The Southern United States is one place in the world where you can feel a chill go down your spine even on the hottest summer nights. That’s because the South is known to be haunted by a multitude of spirits.
While some of these spirits are good-natured, in this part of America, you will also encounter vengeful ghosts, lost souls with unfinished business, and dark entities conjured from magic spells that those in the know refuse to utter.
With a damaged history filled with bloody war battles, conflicts over property rights, famine, widespread disease, and the cruelty of slavery, the American South has a haunting past where the truth can be even more horrifying than fiction.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most haunted southern cities and dive into the urban legends and ghost tales that may help to explain their melancholic mood.
The Five Most Haunted Cities in the South
Many southern cities could easily hold the title of the most haunted. But if we have to narrow it down, these are our picks for the five creepiest towns where you are sure to encounter a ghost or two if you sit a spell with us long enough.
Nashville, TN
The Haunted Tennessee State Capitol – Copyright US Ghost Adventures
The country music capital of the world, Nashville, is a place where stars are born and dreams come true. But it is also a city filled with heartbreak, murder, mystery, and betrayal. Here are a few of the most haunted locations we suggest you visit while staying in Music City if you want to seek out a few spirits underneath the neon lights.
The Hermitage
The Hermitage is a historic plantation home located just a few miles outside of Nashville. It belonged to the seventh President of the United States, Andrew Jackson. The home was conserved to be a great piece of historical architecture, but there is a lot of negative energy surrounding it due to the suffering of the countless slaves Jackson owned.
Dark entities are known to haunt places where tragic, violent deaths occurred, and the Hermitage saw more than its fair share of murder and torture. Staff members and visitors of the mansion have mentioned hearing the sound of dishes breaking in the kitchen, horses’ hooves galloping outside, and even the chilling voice of the former president yelling out, “What are you doing in my home?”
The Tennessee State Prison
The Tennessee State Prison in Nashville was a maximum-security facility that housed some of the most ruthless and dangerous criminals throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. The prison was shut down in 1992 due to inhumane conditions, and that fact alone opens the door for dark and disturbed spirits to cling to this space. It’s no wonder this haunted building was the chosen location to film the chilling and heartbreaking 1999 film The Green Mile, based on the Stephen King novel.
Those who have dared to visit the prison since it was condemned have reported hearing blood-curdling screams believed to be the spirits of prisoners who were electrocuted. They’ve also heard the faint sound of footsteps following behind them and the prisoners banging their metal cups against the bars even though the cells have remained empty for decades.
The Ryman Auditorium
The Ryman Auditorium – Copyright US Ghost Adventures
The Ryman Auditorium may be known as the “Mother Church of Country Music,” but something is lurking in the shadows of this historic venue that is anything but holy.
The Ryman first opened its doors in 1892 and was initially known as the Union Gospel Tabernacle before it became the Grand Ole Opry. The auditorium was home to the Opry from 1943 until 1974. It was designated a historical landmark in 2001 because of the impact it had on the rise in popularity of country music.
There is a lot of history at the Ryman Auditorium. Many of today’s most successful country music artists got their start singing on that stage. It is possibly the most popular location for any country music fan to visit while staying in Nashville. But if you have made plans to tour The Ryman, you should also be aware that several spirits haunt this building as well.
One of the most commonly seen spirits in the Ryman is the ghost of the man who lingers on the balcony. Several people have described this man as being a shadowy figure who will stick around to watch live performances. Staff members and performers alike have witnessed the ghost hovering overhead during concerts and rehearsals.
Unfortunately, no one knows exactly who the man is or why he refuses to leave the Ryman. However, he’s not the only spirit who haunts this classic venue. It’s been said that the legendary Hank Williams Sr. has been seen wandering around the Ryman, perhaps stopping by to enjoy hearing the latest talent and reminiscing about old times.
Galveston, TX
Haunted Galveston – Copyright US Ghost Adventures
Galveston Island in Texas is a place filled with stories of the past – some tales of celebration and joy, and others made up of tragic death and destruction. This beautiful island, home to 32 miles of beaches, may be a peaceful place for family vacations, but Galveston’s past with horrific natural disasters has left a permanent scar on the town and all who live there.
