abandoned places in decatur, alabama

It was designed in the Eastlake style of. The building was constructed in Northport on what was once called Cherokee Plantation, owned by Robert Jemison. Located among the graves is an open tomb missing its corpse. After the capital was moved to Montgomery, the Tuscaloosa building was used as the Alabama Central Female College. 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. Local writer and historian Lee Peacock said the 40-mile stretch of Interstate 65 between Evergreen and Greenville is known as "The Haunted Highway." Haunted Decatur Tours, 141 North Main Street, Decatur, IL, 62523, United States. 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. 12 Best Things to Do in Decatur, Alabama. Some say theyve heard voices and felt cold spots inside the jail. Students and teachers alike have reported seeing white (no reviews) Haunted Places Decatur, Alabama Highway 11 In September 1934, a young man named Lonnie Stephens was wrongfully accused of murdering his (no reviews) BESbswy People claim if they get out of their cars, they hear and feel a presence beside them. 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. Flatwoods was a settlement of freed slaves during Reconstruction but it was later burned. Reportedly haunted by the ghost of a woman who hanged herself back in the day when the Center was a teaching college. You may even stumble upon an old, abandoned homestead site in the woods. Its surprising how many ghost towns are in Alabama. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. The laws of the state of Alabama first and foremost follow the laws of the ARPA (the Archaeological Resources Protection Act). Today, the only thing remaining in the area is the Prairie Bluff Cemetery. Supposedly you can still hear what sounds like the body swaying on the second floor. All the locals know it as "Abbie's House," as it was built and lived in by Abbie Smith, who founded the United Methodist church in nearby Warrenton, AL. 16. NOTE: This site is continually monitored with video surveillance. Share your experiences with us in the comments below! The historic, two-story jail was built in ca. She reportedly haunts her old room on the third floor. Legend says she fought with her boyfriend and decided to walk home. 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. 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. Decatur Alabama is a city in Morgan and Limestone counties in the State of Alabama. All rights reserved (About Us). Since 1982, the 1824 house has been a museum and event space. "Forks of Cypress" ruins near Florence. This weathered concrete frame on Shelby County Road 42 was once part of Shelby Chemical Co., a plant owned by Shelby Iron Co. "When it was built, it was the tallest building in Alabama.". 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. The war ended before the plant went into operation. After a mummified woman was discovered in her home, people claimed she was a witch. She is said to have died instantly. A curved staircase inside the 1850 Carpenter Gothic-style home called Spring Villa in Opelika. 42 places sorted by traveler favorites 1. Click here to see Robinson Switch Road on Google Maps. It is said to be haunted by former patients. This private property houses the infamous ghost bridge that has numerous claims of haunting. NOTE: Horton House burned and nothing remains. NOTE:This site was visited with permission and under supervision of the State Department of Mental Health. According to the Chamber of Commerce website, "Haunted Places: The National Directory. Abandoned Storage Unit Auctions. This cemetery is reportedly haunted by the sweetheart of a real man named Robert Musgrove, who was killed in a train wreck in 1904. Brick Deli specializes in sandwiches and live music at night. Or they are shocked by the waste of still-useful homes and buildings. At the heart of the Deep South, the state of Alabama offers a wealth of opportunities for urban explorers. The firefighters felt that is simply wasn't worth the risk to aggressively try to stop the fire, and to let the fire burn itself. It was reportedly closed in 1924 and was later opened as a medical hospital. An elevator that runs by itself. It is now the site of a Hampton Inn. For the next 125 years, people claimed the hole would always return no matter how many times it was filled. The house has been restored and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Cook Museum. A massive oak at the junction of the Pea and Choctahatchee rivers is known as the Constitution Oak and is one of the largest in the state. 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. A photo of the Richard Crocheron mansion in the 1880s, when it was already an abandoned ruin. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Today, the home has been beautifully restored by the City of Opelika and is the centerpiece of Spring Villa Park. 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. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Combined, the TAG area contains more than 14,000 caves (9,200 in Tennessee and 600 in Georgia). 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. Cripple Creek - Palace Hotel - Like much of Cripple Creek, the Palace Hotel has a long history. InsideEastern Bank of Alabama in Eufaula. Murder Creek Bridge is located on this stretch. During the American Civil War, the town suffered a lot of damage and it was completely abandoned by the 1920s. The last of our abandoned places: Balaklava, Ukraine. 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. Site of Consolation Church and Cemetery, Greenville. The interior of the Goode-Hall house in the 1930s. 