The Haunted Historian (2025)

04/06/2022

The northcountry of Index, Washington, while once buzzing with the activity of its local mining operation, has become a secluded oasis for those wishing to detach themselves from modern settings. Constant in both eras has been the Bush House Inn, a local staple and one of the states most haunted structures.

The 123-year-old historic structure lies at the base of a 1,000-foot tall granite cliff, which both adds to the natural allure of the Inn and, in many minds, charges the environment with an otherworldly vibration. As has been the case since Clarence and Ellie Bush opened the building for business towards the end of the 19th century.

The Bush family spent their lives operating the Inn and working the mines, passing the business on to new owners only upon their deaths in the mid-1900s. A string of owners took hold for a few decades, expanding its size and namesake before abandoning the property all together.

The Inn would have been demolished all together if the Corson family hadn’t stepped in to begin renovating the building for a new existence in modern times. In fact, 2021 saw the first guest rooms reopened for the public. And now, the true ghost sightings have started.

You see, a long while back, a woman staying at the Inn hung herself in her room upon hearing that her lover had died. However, she had heard incorrectly. And when her lover arrived for her only to hear of her death, he too took his life. Now, room 9, where it all happened, is reportedly rife with activity.

Guests have awoken to a woman’s cries coming from the restroom. Hands tugging on their feet and sheets. An unseen force throwing their belongings around. And even shadowy visages behind curtains and in the dark corners of the room at night.

The haunting here is still new to the public mind. And there are few locales I’d push you towards more than Index. As I always say; come for the ghosts and stay for the scenery. Happy hunting!

Photo By: Everett Herald

20/05/2022

$21 million dollars is being poured into the repair and redevelopment of one of Amarillo’s most historic landmarks, St. Anthony’s Hospital. So, as it may not look quite as eerie in the coming years, now felt an appropriate time to touch on its story, and what’s more, the legends of its haunting.

It’s been 120 years since the hospital initially opened its doors, and as it didn’t close down until 2001, it’s safe to say that tens of thousands of Amarillo residents came through, with countless failing to walk back out.

Perhaps most peculiar in terms of the hospitals general operations were the 76 exorcisms documented to have been performed between 1909 and 1931 as a means of dealing with patients struggling with mental disabilities. Obviously, it was a different era, and they utilized different, extreme practices.

One can only imagine the activity that resulted from these exorcisms in the 70 years that followed. But if it was anything like what’s being reported today, then I’d say the staff and patients were undoubtedly residing inside one of the states most haunted, if not demonic, locations.

Animals refuse to enter the building. Yelling voices can be heard calling for help. Apportions of elderly men and young children are seen standing at windows and shuffling about the halls. Growls and ethereal moaning emanate from the stairwell. And cold chills engulf you in seemingly random areas of the building.

A portion of the 500k+ square foot building is slated to become apartment space, but portions of the abandoned structure will remain in place. So whether you rent an apartment here or wander (illegally) into its tattered halls, I don’t envision you be disappointed. Happy hunting!

Photo By: Vaden Carthel

13/05/2022

Not far from the grounds that once ran wild with the crowds of Woodstock stands what is today the oldest remaining vacation hotel in the country - the White Lake Mansion House. And as its appearance alone might have you think, the community surrounding White Lake have long swapped stories of the visitors who are yet to leave its once opulent rooms.

The teetering remains of the mansion stood far stronger when initially put together in 1848. Back then, the Kinnie family marketed the mansion as a hotel capable of offering ‘big city’ families a place to relax and reconnect with the beauty of nature. Right alongside the shimmering waters of White Lake, no less.

This charming structure is deceptive. You see, it held 175 rooms, a restaurant, casino, ballroom, tennis courts, and more. You wouldn’t think it just from looking at it, though.

After a incredibly prosperous stint in the 19th century, increased competition and the segregation of different types of peoples to different vacation locations made for a more tedious 20th century. This was exacerbated by the increasing availability of air travel and growth of the interstate highway system.

All of sudden, it wasn’t so hard for families and individuals to vacation on the other side of the country. So, when the mansion finally shuttered its doors in 2000, it had seemed a long time coming. The spirits on the other hand, well, they were a shock to locals nonetheless.