The 1900 Hurricane
On the evening of September 8th, 1900, the people of Galveston were warned of an incoming storm. But as the sun remained in the sky, shining brightly on this joyous beach town, very few people seemed concerned about the threatening weather. The residents had faced severe weather warnings in the past, and this didn’t seem to be any different. But by nightfall, those who chose to stay on the island deeply regretted their mistake as winds reaching more than a hundred miles an hour tore through the city, leaving nothing but death and destruction behind.
By the next morning, nearly 10,000 residents of Galveston had died from the storm.
A few ghost stories have spawned from the devastation of the 1900 hurricane. It’s been said that many ghosts will show up in August or September, which is around the anniversary of the storm. One of the most popular tales is the haunting of St. Mary’s Orphanage.
St. Mary’s Orphanage
The ghosts from St. Mary’s Orphanage are believed to haunt the shores of Galveston Beach. According to the legend, on the night of the storm, ten nuns from the orphanage helped to keep 93 children safe from the floodwaters by tying clothes and bedsheets together, then around the children and themselves, creating a chain. Out of the 103 people who were bound by this makeshift rope, there were only three people who survived. It’s said that the 100 souls who were lost at the orphanage that day still haunt the beach in the very same space where they drowned. Many visitors to the beach have reported hearing the faint sound of children laughing and playing on the shore at night, even though there is no one around.
Savannah, GA
Like most southern towns, Savannah, GA, is filled with historical landmarks and markers where memorable battles took place during the Civil War. The Siege of Savannah in 1779, for instance, saw 600 soldiers wounded and 240 die in battle. There’s a sordid darkness to this town that has helped ensure Savannah’s spot as one of the most haunted places in the United States.
The 17Hundred90 Inn
The 17Hundred90 Inn – Copyright US Ghost Adventures
In the 1800s, as the Yellow Fever epidemic swept through Savannah, taking hundreds of lives, the designer of the impressive 17Hundred90Inn suffered a tragic death in a riding accident before the construction of his property was complete. With so much death occurring all around them, the demise of the wealthy entrepreneur was written off as nothing more than another sad tragedy.
Oddly enough, his death presented freedom for a short time to his young bride, Anne Powell, who secretly never loved her much older husband. Anne was in love with a young, handsome sailor, who visited her at the hotel not long after its completion. There are many different versions of this complex love story, but they all unfortunately end in tragedy.
It seems that Anne’s beloved sailor didn’t feel the same way toward her, but after they parted ways, Anne learned she was pregnant with his child. Distraught and heartbroken, Anne took her own life while pregnant by throwing herself off the balcony of Room 204.
Ever since then, visitors of the Inn have reported strange sightings and occurrences in this guest room. They have spotted the apparition of Anne late at night in the room. Some say she will mess up the sheets on the bed after it has been made, while others have woken up to her sobbing by their bedside.
One guest reported hearing the ghost of Anne crying as she stood over their bed, and then she quickly turned to jump out the window. Because the sightings of Anne’s ghost were so frequent, the 17Hundred90 Inn once required guests who stayed in Room 204 to sign a waiver stating that they would not request a refund if they encountered her spirit.
Colonial Park Cemetery
The Colonial Park Cemetery – Copyright US Ghost Adventures
The Colonial Park Cemetery in Savannah is widely known as being one of the most haunted places in the city, and it is frequently visited by brave tourists hoping to spot a ghost or two. The cemetery has been around since before the founding of the country.
It was established in 1750 when Savannah was still the capital of British-controlled Georgia. It was originally intended as the place for the Christ Church Parish to bury members of their congregation; however, it later became a public cemetery open for use by all Savannah residents.
While it’s safe to say there are several spirits who haunt this historic graveyard, there is one spirit who has been seen most often at this site, lurking around the tombstones or causing mysterious noises to be heard.
