BLOG: Most Legendary Ghosts in Each of the 50 States
America’s purple mountain majesties and fruited plains are hauntingly beautiful… and also haunted by ghosts. From the misty mountains of West Virginia to California’s sunny shores, every state has ghost stories woven into the fabric of its history. Catch a quick glimpse of the most legendary ghosts in all of the 50 states:
Sloss Furnace from Wikimedia Commons
Alabama: The Ghost of Sloss Furnaces
Sloss Furnaces in Birmingham operated as a pig iron-producing blast furnace from 1882 to 1971. James "Slag" Wormwood, a cruel foreman who pushed his workers to dangerous extremes, is said to have died there in an accident in the early 1900s. Workers and visitors have reported seeing Slag’s ghost, hearing disembodied voices, and feeling sudden drops in temperature. Some claim to have seen a man in old-fashioned work clothes lurking around the site.
Alaska: The Lady in White at the Hotel Captain Cook
The Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage is one of the state's most luxurious hotels, named after the British explorer Captain James Cook. Guests have reported seeing a spectral woman in a long white dress wandering the halls. Some believe she is the spirit of a woman who died tragically in the hotel, possibly during its construction or early years of operation.
Arizona: The Red Ghost
In the 1880s, a series of sightings of a large, red-haired camel with a skeletal rider occurred in Arizona. Known as the Red Ghost, it was part of the U.S. Army's failed Camel Corps experiment. Farmers and ranchers reported seeing the terrifying figure in the desert. Eventually, the camel was killed, and the mystery of its ghostly rider was never fully explained.
Arkansas: The Ghosts of the Crescent Hotel
The Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, built in 1886, served as a luxury resort, a women's college, and a hospital. It is known as one of America's most haunted hotels. Guests and staff have reported apparitions, strange noises, and objects moving on their own. The most famous ghost is Michael, a stonemason who fell to his death during the hotel's construction. Other spirits include patients from the hotel's time as a hospital run by the fraudulent Dr. Norman Baker.
California: The Ghost of Room 217 at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel
The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, built in 1927, has hosted numerous celebrities. It is known for its luxurious accommodations and famous hauntings. Guests staying in Room 217 have reported seeing a blonde woman in a white dress, believed to be Marilyn Monroe, who stayed at the hotel frequently. Other reports include cold spots and the feeling of an unseen presence.
Stanley Hotel from Wikimedia Commons
Colorado: The Ghosts of the Stanley Hotel
The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, built in 1909 by Freelan Oscar Stanley, inspired Stephen King’s "The Shining." Guests have reported seeing children playing in the hallways, ghostly figures in their rooms, and hearing unexplained music. One famous ghost is Mrs. Elizabeth Wilson, a former housekeeper who is said to haunt Room 217.
Connecticut: The White Lady of Union Cemetery
Union Cemetery in Easton, dating back to the 1700s, is one of the most haunted cemeteries in the United States. Numerous sightings describe the White Lady as a woman in a white dress who appears on the cemetery grounds and nearby roads. Some believe she is the spirit of a woman who died in a tragic accident or was murdered.
Delaware: The Hagley Mansion Ghost
Hagley Mansion, part of the DuPont family estate, dates back to the early 19th century. It was a center for the family's gunpowder manufacturing business. Visitors have reported seeing a ghostly figure in period clothing, hearing disembodied voices, and feeling sudden chills in certain parts of the mansion.
Florida: The Ghost of Carl Tanzler
Carl Tanzler, also known as Count von Cosel, was a radiology technologist in Key West who developed an obsession with a patient, Elena Hoyos, after her death in 1931. He kept her mummified body in his home for years. Visitors to the Ernest Hemingway House have reported seeing a ghostly figure resembling Tanzler, who is said to be searching for his lost love.
Georgia: The Ghosts of Moon River Brewing Company
The Moon River Brewing Company in Savannah is housed in a building from the 1800s that served as a hotel, hospital, and warehouse. Patrons and staff have reported seeing ghostly figures, hearing unexplained noises, and feeling cold spots. The most notable ghost is said to be a violent spirit named Toby, who haunts the basement.
Hawaii: The Night Marchers
The Night Marchers are ancient Hawaiian warriors who are said to roam the islands at night, following ancient paths and trails. People have reported seeing processions of ghostly figures marching along ancient paths, accompanied by the sound of drums and chanting. It is believed that encountering the Night Marchers can be dangerous if proper respect is not shown.
Idaho: The Phantom of Old Idaho Penitentiary
The Old Idaho Penitentiary in Boise operated from 1872 to 1973 and housed many notorious criminals. Visitors have reported seeing apparitions of former inmates, hearing ghostly footsteps, and feeling uneasy in certain areas, particularly in solitary confinement.
