abandoned places in decatur, alabama

Today, the Old State Bank in Decatur is open for tours. Mrs. Locals tell a story that this building once was occupied by a young girl, Molly, who died in the 1930s or 1940s. It was destroyed by Union forces in 1865. The ghost of a woman who died after being hit by a truck is said to haunt this stretch of road. The bank was founded in the 1850s. 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. The bridge was built in 1861 as an access route for Confederate forces to Mississippi. StorageAuctions is the best place to find online storage auctions. An abandoned 1913 schoolhouse in rural Cherokee County was photographed in the 1930s. It is said to be haunted by the men and women who died during the raid. Many spooky tales surround Bear Creek Swamp. Eerie. A pearly white marble known as Chewacla Marble was mined in the quarry. Unfortunately, the introduction of new railroads following the American Civil War really hurt the town. Some say theyve seen orbs of light that appear to float on the river. Chalkville Training School for 'Incorrigible' Girls. What is now a non-denominational chapel was built in 1850 as a Presbyterian church. Decatur, Dothan, Hoover, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, and more. An elevator that runs by itself. When Huntingdon was a Methodist female college, a young woman allegedly committed suicide in the dorm and continues to haunt it. It would go on to boast others, including the "Second Most Corrupt City in Illinois." Brick Deli specializes in sandwiches and live music at night. If you go, drive by only. It served as the Jackson County seat from 1821 to 1859. 1 of 16 1. Huggin Mollys restaurant in downtown Abbeville is named for the legend. Before long he was drunk and, in his anger, he dragged his wife to the bridge and hanged her from the railing before jumping to his death. The building was constructed in 1930. Location: 30338 Lester Road, Lester, Alabama Hours: 7 to 11 p.m. Website: Click here Haunted House of Horror About: Wander around an 8,000 square-foot town filled with supernatural scares. Updated at 1 p.m. after the owner of the home previously mentioned said the details were incorrect and there are no legends surrounding his home. Typical cemetery haunting fare including orbs and reports that your car will die if you drive there on specific dates. It served as the Jackson County seat from 1821 to 1859. The Goode-Hall house in Town Creek, also known as Saunders Hall, was near collapse when this photo was taken in the 1930s. People claim to see Marys spirit on the bridge, searching for her lost child. Jack Cole Road is a dirt road in a densely wooded area off Highway 7. This is part of the warehouse complex for Dallas Compress Co. in Selma, photographed in the late 1960s. It says, "Anne E. Kirtley gave many years of her life as a beloved professor at Judson. When Hood arrived at Decatur on October 26, he found a Federal infantry force of 3,000 to 5,000 men defending an entrenched line that included two forts and 1,600 yards of rifle pits; a much heavier force than Roddey had believed. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Others say they have experienced their cars rocking while on the bridge. The able-bodied patients at Jemison worked on a hospital farm. The facility on Dartmouth Avenue in Bessemer was abandoned with bodies inside but they were removed in 2015. "Abandoned Alabama: Exploring The Heart of Dixie," by Leland Kent, (Arcadia Publishing), 2021, 96 pages, softcover. Stories of figures haunting cemeteries, ghostly marching soldiers, and mysterious music playing in empty abandoned buildings are told in every corner of our state. Temple B'nai Shalom in Huntsville's Old Town Historic District, in Huntsville. (Source: Edward Bennett/Gaines Ridge Dinner Club Facebook page). According to the Dothan Eagle, employees noticed strange sights in Bella's and Colby's restaurants on the lower floors, including lights turning off and on by themselves and dishes crashing to the floor. (Picture: Wheeler Dam Village - 1937). William J. Samford Hall in the Auburn University Historic District. Support@storageauctoins.com (866) 944-8530 . secret traditions. Hayden Pursley spent three years restoring the historic hotel and had several stories he often told to include seeing a girl around the age of 12 running down the halls. He also experienced a ghost, thought to Capt. This popular ghost town was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. The tale of its resident ghost, a Confederate soldier named Sydney Grimmett who died there, is the most popular ghost story on campus. However, in the 2010s, no one was managing the site and vandals began tearing up the facility. Read about the Brights and the plans for the island by clickinghere. Arcola, established in the early 1820s, is a ghost town on the Black Warrior River in Hale County, Alabama - formerly Marengo County. She enjoys discovering new places and currently calls North Alabama home. For this feature, Ive combined those two loves. The abandoned Hall Hotel building is among the loveliest - if spooky - structures in the Madison County town of Gurley. Beelitz Military Hospital, Berlin. 1888 as a private residence. Because the ground was frozen at the time, she was placed in a coffin in the cellar. All are on my list of favorites, but they are not listed in order of preference. Deaths include several from a cholera outbreak in 1900 and one from murder. ", StrangeUSA.comsays ghosts of inmates can be heard: "Legend has it that their screams can be heard as they were being burned to death, and you can hear the laugher of the guards that stood by watching.". 