The Ghost of Rene Rondelier
Rene Rondelier was a peculiar resident of Savannah. Born in 1777, he was described as a behemoth of a man, always seen wearing the fur pelts of animals he’d slain. While hunting for food and using fur as clothing was a common and necessary practice of the time, Rondelier was a troubled man who took the practice of hunting and skinning animals to a completely different, disturbing level.
He lived next door to Colonial Park Cemetery and was known to kill wild animals not as a means for survival, but for enjoyment. It has been said that he would steal and torture his neighbor’s pets, and his intimidating size, paired with his intense strength, made many residents of Savannah uneasy in his presence.
A wall was built around Rondelier’s home by townsfolk in hopes of keeping him contained, but that only made the situation much worse. Rondelier eventually took to torturing humans, snapping the necks of his victims and taking their bodies to the system of tunnels that run underneath the cemetery.
A lynch mob eventually took charge and captured Rondelier. They took him to the swamp to be executed by hanging and left him for dead. Surprisingly, this did not stop the harrowing murders, and many believe that the ghost of Rondelier was now taking innocent lives from beyond the grave.
Even now, if you take a midnight stroll through the cemetery, you may encounter his ghost. Some locals have said they’ve seen Rondelier inside the cemetery; his giant silhouette is hard to miss.
For an inside look into Savannah’s most haunted spots, take a Savannah ghost tour and hear all about Savannah’s urban legends from a local guide!
Montgomery, AL
The state capital of Alabama played a key role in many of the historical movements of U.S. history in the South. It was the first capital of the young Confederacy, and after the war, Montgomery became known for its advancements in technology and transportation with the invention of the electric trolley system. It was also home to the first school for aviation, led by the Wright Brothers.
But the city has also seen its fair share of murder, mystery, and tragedy, which has cast a dark shadow over it, allowing spirits of the dead to roam freely. One tragic event that lives on in the memories of residents was the Capital Tower Apartments fire of 1967.
Capital Towers Apartments
On the evening of February 7th, 1967, in the high-class restaurant known as Dale’s Penthouse, located on the top floor of the building, a devastating fire broke out. The flames moved quickly, blocking the elevator and stairwell, trapping 26 patrons who were stuck inside.
Several well-known Alabama politicians and important members of Montgomery’s social circles were killed that night during the fire. And while there are countless theories related to just how the fire began, the official report states that a lit pipe left in a coat pocket was the culprit that led to dozens of lives being taken.
The crowd of people was trapped inside the establishment as people walking the street below could only stare up in horror. Some who were alive at the time and witnessed the event recall hearing screams coming from the building as victims called out for help. And some who have visited the building recently say they can still hear those screams today.
The apartment building itself only saw a slight amount of damage in comparison to the top-floor restaurant. The penthouse has since been restored and is now a private residence. Former visitors and residents of the apartment complex have reported hearing calls for help late at night or seeing misty, black shadows in the halls, believed to be the spirits of those who didn’t survive the fire. Some have even reported smelling smoke and hearing screams coming from the top floor.
Midnight in Montgomery
While we have already mentioned that the ghost of the legendary country singer Hank Williams Sr. has been seen at the Ryman Auditorium, it seems that the cowboy crooner still enjoys touring the South in the afterlife, much like he did while he was alive.
The location of his grave in Oakwood Cemetery Annex, where he’s buried next to his beloved wife Audrey, has long been a source of haunted energy. Musicians including Alan Jackson, David Allen Cole, and even Hank’s son and grandson, Hank Williams Jr. and Shelton Hank Williams the III have written songs about his spirit being spotted throughout Montgomery.
The lonesome stretch of highway that goes between Nashville, TN and Montgomery, AL is filled with stories of Hank Sr.’s ghost appearing or hitching a ride. It’s said that his spirit carries the same charisma and charm as he did while he was living.
Alan Jackson was inspired to write his hit song Midnight in Montgomery after paying a visit to Hank’s grave and later performing a concert in Montgomery. The chilling lyrics give life to the ghost story and make it all seem very believable.
“And a drunk man in a cowboy hat took me by surprise.
Wearing shiny boots, a Nudie suit, and haunting haunted eyes
He said, ‘Friend, it’s good to see you; it’s nice to know you care.’
