abandoned places in decatur, alabama

Abandoned Western Railway of Alabama building in Montgomery is shown in the late 1960s. Jesse James is rumored to have holed up in the canyon. Cemeteries near Decatur, AL The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. 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. 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. (Source: Historic American Buildings Survey/Library of Congress). In 1874, a tornado took the life of lady of the house Judith Winston, who was crushed beneath rubble. It is now a concert venue. Mary survived. Every year during Halloween a pumpkin mysteriously makes its way into Romeo's hands. Abandoned Property for Sale: How To Buy an Abandoned Home - realtor.com It is to her that witnesses attribute the sound of footsteps, lights that turn on and off by themselves, cold spots, and a phantom Locals tell a tale of playground sounds that can be heard at night: children laughing, playing and having fun. We only offer a very limited number of these tours each season and it's one not to miss! It is the property of the Department of Youth Services. The ROW can still be made out in many places . 9. 16. Huntsville, Alabama 27.7 miles from Hartselle, AL The Cedarhurst Mansion Estate was originally built in 1823 by Stephen Ewing. No matter what part of the state you are in, if you ask around youre sure to be pointed to a haunted site. 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. The Rawls Hotel was built in 1903 by Capt. Apr 16, 2018 - Explore Kelly Kazek's board "Abandoned Alabama", followed by 561 people on Pinterest. The 12 Most Bone-Chilling & Haunted Places in Alabama - StyleBlueprint According to Judson.edu, the Anne Kirtley dorm is haunted by its namesake. This photo of the Alabama Capitol in Tuscaloosa was taken in the 1890s or early 1900s. In the 1930s, this beautiful 1842 home known as the Bethea-Strother House, located on Alabama Highway 28 in Camden, was abandoned and deteriorating. It once consisted of 25 buildings constructed in the 1870s or 1880. The third floor of this historic courthouse formerly housed a row of cells, dating back to the early twentieth century. This cemetery is reportedly haunted by the sweetheart of a real man named Robert Musgrove, who was killed in a train wreck in 1904. There were a couple of towns that were flooded during the creation of the Norris Dam in 1936. (Source: Edward Bennett/Gaines Ridge Dinner Club Facebook page). As the river trade continued to increase, the town continued to grow. Others may still have residents, but not as many as they once had, making them living ghost towns in Alabama. Some abandoned historic sites may even be classified as a ghost town, depending on the size of the site. Abandoned Marshall Space Flight Center power plant test stand in the east test area in Huntsville shown in 1968. StorageAuctions is the best place to find online storage auctions. 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. BOOK REVIEW: 'Abandoned Alabama' should be on historians' read list Locals get an eerie feeling around this building. CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR COPY! 15 most haunted places in Decatur. For information, call 334-320-5330 or visitthe Facebook page. If you go, drive by only. 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. It was used during the Civil War as a hospital. 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. 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. We can promise that you'll never look at the city of Decatur in the same way again! 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 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. William Chancellor House in Harpersville today. A photo of the Richard Crocheron mansion in the 1880s, when it was already an abandoned ruin. Others claim to have witnessed the spirit of a mysterious mist, a crying baby and a strange man dressed in black. This is part of the warehouse complex for Dallas Compress Co. in Selma, photographed in the late 1960s. Each year, unclaimed or abandoned assets are turned over to Alabama Unclaimed Property by financial institutions and businesses that lose contact with the owners. 5) Higdon Hotel Joy Castello / Flickr The Higdon Hotel has been closed for business since 1920, but the beautiful building still stands. After a fire and years of deterioration, only a few buildings remain but it has become a popular destination for tourists and photographers. A marker on Court Square North in Carrollton tells of the Pickens County portrait: "A freedman, Henry Wells, was accused of burning the second on November 16, 1876. Built in 1842, the old Coosa County Jail, known as the Old Rock Jail, is the oldest surviving stone jail in Alabama. Some also like to repeat the myth that children were buried in the playground following a series of abductions in the 1960s. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 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. In 1861, Prairie Bluff was at its height. 