebuilt. It was used during the Civil War as a hospital. The city, affectionately known as "The River City", is located in Northern Alabama on the banks of Wheeler Lake, along the Tennessee River. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. The face appeared on the grave of Thomas second wife, Mary Jane Kittrell. Murder Creek Bridge is located on this stretch. The hotel closed in the 1970s. It served as the Jackson County seat from 1821 to 1859. The activity is reportedly caused by the spirit of a woman who died on the top floor in the 1950s. Due to the owner's financial difficulties, the house is run-down and in need of repair. People claim if they get out of their cars, they hear and feel a presence beside them. Hall Hotel dates to 1895 and residents of Gurley hope to restore it. Western Railway of Alabama building in Montgomery as it looks today. Stewartfield in Mobile. Every community has a ghost tale that everyone has heard, often related to an old or abandoned house, a spooky cemetery or a dark and creepy road. Crime truly came to Decatur in the 1850s with the arrival of the railroads. Penn's and Big Bob's have the greatest longevity and are synonymous with Decatur. The Marengo House was originally built in 1847 in Autauga County before being disassembled in 1854 and moved to its current location. Vernon Hospital for the Colored Insane. While visiting the house, a relative, Sally Carter, died of a short illness at the mansion in 1837. Flickr/Renee May. Each tour gets on and off the bus during the evening and we do go inside some of Decatur's most haunted locations. Abandoned Marshall Space Flight Center power plant test stand in the east test area in Huntsville shown in 1968. Located among the graves is an open tomb missing its corpse. The last of our abandoned places: Balaklava, Ukraine. But by far the creepiest spot is the 200+-year-old Bass Cemetery in Irondale. StorageAuctions is the best place to find online storage auctions. William Chancellor House in Harpersville today. During the Civil War it was occupied by both Confederate and Union troops at different times. It is no longer in use and the abandoned building is reportedly haunted. Huggin Mollys restaurant in downtown Abbeville is named for the legend. The historic courthouse is used for events and education art displays. Her ghost is said to look down from the upstairs window. Today, the Old State Bank in Decatur is open for tours. When Memorial Mound opened on Dartmouth Avenue in Bessemerin 1993, it was billed as a new method of laying loved ones to rest. The Heart of Dixie is steeped in history, making for truly spooky tales. We can promise that you'll never look at the city of Decatur in the same way again! (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. We're sure this Victorian home in rural Missouri was once quite beautiful. Battleship Island, Japan. 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 Tennessee River railroad bridge on Alabama Highway 43 in Florence is shown in the late 1960s. People also love vintage photos that show what those past lives were like in Alabama. This home was allegedly the site of the murders of an entire family that haunts the site. The newly renovated inn is now called Hotel Finial. The ghost of a woman who died after being hit by a truck is said to haunt this stretch of road. Nebo Baptist Church. It is alleged that you can hear the screams of soldiers who died in the Civil War at this cemetery. Measured by other resorts built in Alabama in the 1800s, such as nearby Shelby Springs Hotel or Blount Springs Resort, the Dennemora Hotel offered a pared-down version of entertainment. The property is still owned by the Department of Mental Health and is trespassing is illegal. There's legend here of a ghost who does housework! In 1909, Kirkseys wheelchair-bound daughter Margaretta Eliza, who was 29 years old, fell from the second-floor balcony. 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). It is now an event venue. Other times, its merely because they are so haunting and raise the questions: Who would leave such beautiful places to rot? People claim to see Marys spirit on the bridge, searching for her lost child. Mill towns were abandoned when the mining towns they serviced closed. Abandoned slave quarters and workshops behind the Cabaniss House at 603 Randolph St. in Huntsville. 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 pearly white marble known as Chewacla Marble was mined in the quarry. The building was constructed in 1930. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Legend claims a phantom woman would appear to children, but only at night. According . TOURS OFFERED FOR THE 2023 SEASON: Haunted History Bus Tours: $32 Per Person Winter Place is actually a complex with two huge homes; the second is that both homes are in dire need of renovation. It served as the Jackson County seat from 1821 to 1859. And if you consider yourself a ghost hunter, youll love this creepy road trip in Alabama. She would die from her burns on Feb. 6 at the age of 17. Montevallo, established in 1896, is reportedly haunted by the spirit of student Condie Cunningham. Contact this Facility Decatur Mill 2050 Market St NE Decatur, AL 35601 256-280-4761 Number of Team Members: 40+ The site is reportedly haunted by numerous spirits with the most famous known as Pegues Ghost. The story was told by author Kathryn Tucker Windham in 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey.. Now, it's just old and long abandoned. It's now underwater and the only remnant left of the town is a cemetery. See more onSteel City Urbex's Facebook page. Others have