Most Haunted Places in America

GHOSTLY LEGENDS & MYSTERIES

Most Haunted Places in the United States

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The destinations listed below consistently rate in the top ten most haunted places America. Depending on the source, the results vary for the top ten, so we have included 15 different places that consistently appear on these most haunted lists.

Alcatraz, San Francisco, California - With its centuries old history from ancient Native Americans, to Fort Alcatraz, to a Military Barracks, and most often known service as one of the toughest federal penitentiaries in the Nation, it is no wonder that this place is said to be one of the most haunted in the nation. Often described as a portal to another dimension, Alcatraz is filled with the energy of those who came to the "Rock” and seemingly never left.

Alcatraz Island today, Kathy Weiser, July, 2009.

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Today, these spirits that continue to lurk in the shadows of the often fog-enshrouded island have been heard, seen and felt by both the staff and many visitors to Alcatraz. The sounds of men’s voices, screams, whistles, clanging metal doors and terrifying screams are said to be heard within these historic walls, especially near the dungeon.

Bachelor's Grove Cemetery, Midlothian, Illinois - Largely abandoned since the mid 1960's, this 1800s-era cemetery is well-known for its haunted stories and ghost sightings. The small cemetery in the Chicago metropolitan area, is located near Midlothian and Oak Forest, Illinois in the Rubio Woods Forest Preserve at 143rd Street & the Midlothian Turnpike. Victim to vandals over the years, many of the tombstones are toppled and rumors circulate that the cemetery has been the location for satanic and occultist groups performing ceremonies. Over the years, numerous stories have been told of glowing balls, sightings of apparitions; strange noises being heard including moans, squeaks, and groans; and voices. Paranormal investigators report strange photos, anomalous recordings and sightings of unbelievable creatures. Near the cemetery is a quarry pond that is also said to be haunted. The foul, dark, algae covered pool is said to have been used by Al Capone and other gangsters as a dumping place of their murder victims. Other reports tell of the ghosts of a farmer and his horse who were drowned in the pond as well as another unknown "two-headed" ghost.

Bell Witch Cave, Adams, Tennessee - The Bell Witch Cave, located near where the Bell Farm once stood is said to be associated with the Bell Witch, a sinister entity that allegedly haunted the Bell Family between 1817 and 1821. The story became so famous at the time that even General Andrew Jackson decided to visit and allegedly experienced the antics of the witch himself. Local legends say that the Bell Witch has haunted the area surrounding the caves for hundreds of years. The area has a long history of pioneers and Native Americans, many of whom were said to have been buried in the cave. The Trail of Tears, which forcibly relocated the Cherokee, Creek, Seminole, Choctaw, and other tribes from their homelands to Indian Territory (Oklahoma) went through the farm. Numerous visitors have told of seeing her apparition, as well as odd shadows, and hearing voices in restricted areas of the cave. visitors who take anything from the cave, such as a rock, will be cursed and many have returned items quickly. Today, the privately owned Bell Witch Cave and former Bell Farm offers tours.

Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - This former prison operated from 1829 to 1971 and its revolutionary system of incarceration was the first to establish the policy of separate confinement, emphasizing principles of reform rather than punishment. However, the confinement was severe, locking inmates in their cells 23 hours per day and prohibiting any communication among inmates. Punishment was harsh, including subjecting them to water baths, where inmates who broke the rules would be dunked in a bath of ice-cold water then hung from a wall for the night. They were also
punished in what was called the "Mad Chair," so named because it was not uncommon for an inmate to go mad before his punishment ended. During this punishment, inmates would be strapped into the chair so tightly that it was impossible for them to move at all while sitting for days without food until the circulation in their body almost stopped from the tightness of the straps and the lack of movement. For consistently refusing to obey the no communication rules, an iron collar was sometimes clamped onto the tongue of the inmate, then chained to his wrists which were strapped high behind their back. Called the Iron Gag, any movement would result in the tearing of the tongue and severe bleeding, from which many died before their torment ended. Notorious criminals such as bank robber Willie Sutton and Al Capone were held within its walls. Today it is currently a U.S. National Historic Landmark, which is open to the public as a museum for regular tours as well as haunted tours. Today, visitors and staff report hearing unexplained eerie sounds throughout the prison, as well as whispering, laughing and weeping and seeing tormented faces in the cells.

Gettysburg Battlefield, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania - Over ten thousand men died in the battle of Gettysburg. The most violent battle of the Civil War, over 10,000 men lost their lives in July, 1863. Cited as the war's turning point, the Battle of Gettysburg effectively ended Confederate General Robert E. Lee's invasion of the North. A National Historic site today, not only does it offer a wealth of history, but is also said to be one of the most haunted places in the nation. Visitors often report ghostly encounters, many of whom initially believe they've seen Civil War re-enactors, only to find out later that no such groups are at the park. There are allegedly a number of ghosts that lurk within the park, especially at a place called Devil's Den where hundreds of men lost their lives. Many have also reported hearing disembodied screams and numerous others report malfunctioning cameras.

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Stone wall on Cemetery Ridge, Gettysburg Battlefield, Pennsylvania, photo courtesy National Park Service

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