Illinois: The Ghost of Resurrection Mary
Resurrection Mary is a famous hitchhiking ghost said to haunt Archer Avenue near Resurrection Cemetery in Chicago. Since the 1930s, drivers have reported picking up a young woman in a white dress who later disappears from their car when they approach the cemetery. Mary is believed to be the spirit of a woman who died in a car accident.
Ghost Cam Image from Willard Library
Indiana: The Grey Lady of Willard Library
The Willard Library in Evansville, built in 1885, is known for its resident ghost, the Grey Lady. Library staff and visitors have seen a woman in grey wandering the library, heard unexplained noises, and witnessed objects moving on their own. The Grey Lady is believed to be Louise Carpenter, the daughter of the library's founder.
Iowa: The Ghosts of Villisca Axe Murder House
The Villisca Axe Murder House is the site of a gruesome unsolved 1912 murder of eight people, including six children. Visitors have reported seeing shadowy figures, hearing children’s voices, and experiencing physical touches. The spirits of the murdered Moore family and their guests are believed to haunt the house.
Kansas: The Sallie House Ghost
The Sallie House in Atchison is said to be haunted by the spirit of a little girl named Sallie, who died during a botched appendectomy in the house. The house’s residents and visitors have reported physical attacks, objects moving, and sightings of a little girl. Paranormal investigators have captured EVPs (electronic voice phenomena) and unexplained temperature fluctuations.
Kentucky: The Grey Lady of Waverly Hills Sanatorium
Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Louisville was a tuberculosis hospital from 1910 to 1961. Thousands of patients died there. Visitors have reported seeing shadowy figures, hearing disembodied voices, and feeling cold spots. The Grey Lady is one of the most commonly reported apparitions, thought to be a former nurse who died there.
Myrtles Plantation "Chloe" Ghost Photo
Louisiana: The Ghosts of Myrtles Plantation
Myrtles Plantation in St. Francisville, built in 1796, is considered one of America’s most haunted homes. It has a history of tragic deaths and mysterious murders. Guests and staff have reported seeing apparitions, hearing unexplained noises, and feeling cold spots. The most famous ghost is Chloe, a former slave who is said to have poisoned the family and was subsequently hanged.
Maine: The Seguin Island Lighthouse Ghost
Seguin Island Lighthouse, built in 1795, is said to be haunted by the wife of a former keeper who went mad from isolation and boredom. Visitors have reported seeing a ghostly woman, hearing phantom piano music, and experiencing strange occurrences. The story goes that the keeper’s wife played the same piano tune repeatedly until her husband destroyed the piano and killed her.
Maryland: The Ghost of Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe, the famous author, died mysteriously in Baltimore in 1849. His former home and gravesite are reputed to be haunted by his restless spirit. Visitors to Poe’s former home and gravesite have reported seeing his ghost, feeling cold spots, and hearing whispers. Some claim to have seen a spectral figure in black, believed to be Poe himself.
Massachusetts: The Ghost of Lizzie Borden
Lizzie Borden was accused and acquitted of the 1892 axe murders of her father and stepmother in Fall River. The house where the murders occurred is now a bed and breakfast. Guests have reported seeing apparitions, hearing phantom footsteps, and feeling cold spots. Some believe Lizzie’s spirit haunts the house, while others have encountered the spirits of her murdered parents.
Michigan: The Ghost of the Grand Hotel
The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, built in 1887, is a historic and luxurious resort with a reputation for ghostly activity. Guests and staff have reported seeing various apparitions, including a man in a top hat and a woman in Victorian clothing. Cold spots and unexplained noises are also common.
Minnesota: The Wabasha Street Caves Ghosts
The Wabasha Street Caves in St. Paul were originally mined for silica and later used as a speakeasy during Prohibition. It has a history of gangster activity and murders. Visitors and staff have reported seeing ghostly figures in 1920s attire, hearing phantom music, and experiencing cold spots. Some believe the spirits of gangsters killed in the caves still linger.
Mississippi: The Ghost of King’s Tavern
King’s Tavern in Natchez, built in the late 1700s, is one of the oldest buildings in Mississippi. It served as a tavern and inn and has a dark history of murder. Guests and staff have reported seeing the ghost of Madeline, a woman believed to have been murdered by the tavern owner’s wife. Other reports include phantom footsteps and objects moving on their own.
Lemp Mansion image from Wikimedia Commons
Missouri: The Lemp Mansion Ghosts
The Lemp Mansion in St. Louis was home to the Lemp family, who made their fortune in brewing. The family experienced multiple tragedies, including several suicides. Visitors have reported seeing apparitions, hearing disembodied voices, and feeling cold spots. The spirits of the Lemp family members are believed to haunt the mansion.
