Rate These Real-Life Ghost Stories And Get A Horror Movie To Watch
- by Michelle_Sanders
- – on
- in Movies and TV
-So, tell us, just what is it with us humans anyway, huh? Why do we enjoy being scared out of our wits by things that we can see and hear, yet can't explain? Our interest in the paranormal has been unwaveringly strong since the beginning of recorded history, but as to why mankind seems to harbor such a keen infatuation for investigating restless spirits and attempting to contact disembodied ghosts remains the biggest mystery of all.
Though there are plenty of skeptics out there, there are just as many avid believers, desperate in their hunt for the truth: do ghosts exist, or are they just a figment of our imaginations, a literary device designed to scare ourselves silly? The answer to those questions still can't be answered.
Whether our spirits live on to haunt those who remain long after we depart this mortal coil is yet to be seen—and, in all honesty, it's unlikely any of us will ever know the truth until we, ourselves, cease to be. But, still, the fact remains that we do enjoy being regaled with these haunting yarns, and there are scads of ghost stories out there to send chills up and down our spines. Rate some of them now and get a horror movie to watch!
Eastern State Penitentiary
Famous for housing Al Capone after his arrest in 1931, Eastern State Penitentiary housed more than 70,000 inmates during its 142 year run. Now a tourist hot spot, guests who wander the bleak, hopeless walls of this prison often report hearing wails, whispers and footsteps running up and down the corridors. Some even say they've spotted dark, shadowy figures darting into the cell blocks, and ghostly faces appearing on minute and disappearing just as quickly as they came. SpooOOookyyy!
The Winchester House
Sarah Winchester lost her infant daughter to a childhood illness and soon after her husband to tuberculosis, and she felt their absence keenly. Desperate to make contact with her loved ones, Sarah consulted a psychic who told her that her family had been cursed, and would be haunted by the spirits of those lost to the Winchester rifle (an invention originating from her husband's family). She was advised to use her wealth to build an elaborate home with doors to nowhere and winding hallways for the restless spirits to roam, which they do to this day.
Bellamy Bridge
Built in 1914 and said to be the most haunted spot in Florida, the Bellamy Bridge is said to be haunted by several spirits, but the most prominent of them is the spirit of Elizabeth Jane Bellamy. According to legend, poor Elizabeth Jane met her untimely end the night before her wedding, when her gown caught fire. Now, she haunts the bridge and the surrounding swamp, restlessly roaming this mortal coil mourning her lost love.
Trans Allegheny Asylum
The Trans-Allegheny Asylum opened in the mid-1800's in West Virginia, and was designed to be a safe haven for the mentally ill, but what started out as a well-intended idea turned into something far more sinister. The asylum suffered from overcrowding and poor sanitary conditions. At one point, the building housed 2,600 people, yet it was intended to hold only 250. Patients endured lobotomies, shock therapy and seclusion at the hands of Dr. Walter Freeman, and the ghosts of these people are said to haunt the halls to this day. The asylum once treated the infamous Charles Manson, and some report that the building is now the home of demonic entities.
Old Alton Bridge
Located just south of Denton, Texas, this bridge and the woods surrounding it are said to be haunted by a demonic satyr, known to those in the area as...the Goatman. Those who are brave (or foolish) enough to visit the Goatman's home report hearing a deep, disembodied voice commanding them to get off the bridge. Some say they've seen this creature, a menacing, dark figure, his glowing eyes small beacons of terror in the black, empty night. Are these stories to be believed? We don't know, but since this ghost is also a goat, we have to imagine he says "baa" rather than "boo".
Myrtles Plantation
Mistreated by Mr. Woodruff, the master of the house, Chloe sought revenge by poisoning his wife and two young kids, who succumbed to the effects of the toxic substance within days. Chloe paid for her actions with her life, but her ghost lives on, along with the spirits of Mrs. Woodruff and her two children, who can be seen by anyone with courage enough to venture to Myrtles Plantation.
