Old abandoned, mill in Decatur, Alabama. | Historical place, Abandoned In 1902 the new facility was finished, featuring 33 buildings, a power station, and a general store. The national recognized museum first opened in 1980 and was reinvented and reopened in summer 2019. The spirit of a murdered woman is said to haunt a dirt road behind a Texaco station in this small community. Battle of Decatur - Digital Alabama For this feature, Ive combined those two loves. Kids and adults will enjoy exploring various hands-on exhibits, including a gallery of bees, turtles, alligators and snakes, a recreated Alabama cave, insect galleries, a 15,000-gallon aquarium, and more. This church on AvenueU in Pratt City has been empty since it was struck by a tornado. (Source: Matt Glasscock at left; Birmingham Public Library at right), http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2016/09/amazing_photos_show_abandoned.html. Many people claim theyve seen a face behind the barred windows of the second floor but the building was empty. The Rawls Hotel was built in 1903 by Capt. Because after an entire life of drudgery and cleaning, that's how every woman wants to spend her afterlife. (Source: Judyanne Waters via FindaGrave.com), Grave of Norman Staples and Ghost Ship, Bladon Springs. The rare folk-art stones, declared historic sites by the National Park Service, have unfortunately been all but destroyed by vandals. "When it was built, it was the tallest building in Alabama.". One surviving example is the stone on the grave of Korea Nettles, which has three faces said to be those of her children. Most cemeteries are closed at night. As Ive discovered over the years, people are fascinated with abandoned places. The Gaines Ridge Dinner Club is a restaurant inside a ca. (Source: Karen Manasco via FindaGrave.com). Some people say they've heard a baby cry or a dog panting or growling while on the. Currently, there are 14 new listings and 212 homes for sale in Decatur. 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. Mrs. Locals tell a story that this building once was occupied by a young girl, Molly, who died in the 1930s or 1940s. Shown: The Old Shelby Hotel in Shelby County. Click hereto see more photos. People report hearing maniacal screaming among other reported paranormal activity. A shadow, a moan, a creak lead visitors to wonder if the five crew members who died in a 1944 turret explosion are still on duty, refusing to let even death end their watch. Sadly, nature has reclaimed much of Old Cahawba. The house has been restored and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building is believed to be haunted by several apparitions and ghostly voices are heard. The ruins of the building that served as the Alabama Capitol from 1826-1846 have been preserved as Capitol Park in Tuscaloosa. This photo was taken in 1973. Dicksonia ruins have been used to film an opening scene in the 2003 movie"Big Fish,"was the site of a photo shoot by legendary celebrity photographerAnnie Leibovitz,who photographed actressNatalie Portmanfor the May 1999 issue of Vanity Fair magazine, and is now a sought-aftervenuefor artistic photography and weddings. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. (Source: Historic Drish House Facebook page), This home was built by Dr. John R. Drish in 1837. At one point, a caretaker claimed to have seen a coffin in one of the rooms set up as if for a wake. A marker on Court Square North in Carrollton tells of the Pickens County portrait: "A freedman, Henry Wells, was accused of burning the second on November 16, 1876. Click here to see a five-part history of the Mt. An abandoned property is usually a property whose original owner is no longer in possession of the home. The land this was built on was at one time a cemetery. Best Restaurants in Decatur, AL - The RailYard, Two Fish & A Toad, The Moody Crab, Simp McGhee's, Brick Deli, Francesco's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria, Bank Street Grill, Hard Dock, Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q, Sushi Sumo The Heart of Dixie is steeped in history, making for truly spooky tales. Residents hear screaming and footsteps and other ghostly sounds. A marker was erected nearby detailing the legend. Abandoned Places In Alabama 1. After a mummified woman was discovered in her home, people claimed she was a witch. Click here to see Robinson Switch Road on Google Maps. White orbs also appear in the childrens room. THE BEST 10 Restaurants in Decatur, AL - Last Updated March 2023 - Yelp Unfortunately, the introduction of new railroads following the American Civil War really hurt the town. Molly was bittem by her puppy, which had contracted rabies. Decatur Mall is located in the southwest corridor of Decatur at the Beltline Road/Danville Road intersection, approximately 7 miles NW from I-65. 1. According to legend, as Wells peered out of the north window, at a mob gathering below, lightning struck nearby, indelibly etching his image on the pane. Officials have marked the site with an arrow so visitors can spot the face.. From lost burial grounds to haunted theaters, the Haunted Decatur Tour is much more than just a run-of-the-mill ghost tour! 