Now a venue for upscale events, Little Gardens was once an 1800s plantation house. Its restaurant is said to be haunted by the ghost of a woman who died here in the early 1900s. According to witnesses, she moves dishes and silverware, sometimes throwing them across tables. She also makes herself known with cold spots, footsteps, and restroom doors that open and close by themselves.
Showing posts with label Georgia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Georgia. Show all posts
THE PIRATE'S HOUSE, SAVANNAH - Georgia
One of the most popular haunted locations in Georgia is The Pirate’s House in Savannah. The inn here was opened in 1753 and even back then it had a dark reputation for Shanghaiing unsuspecting sailors.
Lured by the promise of a hot meal, free flowing booze and a place to rest the men would come into the inn, but when they passed out they would be dragged down into the basement and into hidden tunnels that led to the Savannah River.
When the sailors woke up the next morning they would find themselves on a ship miles from home where they were forced into service. It is said that visitors to the building can still hear moaning and disembodied voices coming from the now boarded up tunnel.
There have also been reports of apparitions in the upstairs room which now serves as a restaurant.
OLD CANDLER HOSPITAL MORGUE TUNNEL, SAVANNAH - Georgia
The very first hospital in Georgia was the Candler Hospital, built in Savannah back in 1804. One of the most well known ghost stories in Savannah relates to the giant ‘Candler Oak’ that sits on the property.
It is also known as ‘The Hanging Tree’ and many people have reported seeing apparitions hanging by their necks from the branches.
However, in terms of being one of the most haunted places in Georgia, well that honour goes not to the hanging tree, but to the old morgue tunnel that runs all the way from Candler Hospital to Forsyth Park.
Back in the day, this tunnel would have been used to transport, store and discreetly dispose of bodies during the yellow fever epidemics. It is really no wonder that the tunnel is now believed to be haunted.
Those brave enough to go down there have come back with a wide variety of creepy tales including strange orbs of light and many different apparitions appearing all along the length of the tunnel.
MOON RIVER BREWING COMPANY, SAVANNAH - Georgia
One of the most haunted places in Georgia is the Moon River Brewing Company. The famous microbrewery once served as the first guest house in Savannah – City Hotel.
The hotel opened back in 1821 and it was the scene of a wide variety of very unsavory behavior including, but not limited to violence, brawls, beatings and even shootings. This probably explains why the building now houses so many aggressive spirits who have been known to push patrons and even cut in line at the bar!
The basement is said to house a spirit who the staff have dubbed ‘Toby’. He is often seen in the basement area creeping through the shadows. There are cold spots and visitors often feel uncomfortable and claim to hear voices whispering in their ears!
The second floor also has a spirit connected with it. This one is said to be the ghost of James Stark. The shooting of James Stark by town physician Philip Minas is a famous one and depending on who you ask he died right there on the stairs or in the kitchen.
Either way, his spirit is frequently seen on the second floor.
Other hotspots include the women’s restroom in the dining area where female customers often find themselves unable to leave the cubicle because of an unseen force holding the door closed.
Female diners have also claimed to have had their legs touched by unseen hands while eating. The upper floors are said to be the domain of a Lady in White who pushes people down the stairs.
Construction crews have also been chased out of the building by unseen forces. The building is so haunted that they even offer ghost tours from time to time.
Amicalola Falls Lodge - Dawsonville, GA
The Cherokee Indian braves used to pray on Amicalola Mountain, seeking visions that would guide them in their lives. Folks say the spirits they consulted still remain on the mountain, and sometimes visit the beautiful lodge as well. Reports say the spirits disapprove of negative energy, and in one incidence a disembodied hand threw a frying pan at a couple who were having an argument.
Dawsonville, GA 30534
Lumpkin County Courthouse - Dahlonega Gold Museum - Dahlonega, GA
Dahlonega Gold Museum, inside the 1836 Lumpkin County Courthouse, is haunted by a ghost the staff calls Tommy. He has shown up as a tall figure in a hooded robe, seen on the balcony or through the windows. The stamp mill has inexplicably come on by itself and strange knocking sounds have been heard in the walls. When objects go missing, the staff blames their friendly ghost.