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. Remember, the majority of homes are occupied, private residences and those that are abandoned are marked "No Trespassing" and are a hazard. At one point, a caretaker claimed to have seen a coffin in one of the rooms set up as if for a wake. The bridge was built in 1861 as an access route for Confederate forces to Mississippi. Either way, the photos are intriguing. Jesse was thought to be in the area when his brother Frank were accused of robbery of a United States Army Corps of Engineers payroll in Muscle Shoals in 1881. If that wasnt creepy enough, visitors have been known to hear the sounds of a rocking chair moving back and forth as they pass. On October 27, Hood arranged his army as it arrived to encircle Decatur. National Register of Historic Places listings in Alabama During the Confederate occupation General John Bell resided there and during the Union occupation, General Sherman himself stayed at Wesleyan. 1. Jennifer is the Alabama staff writer for Only In Your State and has nearly 15 years of professional writing experience. She enjoys discovering new places and currently calls North Alabama home. Gadsden, AL to Coosa, GA - Abandoned Rails 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. During the American Civil War, the town suffered a lot of damage and it was completely abandoned by the 1920s. 1 of 16 1. This popular ghost town was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. A local storyteller dressed in period clothing leads the one-mile tour of haunted hotels, infamous murder sites, cemeteries, and more. Several abandoned mill sites remain in the town, although historic groups hope to re-purpose some of the factories. At right, a historical photo of City Federal. Many people claim theyve seen a face behind the barred windows of the second floor but the building was empty. A pearly white marble known as Chewacla Marble was mined in the quarry. The woods off Hinds Road are said the be haunted by a witch who sold her soul to the devil. 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." 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. After the Jemison Center was built, the hospitals were kept segregated. This abandoned home on Watts Mill Road was built in 1905 by Charles and William Hudson for their brother, John. The ruins of Fort Morgan, built in 1819, are spooky on their own. Today, it is a historical landmark and is open for tours. In this 1934 photo, renovation work had begun on Spring Villa in Opelika. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The legend was recorded by author Kathryn Tucker Windham in 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey.. 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). 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. An obituary written by J. T. Melton states that Hall was born on March 3, 1830, in Lawrence County, Tennessee, although there is conflicting evidence that he was actually born on March 4, 1924. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. When Memorial Mound opened on Dartmouth Avenue in Bessemerin 1993, it was billed as a new method of laying loved ones to rest. 10 Crazy Abandoned Places in TN Nature Is Reclaiming Quickly 30+ Abandoned Industrial Buildings In Alabama | Abandoned Alabama Residents hear screaming and footsteps and other ghostly sounds. Jack Cole Road is a dirt road in a densely wooded area off Highway 7. The son of former Alabama governor, Robert Patton is said to be one of many ghosts to haunt the Sweetwater Mansion in Florence. Decatur, AL Homes For Sale & Decatur, AL Real Estate | Trulia Visitors have claimed to have a feeling of being watched and cold chills even on the hottest days. Rumored to be haunted by an old man ghost with a fondness for flammables as well as a young boy who is often heard laughing. 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. It was destroyed by Union forces in 1865. Western Railway of Alabama building in Montgomery as it looks today. They will come with a title that will be put into the auction bidder's name. 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. Alabama's 12 Most Haunted Places 1. . According to legend, a small bridge on an isolated road is haunted by a baby who died there. Today, it is a historical landmark and is open for tours. Now, it's just old and long abandoned. In other cases, the buildings are lost to history. Employees claim they've heard disembodied footsteps and voices. But, after burning twice in its 186-year history, the elegant mansion is more famous in its ruinous state than it ever was as a family home. We can promise that you'll never look at the city of Decatur in the same way again! List of Caves in Alabama: Locations and Map - startcaving.com The Italianate mansion was built for James Turner Kendall but decades later, the home was used as an inn. Sadly, nature has reclaimed much of Old Cahawba. The stately relics are located, oddly, on the outskirts of a neighborhood of beautifully restored turn-of-the-20th-century cottages, a beautifully restored 1925 elementary school, churches and a few businesses. Legends claim the captains spirit roams the cemetery, keeping watch over his children. 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 Some have been completely abandoned, making them TRUE ghost towns. 