Montana: The Little Bighorn Battlefield Ghosts
The Battle of Little Bighorn, also known as Custer’s Last Stand, took place in 1876. It was a significant conflict between the U.S. Army and Native American tribes. Visitors to the battlefield have reported seeing apparitions of soldiers and Native Americans, hearing phantom battle sounds, and feeling an eerie presence.
Nebraska: The Seven Sisters Road Ghosts
Seven Sisters Road near Nebraska City is named after a local legend in which a man murdered his seven sisters and hung them along the road. Drivers and visitors have reported seeing ghostly figures, hearing screams, and feeling an overwhelming sense of dread. Some claim to see apparitions of the seven sisters.
Nevada: The Ghost of the Goldfield Hotel
The Goldfield Hotel, built in 1908 in the town of Goldfield, is said to be haunted by several spirits, including a woman named Elizabeth who was allegedly murdered there. Visitors have reported seeing apparitions, hearing disembodied voices, and experiencing cold spots. Elizabeth’s ghost is often seen in Room 109, where she is said to have died.
New Hampshire: The Mount Washington Hotel Ghost
The Mount Washington Hotel, built in 1902 in Bretton Woods, is a grand historic resort. It is said to be haunted by the wife of the hotel’s founder, Joseph Stickney. Guests have reported seeing a woman in period clothing, particularly in Room 314. They have also experienced cold spots and felt an unseen presence.
New Jersey: The Ghost of the Spy House
The Spy House, also known as the Seabrook-Wilson House, is located in Port Monmouth and dates back to the early 1700s. It earned its name during the American Revolution when it was reportedly used by American patriots to spy on British troops. Visitors and staff have reported seeing the ghost of Thomas Seabrook, the house's original owner, as well as other apparitions. People have experienced cold spots, heard disembodied voices, and seen objects move on their own. The house is considered one of the most haunted locations in New Jersey.
New Mexico: The Ghost of Julia Staab at La Posada Hotel
Julia Staab was the wife of a wealthy German-Jewish merchant. She died in 1896, and her spirit is said to haunt her former home, now part of La Posada Hotel in Santa Fe. Guests and staff have reported seeing Julia’s apparition in mirrors and hallways. They have also experienced cold spots and strange occurrences, such as doors opening and closing on their own.
New York: The Ghosts of the Amityville House
The Amityville House in Long Island is infamous for the 1974 DeFeo family murders and the subsequent haunting reported by the Lutz family. The Lutz family reported hearing strange noises, seeing green slime oozing from the walls, and encountering ghostly figures. The house has been the subject of numerous books and films.
Brown Mountain Lights from Blue Ridge Traveler
North Carolina: The Brown Mountain Lights
The Brown Mountain Lights are mysterious ghostly lights seen in the Brown Mountain area. The phenomena have been reported for centuries. Witnesses describe seeing unexplained orbs of light floating and moving in the distance. Various legends attribute the lights to Native American spirits or spectral soldiers.
North Dakota: The Ghost of the Liberty Memorial Building
The Liberty Memorial Building in Bismarck, built in 1924, is said to be haunted by a ghost named Stack, believed to be a former employee. Employees and visitors have reported seeing a spectral figure, hearing strange noises, and feeling cold spots. Some believe Stack’s spirit is still at his post.
Ohio: The Ohio State Reformatory Ghosts
The Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield operated from 1896 to 1990 and housed thousands of inmates. It is known for its Gothic architecture and haunted history. Visitors have reported seeing apparitions, hearing disembodied voices, and experiencing physical sensations like being touched. The most famous ghost is that of an inmate named James Lockhart.
Oklahoma: The Stone Lion Inn Ghost
The Stone Lion Inn in Guthrie, built in 1907, was originally a family home and later a funeral home. It is now a bed and breakfast. Guests have reported seeing the ghost of a little girl named Augusta, who died in the house. Other reports include hearing children’s laughter and footsteps.
Oregon: The Shanghai Tunnels Ghosts
The Shanghai Tunnels in Portland were used to transport kidnapped sailors and laborers to ships in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Visitors and tour guides have reported seeing ghostly figures, hearing phantom footsteps, and feeling cold spots. The spirits are believed to be those of the kidnapped victims.
Eastern State Penitentiary image by Lindsay Merkel
Pennsylvania: The Ghosts of Eastern State Penitentiary
Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia operated from 1829 to 1971 and was known for its harsh solitary confinement practices. Visitors have reported seeing apparitions, hearing disembodied voices, and feeling cold spots. The most famous ghost is Al Capone, who was incarcerated there and claimed to be haunted by the ghost of a man he murdered.
Rhode Island: The Conjuring House Ghosts
The Conjuring House in Harrisville, built in 1736, was made famous by the 2013 horror film "The Conjuring," based on the experiences of the Perron family and the investigations of Ed and Lorraine Warren. The Perron family reported seeing apparitions, hearing strange noises, and experiencing physical attacks. The most notorious spirit is that of Bathsheba Sherman, a suspected witch.