Those walking by the house on a daily basis claim to see what appear to be people walking into the building or pulling curtains open in rooms - apparitions checking in? Others have heard what sounds like large events taking place inside, the laughter of crowds emanating from within. Strangest are the figures seen standing along the shore, observing passing boats, only to disappear into thin air once spotted.

While efforts have been made to redevelop the property, all have failed. So, at least for now, we all have the chance to figure out why supernatural forces remain infesting the home. Happy hunting!

Photo By: F**kyeaabandonedplaces, via Pinterest

06/05/2022

The Heritage Square Museum is a collection of historic Victorian-era homes, nestled away next to one another within the bustling metropolis of Los Angeles. And the most famous of the homes, Hale House, has become quite popular as more than a tourist attraction, but as one of the city’s most paranormal venues.

Hale House was built in 1887, and has often been described as the city’s most photographed and decorated home - as its ornate detail and color would have you believe. Back then it was a private resident, bought by the newlywed couple of James and Bessie Hale.

Unfortunately, the marriage was short lived and the couple divorced only a few years later, with James passing away from a subsequent heart attach thereafter. Bessie retained title to the home and reportedly used it as a boarding house until the late 1950s.

Bessie passed away in 1966 and the home was officially relocated to Heritage Square Museum in 1970, where it has stood as a publicly available site ever since.

Speculations abound as to what makes the home as haunted as its alleged to be, from Bessie practicing spiritualism to girls dying inside during its stint as a boarding house. Whatever it is, various apparitions have been seen throughout the building, from the bedrooms, to the staircase, to the kitchen. Many even report hearing what sounds like somebody working in the empty kitchen and people talking in the upstairs master. It’s a curious place for sure.

So swing by Heritage Square on your next visit to the area. It’ll be a nice escape from the clusters of people, and an incredible experience for history buffs and horror fanatics alike. Happy hunting!

Photo By: SoCal Landmarks

01/05/2022

Cork has long been one of Ireland’s largest cities. And as its population grew, so too did its need for a gaol, one larger than its existing 100-year-old prison that was quickly becoming overcrowded. That realization is what gave birth to the Cork City Gaol in 1824, now one of the towns most supernaturally active locations.

When it first opened, it was considered to be one or the finest such institutions in 3 kingdoms. It housed both male and female inmates of all ages and of all crimes, crating a truly diverse array of criminals and bandits.

The gaol was remodeled in the 1870s to be a lighter, more spacious facility. This was primarily done to account for the buildings change to being a female-only prison. Which, especially given the era, seemed an exceptionally lenient and generous measure to take.

Come 1923, the prisoners of the Cork City Gaol were transferred to other gaols in the region. It would never again function as a local prison, though it would house Corks first radio station in the main building up until the end of the 1950s. It would soon after undergo restoration in an effort to become a public museum - which it did in 1993.

Since then, the gaol has been home to some startling encounters. Mens voices were heard yelling out for help in empty cells when restoration efforts were taking place. Women in long dresses have also been seen wandering the floors, heads hung low and lurking in the shadows. Others have been touched on the shoulders and hears whispers within particular cells, as well.

The World Ghost Convention has been held here ever since 2001, so perhaps it’ll be worth a visit for you and your team in the near future? Both for networking and investigative purposes. Happy hunting!

Photo By: The Haunted Historian

23/04/2022

Every year, 200,000 people trek through the Sonoran Desert to visit what is the oldest standing European structure in Arizona, as well as one of the most perplexing haunts in the entire Southwest region, the San Xavier del Bac Mission.

The mission took shape in 1692 as a Spanish Catholic religious site, right in the center of what was then a centuries-old settlement of the native tribe Sobaipuri O’odham. Its presence became such a thing of envy for other tribes though, inspiring an attack by Apache’s in 1770 that razed the entire property.

Luckily, it was able to be restored completely between 1783 and 1797, making the historic structure available for everyone to see for themselves to this very day. Although, the centuries that followed from that restoration saw extensive bouts of abandonment and neglect, and more than a few turnovers on property ownership.

