Every state in America carries a story of tragedy, mystery, and lingering spirits. From crumbling asylums to quiet cemeteries, these places reflect our fascination with the supernatural. Since National Ghost Hunting Day falls on the last Saturday of September, it’s a fitting time to explore the legends. But a word of warning: ghost hunting itself can be risky—not only because of trespassing or unsafe conditions in abandoned places, but also because of the very real spiritual dangers that may come from seeking out the paranormal. Instead, let’s take a journey through history and folklore to see which haunted site looms largest in each state.

Alabama – Sloss Furnaces

Once a booming iron-producing plant in Birmingham, Sloss Furnaces was notorious for dangerous working conditions in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Dozens of workers were killed on the job. Legends say the ghost of a cruel foreman named James “Slag” Wormwood still shouts orders, and visitors have reported hearing screams and seeing shadowy figures in the rusted remains.

Alaska – Red Onion Saloon

This saloon and brothel in Skagway opened during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898. Upstairs, women worked in small “crib” rooms, and many endured violent lives. Today, employees and guests report footsteps, perfume scents, and the apparition of Lydia, one of the former madams, still pacing the halls.

Arizona – The Bird Cage Theatre

In the wild boomtown of Tombstone, the Bird Cage Theatre operated between 1881–1889, hosting gamblers, miners, and gunslingers. With over 120 bullet holes still in its walls, the building saw countless fights and deaths. Visitors say laughter, music, and ghostly patrons still linger in its darkened rooms.

Arkansas – Crescent Hotel

Built in 1886 in Eureka Springs, the Crescent was later transformed into a cancer “hospital” run by charlatan Norman Baker in the 1930s. Many patients died under his care. Today, the hotel embraces its haunted reputation, with reports of ghostly nurses, patients, and even Baker himself roaming the halls.

*Alcatraz Prison image by Lindsay Merkel.*

California – Alcatraz Prison

Perched on an island in San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz operated as a federal penitentiary from 1934 to 1963, housing notorious criminals like Al Capone and “Machine Gun” Kelly. Life inside was brutal, with isolation cells nicknamed “The Hole” driving some inmates to madness. Since its closure, visitors and staff have reported eerie footsteps, clanging cell doors, and ghostly voices echoing through the empty corridors—making Alcatraz one of the most infamous haunted prisons in America.

Colorado – The Stanley Hotel

Opened in 1909 in Estes Park by Freelan Stanley (of Stanley Steamer fame), this grand hotel inspired Stephen King’s The Shining. Guests and staff report pianos playing on their own, ghostly children running in the halls, and the spirits of Freelan and his wife Flora watching over the property.

Connecticut – Dudleytown

This abandoned settlement in Cornwall, founded in the 1700s, was rumored to be cursed. Families suffered mysterious tragedies, leading to its desertion. While officially off-limits today, those who trespass tell of overwhelming dread, strange lights, and shadow figures lurking in the woods.

Delaware – Fort Delaware

Built in 1859 on Pea Patch Island, the fort became a Union prison for Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. With overcrowding, disease, and death rampant, thousands perished there. Tourists and reenactors have reported hearing phantom footsteps, distant moans, and even seeing soldiers in gray uniforms.

Florida – St. Augustine Lighthouse

Built in 1874, this lighthouse is tied to tragedy when three young daughters of a construction worker drowned nearby. Staff and visitors report hearing children’s laughter and footsteps on the spiral stairs, along with sightings of former keepers still on duty.

Georgia – Moon River Brewing Company

Located in Savannah, one of America’s oldest and most haunted cities, this brewery occupies a building from 1821 that once served as a hotel, hospital, and storage space during the Civil War. Reports of shadowy figures, bottles flying, and apparitions make it one of the city’s spookiest landmarks.

Hawaii – ʻIolani Palace

Built in 1882, ʻIolani Palace in Honolulu was the royal residence of Hawaii’s last reigning monarchs. After Queen Liliʻuokalani was overthrown and imprisoned there in 1895, many claimed her spirit remained tied to the palace. Staff have reported hearing her footsteps and feeling her presence in the upstairs rooms.

Idaho – Old Idaho Penitentiary

Operating from 1872 to 1973, this Boise prison housed some of the state’s most dangerous criminals. Riots, executions, and harsh conditions left their mark on the site. Today, visitors describe hearing voices, footsteps, and even screams echoing through its solitary cells.

*Bachelor’s Grove Madonna image from* *Ghost Walks*.

Illinois – Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery

Located near Chicago, this small cemetery gained infamy in the 20th century when reports of glowing orbs, phantom cars, and a “White Lady” carrying an infant became widespread. Photographs from ghost hunters in the 1970s cemented its reputation as one of America’s most haunted graveyards.

Indiana – French Lick Springs Hotel

This grand resort opened in 1845 and grew famous for its mineral springs and luxurious offerings. Guests have reported seeing apparitions of former owners and visitors, along with unexplained cold spots in the elegant halls.

Iowa – Villisca Axe Murder House

On June 10, 1912, eight people, including six children, were brutally murdered in this quiet Iowa home. The crime remains unsolved. Visitors and paranormal investigators report children’s laughter, slamming doors, and shadow figures inside the house.