South Carolina: The Ghost of Lavinia Fisher
Lavinia Fisher and her husband, John, were convicted of highway robbery in the early 1800s. Lavinia was executed in 1820 and is said to haunt the Old Charleston Jail. Visitors have reported seeing Lavinia’s ghost, hearing her screams, and feeling cold spots. Some claim to see her in her wedding dress, the attire she wore at her execution.
South Dakota: The Bullock Hotel Ghost
The Bullock Hotel in Deadwood was built by Seth Bullock, the town’s first sheriff, in 1895. Guests and staff have reported seeing Bullock’s apparition, hearing phantom footsteps, and feeling cold spots. Bullock’s spirit is said to ensure the hotel runs smoothly.
Bell Witch Cave image from Wayne Hsieh, Flickr
Tennessee: The Bell Witch
The Bell Witch haunting occurred in Adams, Tennessee, in the early 1800s. The Bell family was tormented by a poltergeist, which became known as the Bell Witch. The Bell family and neighbors reported hearing strange noises, seeing apparitions, and experiencing physical attacks. The Bell Witch was said to be responsible for the death of John Bell.
Texas: The Ghosts of the Alamo
The Alamo in San Antonio was the site of a pivotal battle during the Texas Revolution in 1836. Visitors have reported seeing apparitions of soldiers, hearing battle sounds, and feeling cold spots. The spirits of those who died in the battle are believed to haunt the historic site.
Utah: The Purple Lady of Rio Grande Depot
The Rio Grande Depot in Salt Lake City, built in 1910, is said to be haunted by a woman known as the Purple Lady. Visitors and staff have reported seeing the apparition of a woman in a purple dress, hearing disembodied voices, and feeling cold spots. She is believed to be the spirit of a woman who died in a tragic accident.
Vermont: The Ghost of Emily’s Bridge
Emily’s Bridge, also known as Gold Brook Covered Bridge in Stowe, is said to be haunted by a girl named Emily who committed suicide there after being jilted by her lover. Visitors have reported seeing a spectral figure, hearing ghostly footsteps, and experiencing scratches and other physical sensations.
Virginia: The Ghosts of Bacon’s Castle
Bacon’s Castle in Surry County, built in 1665, is one of the oldest brick buildings in the United States and has a history of hauntings. Visitors have reported seeing apparitions, hearing unexplained noises, and feeling cold spots. The spirits are believed to be former residents and soldiers from Bacon’s Rebellion.
Washington: The Hotel Andra Ghost
The Hotel Andra in Seattle, built in 1926, has a reputation for paranormal activity. Guests and staff have reported seeing the ghost of a young girl, hearing disembodied voices, and feeling cold spots. The ghost is believed to be the spirit of a girl who died in the hotel.
Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum image from Wikimedia Commons
West Virginia: The Ghost of the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum
The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in Weston, built between 1858 and 1881, served as a hospital for the mentally ill until it closed in 1994. Known for its overcrowded conditions and mistreatment of patients, the asylum has a long and tragic history. Visitors and paranormal investigators have reported numerous ghost sightings, including apparitions of former patients and staff. Some of the most famous spirits include a little girl named Lily, who is often seen and heard playing in her room, and a nurse who was brutally murdered by a patient. People have also experienced cold spots, disembodied voices, and other unexplained phenomena throughout the asylum.
Wisconsin: The Ghost of Summerwind Mansion
Summerwind Mansion on the shores of West Bay Lake was built in the early 1900s and abandoned in the 1980s due to intense paranormal activity. Visitors and former owners reported seeing apparitions, hearing ghostly voices, and experiencing physical attacks. The spirits are believed to be former residents and workers.
Wyoming: The Occidental Hotel Ghost
The Occidental Hotel in Buffalo, built in the 1880s, has a history of famous guests and ghostly activity. Guests and staff have reported seeing apparitions, hearing phantom music, and feeling cold spots. The ghosts are believed to be former guests and employees who still linger in the historic hotel.
We've taken a spooky tour through America's most famous ghosts, from haunted asylums to ghostly hotels and beyond. These eerie tales are just a taste of the haunted history that lurks in every state. But the stories don’t end here. What other ghostly United States legends have you heard— or seen?!
For more haunting locales and ghost stories from within the United States, check out 10 Haunted Places in the U.S. Where Ghost Hunters Can Spend the Night, 15 Curious and Creepy Places You Can Explore in Pennsylvania, and 5 You (Probably) Shouldn't Attempt, Our Trip to Alcatraz, America's Most Haunted Prison, and Opera Ghosts - Echoes of the Rhoads Opera House Fire.