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. The cemetery remains. Detail of the abandoned mansion on Goldthwaite. Others have reported hearing disembodied screams and footsteps. Each tour gets on and off the bus throughout the night at the most haunted places in town and includes indoor locations, where you might just have the chance to meet a deceased Decatur resident face-to-face! People claim to hear knocking on the floors and walls. 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. It is no longer in use and the abandoned building is reportedly haunted. THE BEST 10 Restaurants in Decatur, AL - Last Updated March 2023 - Yelp 1830s to 1866. . It was restored but is once again in need of repairs. 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. The building is believed to be haunted by several apparitions and ghostly voices are heard. Copper Center - Tonseno Lodge - A man was killed in the hotel, and now he's haunting it. It is said that a mysterious fog covers this area day or night, and it surrounds the gravestones. 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. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. It was also a very thriving town. Nancys spirit is distraught over not being able to bury her son. 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. 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. Cripple Creek - Palace Hotel - Like much of Cripple Creek, the Palace Hotel has a long history. It is privately owned and closed to the public. The only trace that remains is the nearby cemetery, which some believe was initially established as the posts burial ground. (Source: Historic Drish House Facebook page), This home was built by Dr. John R. Drish in 1837. The figure was as much as 7 feet tall, wearing dark clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. The hotel closed in the 1970s. Jacksons Military Road passed through the town. Huggin Mollys restaurant in downtown Abbeville is named for the legend. However, the family cemetery remains. 10 Crazy Abandoned Places in TN Nature Is Reclaiming Quickly Others have claimed to see odd sights while driving the road, from lights darting through the trees to ghostly figures. 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. Read more 0 Abbie's House Guntersville, Alabama 39.5 miles from Decatur, AL This home dates back to 1909 and is registered by the local historical society. This weathered concrete frame on Shelby County Road 42 was once part of Shelby Chemical Co., a plant owned by Shelby Iron Co. On Feb. 4, a fellow student spilled cleaning fluid onto the open stove and the kitchen caught fire. Brick Deli is housed in a building that dates back over a century. It is located on a street bordering Montgomery's quaint Cottage Hill district, which is filled with refurbished cottages. 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. Princess Theatre in Decatur, Alabama M MSNHA Storage Buildings Old Barns Built In Storage Lauderdale Garages Sheds Beautiful Things Old Barn on Spring Avenue, Decatur, Alabama B Bonnie Goodman Little Theatre Old Signs Once In A Lifetime Movie Theater Performance Art Decatur Alabama great little Theater C Coil Billingsley Southern Homes This cemetery, established in 1834, is said the be haunted by the spirits of Confederate and Union soldiers. Alabamas many historic cemetery sites can be bone-chilling, especially those with an eerie legend associated with it. Ghost towns, especially those that have been completely abandoned, can be a bit creepy. Unclaimed/Abandoned Vehicle Portal - Alabama Read more 0 According to legend, the site is haunted by spirits of numerous people hung from the limbs of the tree in its 200- to 300-year history. 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. She never harmed them, other than perhaps causing some ringing in their ears. 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. Today, the Old State Bank in Decatur is open for tours. 17 Abandoned Places In Alabama [MAP] - Urbex A little farther to the east is a waterway known as Gun Island Chute that leads to the Alabama River. According to the Chamber of Commerce website, "Haunted Places: The National Directory. Condie allegedly ran, screaming, with flames streaming from her. See map for precise location. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Arcola, established in the early 1820s, is a ghost town on the Black Warrior River in Hale County, Alabama - formerly Marengo County. 15. Metal Detecting in Alabama: 50 Secrets You Need to Know For this feature, Ive combined those two loves. . Now her ghost is often seen along the road. No trespassing. The abandoned Memphis and Charleston Freight Depot in Huntsville. 