Address:
Public Square
Dahlonega, GA
Bourbon Street Grille - Dahlonega, GA
Ghost stories abounded when this building housed Gabee’s Cajun Kitchen and the Art Cart. Witnesses heard phantom dishes shatter and disembodied footsteps, and chess pieces moved on their own. At the Art Cart stood a chessboard handmade from gourds, with the pieces made to look like Muslims and Christians. One day he found the pieces lined up down the middle of the board, and another day they stood around the edge of the coffee table.
Address:
90 Public Square N
Dahlonega, GA
Picnic Cafe - Dahlonega, GA
The café, built in 1897 by Colonel W.P. Price, is rumored to be haunted by the Colonel himself. An apparition of a lone figure has been seen, although a psychic has determined that the ghost is a female who stands and waits for something unknown.
Address: 30Public Sq S Dahlonega, GA
Forrest Hills Resort and Conference Center - Dahlonega, GA
Forrest Hills has quite the active property for ghosts. The property itself is rich in history with the Trail of Tears having gone through it along with a rich past of moonshiners and even a suicide by hanging. The majority of the ghosts here are quite friendly and even playful though. At the well, you will often hear the dropping and raising of the bucket, in the Goldfinch and Sparrow cabins resident ghosts will move your items around. In Treetopper Lodge, you will be flipping light switches off all day. The Conference center and the Rose Garden Dining hall are even visited with spirits.
Address:
135 Forrest Hills Rd
Dahlonega, GA
United States
Central State Hospital - Milledgeville, Georgia
The original name of this creepy-ass place -- Georgia State Lunatic, Idiot, and Epileptic Asylum -- sounds like it should, by rights, be full of people today, especially Georgia State fans who think the football team’s just gonna start magically winning whenever they get an actual stadium. From the front, it looks like the kinda place where you don’t get out with a clean bill of mental health, and outside a symbolic graveyard represents the 25k+ patients found to be buried throughout the grounds in unmarked graves. Ironically, you’d have to be crazy to check this place out.
Atlanta Prison Farm—Key Rd SE, Atlanta
Of course it’s generally a bad idea to hang around a prison whether it’s open or closed, but this one is so historically dense that you almost feel drawn to at least take a tour of the grounds just to see some incredible graffiti. Not that we’re advising that, since you’d technically be trespassing on City of Atlanta property, or you know, just in danger of being killed/robbed/something worse by randos while stumbling through the toxic, shady, dangerous buildings.
Pullman Yard—Rogers St NE, Atlanta, GA
It seems like Kirkwood’s historic 25-acre former rail facility, which has been closed since the 1950s but has also been a backdrop filming location for The Hunger Games and Fast Five, as well as the location of more than a few wild, secret parties will be turned into something else soon. The state owns it today, and they let the public inside for a day last month, but everybody in ATL knows at least one person who’s illegally deejayed or tended bar there in the last 10 years.
Forsyth Park, Savannah, GA
Legends of Fort Mountain
Part of the Cohutta Mountains, a small mountain range at the southern end of the Appalachian Mountains, Fort Mountain takes its name from the remnants of a stone formation located on the peak.
This ancient 885 feet-long zigzagging rock wall was built from stones that are from the local area around the summit. It is up to 12 feet thick and up to seven feet high, but generally rises to a height of two or three feet. The wall, which is scattered with 29 pits, cairns, small cylinders, stone rings, and ruins of a gateway, is said by some sources to have been built around 400-500 AD, while other sources say that the date has not been determined.
There are several theories as to who might have built this wall. Early visitors referred to the formation as a fort, speculating that it was built by Hernando de Soto to defend against the Creek Indians around 1540. However, this theory was contradicted as early as 1917, when a historian pointed out that de Soto was in the area for less than two weeks.
Two other legends say that the wall was built either by the Moon-eyed people according to Cherokee lore or is contributed to a Welsh prince who was said to have made his way to America in 1170.
According to Cherokee tradition, the moon-eyed people lived in the lower Appalachia region before the Cherokee came to the area during the late 1700s. The people were said to be called “moon-eyed” because they saw poorly during the day and could see very well at night. They were also described as being small in stature, the men bearded, light-eyed, and having pale white skin. One early historian described them as albinos who were possibly the ancestors of the Kuna people of Panama, who have a high incidence of albinism.