Kansas – Sallie House

In Atchison, this unassuming home gained fame in the 1990s when a family claimed violent poltergeist activity centered around a spirit named “Sallie,” believed to be a young girl. Accounts include unexplained scratches, moving objects, and flickering lights.

Kentucky – Waverly Hills Sanatorium

Opened in 1910 to treat tuberculosis patients, Waverly Hills in Louisville saw thousands of deaths before it closed in 1961. Its “body chute,” used to discreetly remove the dead, remains infamous. Visitors report shadow figures, voices, and even full apparitions of former patients.

Louisiana – The Myrtles Plantation

Built in 1796 in St. Francisville, this antebellum home is tied to at least 10 alleged murders. The most famous ghost is Chloe, an enslaved woman said to have poisoned the family. Guests have reported apparitions, mysterious handprints, and ghostly children appearing in photographs.

Maine – Wood Island Lighthouse

Erected in 1808 near Biddeford Pool, this lighthouse witnessed tragedy in 1896 when a keeper’s assistant murdered a local man before taking his own life. Since then, strange noises, phantom footsteps, and apparitions have been reported by keepers and visitors alike.

Maryland – Antietam Battlefield

The Battle of Antietam in 1862 was the bloodiest single day of the Civil War, with more than 23,000 casualties. Locals and tourists have reported the sounds of gunfire, drumbeats, and ghostly soldiers marching across the fields where so many perished.

*Lizzie Borden House image from* *Wikipedia*.

Massachusetts – Lizzie Borden House

In 1892, Andrew and Abby Borden were found brutally murdered in their Fall River home, allegedly by Andrew’s daughter Lizzie—though she was acquitted. Today, the home operates as a bed-and-breakfast, where guests claim to hear voices, footsteps, and even see ghostly apparitions of the Bordens.

Michigan – Mackinac Island Grand Hotel

Opened in 1887, this lavish hotel on Lake Huron was built over an old burial ground. Guests and staff report encounters with ghostly figures, unexplained noises, and even sightings of a man in a top hat believed to be a lingering spirit from the island’s past.

Minnesota – Wabasha Street Caves

These man-made sandstone caves in St. Paul were used as speakeasies during Prohibition and were frequented by gangsters. Shootouts reportedly left several men dead. Patrons today claim to see suited figures vanish into the shadows, with echoes of music from the 1930s still drifting through.

Mississippi – King’s Tavern

Built in 1769 in Natchez, King’s Tavern is the oldest building in town and once served as an inn. The discovery of three bodies in its fireplace in the 1930s fueled tales of hauntings. One spirit, thought to be Madeline, a murdered servant girl, is said to still appear.

Missouri – Lemp Mansion

The wealthy Lemp family, who built their fortune on brewing, suffered a series of suicides within this St. Louis home between 1904 and 1949. The tragedies left behind stories of apparitions, phantom footsteps, and a heavy sense of sorrow that clings to the mansion today.

Montana – Bannack Ghost Town

Founded in 1862 during the Montana gold rush, Bannack was once a booming mining settlement. As gold dried up, the town was abandoned, leaving behind weathered buildings and a legacy of lawlessness. Visitors say they’ve heard children’s laughter in the empty schoolhouse and seen figures moving inside shuttered homes.

Nebraska – Hummel Park

This park in Omaha has a dark reputation stretching back decades. Local lore speaks of lynchings, occult activity, and mysterious “stairways to nowhere” where people feel disoriented. While many of the tales are urban legend, visitors still report eerie feelings, strange voices, and shadowy figures.

Nevada – The Mizpah Hotel

Built in 1907 in Tonopah, the Mizpah was one of the West’s most luxurious hotels. Its most famous spirit is the “Lady in Red,” said to be a woman murdered on the fifth floor by a jealous lover. Guests have reported perfume scents, phantom laughter, and even ghostly touches.

New Hampshire – Mount Washington Hotel

Opened in 1902 in Bretton Woods, this grand resort hosted dignitaries and celebrities. Guests often report seeing “Princess” Carolyn Stickney, the wife of the original owner, still appearing in her old room—sometimes seen brushing her hair in the mirror.

New Jersey – The Devil’s Tree

Located in Bernards Township, this solitary oak has a sinister reputation. Legends link it to lynchings and even occult practices. Locals say anyone who disrespects the tree risks misfortune, and some claim to see shadowy figures or feel the tree radiating heat even in winter.

New Mexico – La Posada Hotel

This Santa Fe hotel was once the mansion of Abraham and Julia Staab, built in the 1880s. After Julia’s death, guests and staff began reporting her apparition wandering the halls, grieving for her lost children. She remains one of New Mexico’s most famous ghost stories.

*Alleged Amityville House ghost image from* *Reddit.*

New York – Amityville House

This Long Island home gained infamy in 1974 when Ronald DeFeo Jr. murdered his family there. The subsequent Lutz family claimed terrifying paranormal activity after moving in. While the story has been sensationalized in books and movies, the house remains one of America’s most notorious alleged hauntings.

