abandoned places in decatur, alabama

Have you visited any before? Supposedly you can still hear what sounds like the body swaying on the second floor. See more ideas about alabama, abandoned, historical sites. His wife Sarah was said to have become obsessed with planning an elaborate funeral for him and insisted on saving the candles from the funeral to be burned at her own. The reason there are all these caves . He was arrested January 1878, and confined to the garret of the present building. This photo of the Alabama Capitol in Tuscaloosa was taken in the 1890s or early 1900s. Decatur's sordid reputation also added to the ghostly stories of the city through incidents of murder and death. NOTE: This site is continually monitored with video surveillance. The 21 coolest and creepiest abandoned places in Alabama The Gaines Ridge Dinner Club is a restaurant inside a ca. Storage Auctions in Alabama - AL - StorageAuctions.com An elevator that runs by itself. This airfield built in 1941, shown above in aerial view, was used to train the famous Tuskegee Airmen. The hospital closed for good in 1957 and the building was later used for a variety of purposes, including Dorsey Yarbrough's National School of Music. Today, the home has been beautifully restored by the City of Opelika and is the centerpiece of Spring Villa Park. The third floor of this historic courthouse formerly housed a row of cells, dating back to the early twentieth century. William Chancellor House in Harpersville today. Now it looks like something from a horror movie. Since 1982, the 1824 house has been a museum and event space. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Others claim to have witnessed the spirit of a mysterious mist, a crying baby and a strange man dressed in black. 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. Love Alabama? It has several ghost legends but the tale of Abigail Burns is the most popular. This private property houses the infamous ghost bridge that has numerous claims of haunting. It is now an event venue. In the 1850s, the settlement had disappeared and was replaced by adjoining plantations. That might be a first. Legend says the apparition of a woman named Nancy, for whom Nancys Mountain is named, haunts a path to the river on Haines Island, shown above. A stretch of Highway 5 between Natural Bridge and Jasper is reportedly haunted by the ghost of a teenage girl who was killed while returning from prom. 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. The 13 Most Haunted Hotels in Alabama | Haunted Rooms America Please follow the law and be safe. She enjoys discovering new places and currently calls North Alabama home. Decatur Alabama is a city in Morgan and Limestone counties in the State of Alabama. The activity is reportedly caused by the spirit of a woman who died on the top floor in the 1950s. VIN Date Reported Stolen Vehicle Year Make Model Tag State Status 1820 plantation house. (Submitted by Callum Swift). Decatur, AL Homes For Sale & Decatur, AL Real Estate | Trulia The abandoned Memphis and Charleston Freight Depot at 303 Church St. in Huntsville. 2. This isolated, one-lane bridge in rural Chilton County is said the be haunted by a malevolent spirit that chases people who cross it. Click here to see a five-part history of the Mt. Apr 16, 2018 - Explore Kelly Kazek's board "Abandoned Alabama", followed by 561 people on Pinterest. Ashland Place Historic District in Mobile. 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. He was buried in Bladon Springs Cemetery alongside the graves of his three children who died before the age of six, including Bertha Jaquetta, Mabel Clare, and James Alfred. The Empire building was erected in 1909 on the site of the former Bank Saloon, according to Bham Wiki. The ruins of Fort Morgan, built in 1819, are spooky on their own. Haunted Places Decatur, Alabama Decatur High School Decatur High School was built in 1950. Norwood, a community in Birmingham, is known among photographers and urban explorers for its crumbling abandoned mansions. The Greek Revival and Italianate architecture is covered in stucco, making it one of the most unique homes in the state. The bridge was built in 1861 as an access route for Confederate forces to Mississippi. This abandoned railway line was originally chartered as the Rome and Decatur Railroad sometime after the Civil War to build a line from Rome, GA across Alabama to Decatur, starting in 1887. McCandless Hall auditorium, which opened in 1914, is said to be haunted by the spirit of Abigail Burns, an opera singer. According to Prattvilleal.gov: Pratt's "love of beauty is evidenced in Prattville in his manufactories which feature graceful arches, soaring ceilings and vast open spaces, interesting brick and stonework and a picturesque site alongside Autauga Creek. Peacock said it's the "site of numerous unusual accidents over the years, including several that have resulted in fatalities and catastrophic fires. That's right, allegedly there are sightings of a ghost sweeping. 