Cherokee Indian
Cherokee Indian
The Cherokee, who drove them out of the region, say that these people built the ancient structures in the area. Supposedly, a temple had once stood inside the fortification which contained a giant stone snake with ruby eyes.
The moon-eyed people were first mentioned in a 1797 book by Benjamin Smith Barton. Later documentation tells of similar accounts, such as an 1823 book, The Natural and Aboriginal History of Tennessee, which tells of a band of white people who were killed or driven out of Kentucky and West Tennessee.
Who were these moon-eyed people? Some say they might be of Welsh descent. This story tells of a prince named Madoc (or Madog) ab Owain Gwynedd, who fled his homeland after the death of his father, which had created a Civil War among his seven sons. The sons were to fight to determine who would rule their father’s lands.
To avoid the bloodshed, Madoc set sail with his brother Rhirid and a few followers in 1170 and was said to have landed somewhere around Mobile Bay, Alabama. Sometime later, Madoc returned to his native country and recruited more followers who returned on ten ships to settle in America. After setting sail, they were never heard from in Wales again. Some speculate it was these colonists that built the fortress wall. Allegedly, the Fort Mountain stonework wasn’t the only one they built. Legend also attributes one near DeSoto Falls, Alabama, which is said to be nearly identical to the setting, layout, and method of construction of Dolwyddelan Castle in Wales, the birthplace of Madoc. Minor fortifications in the Chattanooga, Tennessee area are also attributed to these Welsh people.
In an 1810 letter, former Tennessee governor John Sevier wrote that the Cherokee leader Oconostota told him in 1783 that local mounds had been built by white people who were pushed from the area by the Cherokee. According to Sevier, Oconostota confirmed that these were Welsh from across the ocean. Madoc’s travels, first told in print about 1584, had also been told in Welsh songs and stories since the twelfth century.
Fort Mountain Wall
Fort Mountain Wall
Were these descendants of Madoc’s colonists the Moon-eyed people?
Many generations of explorers, archaeologists, geologists, and historians have wondered about the identity of the unknown builders and the purpose of their handiwork. Some believe that the wall had a ceremonial function since it lacks certain characteristics necessary for defensive purposes, such as its relatively low height and the lack of water within the wall.
However, nobody knows which of the many legends and theories is true and which are false. The true answer still lies buried somewhere in antiquity and may never be unearthed
Current legends tell that the sounds of distant drums, flickering lights, and the images of men wearing bearskins have been encountered along the collapsed wall.
Today, the mysterious peak is part of the Fort Mountain State Park, which is also known for its unique scenery, a mixture of both hardwood and pine forests and several blueberry thickets. In addition, the park contains a 17-acre mountain lake.
It is located which is seven miles east of Chatsworth, Georgia off GA 52.
This ancient 885 feet-long zigzagging rock wall was built from stones that are from the local area around the summit. It is up to 12 feet thick and up to seven feet high, but generally rises to a height of two or three feet. The wall, which is scattered with 29 pits, cairns, small cylinders, stone rings, and ruins of a gateway, is said by some sources to have been built around 400-500 AD, while other sources say that the date has not been determined.
There are several theories as to who might have built this wall. Early visitors referred to the formation as a fort, speculating that it was built by Hernando de Soto to defend against the Creek Indians around 1540. However, this theory was contradicted as early as 1917, when a historian pointed out that de Soto was in the area for less than two weeks.
Two other legends say that the wall was built either by the Moon-eyed people according to Cherokee lore or is contributed to a Welsh prince who was said to have made his way to America in 1170.
According to Cherokee tradition, the moon-eyed people lived in the lower Appalachia region before the Cherokee came to the area during the late 1700s. The people were said to be called “moon-eyed” because they saw poorly during the day and could see very well at night. They were also described as being small in stature, the men bearded, light-eyed, and having pale white skin. One early historian described them as albinos who were possibly the ancestors of the Kuna people of Panama, who have a high incidence of albinism.
Cherokee Indian
Cherokee Indian
The Cherokee, who drove them out of the region, say that these people built the ancient structures in the area. Supposedly, a temple had once stood inside the fortification which contained a giant stone snake with ruby eyes.
The moon-eyed people were first mentioned in a 1797 book by Benjamin Smith Barton. Later documentation tells of similar accounts, such as an 1823 book, The Natural and Aboriginal History of Tennessee, which tells of a band of white people who were killed or driven out of Kentucky and West Tennessee.