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. HauntedPlaces.org makes no claims that any of the statements posted here are factually accurate. The activity is reportedly caused by the spirit of a woman who died on the top floor in the 1950s. Click here to read more. The Tennessee River railroad bridge on Alabama Highway 43 in Florence is shown in the late 1960s. The rare folk-art stones, declared historic sites by the National Park Service, have unfortunately been all but destroyed by vandals. They are evidence of past lives and of the history we are in danger of losing. Abandoned Places In Alabama 1. The population in 2010 census was 55,683. The remains were removed in 2015. National Register of Historic Places listings in Alabama After the capital was moved to Montgomery, the Tuscaloosa building was used as the Alabama Central Female College. The Spookiest Things to See and Do in Gatlinburg - Southern Living Murder Creek Bridge is located on this stretch. The home was reportedly built atop old slave quarters and a cemetery. The cotton press in the Dallas Compress Co. in Selma. Legend says the spirits of the children buried in the cemetery, founded in 1822, come there to play. 1 of 16 1. 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. It is alleged that you can hear the screams of soldiers who died in the Civil War at this cemetery. 15 most haunted places in Decatur - herald-review.com Click here to see Robinson Switch Road on Google Maps. 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. Parts of the building have been renovated into living space but the penthouse, basement and old bank area remain abandoned and off-limits, awaiting restoration. The Heart of Dixie is steeped in history, making for truly spooky tales. The 21 coolest and creepiest abandoned places in Alabama During the American Civil War, the town suffered a lot of damage and it was completely abandoned by the 1920s. See the last slide for links to more photos of abandoned sites in Alabama. Currently, there are 14 new listings and 212 homes for sale in Decatur. From lost burial grounds to haunted theaters, the Haunted Decatur Tour is much more than just a run-of-the-mill ghost tour! Visitors to the inn and restaurant have reported hearing disembodied footsteps and eerie noises throughout the home. Tales extend to the adjoining cemetery and even the churchs outhouse. Jennifer is the Alabama staff writer for Only In Your State and has nearly 15 years of professional writing experience. It served as the Jackson County seat from 1821 to 1859. Rawls, who repeatedly took down window treatments he tried to install. It has several ghost legends but the tale of Abigail Burns is the most popular. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and. Exploring Abandoned Yet Standing Kmart Decatur Alabama| the Showstopper Now, it's just old and long abandoned. It is thought to be the face of Sarah Kittrell, wife of Thomas Kittrell, who disappeared in 1904. The Decatur Mall is anchored by Belk, jcpenney Outlet, Sears and Regal Cinemas. secret traditions. For the next 100 years,the mansion was owned by members of the Winston family. It is located across fromShelby Iron Works Park, which has been preserved as an educational site. What are the creepiest cemeteries in Alabama? Oct 13, 2016; Decatur has a sordid reputation and a . ADVANCE PERMISSION REQUIRED. He is reportedly always looking toward the Tombigbee River, where his beloved steamboat exploded. Supposedly you can still hear what sounds like the body swaying on the second floor. It was also once the site of Castle Morgan, used to house prisoners of war during the Civil War. 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. 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. 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. Ive noted those of which I am aware. Haunted Decatur Late at night, people have reported hearing eerie footsteps echoing on the decks of the War World II-era battleship USS Alabama. Haunted houses, hospitals and hayrides: This list has all of North Vernon/Searcy Hospital site, shown here in 1935, with photo galleries. (Picture: The Boyaux fortification at the Blakeley battleground). Today, the home has been beautifully restored by the City of Opelika and is the centerpiece of Spring Villa Park. Haunted Places in Hartselle, Alabama Some people claim Sydneys ghost followed the drama students to the Telfair Peet Theater when it was constructed in the 1970s. Battleship Island, Japan. The bank is defunct but the building is still in use. Some say theyve seen orbs of light that appear to float on the river. 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). IMPORTANT NOTE: Many of the sites listed below are on private property; others may be condemned or located in dangerous locations. Ashland Place Historic District in Mobile. She is buried in Birminghams Elmwood Cemetery. 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. The Cedarhurst Mansion Estate was originally built in 1823 by Stephen Ewing. It is said to be haunted by slaves who died on the grounds and also by former owners. According . It survives but the third story and its Romanesque embellishments were removed. Have you visited any before? In life, she reportedly lived in a shack in the woods. (Megan Willis via Forgotten Alabama Facebook page). DECATUR MALL - $$ - 1801 Beltline Rd SW, Decatur, AL - Yelp Athens State was founded in 1822 as the Athens Female Academy, making it the oldest higher learning institute in the state. According to legend, Jenny and her remaining sons set out to get revenge. The Haunted Decatur Tours run either 3 or 4 hours in length -- depending on the tour - and travel by bus to various locations throughout the city. This abandoned home on Watts Mill Road was built in 1905 by Charles and William Hudson for their brother, John. It is now an event venue. (Source: Spyder_Monkey via Wikimedia Commons). The Italianate mansion was built for James Turner Kendall but decades later, the home was used as an inn. 