North Carolina – Biltmore Estate

America’s largest private home, completed in 1895 by George Vanderbilt, is said to still house his spirit. Visitors have reported hearing disembodied voices, footsteps, and even George’s wife Edith calling out his name in the library.

North Dakota – Fort Abraham Lincoln

This fort near Mandan was home to General George Custer and his wife Libbie before his death at Little Bighorn. Tourists have reported seeing Libbie’s ghost, still waiting for her husband’s return, along with other spectral soldiers.

Ohio – Ohio State Reformatory

Built in 1886 in Mansfield, this prison housed thousands of inmates until closing in 1990. Its Gothic architecture made it famous as a filming location for The Shawshank Redemption. Paranormal reports include shadow figures, voices, and heavy footsteps echoing through its abandoned cell blocks.

Oklahoma – Stone Lion Inn

Built in 1907 in Guthrie, this Victorian mansion once served as a funeral home. Today, it’s a bed-and-breakfast where guests have reported children’s laughter, phantom footsteps, and the figure of a little boy wandering the halls.

Oregon – Shanghai Tunnels

Beneath Portland, these tunnels once served legitimate purposes but became infamous in the late 1800s for “shanghaiing”—kidnapping sailors for forced labor. Visitors report eerie voices, phantom touches, and feelings of being watched in the underground passages.

*Eastern State Penitentiary image by Lindsay Merkel.*

Pennsylvania – Eastern State Penitentiary

Opened in 1829 in Philadelphia, this prison pioneered solitary confinement, leading to immense suffering. Al Capone was even incarcerated here. Since its closure in 1971, visitors have reported shadowy figures, disembodied laughter, and eerie footsteps in the crumbling cellblocks.

Rhode Island – Seaview Terrace (Carey Mansion)

Built in 1907 in Newport, this mansion became famous after being featured in the Gothic soap opera Dark Shadows. Stories tell of ghostly organ music echoing through the halls, along with whispers and cold spots.

South Carolina – Old Charleston Jail

Built in 1802, this jail housed pirates, Civil War prisoners, and criminals until 1939. Many inmates died there under brutal conditions. Visitors say they hear chains rattling, screams, and see shadowy prisoners pacing the cells.

South Dakota – Bullock Hotel

In Deadwood, this hotel was built by Sheriff Seth Bullock in 1895. Guests report Bullock’s ghost still keeping watch—lights turn on by themselves, objects move, and his stern presence is felt by staff and visitors alike.

Tennessee – Bell Witch Cave

The legend of the Bell Witch dates back to the early 1800s in Adams, Tennessee, where the Bell family claimed to be tormented by a violent spirit. The nearby cave is said to be one of her haunts, where visitors report strange sounds, touches, and apparitions.

Texas – The Alamo

The 1836 Battle of the Alamo left hundreds dead in San Antonio. Ever since, stories tell of spirits of soldiers still defending the fort. Guards and visitors alike have reported phantom footsteps, spectral soldiers, and eerie battle cries.

Utah – McCune Mansion

This 1901 Salt Lake City mansion was once the home of a wealthy railroad family. Guests have reported seeing ghostly children playing on the grand staircase, along with music and laughter when no one is around.

Vermont – Emily’s Bridge

This covered bridge in Stowe, built in the 1840s, carries the legend of a young woman named Emily who died tragically there—accounts vary between heartbreak and suicide. Visitors claim to hear screams, scratches on cars, and see a pale apparition on the bridge.

Virginia – St. Albans Sanatorium

Located in Radford, this psychiatric hospital began as a Lutheran boys’ school in the 1890s before becoming a sanatorium in 1916. With a history of suicides and patient mistreatment, the site is infamous for apparitions, dark figures, and unexplained sounds.

Washington – Pike Place Market

Opened in 1907, Seattle’s famous market is home to legends of lingering shopkeepers, a Native American spirit, and even a fortune teller who still greets visitors. Vendors have reported objects moving and hearing voices after closing time.

*Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum image from* *Wikipedia*.

West Virginia – Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum

Built in the mid-1800s to house 250 patients, this Weston asylum swelled to over 2,000 by the 1950s. Overcrowding, neglect, and violence left deep scars. Today, visitors report ghostly patients, screams, and shadowy figures roaming the halls.

Wisconsin – Summerwind Mansion

This ruined mansion on West Bay Lake was built in the early 20th century. Stories of hauntings began in the 1930s when a family reportedly fled after seeing spirits. Later owners reported hearing voices, seeing apparitions, and discovering human remains in the house.

Wyoming – Wyoming Frontier Prison

Opening in 1901 in Rawlins, this prison housed some of the state’s worst criminals until 1981. Executions by hanging and gas chamber occurred here. Tour guides and visitors claim to hear footsteps, jangling keys, and see ghostly inmates still confined within its stone walls.

From forgotten towns to grand hotels, these places remind us that history often leaves shadows behind. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, the stories tied to these sites reveal our enduring fascination with life, death, and what may linger between. On National Ghost Hunting Day, it’s worth remembering: the real lesson isn’t in chasing spirits, but in respecting the history—and the warnings—these places carry.

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