The United States is one of the largest countries in the world, and it’s certainly got no shortage of haunted places, locations, and sites. From abandoned asylums to historic hotels, these places are often said to be occupied by the spirits of the past. Here is a list of the top ten most haunted places in the United States:
1. The Stanley Hotel (Estes Park, Colorado)
The Stanley Hotel is said to be haunted by the ghost of founder F.O. Stanley. It’s also said to be haunted by many other ghosts.
Guests who have stayed here have reported strange noises, ghostly figures, and other sorts of paranormal activity. In fact, The Stanley Hotel is the inspiration behind Stephen King’s “The Shining.”
2. The Winchester Mystery House (San Jose, California)
The Winchester mansion is probably one of the weirdest ones on this list. Build by the widow of the inventor of the Winchester rifle, the house is said to be haunted by those killed by the rifles. The widow had strange architectural features put into the home, including staircases that go up to the ceiling and doors that lead to nowhere.
3. Eastern State Penitentiary (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
What better place to find the paranormal in than a former prison? Well, the Eastern State Penitentiary is said to be haunted by inmates who died there. Visitors to this strange site have reported feeling like they were being watched and some have even seen ghosts in the halls.
4. The Myrtles Plantation (St. Francisville, Louisiana)
The Myrtles Plantation has a very dark history behind it. The antebellum plantation is said to be haunted by the spirits of former slaves who died. It’s also said to be haunted by a man named William Winter, who was shot and killed. He had tried to go up the stairs, but died on the 17th step. Guests still hear his footsteps.
It’s also rumored to be sitting on top of an old Native American burial ground, in case you needed more reason why this place is so freaky.
5. The Queen Mary (Long Beach, California)
The Queen Mary isn’t a standing building–in fact, it’s a retired ocean liner. It’s said to be haunted by the spirits of people who died on board. However, some have attempted to debunk the hauntings. Still, that doesn’t stop people from believing that it’s filled with ghosts and other apparitions.
6. The Lemp Mansion (St. Louis, Missouri)
The Lemp Mansion was owned by the Lemp family. According to popular American legend, the Lemp family’s spirits still haunt the mansion. Many visitors have reported seeing strange figures and hearing bizarre noises as well. Members of the Lemp family have been referred to as cursed, as almost all of them died in strange and terrifying ways.
7. The Lizzie Borden House (Fall River, Massachusetts)
The Lizzie Borden House is a notoriously haunted location in the United States. It is said that the spirits of members of the Borden family haunt this home. In 1892, there was an unsolved double murder of Lizzie Borden’s father and stepmother. As with any home where murders take place, many believe that the location is haunted by the spirits of the dead.
Also check out this: The Top Five Most Bizarre Unsolved Mysteries
8. The USS Hornet (Alameda, California)
Like The Queen Mary, the USS Hornet is said to be haunted by the spirits of those who died on board. Some have reported hearing unseen people having conversations, especially in the men’s restroom. Others have reported seeing ghostly figures walking the halls. Needless to say, pretty creepy stuff.
9. The Villisca Axe Murder House (Villisca, Iowa)
As if the name didn’t already indicate why this place is considered one of the most haunted in the United States, here’s some more motivation. The home is the location of a brutal murder where the six members of the Moore family and two guests were found murdered in the home. All were found with severe head wounds inflicted with an axe.
There were several suspects, but none were proven to be the murderers. To this day, nobody knows who killed the Moore family.
Two adults and six children total were killed. It’s been alleged that the house is haunted by the murdered spirits.
10. The Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery (Midlothian, Illinois)
I mean, it’s literally an abandoned cemetery. What place is more prime for ghosts than that?
The Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery is said to be haunted. It’s often affected by vandalism and poor upkeep. Many have reported ghosts, including a woman in a white dress and even a disappearing farm house. Most of the graves there are unmarked, so who knows who was really buried in it?
Conclusions
And that wraps up our list of the ten most haunted places in the United States. Each location is unique, with its own history and set of ghostlore and legends.
For the most part, visitors to these areas have almost always reported seeing, hearing, and experiencing paranormal and strange things. For ghost hunters and horror lovers, these places are prime for visiting.
However, as with any abandoned/haunted location, make sure the place is open for public visitation. Trespassing is a crime.
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