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. As Ive discovered over the years, people are fascinated with abandoned places. It is the largest city and county seat of Morgan County. According to the Chamber of Commerce website, a scarecrow apparition moves from room to room on this floor. This airfield built in 1941, shown above in aerial view, was used to train the famous Tuskegee Airmen. Members of Steel City Urbex were allowed into the bank area and the basement that are being developed for a business such as a restaurant or wine cellar, he said. Winter Place is actually a complex with two huge homes; the second is that both homes are in dire need of renovation. List of ghost towns in Colorado - Wikipedia Abandoned slave quarters and workshops behind the Cabaniss House at 603 Randolph St. in Huntsville. Gadsden, AL to Coosa, GA - Abandoned Rails What it did offer was good food, comfortable bedrooms, outdoor activities and, according toa history of Shelby Iron Works, the first accommodations with electricity and indoor plumbing in the state. Today, it is house museum that can be toured by appointment. Within 15 years, the town had 5,000 residents. 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. People who cross the bridge hear the sounds of a babys cries. The ruins of Fort Morgan, built in 1819, are spooky on their own. To visit Norwood, take exit 126B off Interstate 20/59, just north of downtown Birmingham. One truck driver said that he struck the bridge after a ghostly horse-drawn carriage crossed the interstate in front of him. Storage Auctions in Alabama - AL - StorageAuctions.com Today, only its stone foundations remain. However, that doesn't stop the tales from being told and retold. Cook Museum. Mining continued in Arbacoochee until the 1930s, but the town never recovered and became a ghost town by 1990. It is named for war veteran and politician Joseph Wheeler, as is nearby Wheeler Lake. She would die from her burns on Feb. 6 at the age of 17. The Canabiss House in Huntsville today. At one point, a caretaker claimed to have seen a coffin in one of the rooms set up as if for a wake. 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. With its troubling past of murder, manslaughter and illegal activity, it isn't that hard to believe either. The historic, two-story jail was built in ca. The oddest sighting is an apparition that appears to be half-wolf and half-man. (Sources: Alabama Department of Youth Services, left; Kelly Kazek, right). Decatur, Dothan, Hoover, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, and more. 4 bedrooms (42 homes) $317,230. (Historic American Engineering Record/Library of Congress). Abandoned Fitness Decatur Al - 2023 | UsFitnessFinder.com It is continually guarded and visitors are not allowed without prior approval. 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. In some cases, homes and buildings on the verge of collapse were saved. 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. The Haunted Decatur Tours are based on the bestselling book by Troy Taylor, HAUNTED DECATUR. 133 Fourth Avenue NE, Decatur, Alabama 35601, Phone: 256-351-4505. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The Jemison Center changed focusin the 1970s because of desegregation laws and closed in the 1980s. 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. What are the most popular ghost stories in Alabama? Combined, the TAG area contains more than 14,000 caves (9,200 in Tennessee and 600 in Georgia). After Old Main burned in 1887, the Chapel was used for classrooms until Samford Hall was built. (Source: Namaan Fletcher/What's Left of Birmingham). The site is reportedly haunted by numerous spirits with the most famous known as Pegues Ghost. Two Federal gunboats patrolled the river. Today, Jackson Lake Island is open to the public for camping and fishing. Gen. John Brahan, a veteran of the War of 1812, began construction on Sweetwater Plantation in the 1830s. If you want to suggest another tale, email kkazek@al.com or comment below. 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. The back of the dilapidated William Chancellor House in Harpersville in Shelby County is shown in 1935. ", Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. Others claim to have seen phantom cars, strange balls of light and the apparition of a small figure, about 4 feet tall. Haunted Places in Decatur, Texas 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. When Memorial Mound opened on Dartmouth Avenue in Bessemerin 1993, it was billed as a new method of laying loved ones to rest.

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abandoned places in decatur, alabama