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. Alabama, Should Be on Your Radar. Passersby often say they can see the swings moving on their own volition, as well as orbs or spectral figures. A local storyteller dressed in period clothing leads the one-mile tour of haunted hotels, infamous murder sites, cemeteries, and more. Furthermore, it is not allowed for any person to excavate . According to Judson.edu, the Anne Kirtley dorm is haunted by its namesake. The war ended before the plant went into operation. At least one of the buildings at Robinson's Switch has the shape of a depot and another long building appears to have been a railroad warehouse. At the WHBC frat house, they say former Youth Minister Anthony Stephens' spirit walks through the house later at night. BOOK REVIEW: 'Abandoned Alabama' should be on historians' read list This is one of the outbuildings at the site. TOURS OFFERED FOR THE 2023 SEASON: Haunted History Bus Tours: $32 Per Person The swings sometimes can be seen swinging by themselves, and the sounds of laughter Urban legend tells of a man who was hit by a car and killed while walking across this bridge. It had no ballroom, no gold-leafed interior, no orchestra. The most infamous haunted location in Alabama is The Tutwiler Hotel in downtown Birmingham. According to legend, many apparitions haunt the house. 28 Abandoned Alabama ideas | alabama, abandoned, historical - Pinterest In Huntsville, the Maple Hill Cemetery is also known as the Dead Children's Playground. The historic courthouse is used for events and education art displays. But by far the creepiest spot is the 200+-year-old Bass Cemetery in Irondale. On Feb. 4, a fellow student spilled cleaning fluid onto the open stove and the kitchen caught fire. At this playground set up near the cemetery, the ghosts of children play and swing on the swingsets. Simp McGhee's All Rights Reserved. DECATUR MALL - $$ - 1801 Beltline Rd SW, Decatur, AL - Yelp It survives but the third story and its Romanesque embellishments were removed. Condie allegedly ran, screaming, with flames streaming from her. 1888 as a private residence. The most haunted bridge in our state is aptly named Hell's Gate Bridge, located in Oxford. 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." 17 Abandoned Places In Alabama [MAP] - Urbex (Source: Alabama Department of Archives and History). If you stop on the bridge and turn off your lights, the couple will enter your car and leave behind a wet stain on your car seat. This abandoned home on Watts Mill Road was built in 1905 by Charles and William Hudson for their brother, John. 15 Best Things to Do in Decatur, Alabama - VacationIdea Cemeteries near Decatur, AL Haunted Places in Hartselle, Alabama A pyromaniac ghost? Find museums in Decatur, AL, Dead Children's Playground - Maple Hill Cemetery, Off Campus Book Store - University of North Alabama, University of North Alabama - Romeo and Juliet statues, Wesleyan Hall - University of North Alabama, Norton Auditorium - University of North Alabama. Best Things to Do in Decatur, Alabama - Southern Living Legend says the spirits of the children buried in the cemetery, founded in 1822, come there to play. In 1908, Condie Cunningham came to Montevallo, then called the Alabama Girls Industrial School, and was known to make fudge in the Main Hall kitchen at night. The neglected building is Birmingham's Masonic Temple, also once known as the Colored Masonic Lodge. It is located at 1928 First Avenue North. 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. Nebo Baptist Church. The home was featured in the late Katherine Tucker Windham's book 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey., The skeletal facade ofan abandoned jail lurks in the woods in the community of Townley in Walker County, near Carbon Hill. Love Alabama? Abandoned Property for Sale: How To Buy an Abandoned Home - realtor.com Although the haunting of Sloss Furnaces is oft repeated, legends surrounding Bass Cemetery in Irondale are definitely the spookiest. Having promised her adoring audience she would return, she was killed in an accident on the way. Apparitions have been seen, and captured on film by paranormal society investigations; orbs have been reported as well. Click hereto see more photos. After a fire and years of deterioration, only a few buildings remain but it has become a popular destination for tourists and photographers. 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. Home Size. Rock Run is a residential community in Cherokee County where a small pocket of residents live in well-kept homes. What it did offer was good food, comfortable bedrooms, outdoor activities and, according toa history of Shelby Iron Works, the first accommodations with electricity and indoor plumbing in the state. Haunted Places Decatur, Alabama Decatur High School Decatur High School was built in 1950. Others say they have experienced their cars rocking while on the bridge. Some people say theyve heard a baby cry or a dog panting or growling while on the property. (Source: ecjmartin1 via Wikimedia Commons). 