Who were these moon-eyed people? Some say they might be of Welsh descent. This story tells of a prince named Madoc (or Madog) ab Owain Gwynedd, who fled his homeland after the death of his father, which had created a Civil War among his seven sons. The sons were to fight to determine who would rule their father’s lands.
To avoid the bloodshed, Madoc set sail with his brother Rhirid and a few followers in 1170 and was said to have landed somewhere around Mobile Bay, Alabama. Sometime later, Madoc returned to his native country and recruited more followers who returned on ten ships to settle in America. After setting sail, they were never heard from in Wales again. Some speculate it was these colonists that built the fortress wall. Allegedly, the Fort Mountain stonework wasn’t the only one they built. Legend also attributes one near DeSoto Falls, Alabama, which is said to be nearly identical to the setting, layout, and method of construction of Dolwyddelan Castle in Wales, the birthplace of Madoc. Minor fortifications in the Chattanooga, Tennessee area are also attributed to these Welsh people.
In an 1810 letter, former Tennessee governor John Sevier wrote that the Cherokee leader Oconostota told him in 1783 that local mounds had been built by white people who were pushed from the area by the Cherokee. According to Sevier, Oconostota confirmed that these were Welsh from across the ocean. Madoc’s travels, first told in print about 1584, had also been told in Welsh songs and stories since the twelfth century.
Fort Mountain Wall
Fort Mountain Wall
Were these descendants of Madoc’s colonists the Moon-eyed people?
Many generations of explorers, archaeologists, geologists, and historians have wondered about the identity of the unknown builders and the purpose of their handiwork. Some believe that the wall had a ceremonial function since it lacks certain characteristics necessary for defensive purposes, such as its relatively low height and the lack of water within the wall.
However, nobody knows which of the many legends and theories is true and which are false. The true answer still lies buried somewhere in antiquity and may never be unearthed
Current legends tell that the sounds of distant drums, flickering lights, and the images of men wearing bearskins have been encountered along the collapsed wall.
Today, the mysterious peak is part of the Fort Mountain State Park, which is also known for its unique scenery, a mixture of both hardwood and pine forests and several blueberry thickets. In addition, the park contains a 17-acre mountain lake.
It is located which is seven miles east of Chatsworth, Georgia off GA 52.
Haunted Historic Sites in Savannah, Georgia You Must Visit
Of all the places in the United States, Savannah, GA has long been considered to be one of the most haunted, but also to have some of the best must-see historic attractions in the land. If you are interested in historic attractions and love a good, old-fashioned ghost story, then haunted Savannah is just the place you may want to visit. You already know there are different types of ghosts out there, from the apparitions to anniversary ghosts, but did you know it’s possible that they haunt many of the historic sites of Savannah? Savannah has long been referred to as a “Southern belle” who features a tragic, haunted past. From the cobblestone sidewalks to the moss ridden trees, the streets of Savannah are gorgeous and reported to be haunted by visitors from the afterlife. Read on for a few of the most haunted historic sites in Savannah and listen in on the stories they have to tell.
The Kehoe House
The beauty of the 1892 Kehoe House is only marred by the tragic incident that occurred there. The house was originally built for William Kehoe, his wife, and their 10 children. The house rang with laughter, until the tragic day, the Kehoe twins were killed while playing in the fireplace of the home. Cherubs that grace the fireplaces now are said to be a monument to the young twins. Guests report hearing children laughing when no children are present and guests in rooms 201 and 203 of the house report someone sitting on the beds, leaving warm indentations behind. While, still not as haunted as some of the other locations in Savannah, guests love to visit the Kehoe House for the gorgeous atmosphere and helpful staff there. If you’re an avid photographer, looking to enter a photo contest, you might just be able to catch a shot of the twins playing in the hallway, to secure the win of your entry.
Photo from Bonaventure Historical Society.