15 most haunted places in Decatur. The home of a former Alabama governor, it is reportedly haunted. Arcola, established in the early 1820s, is a ghost town on the Black Warrior River in Hale County, Alabama - formerly Marengo County. The abandoned Memphis and Charleston Freight Depot at 303 Church St. in Huntsville. Click here to see Robinson Switch Road on Google Maps. However, that doesn't stop the tales from being told and retold. The property is still owned by the Department of Mental Health and is trespassing is illegal. Read more 0 2. The building was constructed in 1930. Flickr/Annie Chartrand. It is now a concert venue. The abandoned Hall Hotel building is among the loveliest - if spooky - structures in the Madison County town of Gurley. Having promised her adoring audience she would return, she was killed in an accident on the way. It hasnt been used since 2000. She is buried in Birminghams Elmwood Cemetery. At her death, her family searched the mansion for the candles but were unable to find them. This airfield built in 1941, shown above in aerial view, was used to train the famous Tuskegee Airmen. The cotton press in the Dallas Compress Co. in Selma. The activity is reportedly caused by the spirit of a woman who died on the top floor in the 1950s. (Source: Alabama Department of Archives and History). But by far the creepiest spot is the 200+-year-old Bass Cemetery in Irondale. The chain purchased Sears. The tale of its resident ghost, a Confederate soldier named Sydney Grimmett who died there, is the most popular ghost story on campus. The hole disappeared in the past couple of years when the area was flooded but people continue to visit. 8 Ghost Towns And Abandoned Places In Alabama - OnlyInYourState The figure was as much as 7 feet tall, wearing dark clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. In the small south Alabama town of Mount Vernon, one of the state's greatest historical treasures is slowly being consumed by kudzu, time and apathy. As they crossed the bridge, the horses were spooked and the carriage was tipped into the water below. Folks say that when you stand outside the crypt, you can hear the rocking chair rocking. The destruction of these burial mounds cast a mysterious pall over the city -- a darkness that continues to linger today. The site is reportedly haunted by numerous spirits with the most famous known as Pegues Ghost. The press room in Dallas Compress Co. in Selma. The J.W. Decatur Alabama Population Don Robinson State Park, Cedar Hill has a plethora of ruins. (Source: ecjmartin1 via Wikimedia Commons). Each year, unclaimed or abandoned assets are turned over to Alabama Unclaimed Property by financial institutions and businesses that lose contact with the owners. The remains were removed in 2015. The historic Josephine Hotel, built in 1880 in downtown Union Springs, now houses a cafe, art studio and gift shop. Matt Glasscock, who took the photo at left, and members of Steel City Urbex were invited by the owner to tour some of the closed portions of the City Federal building in downtown Birmingham. 5. It is now home to the Lowndesboro Town Hall. Haunted Decatur I worked there as a jailor in the county jail there in the old part when it was on the 2nd floor. Temple B'nai Shalom in Huntsville's Old Town Historic District, in Huntsville. Exploring Abandoned Yet Standing Kmart Decatur Alabama| the Showstopper But this playground is different. 17 Abandoned Places In Alabama [MAP] - Urbex At least, nothing human. One surviving example is the stone on the grave of Korea Nettles, which has three faces said to be those of her children. This site was visited with permission. Check out the 15 most haunted places in Decatur then learn more by visiting HauntedDecatur.com. 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. According to the Library of Congress, The brick warehouses had 12 -inch firewalls and fire doors. The newly renovated inn is now called Hotel Finial. The image turned out to be a silhouette etched into the stone. In 1874, a tornado took the life of lady of the house Judith Winston, who was crushed beneath rubble. That makes sense, because the fort was in use during the Civil War, Spanish American War, World War I and World War II. The population in 2010 census was 55,683. Now her ghost is often seen along the road. 28 Abandoned Alabama ideas | alabama, abandoned, historical - Pinterest The back of the dilapidated William Chancellor House in Harpersville in Shelby County is shown in 1935. Abandoned Property for Sale: How To Buy an Abandoned Home - realtor.com These auctions tend to occur less frequently than typical public car auctions in Alabama. 112 Moulton St E, Decatur, AL 35601, United States // +1 256-355 Brick Deli is just around the corner from Josie's. It is open for lunch on Monday and Tuesday, lunch and supper on Wednesday through Saturday, and closed on Sunday. The abandoned Memphis and Charleston Freight Depot in Huntsville. Guests of the inn reported seeing apparitions on the porch and downstairs of a woman in Victorian dress and a little girl. This isolated, one-lane bridge in rural Chilton County is said the be haunted by a malevolent spirit that chases people who cross it. 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 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. (Picture: Wheeler Dam Village - 1937). 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. (Source: Judyanne Waters via FindaGrave.com), Grave of Norman Staples and Ghost Ship, Bladon Springs. Alabamas many historic cemetery sites can be bone-chilling, especially those with an eerie legend associated with it. 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. Eerie screams have been heard and ghostly apparitions have been seen haunting the Moncrief cemetery. The story was told by author Kathryn Tucker Windham in 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey.. People claim the churchs pastor went mad one day and murdered his entire family and their spirits haunt the grounds. 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. Stories of figures haunting cemeteries, ghostly marching soldiers, and mysterious music playing in empty abandoned buildings are told in every corner of our state. Prairie Bluff is a ghost town in Wilcox County, Alabama that first appeared on maps in 1819. 10. See the last slide for links to more photos of abandoned sites in Alabama. Several of the brick structures that Pratt built are still used today for an industry manufacturing cotton gins. Those people still haunt the road. . What are the creepiest cemeteries in Alabama? 