2. At least two, possibly . It was designed in the Eastlake style of. It is said to be haunted by slaves who died on the grounds and also by former owners. The best-known ghost tale from each Alabama county - al.com See more ideas about alabama, abandoned, historical sites. It was reportedly closed in 1924 and was later opened as a medical hospital. Haunted Places in Decatur, Texas No trespassing. A staircase in the Empire building before renovations began. After Old Main burned in 1887, the Chapel was used for classrooms until Samford Hall was built. Reportedly haunted by the ghost of a young singer who died on the night of her greatest triumph. The Goode-Hall house in Town Creek, also known as Saunders Hall, was near collapse when this photo was taken in the 1930s. Now, it's just old and long abandoned. The current owners of the Moody Brick claim that the old plantation is definitely not haunted. For the next 125 years, people claimed the hole would always return no matter how many times it was filled. These, shown in 1935, were demolished but the main house remains. 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. 2 bedrooms (5 homes) $159,629. There is a place in the Talladega National Forest, shown above, were a road was laid over some graves, according to legend. Many spooky tales surround Bear Creek Swamp. This historic museum operated as a hospital during the civil war, so the rumours of haunting's appear to have a leg to stand on; which can't be said for some of the apparitions supposedly reported. Share your experiences with us in the comments below! Brick Deli is housed in a building that dates back over a century. Since it was erected in 1922, the Masonicbuilding has a public library for black residents and home to offices for prominent black doctors and lawyers, as well as the local NAACP. The buildings flank Alabama Avenue.. 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. (Sources: Alabama Department of Youth Services, left; Kelly Kazek, right). Jennifer is the Alabama staff writer for Only In Your State and has nearly 15 years of professional writing experience. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Haunted Decatur Adjoining Huntsville's historic Maple Hill Cemetery is a playground that looks much like any other, featuring a swing set and slide. (Alabama Department of Archives and History). The house is reportedly haunted by the spirit of an invalid woman who killed herself in the home in the 1960s. Although the mist is not thought to be connected to the statue, it does form the shape of a figure as it rises, before disappearing. Legend says a girl named Sally hung herself in a stairwell on the third floor of the building. (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. Chalkville Training School for 'Incorrigible' Girls. Allegedly there is a photo that shows a ghost in it. Cahawba, or Cahaba, was the state capital from 1820-1825 but was eventually abandoned because of flooding from the Alabama and Cahaba rivers. Click here to read more. It was also a very thriving town. Today only ruins remain. Our "history tour with ghosts" reveals not only the highlights of the city's history, but also reveals the history "that no one wants you to know" -- from crime scenes, to scandals, unsolved murders, and more. The woods off Hinds Road are said the be haunted by a witch who sold her soul to the devil. It is the property of the Department of Youth Services. But at night, people have reported seeing shadowy figures wandering inside the crumbling walls, as well as strange mists and odd noises. At the heart of the Deep South, the state of Alabama offers a wealth of opportunities for urban explorers. Support@storageauctoins.com (866) 944-8530 . 5) Higdon Hotel Joy Castello / Flickr The Higdon Hotel has been closed for business since 1920, but the beautiful building still stands. For 50 years, the woman brought flowers and kneeled to pray at the foot of his 8-foot obelisk marker. They were holding candles, and her hair caught fire. Some also like to repeat the myth that children were buried in the playground following a series of abductions in the 1960s. Click hereto see more photos. Prattville was founded by Daniel Pratt, a manufacturer of cotton gins. An old well house at the Chalkville Training School for Girls. According to legend, Burns performed at the buildings opening night and was carrying a bouquet of roses as she boarded her carriage to return to her hotel in Huntsville. It is said to be haunted by the inmates executed there, with the last one in 1949. 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. Children have reported seeing a face peering down from a second-floor window when the courthouse is closed. All are on my list of favorites, but they are not listed in order of preference. The image turned out to be a silhouette etched into the stone. The Goode-Hall house in Town Creek, also known as Saunders Hall, in 2010. The tale of its resident ghost, a Confederate soldier named Sydney Grimmett who died there, is the most popular ghost story on campus. The bank was founded in the 1850s. 