reported hearing disembodied screams and footsteps. Location: 30338 Lester Road, Lester, Alabama Hours: 7 to 11 p.m. Website: Click here Haunted House of Horror About: Wander around an 8,000 square-foot town filled with supernatural scares. Within 15 years, the town had 5,000 residents. It is located on a street bordering Montgomery's quaint Cottage Hill district, which is filled with refurbished cottages. Others have reported seeing large, panther-like cats cross the highway in this area.". The Gaines Ridge Dinner Club is a restaurant inside a ca. This photo shows a casket on a top shelf that is rusted through the bottom. IMPORTANT NOTE: Many of the sites listed below are on private property; others may be condemned or located in dangerous locations. It was also once the site of Castle Morgan, used to house prisoners of war during the Civil War. 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. Some people claim Sydneys ghost followed the drama students to the Telfair Peet Theater when it was constructed in the 1970s. Jesse was thought to be in the area when his brother Frank were accused of robbery of a United States Army Corps of Engineers payroll in Muscle Shoals in 1881. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. The home was built for Dr. Alexander Mitchell, who sold it to Isaac Winston in 1833. However, in the 2010s, no one was managing the site and vandals began tearing up the facility. Mrs. Locals tell a story that this building once was occupied by a young girl, Molly, who died in the 1930s or 1940s. This photo shows the Crocheron Columns, the only things remaining from a mansion built in Cahaba in 1843 by Richard Crocheron. Either way, the photos are intriguing. Have you visited any before? The building was constructed in Northport on what was once called Cherokee Plantation, owned by Robert Jemison. 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. Some say theyve seen orbs of light that appear to float on the river. Rawls, who repeatedly took down window treatments he tried to install. In 1874, a tornado took the life of lady of the house Judith Winston, who was crushed beneath rubble. Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. Various urban legends have arisen around the claims that Cry Baby Hollow and the bridge going across it are haunted. Frederic Ravesies, Arcola's first settler, established himself at what later became known as the Hatch Plantation. However, that doesn't stop the tales from being told and retold. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Jemison Center, former insane asylum for African Americans. If you go, drive by only. 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. Love Alabama? In 2015, the church burned in a fire presumed to be caused by arson. Fort Crawford was built on a bluff in 1816. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Support@storageauctoins.com (866) 944-8530 . This home dates back to 1909 and is registered by the local historical society. 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. Take a look. Some say they can hear the call of a bird that soon morphs into a young girls screams. The buildings flank Alabama Avenue.. Please follow the law and be safe. It is the largest city and county seat of Morgan County. It was a stormy night and her carriage flipped, killing Burns. 9. Abandoned building at Chewacla Lime Works in Lee County as seen in 1933. The baby reportedly drowned and was buried not far from the bridge. White orbs also appear in the childrens room. Legends claim the captains spirit roams the cemetery, keeping watch over his children. Legends surrounding this church are astounding in number and scope. An old well house at the Chalkville Training School for Girls. ", The Pickens County Courthouse in Carrollton is widely known as the site of hauntings by the spirit of Henry Wells, who was once incarcerated in a jail cell on the second floor. The tale was repeated in Kathryn Tucker Windham's"13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey." Trespassing is illegal. These buildings are the longest continuously occupied industrial buildings in the state. Legend says Evelyn Carter, the sister of a housekeeper, died on the grounds of Gaineswood Plantation in the late 1800s. Today, the only thing remaining in the area is the Prairie Bluff Cemetery. However, the house was saved and restored and is now on the National Register of Historic Places. . Connie Pearson 1. The house is reportedly haunted by the spirit of an invalid woman who killed herself in the home in the 1960s. Spectre, Ala., is a fictional town built as a set for the 2003 movie "Big Fish." Whatley home no longer stands, it is shown above in 1936, but legend says the site is still haunted. For this feature, Ive combined those two loves. The ruins of Fort Morgan, built in 1819, are spooky on their own. It is located at 1928 First Avenue North. Abandoned collapsing mines below the surface were to blame, but others suspect that the first building too closely resembled a grim medieval castle, and was scrapped for a more modern cottage design. Prairie Bluff disappeared from maps around 1900. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. It was named for nearby Sweetwater Creek. At the WHBC frat house, they say former Youth Minister Anthony Stephens' spirit walks through the house later at night. Haunted Places Decatur, Alabama Decatur High School Decatur High School was built in 1950. The abandoned Memphis and Charleston Freight Depot at 303 Church St. in Huntsville. An old bridge off Mothershed Road is known as Mary Daniel Bridge. (Megan Willis via Forgotten Alabama Facebook page).