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. At least, nothing human. Buildings in Downtown Decatur have a long and . The Canabiss House in Huntsville today. He is known to flush toilets, independently operate ice machines and brush past people leaving them with chills. When they turn to look, nothing is there. This gorgeous natural site is said to be haunted by the spirits of outlaws who once hid there. From lost burial grounds to haunted theaters, the Haunted Decatur Tour is much more than just a run-of-the-mill ghost tour! Her spirit can also be seen floating past windows on the second floor. But in the 1800s, it was a town that grew around the Rock Run Mine and Furnace. This is part of the warehouse complex for Dallas Compress Co. in Selma, photographed in the late 1960s. If you have a specific location from the list below 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. The story was told by author Kathryn Tucker Windham in 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey.. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. The church is now a ruin but the adjoining cemetery remains. It is now the site of a Hampton Inn. 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. Many spooky tales surround Bear Creek Swamp. The Haunted Decatur Tours are based on the bestselling book by Troy Taylor, HAUNTED DECATUR. Legend says the spirits of the children buried in the cemetery, founded in 1822, come there to play. Deaths include several from a cholera outbreak in 1900 and one from murder. At one point, a caretaker claimed to have seen a coffin in one of the rooms set up as if for a wake. Now, join us for our award-winning tours of Decatur as we journey back in time to uncover the "other side" of the city's history and reveal not only the scandals and sins that haunt Decatur, but the many ghosts that linger here as well! Not much info on this, apart from the fact that it is an old, abandoned butcher's shop on the side of this dirt road, about 1.5 miles south from Fletcher Road. Each home has it's own unique style which makes it stand out amid the modern homes we see today. Jemison Center, former insane asylum for African Americans. This abandoned home on Watts Mill Road was built in 1905 by Charles and William Hudson for their brother, John. Possibly among the most inane of haunted reports, people claim to see a green light in the cemetery at night. The population in 2010 census was 55,683. HAUNTED HISTORY TOUR: Our longest-running tour is a spirited bus tour that takes guests on a 3-hour excursion to Decatur's most haunted locations. (Source: Spyder_Monkey via Wikimedia Commons). If that wasnt creepy enough, visitors have been known to hear the sounds of a rocking chair moving back and forth as they pass. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 10 Crazy Abandoned Places in TN Nature Is Reclaiming Quickly The Decatur Mall is anchored by Belk, jcpenney Outlet, Sears and Regal Cinemas. This home dates back to 1909 and is registered by the local historical society. Gen. John Brahan, a veteran of the War of 1812, began construction on Sweetwater Plantation in the 1830s. Decatur Alabama Population This photo shows a casket on a top shelf that is rusted through the bottom. He is reportedly always looking toward the Tombigbee River, where his beloved steamboat exploded. The northeast of Alabama is part of the TAG area (the region where Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia meet). An abandoned property is usually a property whose original owner is no longer in possession of the home. What are the most popular ghost stories in Alabama? As the river trade continued to increase, the town continued to grow. 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. This home was allegedly the site of the murders of an entire family that haunts the site. Sloss Furnaces (Birmingham, AL) 20 32nd St. N., Birmingham, AL 35222 (205) 254-2025 In the years following the Civil War, Birmingham's Sloss Furnaces became the mecca of pig iron needed for thousands of steel products around the country. Exploring Abandoned Yet Standing Kmart Decatur Alabama| the Showstopper 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Old abandoned, mill in Decatur, Alabama. | Historical place, Abandoned When Memorial Mound opened on Dartmouth Avenue in Bessemerin 1993, it was billed as a new method of laying loved ones to rest. This floor is allegedly haunted by an inmate who hanged himself in one of the cells, where visitors have reported feeling a sad presence. Properly called Jackson Ford Bridge, there are currently plans to demolish the bridge due to vandalism and decay making for a safety hazard. (Picture: Wheeler Dam Village - 1937). 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. On October 27, Hood arranged his army as it arrived to encircle Decatur. It is said to be haunted by former patients. 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. 