Robert the Doll
A gift given to Robert Eugene Otto of Key West, Florida by the family maid, Robert the Doll was the boy's constant companion and beloved playmate. Gene's parents thought nothing of his attachment to Robert, but soon grew suspicious when they heard their son carrying on conversations with someone in his room. They would check in on him only to find him alone with Robert. The doll soon gained a mischievous reputation, upturning furniture in Gene's room, and some neighbors claimed to have seen Robert moving in front of the windows when the Ottos weren't home. Robert the Doll is now on display at the Fort East Martello Museum, where he continues to display his naughty behavior, even cursing people who take pictures of him without asking his permission first.
The Jonathan Corwin House
Also known as the Witch House, the Jonathan Corwin House was once the home of Jonathan Corwin, one of the local magistrates who presided over the Salem Witch Trials from 1692 to 1693. His admittedly wicked looking house is said to be haunted by the ghosts of the victims of the wrongheaded, ill-advised witch hunt.
The Queen Mary
Literally a boat-full of paranormal activity, the Queen Mary has been a major tourist attraction for people interested in the supernatural, and with its tragic history, it's not hard to see why. The ghost of a girl who drowned in the ship's swimming pool, the spirit of a man crushed by a door, and the soul of a chef who met a brutal end in his own oven, are all said to wander the halls of this humongous boat, and are frequently seen by passengers today.
The Bell Witch
In 1817, John Bell, his wife and his nine children began to hear singing and voices. The children would wake up at night to the sound of something chewing on their bedposts. Their daughter, Betsy, began to wake up with bruises and scratches all over her body. Eventually, the ghost would come to be called "Kate", and the songs she sang were discovered to be hymns. She grew vindictive towards the family, and vowed to off John Bell, who was discovered in the family home at 70 with a mysterious bottle by his side, which contained a poison. Was the Bell Witch really responsible for these events? Or, was she all just a figment of the Bell family's rampant imaginations? No one can say...
The LaLaurie Mansion
Owned by the infamous Madame Delphine LaLaurie, the LaLaurie Mansion is an impressive piece of architecture that's said to be one of the most haunted homes in New Orleans—and since this city is rife with ghosts, that's quite the statement. After losing three husbands, Delphine LaLaurie was said to have gone mad, which drove her to unthinkable things to her slaves. The LaLaurie Mansion is said to be haunted by the souls of Delphine's many victims, and many believe this location to be cursed.
The Green Man
Born a normal, healthy child, Raymond Robinson became tragically disfigured after coming into contact with a high voltage wire as a boy. The event left him without his eyes, his nose and his right arm. His appearance got him the attention of the locals, especially kids, who only fueled the legend that he was an eerie loner. Whether rightly or wrongly, the Green Man—a nickname alluding to the greenish tinge given his skin after his electrical accident—is said to haunt the woods and a tunnel surrounding Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, where eager ghost hunters still seek to speak to the spirit of Charlie No-Face.
Amityville Horror
On the night of November 13th in 1979, Robert DeFeo Jr. ended the lives of his parents and his four siblings while they all slept in their beds. Little more than a year later, the Lutz family purchased the home and immediately began to experience a series of strange events. Members of the family woke up at 3:15 every night, which was around the time Robert DeFeo Jr. was said to have committed the crime. The family noticed strange smells, and saw green slime ooze from the walls. When a priest came to bless the home, a voice told the family to get out. Creeeeeeepy.
Horton Grand Hotel
After becoming accumulating a massive amount of debt, a gambler named Roger Whittaker (*not* the British musician of the same name) was chased down by the henchmen of his creditors and, shall we say "ended" in an armoir in his room at what is now the Horton Grand Hotel. His ghost, along with that of a woman named Ida Bailey, frequently visit guests who enter this extremely active paranormal location.
Waverly Hills Sanatorium
In the early 1900's, Waverly Hills Sanatorium was a functioning hospital, designed to treat patients with tuberculosis. Sadly, the hospital saw the loss of a tremendous number of patients, who are believed to haunt the halls of this spooky old building. The spirit of a nurse who ended her life after an affair with a doctor left her pregnant, as well as the ghost of a little boy named Timmy are just two of the countless ghosts still live here—well, relatively speaking, anyway.