Despite the complexity of what religious body was in control and when over the course of all of those years, it’s been able to resume its practice as a functioning diocese for modern worshippers. Giving travelers the chance to worship inside one of the continents most stunning and architecturally sophisticated Missions.

However, those same travelers have reported some peculiar experiences at the Mission. Some have seen the white-hares phantom of former padre inside the building, and others have seen an eerie nun who is said to lead the spirits of 5 children killed in a nearby fire to the mission on many nights. Why these entities have linger for so long is anyone’s guess, though.

Whether you come by foot, horseback, and car, a journey to San Xavier will be well-worth the trouble. You have my word on that. Happy hunting!

Photo By: Keyany, via Wikimedia Commons

14/04/2022

Despite being one of the states oldest hospitals and having a firm reputation as one of its most haunted destinations, St. James Hospital has largely flown under the radar for most members of the paranormal community.

However, recent announcements have made clear that the building will be opening its doors for overnight investigations very soon. So it’s high time that enthusiast make themselves familiar with this particular destination - seeing as they may soon be venturing to it.

The hospital was built in 1881 to be the second such facility serving the town of Butte. More specifically, it was built to serve poorer resident in the city and its surrounding region, as it was founded by the Sisters of Charity, who had just arrived in the area from Kansas.

That sole purpose was expanded upon quickly, though. As mining accidents and related illnesses mounted, additional floors were put onto St. James to cater to sects of the population suffering from such ailments. These additions and remodels continued all the way to the 1940s, and the exterior of the structure that exists today reflects those final adjustments.

The hospital closed in 1962, saw various business move in and out of its space, became an apartment for a short while in the 1980s and eventually just became a storage space starting in the early 2000s. But the few that have ventured inside the building since have seen and heard some truly peculiar things.

Objects can be heard moving around you when you stand in the halls. The conversational voices of former patients can be heard bouncing off the walls throughout the building. Apparitions of miners, soldiers, and migrants are even spotted throughout the building, sitting in furniture and even walking around the various rooms.

Don’t miss your chance to investigate this historic hospital, because who knows, it might just close its doors once again here soon. Happy hunting!

Photo By: LandmarkHunter.com

02/04/2022

Army Veteran Jim Landoll had a simple American dream when he retired from the armed services - enamored with European architecture, he vowed, should he ever have the funds, to build an illustrious castle on American soil for his own enjoyment.

Not too long after, with only $5 to his name, he founded the Landoll Publishing company, whose yearly revenue topped $100 million in 1996. It was the nations second largest publisher of children’s books, and when Jim sold it in 1997, he had all the money he needed to realize his dream.

Thus begun the construction of Landoll’s Mohican Castle, which, upon completion, was turned into a hotel at the behest of Jim’s wife. The castle, sitting on 30+ acres of land atop a literal mountain in Central Ohio, has served such a purpose ever since, expanding to include more rooms and more guests over time.

Where do the ghosts come in, you may be wondering? Well, the property is home to the 230-year-old Hyde Cemetery, and the land was the site of religious disputes between the English and German in the 1800. Today a young girl in a blue dress is the most common apparition to be spotted wandering the castles tree line.

Other guests have awoke to shadow figures sitting in hotel room chairs. Strange knocking outside their doors. Electronic phenomena with hotel lights and personal devices. And even the yelps of voices in the deep forests surrounding the property.

This is a truly unique location worth your attention and the travel. It’s been featured on national television for both the paranormal and the customer service side of things. So, double whammy, now you have to go. Happy hunting!

Photo By: The Columbus Dispatch

16/03/2022

The Ancient Ram Inn is one of the worlds foremost paranormal destinations. It dates back 800 years, at the very least, to 1145 when it was originally a housing building for locals constructing the areas first church. What followed from there was enough to create one of the most haunted destinations on planet Earth.

Records of what the building has been used for throughout the entirety of its existence are nonexistent for the most part. There’s documentation showing it was a vicarage, a house for local Masons, a reverends dwelling, a pub, and other such things. In more recent times, it was under the private ownership of John Humphries.

