With a history as rich as the United States, we shouldn’t be surprised that every state has paranormal tales to tell. From abandoned asylums to creaky hotels, the United States is home to countless eerie destinations that are believed to be haunted. Some of those claims, at least to the skeptical, may appear dubious. However, paranormal experts have documented many of them, including the 50 most haunted places in the United States.
Alabama: Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark in Birmingham, Sloss Furnaces produced pig iron from 1882 to 1972 and, upon its closing, was restored and now welcomes visitors for tours. It’s also rumored to be the most haunted place in Alabama. Many visitors tell of seeing the apparition of James Wormwood, a blast foreman who was notorious for treating workers poorly, leading to his untimely demise. One evening, during the graveyard shift, those same workers are said to have revolted, throwing Wormwood into the molten fires of the furnace. Today, Wormwood roams the grounds of the former furnace.
Alaska: Kennecott Copper Mining Camp
Hailed as the most haunted place in Alaska, Kennecott Camp and the rail lines going to and from the mines are so frightening that even developers have been convinced to leave the area alone. In the 1990s, developers building homes along one of the railroad lines canceled the project after too many construction workers quit. The workers reported almost constant screaming and wailing voices in the area, along with missing tools, sometimes right from their tool belts.
Want to learn about another haunted Alaska destination? This tiny town has a dark history, and is one of the most haunted places in America.
Arizona: The Jerome Grand Hotel
Perched on a hilltop overlooking the ghost town of Jerome and surrounding Verde Valley, the Jerome Grand Hotel, previously a hospital, is widely considered one of the most haunted hotels in Arizona. Guests tell of hearing crying, coughing, and wailing in the halls. One apparition is believed to be the spirit of a former employee named Harvey, who may have been murdered in 1935, and is often seen in the stairwell of the basement. If you’re brave enough, request room 32, the site of two untimely deaths. Take the elevator to the third floor, though, or you may run into the apparition of a bearded man frequently seen roaming the hotel.
Arkansas: Mount Holly Cemetery
While Mount Holly Cemetery is known as the final resting place for countless notable Arkansans, from United States senators to state governors, it also has its fair share of haunted tales to tell. Early morning visitors tell of hearing music from a flute but there is, unsurprisingly, no one around. Those who are brave enough to visit after dark claim to have seen the apparitions of Native Americans and Confederate soldiers roaming the cemetery grounds. Perhaps eeriest of all, legend says the statues on some of the graves move and trinkets have mysteriously appeared on graves.
California: Winchester Mystery House
The former home of Sarah Winchester, the widow of firearm magnate William Wirt Winchester, the Winchester Mansion is known for its architectural oddities and peculiar features, including staircases that lead to nowhere, doors that open onto walls, and more than 150 rooms and countless secret passages. The mansion offers tours and hosts what it calls an immersive Halloween haunt. Visitors have shared their experience with the paranormal – seeing a man pushing a wheelbarrow and apparitions peeking out of windows, suddenly feeling chills, and pulling on their arm when no one is there.