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. What is now a non-denominational chapel was built in 1850 as a Presbyterian church. But at night, people have reported seeing shadowy figures wandering inside the crumbling walls, as well as strange mists and odd noises. Some sources sayit opened in the 1890s as a mental hospital. It was a stormy night and her carriage flipped, killing Burns. If you'd like to see the "behind the scenes" drama of Decatur's haunted past, then this is the tour for you! The Marengo House was originally built in 1847 in Autauga County before being disassembled in 1854 and moved to its current location. It was torn down in 1952. People also love vintage photos that show what those past lives were like in Alabama. The ghost of a boy who died there is said to haunt the park. The woods off Hinds Road are said the be haunted by a witch who sold her soul to the devil. Home Value*. Click here to read more. Local Online Auctions in Alabama. Abandoned slave quarters and workshops behind the Cabaniss House at 603 Randolph St. in Huntsville. The ROW can still be made out in many places . The historic Josephine Hotel, built in 1880 in downtown Union Springs, now houses a cafe, art studio and gift shop. (Source: Judyanne Waters via FindaGrave.com), Grave of Norman Staples and Ghost Ship, Bladon Springs. Other entities haunt the main staircase and the basement. But this playground is different. People claim the churchs pastor went mad one day and murdered his entire family and their spirits haunt the grounds. It was reportedly closed in 1924 and was later opened as a medical hospital. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. . 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. The bank is defunct but the building is still in use. Now, it's just old and long abandoned. Mining towns were abandoned when the mines closed; many due to the devaluation of silver in 1893. Legend says if you stop by the cemetery gate and put your car in neutral, the Lady in White will push you away from the spot where she was killed so youll be safe. The historic rock building is said to be haunted by two ghosts: one of an older man whose spirit reportedly sets things on fire and slams doors, and one of a little boy whose laughter is heard throughout the theater. The rare folk-art stones, declared historic sites by the National Park Service, have unfortunately been all but destroyed by vandals. Sketoe's Hole is the site where Methodist minister William "Bill" Sketoe Sr. (1818- 1864) was hanged during the Civil War. Before that period, the canyon was used as a holding pen for Indians who were removed from their land. Following her death in 1962, people claimed to see a kneeling figure at the grave, according to "Haunted Places: The National Directory." Adjoining Huntsville's historic Maple Hill Cemetery is a playground that looks much like any other, featuring a swing set and slide. Although this hospital is now closed and operates a geriatric-psych ward, employees tell tales of "Homer" a ghost who roamsthe halls. 42 places sorted by traveler favorites 1. Tuscumbia, Alabama 39 miles from Decatur, AL A former slave plantation, it is believed to be haunted by slaves that lived and died here and also possibly by the ghosts of its former owners. One surviving example is the stone on the grave of Korea Nettles, which has three faces said to be those of her children. Several abandoned mill sites remain in the town, although historic groups hope to re-purpose some of the factories. Within 15 years, the town had 5,000 residents. As the tale goes, a couple's car drove off the bridge, plunging into the water below. It is named for war veteran and politician Joseph Wheeler, as is nearby Wheeler Lake. Farming towns on the eastern plains were often deserted due to rural depopulation. Sometimes its because they bring back memories of places they once loved. The canyon's proximity to the Natchez Trace, which was known as the Devil's Backbone, made it a choice hideout for many outlaws who robbed and murdered travelers along the Trace. Today, only its stone foundations remain. Chalkville Training School for 'Incorrigible' Girls. 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. Metal Detecting in Alabama: 50 Secrets You Need to Know Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. . 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. Abandoned Western Railway of Alabama shedin Montgomery is shown in the late 1960s. DECATUR MALL - $$ - 1801 Beltline Rd SW, Decatur, AL - Yelp The cemetery remains. These, shown in 1935, were demolished but the main house remains. 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. Rural Southwest Alabama says, It was constructed using hand-hewn yellow pine timbers joined together with large wooden pegs. It has been moved twice and now rests across Duck Pond at the University of West Alabama. Some say the noises come from the ghosts of the original owners. Beelitz Military Hospital, Berlin. The building was constructed in Northport on what was once called Cherokee Plantation, owned by Robert Jemison. Apparitions have been seen, and captured on film by paranormal society investigations; orbs have been reported as well. After a fire and years of deterioration, only a few buildings remain but it has become a popular destination for tourists and photographers. Murder Creek Bridge is located on this stretch. William J. Samford Hall in the Auburn University Historic District. List of Caves in Alabama: Locations and Map - startcaving.com Shelby Iron Co. began operations in the 1840s. Those people still haunt the road. Reportedly haunted by the ghost of a woman who hanged herself back in the day when the Center was a teaching college. This was the exact same year Alabama was admitted to the Union as a state. It is continually guarded and visitors are not allowed without prior