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). Properly called Jackson Ford Bridge, there are currently plans to demolish the bridge due to vandalism and decay making for a safety hazard. The Jemison Center changed focusin the 1970s because of desegregation laws and closed in the 1980s. . Following her death in 1962, people claimed to see a kneeling figure at the grave, according to "Haunted Places: The National Directory." When filming was completed, the owners of the property on Jackson Lake Island near Millbrook told director Tim Burton to leave the sets rather than bulldoze them. The church is now a ruin but the adjoining cemetery remains. Today, it is a historical landmark and is open for tours. (Megan Willis via Forgotten Alabama Facebook page). Site of Consolation Church and Cemetery, Greenville. The Gainesridge Dinner Club has been named the "Most Haunted Restaurant" in Alabama. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. People have claimed to see a ghostly face in the windows of this historic covered bridge, known as the Livingston Covered Bridge and the Alamuchee-Bellamy Covered Bridge. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. There is a place in the Talladega National Forest, shown above, were a road was laid over some graves, according to legend. This is not just a collection of ghost stories, but a true history of how the city became so haunted -- which means we also include local sites of death, unsolved murders, strange crimes, gambling parlors, vice districts and more plagued the city in days gone by. The property is for sale. VIN Date Reported Stolen Vehicle Year Make Model Tag State Status (Picture: Hatch Plantation), Between the years 1819-1826, Cahawba was Alabama's state capital. People who cross the bridge hear the sounds of a babys cries. This photo shows a casket on a top shelf that is rusted through the bottom. Apparently the entire length of Main Street is haunted by the ghosts of tornado victims. Abandoned collapsing mines below the surface were to blame, but others suspect that the first building too closely resembled a grim medieval castle, and was scrapped for a more modern cottage design. In the era of segregation, it was central to the cultural life of black Birmingham residents. Bellefonte is a ghost town in Jackson County, Alabama and is situated near the site of the Bellefonte Nuclear Generating Station. 1890s commissary that served the mining families still stands but the vine-covered building is said the be the site of miners killed at the site. 3 bedrooms (63 homes) $205,869. The ruins of Fort Morgan, built in 1819, are spooky on their own. Prairie Bluff is a ghost town in Wilcox County, Alabama that first appeared on maps in 1819. It was reportedly closed in 1924 and was later opened as a medical hospital. Norwood, a community in Birmingham, is known among photographers and urban explorers for its crumbling abandoned mansions. 15. Owners Bobby and Lynn Bright are refurbishing the film set of Spectre because public interest remains high. These display caskets left inside Memorial Mound still had price tags on them. Reportedly, visitors to the home can still hear the sounds of the piano Some have reported seeing the apparition of a woman walking around the home. The legend was recorded by author Kathryn Tucker Windham in 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey.. On the third floor, people report doors opening and closing and furniture moving of its own accord. It's now underwater and the only remnant left of the town is a cemetery. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Have you visited any before? 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. Some have heard footsteps from the second floor and the sound of the piano playing when no one is there. The home was reportedly built atop old slave quarters and a cemetery. No trespassing. Supposedly you can still hear what sounds like the body swaying on the second floor. Flickr/Jon Dickson. In 1874, a tornado took the life of lady of the house Judith Winston, who was crushed beneath rubble. For 75 years, the stone structures built by the Works Progress Administration in Chalkville sheltered girls labeled "incorrigible," "delinquent," or "wayward," although most arrived at the Alabama Training School for Girls because of behavioral and emotional problems and had committed no crimes, according toits superintendent in 1966. Sadly, nature has reclaimed much of Old Cahawba. 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. Some people claim Sydneys ghost followed the drama students to the Telfair Peet Theater when it was constructed in the 1970s. She is buried in Birminghams Elmwood Cemetery. The northeast of Alabama is part of the TAG area (the region where Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia meet). The home was built for Dr. Alexander Mitchell, who sold it to Isaac Winston in 1833. The two-story structure made of brick is said to be haunted by the souls of those who were incarcerated there. (Picture: Old schoolhouse). Many people believe the ghost is that of the Governor's son who died in the Civil War. Buildings in Downtown Decatur have a long and . The Rawls Hotel was built in 1903 by Capt. Decatur was one of the first mills to take advantage of river transportation of grain. Condie allegedly ran, screaming, with flames streaming from her. Simp McGhee's The Heart of Dixie is steeped in history, making for truly spooky tales. Rawls, who repeatedly took down window treatments he tried to