During Humphries time as owner he began to transition the Ancient Ram Inn into a paranormal investigative destination. He recognized that the his property was the site of a 5,000 year old Pagan burial ground, that it sat at the crossroads of prominent European ley lines, that it once housed a woman burned at the stake for being a witch, and more.

The violent entities of faceless spirits are known to drag people from their beds, scratch them, and push visitors around. Others have seen and heard young children running up and down the stairs, where children bones have in fact been found. Dark shadows have been seen lurking throughout the floors of the building moving objects and bothering guests. And so, so, SO much more.

Visitors to the area are able to stop in for a pint or a comfy - albeit, spooky - bed for the evening. And many TV shows and paranormal YouTubers have traveled to take advantage of such accommodations. And so can you, if you think you can stomach one of the worlds greatest haunts? Happy hunting!

Photo By: EX Utopia

22/02/2022

What’s better than dinner and a show? For the residents of Detroit, the answer is “Nothing!” That’s why the city’s most iconic mansion, The Whitney, has long been serving up world-class dishes alongside world-class horrors. And the best part? The latter is on the house, literally.

Upon establishing himself as one of America’s leading lumber dealers, David Whitney had work on this stately mansion commence in 1890, hiring one of the worlds foremost architects to design it for he and his family.

The mansion quickly became the pinnacle of opulence for the Detroit community, attracting members of the city’s upper class and even visiting dignitaries from time to time.

But by the turn of the century, both David and his wife has passed away, leaving the home to fall to the hands of other wealthy families who could afford such luxury. A trend that continued until 1986, when $3 million was poured into renovating the building into a lavish restaurant.

Most claim it to be David and his wife, Flora, who haunt the mansion and spook guests during their meals to this day. From moving tableware, elevators operating on their own, voices that follow guests down halls, and apparitions that have been witnessed ascending and descending the grand staircase, this mansion is no joke. And May very likely make for the most on edge dining experience of your life.

I would imagine reservations are needed for a restaurant as fancy shmancy as this. But if you’re purely interested in the haunting that’s lurking inside, the staff do cater to paranormal events as well. Just visit their website and sign up online. Happy hunting!

Photo By: Alanna St Laurent Photography

12/02/2022

For the first time in decades, the historic Dallas Jail has hit the real estate market for the attractive price of $125,000. And while its namesake is lacking amongst most people, perhaps hearing of its haunted happenings will entice you to throw your hat in the ring to own this wondrously terrifying building.

The jail was built in 1846 and renovated in 1904 after a fire decimated the building. Throughout its nearly 175 years of existence, countless people were imprisoned and even hanged for crimes committed.

However, during all of that time, it served in other capacities as well.

In the 1980s, the former jail serves as a restaurant. But as you can imagine, that was short-lived. After that, the Gaston County Museum took ownership in the 1990s in hopes of renovating the structure and making it available for visitors. That obviously didn’t pan out, though.

And now, the building is offering itself to a new owner for a new life. So long as that individual is fine with disembodied voices and occasional screams, the dark shadows of former prisoners lurking throughout the facility, moving objects, and being shoved about. All in good fun, right?

It goes without saying that access to this historic haunt is off limits, unless you’re making an offer. And if you’re serious about that offer, let us know, because it’d be good to know that the building will see be reopening. But while we wait, happy hunting!

Photo By: Preservation North Carolina

15/01/2022

Located just outside of the Memphis city limits in the small neighboring town of Bartlett lies Blackwell House. A home that many in the region, true or not, equate to be the Ammvtyiille of Tennessee, if not the surrounding region. But I’ll let you be the judge of that.

The Blackwell family had construction begin on this new home of theirs in 1869. Luckily, they owned numerous properties in town, and were able to live in them while awaiting the completion of the family’s abode. They would even rent these other properties out to locals once the had officially moved into Blackwell House to further increase their wealth.

However, word is that Mrs. Blackwell died very shortly after moving in, leaving her husband and children to tend to the house alone. Which they did, until their final daughter finally passed away at the age of 88 and the home left the Blackwell lineage for good.