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. If. As the river trade continued to increase, the town continued to grow. This haunted house is huge and horrifyingso make sure to get your tickets ASAP. Abandoned Storage Unit Auctions. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The third floor of this historic courthouse formerly housed a row of cells, dating back to the early twentieth century. Local legend claims that a woman appears should a visitor kiss the tallest tombstone. In 2015, the church burned in a fire presumed to be caused by arson. If you want to suggest another tale, email kkazek@al.com or comment below. She founded many of the things Judson students still love: theConversationalistyearbook, theTriangle(student newspaper), theScrimshawliterary magazine, the college archives, and several (shh!) 3. We have the list of places to check out! The old Bibb County Jail, built ca. Although this hospital is now closed and operates a geriatric-psych ward, employees tell tales of "Homer" a ghost who roamsthe halls. Stewartfield in Mobile. Alabama Unclaimed Property - Official State Website Fort Gaines, a historic fort on Dauphin Island, was established in 1821 and is well known for its role in the Battle of Mobile Bay during the American Civil War. HAUNTED DECATUR is part of AMERICAN HAUNTINGS INKEMAIL: GHOSTS@AMERICANHAUNTINGS.NET Copyright 2023 by American Hauntings Ink. 15 most haunted places in Decatur - herald-review.com Burt Cemetery in Decatur, Alabama - Find a Grave Cemetery Have you visited any before? 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. This cemetery, established in 1834, is said the be haunted by the spirits of Confederate and Union soldiers. Information with the photo said: This building stood on the southeast corner of Vine Street and First Street North. When Memorial Mound opened on Dartmouth Avenue in Bessemerin 1993, it was billed as a new method of laying loved ones to rest. Across fromSt. Clair's Bait & Tackle, Grocery and Hardware, a tiny catch-all store at the crossroads of Lowndes County Roads 29 and 40, is a narrow, shaded dirt lane that leads to one of Alabama's best-kept secrets. The Canabiss House in Huntsville today. The historic Josephine Hotel, built in 1880 in downtown Union Springs, now houses a cafe, art studio and gift shop. It is no longer standing. 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. The three-story tower was added to the home after the Civil War. Or they are shocked by the waste of still-useful homes and buildings. He is known to flush toilets, independently operate ice machines and brush past people leaving them with chills. 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). Did you know about these Alabama ghost towns? It served as the Jackson County seat from 1821 to 1859. Legend says those who face the front of the house will feel a tap on their shoulders and see a dark figure running across the roof. 1914. It is also home to numerous legends and ghost tales. This popular ghost town was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. While visiting the house, a relative, Sally Carter, died of a short illness at the mansion in 1837. 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. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 10 Must-Try Decatur Alabama Restaurants | Where to eat - Foodie Flashpacker The buildings, built only for filming exteriors, were not completed and not built to code. It burned in 1923, leaving only ruins. These are cars, trucks, and SUVs that were abandoned or otherwise not claimed by their owners after a period of time. She never harmed them, other than perhaps causing some ringing in their ears. Decatur was one of the first mills to take advantage of river transportation of grain. Months after Pegues was killed in battle in 1862, strolling lovers claimed to see an orb in the garden behind the home. Penn's and Big Bob's have the greatest longevity and are synonymous with Decatur. NOTE:This site was visited with permission and under supervision of the State Department of Mental Health. Click hereto see more photos. Gen. John Brahan, a veteran of the War of 1812, began construction on Sweetwater Plantation in the 1830s. For information, contact Craig Drescher,info@historicwinterplace.com. Copper Center - Tonseno Lodge - A man was killed in the hotel, and now he's haunting it. People claim to hear disembodied laughter. When his spirit would pass people in the halls, they would feel cold. As the tale goes, a couple's car drove off the bridge, plunging into the water below. The property is still owned by the Department of Mental Health and is trespassing is illegal. Decatur, AL Homes For Sale & Decatur, AL Real Estate | Trulia Jacksons Military Road passed through the town. Today, Jackson Lake Island is open to the public for camping and fishing. People