approval. The figure was as much as 7 feet tall, wearing dark clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. (Source: Edward Bennett/Gaines Ridge Dinner Club Facebook page). For information, call 334-320-5330 or visitthe Facebook page. Or they are shocked by the waste of still-useful homes and buildings. In 2020, Troy introduces the 25th Anniversary Edition of his first book! the interior, seen here from the doorway, is closed to the public because it is unsafe. These auctions tend to occur less frequently than typical public car auctions in Alabama. Winter Place in Montgomery. Melton also writes that Hall married Mary E. Scruggs of Lawrence County, Tennessee in 1859 where they resided until his death on May 28, 1880. The building is believed to be haunted by several apparitions and ghostly voices are heard. 12 Best Things to Do in Decatur, Alabama. The Alabama Center for the Arts, a 44,000 square foot arts education facility, and the Princess Theater, a historic art-deco theater built in 1919 are also nearby. Cook Museum. Located in a beautiful 1820s home, the restaurant is known for its family of ghosts including a woman screaming and calling out as she floats past the windows and the ghostly reflection of a tall, bearded man in black, known as Old Ebeneezer Hearn. 100+ Abandoned Places In Alabama | Explore Alabama 2023 These assets may be in the form of cash, stocks, bonds, insurance benefits or even valuables from safe deposit boxes. 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. It burned in 1923, leaving only ruins. Each tour gets on and off the bus during the evening and we do go inside some of Decatur's most haunted locations. Athens State was founded in 1822 as the Athens Female Academy, making it the oldest higher learning institute in the state. She never harmed them, other than perhaps causing some ringing in their ears. Haunted Places in Alabama - Tuscaloosa Paranormal Research Group Some people claim Sydneys ghost followed the drama students to the Telfair Peet Theater when it was constructed in the 1970s. 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. All rights reserved (About Us). In Huntsville, the Maple Hill Cemetery is also known as the Dead Children's Playground. The crumbling house on a hill at 103 Goldthwaite Streetwas obviously once a beauty. An old well house at the Chalkville Training School for Girls. Gold was discovered in Arbacoochee in the 1830s, causing the town to grow rapidly. The original portrait of Miss Kirtley hangs in the freshman dorm, Kirtley Hall, but often makes surprise appearances in elevators, closets, and beds! 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. ", Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. Unclaimed/Abandoned Vehicle Portal - Alabama HauntedPlaces.org makes no claims that any of the statements posted here are factually accurate. Spectre, Ala., is a fictional town built as a set for the 2003 movie "Big Fish." It was named for nearby Sweetwater Creek. BOOK REVIEW: 'Abandoned Alabama' should be on historians' read list During the Civil War, Nancy lived with her husband and son on a small farm but her son was killed in the war and his body was never recovered. People claim to hear disembodied laughter. Late at night, people have reported hearing eerie footsteps echoing on the decks of the War World II-era battleship USS Alabama. This historic hotel is the home of a disruptive entity known only as 'the knocker.' It gets its name from the fact that when it appears on the sixth floor, knocking loudly on hotel room doors in the dead of night! Decatur Mall is located in the southwest corridor of Decatur at the Beltline Road/Danville Road intersection, approximately 7 miles NW from I-65. A former slave plantation, it is believed to be haunted by slaves that lived and died here and also possibly by the ghosts of its former owners. A defunct prison said to have been in operation from 1945 to 1995. The laws of the state of Alabama first and foremost follow the laws of the ARPA (the Archaeological Resources Protection Act). In the 1930s, this beautiful 1842 home known as the Bethea-Strother House, located on Alabama Highway 28 in Camden, was abandoned and deteriorating. 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. 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. Eerie. (Source: Historic Drish House Facebook page), This home was built by Dr. John R. Drish in 1837. At this playground set up near the cemetery, the ghosts of children play and swing on the swingsets. The best-known ghost tale from each Alabama county - al.com His ghost has been sited several times by a lot of people. Passersby often say they can see the swings moving on their own volition, as well as orbs or spectral figures. The date of the photograph is unknown, but it was probably taken in the late 19th or early 20th century, after the building had been used as a grist mill. It is no longer standing. (Source: ecjmartin1 via Wikimedia Commons). The slave quarters were demolished. ", 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.". 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. In 1874, a tornado took the life of lady of the house Judith Winston, who was crushed beneath rubble.

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