Whaley House
A court house, a ballroom, a school, a movie theater, a granary—the Whaley House has served a variety of purposes over the course of its colorful history, and it's one of the most haunted places in America. Located in San Diego, this home is said to be haunted by the soul of a convict named Yankee Jim, as well as the Whaley family themselves, including the daughter, Violet, who ended her own life, and her parents, Thomas and Anna.
Mothman
Some say he's an omen of bad tidings, leaving havoc and destruction in his wake. Others believe his random appearances serve as a warning. Whether the Mothman is a prophetic being or a dastardly villain remains to be seen, but many people claim to have witnessed this mysterious cryptid in his home state of West Virginia. Described as a large bird-like entity with glowing red eyes and a seven-foot wingspan. Is this strange creature a supernatural being? Is he an alien, or perhaps a product of a military experiment gone awry? Your guess is as good as ours.
Commercial Casino
The oldest casino in Nevada, this place is good for two things: gambling and ghosts. As the story goes, this place is haunted by a guy named Handsome Harry (which probably wasn't his *real* name, but it's a good nickname even so) and his mistress, who were both ended when said mistresses wife discovered their little tete-a-tete. It's not unusual to see the two wandering around this casino, or to hear them walking around on the second floor of the building.
Tacoma's Old City Hall
The Old City Hall in Tacoma, Washington is an impressive five-story building with a lovely bell tower. Oh, and that's not all, because apparently this building is haunted. A ghost named Gus is said to roam the halls of this building, unlocking doors and running the elevator. Visitors also say they've seen lights flicker on and off by themselves, hear footsteps and coughing, and have even heard the bell chime seemingly all by itself.
The Northern State Mental Hospital
Located in Sedro-Woolley, Washington, these days, this place is often referred to as the Northern State Ghost Town. The mental institution opened in the early 1900's, and had it's own farm, so it was self-supporting. Naturally, being that this place was an insane asylum in the early 20th century, many patients underwent electroshock therapies and lobotomies, sometimes resulting in their untimely demises. Many are buried at the cemetery on this 300-acre farm/asylum, and visitors frequently hear screams and see shadowy figures.
Hotel Monte Vista
A glamorous hotel in Flagstaff, Arizona, the Monte Vista hosted many famous faces back in the 40's and 50's. Jane Russell, John Wayne and Spencer Tracy are just a few of the notable people who stayed here, and even they had a few tales of the paranormal to tell after spending time at this place. The hotel is the preferred haunting site of a bank robber who got on the wrong end of a security guard's gun, a bellboy, an elevator attendant and a dancing couple, just to name a few.
Pirates' House
The Pirates' House sounds like a fun place to take the fam for a hearty lunch on a Sunday afternoon, but this charming little joint has quite the history. Established in the early 1700's, this tavern is the oldest building in Georgia and was used by sailors for shanghaiing—that is, for kidnapping patrons of the establishment and forcing them out to sea to work on ships as slaves. So, yeah...it pretty much goes without saying that this place is haunted.
Lizzie Borden House
On August 4, 1892, the bodies of Andrew Borden and his second wife, Abby, were found bludgeoned in their home in Fall River, Massachusetts. Andrew's daughter, Lizzie, was put on trial, believed to be the perpetrator of the crime, but she was eventually acquitted. Still, visitors of the infamous Borden House claim that her spirit, as well as those of her father and stepmother, haunt the eerie residence, often reporting hearing whispers, footsteps and similar "bump in the night" sounds.
Okiku the Haunted Doll
Standing 16-inches tall, Okiku the Japanese doll is named after the girl who once owned her, who sadly lost her life to a cold not too long afterwards. Shortly thereafter, the doll's hair, originally cut in a short bob, has grown to be about 10-inches long, which the family took as a sign that Okiku's spirit had taken refuge in the doll. The people of the Mannenji temple, where the doll now resides, trim Okiku's hair occasionally, but claim that it always grows back.
"The Hands Resist Him" Painting
Painted in 1972 by artist Bill Stoneham, "The Hands Resist Him" shot to Internet fame when it went up for auction on Ebay. The owner reported that the painting—which depicts a boy and his little doll girl friend standing in front of a glass door, the background a pitch black, and disembodied hands seemingly begging and beckoning behind them—claimed that the painting came to life at night, that the little boy and the doll girl argued, and, most unsettling of all, that the boy could actually *crawl out of the painting*. Yeah, who wouldn't want to buy a masterpiece like that, eh?