Here’s where things start to get odd.

A wide variety of families moved into the home at various points, hoping to make the beautiful Victorian structure a place of their own. Alas, none lasted more than a few short months, from what I understand. All left as quickly as they came. And locals soon found out why.

These families, as well as subsequent visitors to the property, have encountered the lingering apparitions of a man and woman, both dressed in their Sunday best. They’ve been said to walk the halls and interact with guests in a manner intense enough to send them screaming.

Truth be told, I’m unaware of the capacity that this property now serves. Perhaps you can enter it, perhaps not. But if you happen to be visiting the area, I’d suggest at least swinging by for a possible glimpse of what most believe to be the spirits of the Blackwells haunting this historic home. Let me know what you find. Happy hunting!

Photo By: Midge, flickr

13/11/2021

The Old Gillespie County Jail was an absolute necessity for the town of Fredericksburg, as its previous three jails had proven largely inadequate or had burned to the ground in freak accidents. As such, this was the area's fourth and final prison of the era, one which would serve the community diligently from 1885 to 1939.

Though the jail houses very few holding cells - 5 in total - its long history of incarceration and violence is well-recognized and firmly believed to be the driving force behind the structure's present-day hauntings.

Beyond the simplicity of the buildings confines quarters, harassment by the guards, and unexplainable death, the jail went as far as to embed shards of broken glass into the walls surrounding the property, just in case anybody tried to make a run for it.

The jail and property wall were restored by the Fredericksburg Heritage Foundation in the late 1970s and the Old Jail was recorded as a Texas Historical Landmark in 1980. Until recently, the building was used by Gillespie County for storage. As of August 12, 2019, it is now under the watchful eyes of the Gillespie County Historical Society as a public museum.

Many visitors to the newly opened facility have felt strong shoves against their backs while on the upper floor of the building. Others have experienced moving objects and footsteps going about the main entrance and its conjoining hallway. Being so new to the paranormal scene, new and intriguing documentation of the events unfolding inside here are still being experienced.

Whether you go for a historical tour or a spooky visit, your trip to Gillespie will certainly yield some unique encounters and worthwhile evidence. So what are you waiting for? Happy hunting!

Photo By: courthouselover, via Flickr

04/11/2021

Auburn, New York has long been regarded as one of the state's more historic towns. Its streets are littered with long-told tales and sprawling expanses of Victorian homes - one of which happened to leap into the public eye in 2019 when it hit the market for $50k, rumored to be infested with paranormal activity. Its name; Seymour Mansion.

The gorgeous home was put together in 1861 for renowned philanthropist James Seymour, a man who left a lasting imprint on the community by founding the local library and city hospital.

Janes was also a noteworthy banker with close ties to some of the most influential figures in American politics. But despite his illustrious position in society, there’s little in his past that suggests his former home would be haunted. That is until you learn about the jokes surrounding land.

A site of wartime significance during the Civil War and an epicenter for the Underground Railroad, the home has borne witness to plenty of bloodshed, skirmishes, and inhumanity. Many believe this history has stained the earth on which the home sits, leaving behind a plethora of unexplainable occurrences.

From claims of apparitions and stomping footsteps to adamant requests by owners that visitors stay clear of the attic and basement for mysterious reasons, the home has attracted the attention of paranormal enthusiasts globally - including horror icon , who bid on the when it was up for sale.

As the home continues on its path towards restoration, it's suspected that it will become a popular Air BnB destination, one that might even offer overnight ghost hunts. But only time will tell. Happy hunting!

Photo By: Auburn Citizen

28/10/2021

A lot can hide in the mountainous terrain of Virginia’s vast, forested wilderness. But sooner or later, everything is uncovered; revealed for all to see. I can think of no better-hidden gem than the Elsing Green Plantation.

The plantation is one of Virginia’s most mysterious parcels of property. In continuous operation now for more than 300 years, little is known about the plantation's past, primarily due to a fire having ravaged public records of its history during the Civil War.

What we do know is that it sits on 3,000 acres of land along the Pamunkey River and that its origins date back to 1690, when it was used as a hunting lodge by the West family of Lord Delaware. And now, it serves as a wildlife refuge.