claim to hear knocking on the floors and walls. NOTE: This site is continually monitored with video surveillance. Another story says when people feel a sudden sense of dread, they will soon see the apparition of a soldier. But Decatur's dark origins can be traced back to the earliest days of the city, when the original settlers built over the top of Native American burial grounds that were scattered throughout the downtown area of what would become Decatur. A defunct prison said to have been in operation from 1945 to 1995. SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM! 9. This building, constructed in 1856, has a rich and interesting history. Eerie. Built in 1842, the old Coosa County Jail, known as the Old Rock Jail, is the oldest surviving stone jail in Alabama. Cook Museum of Natural Science 123 Science Museums Educational sites By alwildflower3 It's fun for groups, children of all ages, and solo adults or couples. A baby is said to have died there, either from murder, a car accident, a wagon accident from pioneer days, or variations on the theme. (Picture: Wheeler Dam Village - 1937). Japeth Rawls. She would die from her burns on Feb. 6 at the age of 17. Cripple Creek - Palace Hotel - Like much of Cripple Creek, the Palace Hotel has a long history. It was abandoned for years and is currently being refurbished. (Picture: The Boyaux fortification at the Blakeley battleground). (Illustration from historic photo/AL.com file). 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. Bass Cemetery is located off a dirt road in the woods. She enjoys discovering new places and currently calls North Alabama home. The courthouse burned in 1866 and was rebuilt. Some have been completely abandoned, making them TRUE ghost towns. In the 1930s, this beautiful 1842 home known as the Bethea-Strother House, located on Alabama Highway 28 in Camden, was abandoned and deteriorating. Decatur, Dothan, Hoover, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, and more. When the Gold Rush began in California, residents headed west. History and Hauntings Tours of Decatur's Spirits, Scandals & Sins, TOURS:The Haunted Decatur Tours run either 3 or 4 hours in length -- depending on the tour - and travel by bus to various locations throughout the city. If you'd like to see the "behind the scenes" drama of Decatur's haunted past, then this is the tour for you! During the Civil War it was occupied by both Confederate and Union troops at different times. were demolished but the main house remains, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. Others have claimed to see odd sights while driving the road, from lights darting through the trees to ghostly figures. That's right, allegedly there are sightings of a ghost sweeping. Haunted Places in Decatur, Alabama From vacant factories and industrial sites to long-shuttered schoolhouses, our list of the 10 most amazing abandoned places in Alabama has a little bit of everything. It is now a concert venue. Several witnesses have reported seeing the statues of Romeo and Juliet floating around The University of North Alabama's campus during a full moon. 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. . It is thought to be the face of Sarah Kittrell, wife of Thomas Kittrell, who disappeared in 1904. Although the spot where the Dallas Mill was is now open field, legend has it was once haunted by a man who died while working there. One version of the story claims Molly was the ghost of a woman who had lost an infant who dealt with the tragedy by hugging local children. Once the world's most expensive prison, from 1829 this Philadelphia facility boasted grand architecture, modern luxuries and notorious inmates including Al Capone. List of Caves in Alabama: Locations and Map - startcaving.com The furnace was destroyed by the Union army during the Civil War but was rebuilt around 1879. Jesse James is rumored to have holed up in the canyon. The original portrait of Miss Kirtley hangs in the freshman dorm, Kirtley Hall, but often makes surprise appearances in elevators, closets, and beds! 30+ Abandoned Industrial Buildings In Alabama | Abandoned Alabama Archive - Industrial Western Railway of Alabama February 13, 2023 Add comment | City/Town: Montgomery The Montgomery Railroad, later known as the Western Railway of Alabama, was one of the earliest railroads in the South. A little farther to the east is a waterway known as Gun Island Chute that leads to the Alabama River. Inside Alabama's abandoned Ruffner Mountain mine, site of 1971 explosion, These abandoned Alabama bridges will make you wonder what's on the other side, Eerie abandoned campus of Alabama's girls reform school, Ghost boats: Abandoned Alabama watercraft, Inside the spooky skeleton of Bryce, Alabama's historic insane hospital, 15 riveting ruins that recount Alabama's past, Crumbling Shelby Hotel gives spooky glimpse into Alabama's resort era. The 12 Most Bone-Chilling & Haunted Places in Alabama - StyleBlueprint In the 1900s, it was used as a YMCA and later as the college drama departments theater.