install. Vernon/Searcy Hospital site, shown here in 1935, with photo galleries. This historic fort is one of the best-preserved Civil War era masonry forts in the U.S. Fort Gaines has become a tourist attraction and on the property you'll find original cannons, a blacksmith shop, kitchens, a museum, gift shop and a few tunnels. It is said to be haunted by the inmates executed there, with the last one in 1949. From it's earliest days, the city of Decatur gained a reputation as a place where ghost stories were common -- from tales told by the settlers to haunted houses and hotels. Connie Pearson 1. For the next 100 years,the mansion was owned by members of the Winston family. Ruins of theMemphis and Charleston Freight Depot at 303 Church St. in Huntsville. See more ideas about alabama, abandoned, historical sites. This account of the hauntings comes from RawlsBandB.com: Unusual occurrences are not uncommon in the historic Rawls hotel. It was used during the Civil War as a hospital. 2. The penthouse is still up for sale, he said. This courthouse was built in 1868 when Seale was the county seat from 1866-1942. Click here to read more. The book, "Haunted Places: The National Directory" by Dennis William Hauck claims that this section of highway is haunted by the spirits of displaced Creek Indians and has resulted in an "accident rate that is well above average." Most cemeteries are closed at night. (Namaan Fletcher/What's Left of Birmingham). However, that doesn't stop the tales from being told and retold. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. The preserved ruins of Alabama's first permanent capital city can be toured at Old Cahawba Archaeological Site. This cemetery, established in 1834, is said the be haunted by the spirits of Confederate and Union soldiers. 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. Completely inundated, this abandoned town exists in a watery grave. Located among the graves is an open tomb missing its corpse. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 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. The Tennessee River railroad bridge on Alabama Highway 43 in Florence is shown in the late 1960s. Click hereto see more photos. The historic courthouse is used for events and education art displays. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. In Huntsville, the Maple Hill Cemetery is also known as the Dead Children's Playground. Trespassing is illegal. Cook Museum. Apparitions seen floating through the hotel are thought to be those of people who checked in but never checked out. Others claim to have witnessed the spirit of a mysterious mist, a crying baby and a strange man dressed in black. At the heart of the Deep South, the state of Alabama offers a wealth of opportunities for urban explorers. Ive noted those of which I am aware. 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. It is the property of the Department of Youth Services. 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. It is said that in one of the crypts stands an antique rocking chair, a favorite possession of a lady who was buried in her family crypt. 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. Bass Cemetery is located off a dirt road in the woods. Take I-65 to Decatur, Exit 334. . It hasnt been used since 2000. Sardis is home to a truly creepy rumor claiming that a man with fiery red eyes and the ghostly figure of a Confederate soldier has also been spotted wandering the property of the Adams Grove Presbyterian Church. A hearse can be seen inside the garage of the abandoned Wards Funeral Home in Opelika. It is located at 1928 First Avenue North. Legend says she fought with her boyfriend and decided to walk home. Decatur Alabama is a city in Morgan and Limestone counties in the State of Alabama. Others claim to have seen the apparition of a man in a top hat in the parlor. After a mummified woman was discovered in her home, people claimed she was a witch. The site has two city cemeteries as well as a slave cemetery. Guests of the inn reported seeing apparitions on the porch and downstairs of a woman in Victorian dress and a little girl. 12 Best Things to Do in Decatur, Alabama. As they crossed the bridge, the horses were spooked and the carriage was tipped into the water below. Huntsville, Alabama 27.7 miles from Hartselle, AL The Cedarhurst Mansion Estate was originally built in 1823 by Stephen Ewing. The chain purchased Sears. It is now an event venue. Winter Place at 454 Goldthwaite Street is one of the most iconic properties in Montgomery and in the state, both because of its Second Empire-style beauty and its history, which includes acting as. Get directions Red Hat Road Decatur , Alabama , 35601 USA Coordinates: 34.65420, -87.07780 Cemetery ID: 21888 Members have Contributed 3 Memorials 0% photographed 0% with gps About these numbers Photos No additional photos. Penn's and Big Bob's have the greatest longevity and are synonymous with Decatur. In some cases, homes and buildings on the verge of collapse were saved. Legend says a girl named Sally hung herself in a stairwell on the third floor of the building. The hangings were carried out inside the jail, and the spirits of those men reportedly never left. For 50 years, the woman brought flowers and kneeled to pray at the foot of his 8-foot obelisk marker. Jeff E. Newman of Steel City Urbex took photos. Dicksonia Plantation in Lowndesboro had a reputation in its day as a stately mansion in picturesque surroundings. She is said to have died instantly. Go north on AL-67 approximately 7 miles. People claim to hear knocking on the floors and walls. Another story says when people feel a sudden sense of dread, they will soon see the apparition of a soldier. Other times, its merely because they are so haunting and raise the questions: Who would leave such beautiful places to rot? Although there are no detailed legends about this site, many believe it is haunted. More history, more hauntings, and more off-the-bus locations, this 4-hour tour delves into the most ghost-infested people and places in Decatur's history. Prairie Bluff disappeared from maps around 1900. I worked there as a jailor in the county jail there in the old part when it was on the 2nd floor. This site was visited with permission. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The press room in Dallas Compress Co. in Selma. 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. According to legend, she was driving her baby in a horse-drawn carriage one night. . Today only ruins remain. Also, the construction of Millers Ferry Lock and Dam in 1963 was really overwhelming. InsideEastern Bank of Alabama in Eufaula. The laws of the state of Alabama first and foremost follow the laws of the ARPA (the Archaeological Resources Protection Act). Inside a seven-story, Renaissance Revival-style building in downtown Birmingham, framed photos of unknown people linger on desks that haven't been used in three decades. In the 1850s, the settlement had disappeared and was replaced by adjoining plantations. An old bridge off Mothershed Road is known as Mary Daniel Bridge. Located at 112 Moulton Street E Decatur, AL 35601; Scares start Friday, October 22, from 7-11 p.m. . For decades, even before the great ship's arrival in Mobile Bay in 1965 when she was established as a tourist attraction, people have reported hearing strange noises and seeing shadowy figures below decks. (Source: Namaan Fletcher/What's Left of Birmingham). The woods off Hinds Road are said the be haunted by a witch who sold her soul to the devil. After the main asylum became known as Bryce Hospitalin 1900, the Jemison Center was often called "Old Bryce Hospital," despite the fact that Bryce was built first. Belle Mont, built between 1828 and 1832, was a plantation that used slave labor. That might be a first. 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. 1. (Source: ecjmartin1 via Wikimedia Commons). Some have been completely abandoned, making them TRUE ghost towns. The ca. Although this hospital is now closed and operates a geriatric-psych ward, employees tell tales of "Homer" a ghost who roamsthe halls. According to the Chamber of Commerce website, a scarecrow apparition moves from room to room on this floor. The woods along here is reportedly the site where a group of freed black slaves set up a settlement following the Civil War that was burned out and destroyed by the KKK. But by far the creepiest spot is the 200+-year-old Bass Cemetery in Irondale. People claim the churchs pastor went mad one day and murdered his entire family and their spirits haunt the grounds. The Forks of Cypress Plantation in Florence was one of the most beautiful antebellum mansions in the state, built by the Jackson family who is buried on the plantation grounds. The Jemison Center was built in the 1920s as part of Bryce Hospital, which opened in Tuscaloosa as the Alabama State Hospital for the Insane at the outset of the Civil War. It is privately owned and closed to the public. According to Judson.edu, the Anne Kirtley dorm is haunted by its namesake. The cotton press in the Dallas Compress Co. in Selma. Are the former owners of this home-turned-library angry at the intrusion into their afterlives or just trying to say hello? 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. At one point, a caretaker claimed to have seen a coffin in one of the rooms set up as if for a wake. The building was constructed in Northport on what was once called Cherokee Plantation, owned by Robert Jemison. The once flourishing Eastern Bank of Alabama at 201 Broad Street in Eufaula, was abandoned and in bad shape when this photo was taken in 1935. Shown: The Old Shelby Hotel in Shelby County. The figure was as much as 7 feet tall, wearing dark clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. Mining towns were abandoned when the mines closed; many due to the devaluation of silver in 1893. (Source: Rivers Langley via Wikimedia Commons). Pikeville was Marion Countys first county seat, serving from 1820-1882. St. Stephens is located nearly 70 miles north of Mobile and served as the capital of Alabama between the years 1817-1819, until Cahawba became the capital. When Memorial Mound opened on Dartmouth Avenue in Bessemerin 1993, it was billed as a new method of laying loved ones to rest. Winter Place at 454 Goldthwaite Street is one of the most iconic properties in Montgomery and in the state, both because of its Second Empire-style beauty and its history, which includes acting as offices for the Confederate Army and, according to legend, being the place where F. Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda Sayre met, setting off one of the most fiery romances of the Jazz Age. The cemetery is said to be haunted by the ghost of Norman Staples, captain of a sternwheel steamer who killed himself with a shotgun in 1913 at the age of 44. He is known to flush toilets, independently operate ice machines and brush past people leaving them with chills. The only things remaining in Bellefonte today are the cemetery, the chimney of the local inn (see picture), and piles of bricks. 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.

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