35.2 miles from Decatur, IN This 1912 former hotel now houses the offices of a paranormal investigative team, who claim that the building is one of the most haunted in the entire state. In life, she reportedly lived in a shack in the woods. These buildings are the longest continuously occupied industrial buildings in the state. Remnants of the town remain, including the courthouse, shown above, two cemeteries and the grave of an unknown War of 1812 soldier. Also, the construction of Millers Ferry Lock and Dam in 1963 was really overwhelming. Because of the legends, the site was often vandalized. 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. We have the list of places to check out! This home was allegedly the site of the murders of an entire family that haunts the site. The property is for sale. The furnace was destroyed by the Union army during the Civil War but was rebuilt around 1879. However, the legend tied to one of the most haunted sights in Alabama, the Drish House in Tuscaloosa, is absolutely chilling. The only things remaining in Bellefonte today are the cemetery, the chimney of the local inn (see picture), and piles of bricks. StorageAuctions is the best place to find online storage auctions. Apparitions have been seen, and captured on film by paranormal society investigations; orbs have been reported as well. 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. (Historic American Engineering Record/Library of Congress). Each home has it's own unique style which makes it stand out amid the modern homes we see today. There were a couple of towns that were flooded during the creation of the Norris Dam in 1936. Each tour gets on and off the bus during the evening and we do go inside some of Decatur's most haunted locations. The able-bodied patients at Jemison worked on a hospital farm. What are the most haunted places in Alabama? Abandoned Western Railway of Alabama shedin Montgomery is shown in the late 1960s. The baby reportedly drowned and was buried not far from the bridge. Coffins were stacked on racks like a storage facility. While visiting the house, a relative, Sally Carter, died of a short illness at the mansion in 1837. 15. The courthouse burned in 1866 and was rebuilt. It is privately owned and closed to the public. People also love vintage photos that show what those past lives were like in Alabama. Gold was discovered in Arbacoochee in the 1830s, causing the town to grow rapidly. Prairie Bluff disappeared from maps around 1900. The ruins of the building that served as the Alabama Capitol from 1826-1846 have been preserved as Capitol Park in Tuscaloosa. Today, it is house museum that can be toured by appointment. 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. Storage Auctions in Alabama - AL - StorageAuctions.com The original portrait of Miss Kirtley hangs in the freshman dorm, Kirtley Hall, but often makes surprise appearances in elevators, closets, and beds! 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. 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. The current owners of the Moody Brick claim that the old plantation is definitely not haunted. Alabama, Should Be on Your Radar. (Alabama Department of Archives and History). Flickr/Jon Dickson. Many people believe the ghost is that of the Governor's son who died in the Civil War. Peacock said it's the "site of numerous unusual accidents over the years, including several that have resulted in fatalities and catastrophic fires. The building has been abandoned since the 1980s. Abandoned slave quarters and workshops behind the Cabaniss House at 603 Randolph St. in Huntsville. Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge 159 Nature & Wildlife Areas By 460LizF Outstanding location to view wintering Sandhill Cranes. The Cedarhurst Mansion Estate was originally built in 1823 by Stephen Ewing. According to legend, she was driving her baby in a horse-drawn carriage one night. Flickr/Renee May. 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. 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. List of ghost towns in Colorado - Wikipedia The most haunted bridge in our state is aptly named Hell's Gate Bridge, located in Oxford. The David Wade House on Bob Wade Lane in Huntsville shown in 1935. Visitors to the inn and restaurant have reported hearing disembodied footsteps and eerie noises throughout the home. It burned in 1923, leaving only ruins. (Illustration from historic photo/AL.com file). The Decatur Mall is anchored by Belk, jcpenney Outlet, Sears and Regal Cinemas. In Huntsville, the Maple Hill Cemetery is also known as the Dead Children's Playground. 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. Condie allegedly ran, screaming, with flames streaming from her. People claim to see Marys spirit on the bridge, searching for her lost child. Ghost towns, especially those that have been completely abandoned, can be a bit creepy. This building now houses a geriatric treatment facility but when it was a hospital, employees claimed it was haunted by a ghost named Homer. Homer would roam the halls as a dark shape. Legend says the area is haunted by spirits of residents in the form of strange lights that float among surviving buildings. She was struck by a truck and her body was later found beside the highway. You are reading "15 Best Things to Do in Decatur, Alabama " Back to Top. This floor is allegedly haunted by an inmate who hanged himself in one of the cells, where visitors have reported feeling a sad presence. "Abandoned Alabama: Exploring The Heart of Dixie," by Leland Kent, (Arcadia Publishing), 2021, 96 pages, softcover. The penthouse is still up for sale, he said. It was named for nearby Sweetwater Creek. People who cross the bridge hear the sounds of a babys cries.