Then the wind picked up and he was gone, was he ever really there?”
New Orleans, LA
The Lalaurie Mansion – Copyright US Ghost Adventures
Ask anyone what they think the most haunted city in the Southern United States is, and you’ll find that most people agree New Orleans is the creepiest, most eerie, and most mysterious town there is.
It could be because of its rich culture made up of many nationalities, including French, African, Creole, and Italian. There is so much lore in this historic town, and to hear locals talk about their voodoo queens, witches, and vampires, you may start to believe that all monsters exist.
The LaLaurie Mansion
Even if you have never been to NOLA, you may have heard about some of its most famous haunted locations. The LaLaurie Mansion, which belonged to the sinister slave owner Delphine LaLaurie, is a truly ghastly location plagued by vengeful spirits who endured brutal deaths at the hands of Mistress LaLaurie.
Rumors of her malice spread throughout the land, and the reputation of LaLaurie and her home was so bad that a cook intentionally set fire to the house, hoping it would put an end to the cruelty that occurred there. But the fire only unearthed even more haunting secrets.
Firefighters at the home found behind a locked door a scene described by The New Orleans Bee on April 11, 1834:
“Seven slaves, more or less horribly mutilated, were seen suspended by the neck, with their limbs apparently stretched and torn from one extremity to the other. These slaves had been confined by the woman LaLaurie for several months in the situation from which they had thus providentially been rescued and had been merely kept in existence to prolong their suffering.”
The Vampires of New Orleans
Vampires have long been associated with the mystery and mystique of New Orleans. You can see the influence in popular novels, TV shows, and movies that have been made over the years, depicting this Louisiana city as the preferred place of residence for the eternal creatures of the night.
But is there any truth to the lore?
The Carter Brothers
New Orleans is a city whose culture has been shaped by mystery and legend, making it the ideal breeding ground for the thrilling origin story of vampires. Legends such as the Carter Brothers, who were murderers who kept their victims chained and drained of their blood, are a chilling tale that blurs the lines of fiction and reality. Were they simply disturbed killers, or was there something more to their methods of madness?
In 1932, a young woman was stopped by a policeman as she was running frantically down Royal Street. She gave the cops a story that seemed farfetched, claiming that she had been captured along with several others by a pair of brothers who had their captives tied up in a basement, draining them of their blood.
Although they were skeptical, the cops followed her back to the home owned by the Carter brothers. They were horrified to discover that the girl’s story was true, and she had unfortunately been the only survivor. All of the victims inside were tied to chairs, their wrists wrapped in bandages, all stained with blood. Two bodies were wrapped in blankets, tucked away secretly in a different room, but the unmistakable smell of death filled the air.
The girl explained that the brothers would leave the home early each morning before the sun rose and return after dark every evening. They would take the bandages off the victim’s wrists, reopening the wounds and draining the blood into cups that they would drink from until they satisfied their thirst. They didn’t speak to the victims and showed very little remorse for their well-being.
The Arrest of the Carter Brothers
The police were able to capture the brothers as they returned at that same time, and to their surprise, they immediately confessed to their crimes. The Carter Brothers begged the cops to murder them, explaining they were vampires and if they were released, they’d have no choice but to continue killing people to drink their blood. They said their actions were beyond their control. The brothers were tried as serial killers, convicted, and later executed. To this day, no one knows if they were simply two very disturbed individuals or were truly immortals cursed to kill others to survive.
The question remains: are there vampires in New Orleans? While some have claimed to have seen real vampires attending secret meetings or lurking in the shadows of the French Quarter, the truth is there’s no real evidence that these immortal beings walk among the residents of NOLA.
Then again, maybe they’re just that good at compelling us mortals to believe otherwise.
Conclusion
If you are planning a trip to the Southern United States and want to take a deep dive into the haunted history of these enchanted cities, you should consider booking a fun and thrilling ghost tour in one of these cities! In particular, I recommend a New Orleans ghost tour if you want to get an inside look into one of the South’s most haunted cities.