Queen Anne Hotel
Built in the traditional Queen Anne style, the Queen Anne Hotel is a Painted Lady home in San Francisco that may look charming on the outside, but appearances can be deceptive, you know. This hotel was a one time finishing school, and is said to be haunted by the former headmistress, Mary Lake, who supposedly tucks guests into bed as they sleep and unpacks their suitcases for them. That...seems pretty nice, actually. Thanks, Mary!
St. Augustine Lighthouse
The subject of numerous ghost stories and other paranormal legends, the St. Augustine Lighthouse of St. Augustine, Florida, was built between 1871 and 1874, and is believed to be haunted by a number of ghosts. Most notably, though, the building (now a maritime museum) is believed to be the home of the spirits of two children who drowned during the construction of the tower, and the ghost of the lighthouse attendant who fell over the railing one night.
The Stanley Hotel
Stephen King fans will immediately recognize the Stanley Hotel as the inspiration for one of the author's most famous stories, The Shining. This expansive, luxurious building is an impressive feat of architecture, and it's also said to be quite active when it comes to paranormal activity. Guests say they've seen doors slam shut, shadowy figures, lights turning on and off all by themselves—the whole ghostly nine yards. Some have even caught spirits on film, perhaps the image of Lucy, a woman who haunts the concert hall, or one of the children said to wander the hotel's halls.
William Kehoe House
Guests of the Kehoe Hotel, once home to the Kehoes, say that the family never left their beloved home, not even in the afterlife. Many report seeing Mrs. Kehoe around the house, and the laughter of small children is often heard, thought to belong to the Kehoes' two children, who were rumored to have fallen down the chimney, which was then boarded up.
Island of the Dolls
South of Mexico City is the Isla de las Munecas—the Island of the Dolls. After leaving his wife and child, Don Julian Santana Barrera sailed to the island to live out a lonely existence. When he discovered the body of a young girl floating in the waters, he decided to hang her doll, which was floating next to her, up in a tree, in an effort to appease her spirit. Over time, he collected many doll offerings, all an attempt to please the girl's ghost. Don Julian's was eventually found floating in the same spot the girl had been discovered. His island is not a tourist destination, said to be the home of many restless spirits.
Menger Hotel
More than 150 years old, the Menger Hotel in San Antonio is just a small walk away from the Alamo, and has seen its fair share of famous guests come through the door, perhaps most notably, Theodore Roosevelt. Some say the apparition of the man himself has been seen at the bar having a drink, and other guests report activity from a former maid named Sallie, who succumbed to injuries sustained from an attack by her husband in her room at the hotel.
The many ghosts of Gettysburg
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania was the site of the battle in the American Civil War, so it comes as no surprise that this historic location is haunted. The souls of Yankee and Rebels soldiers alike make their presence known to the variety of visitors who have the courage (and, let's be honest, historical interest) in visiting the site. Many report hearing muskets firing, cannons going off, shouting and whispering, too. Some (un)lucky visitors have even gotten a glimpse of these men, dressed in period clothing, hauntingly gray and translucent.
King's Chapel Burying Grounds
Located in Boston, this graveyard was founded in 1630 and is the final resting place of some of America's most notable people, like Mary Chilton, the first woman to step off the Mayflower. Legend has it, this site is haunted by the restless spirit of a woman whose head was removed so that she would fit into a grave that was too small for her, and that of a man who was buried alive.
Marshall House
Today a hotel, the Marshall House has been a hospital three times in its day, once for Union soldiers during the Civil War, twice during yellow fever epidemics, so it's no wonder the place is the site of numerous hauntings today. It's not uncommon to hear voices or even to see ghostly children running through the hallways.
Many Glacier Hotel
Gorgeous glacial views aren't the only thing this enormous lodge has to offer. The Many Glacier Hotel also boasts a tremendous amount of paranormal activity. One boy reported seeing the figure of a woman wearing a red dress in one room, and many guests hear whispers, unexplained thuds, footsteps and more on a regular basis.