Three centuries and various landholders later, Edgar Lafferty now holds dominion of the historic estate and has been in a tireless battle to thwart off the many and continuous public claims of strange events unfolding on his land.

Individuals have claimed to hear echoing gunfire and shouting, reminiscent of a wartime atmosphere. The slave's quarters have been known to harbor lingering shadows and phantom lights, and the plantation house itself has startled many visitors with the visages of deceased faces in the windows, roaming footsteps on uninhabited floors, and intense poltergeist activity. Perhaps at the hands of the home's former owners?

A word to wise. Don’t come here causing a stir for the supernatural. You’ll be escorted off of the property swiftly if you do. But if you manage to wander its grounds, you’ll likely experience something out of the ordinary for yourself sooner or later. A typical case of management not wanting its ghost stories to become too well known, I suppose. Happy hunting!

Photo By: Wainwrightts, via Wikimedia Commons

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/da/Elsinggreen.jpg

16/10/2021

Huntsville is a quiet town, which is just how its locals prefer it. In fact, many came to its barren location in the Tennessee countryside specifically to get away from the hustle and bustle of the world. But little did many such people know, Huntsville’s surrounding county houses some of the state's most haunted destinations - including the Old Scott County Jail.

As its dated appearance suggests, the Old Jail is one of Scott County’s oldest structures, going all the way back to 1904.

The building could originally hold 50 prisoners, with lesser offenders being kept on the lower floors and the most dangerous prisoners being kept on the third-floor maximum security level. Operations went on unabated like that for the better part of a century; save for s brief stint of time in the 1960s where the building sent its prisoners to a neighboring jail.

Come 2008, the county abandoned the Old Jail and left its decaying husk to sit idle for a decade before locals concocted a restoration project to save it and preserve its history.

Now, as the restoration project is ongoing, helpers and local townspeople have had their first chance to be inside of the historic building, and many have left with the unwavering sentiment that its walls house some truly horrifying realities - of the paranormal variety.

Accounts of clanging jail cells, heart-stopping screams, and the constant sense of something following you have become rampant. As have reports of shadows seen out of the corner of your eye, dark shapes staring out of the windows at all times of the day, and people having full conversations with who they assume to be fellow citizens of Huntsville, only for the people they’re speaking with to disappear entirely.

Who’s to say what purpose the Old Jail will serve upon its successful refurbishment. But I for one can’t wait to grab my gear and lock down behind the guarded walls of what is shaping up to be one of Tennessee’s most spine-tingling haunts. Happy hunting!

Photo By: Nancy Duncan Chambers, via Fotki

08/10/2021

Does any location scream Halloween haunt quite like Shard Villa? My guess is very few. From its gothic design and looming tower to its years of documented paranormal encounters, it’s a site of horrors unlike most this page has had the privilege of covering.

And what sets it apart aside from its eerie stories? Maybe the fact that dozens of people are still living there….

The historic mansion has been around since its completed construction in 1874, at which point the imposing structure stood as the centerpiece of what was then a 3,000-acre parcel of land; all under the ownership of Columbus Smith, a successful lawyer native to the area.

Smith enjoyed life inside of his mansion, even going so far as to fly in Italian painters to adorn his ceilings in murals in an effort to expand upon the homes already heightened opulence. But like all good things, his life came to an end; and in accordance with his will, the home was converted into an elderly care facility in 1922, which it remains today.

In its new life, the mansion has always served as a location that allows its residents to the comfort of and opportunity to live in a historic structure.

But those same residents have heard the mysterious and unexplainable sounds of glass breaking, have wandered the halls on many nights in search of hushed voices they can hear in the halls, and witnessed the apparition of a friendly little girl in a red dress who has become good friends with many of the residents - a number of them not even knowing she was a ghost.

As you could have guessed, investigations are strictly off-limits. But for those amongst us who may be looking for lavish ways to retire without sacrificing their paranormal fascination, this home may be your solution and something to look forward to spending your later years in. Happy hunting!

Photo By: Amy Boemig, via flickr

The Haunted Historian