Bonaventure Cemetery
You can’t be an avid ghost lover or enjoy visiting historic sites without visiting a historic cemetery or two. One such graveyard is the Bonaventure Cemetery. While not the oldest cemetery in Savannah, this is one of the oldest and has its fair share of restless spirits. One of the saddest stories to come out of this historic cemetery is the tale of six-year-old Gracie Watson, who was laid to rest there in 1889. Gracie was loved by all, but sadly died of pneumonia, two days before Easter Sunday. Her father had a huge statue built of the child. It’s that same statue that visitors to the cemetery have reported walking around the graveyard. There have also been reports of visitors seeing Gracie playing in the streets in front of her home. When touring the cemetery during your trip, make sure to watch out for Little Gracie and any other spirits who might be wandering the grounds.
The Gribble House
The Gribble House is said to be one of the most haunted houses in Savannah, maybe even in all of Georgia. The house was the scene of a tragic murder, involving three young women in 1909. The killer of the women was never found, and it is said that the spirits of the victims roam the grounds to this day, seeking justice for their brutal murders. Lovers of the paranormal can view the site of the murders with a tour through the warehouse that stands there today, though the house was torn down long ago. Reported occurrences there include shadowy figures running through the building, strange lights, and your classic woman in a white apparition.
17Hundred90 Inn & Restaurant
Oglethorpe Avenue in Savannah, Georgia, 1900, by the Detroit Photographic Co.
In the heart of downtown Savannah rests the 17Hundred90 Inn & Restaurant. Having been in business for over 100 years, it comes as no surprise that the inn is haunted and has many tales to tell. The inn is so haunted in fact, the owners have decided to publish some of the guests’ experiences on their own website for the viewing pleasure of all the paranormal buffs out there. The inn was built in the year 1820 and tragedy occurred rather quickly, after all, yellow fever was rampant in Savannah at the time and fires were breaking out everywhere. Perhaps, the worst, and the saddest story was that of Anne Powell, who after being seduced by the charms of a sailor on leave, jumped to her death from the window of room 204. Anne is said to rub the cheeks of male guests, layout nightclothes for the women, and take small trinkets as her own. If you want to see if you can photograph Anne in room 204, do it now because guests book this room months ahead because it is so popular!
The Hamilton-Turner Inn
Perhaps you have already heard of the Hamilton-Turner Inn, as it was made famous by Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Staying here, guests have heard billiard balls bouncing along the upper floors, seen a man smoking a cigar on the roof, and heard the sounds of children running through the inn playing and laughing when there were no children known to be visiting there.
The Moon River Brewing Company
Depiction of General William T. Sherman and his troops enter Savannah,
Georgia in the Civil War.
Perhaps the most haunted and saddest historic site in all of Savannah is The Moon River Brewing Company. It is indeed billed as one of the most haunted locations in the area by many. This famous site has been visited by the team from the popular TV shows; Ghost Hunters and Ghost Adventures. Built in 1821, the building was originally the city hotel. It played host to many famous people and was the popular place for Savannah’s high society to gather.
After the Civil War, the building was also used as a hospital and treated many, many residents of Savannah who were struck down by yellow fever. There are many, many ghosts that haunt the halls and rooms of The Moon River Brewing Company, some of them friendly and some of them, not so much. The most frequent spirits seen are those of the children that possibly died there during the yellow fever outbreak. Also, seen is Toby, a not-so-friendly ghost who taunts and haunts anyone who ventures into the downstairs part of the building, and a woman in old-fashioned attire, who will stand at the top of stairs and glare down at the guests below. Not only are spirits seen here, but they are also felt by some people when they are bumped or prodded by something that isn’t there.
These are just a few of the most haunted historic sites in Savannah, GA that you will want to see on a trip to this Southern city. Whether it’s the spirits at The Moon River Brewing Company or the ghosts that haunt the halls of The Kehoe House, if you love history and ghosts alike, Savannah, GA is the place you can visit to find both.
©Anna Hicks, October 2018
About the Author: Anna Hicks is the blogger behind paidtwice.com. While she once wanted to be a teacher, she now gets her history fix by writing on the subject. She also enjoys writing about DIY, personal finance, and her terrible cooking skills.
The Kehoe House
The beauty of the 1892 Kehoe House is only marred by the tragic incident that occurred there. The house was originally built for William Kehoe, his wife, and their 10 children. The house rang with laughter, until the tragic day, the Kehoe twins were killed while playing in the fireplace of the home. Cherubs that grace the fireplaces now are said to be a monument to the young twins. Guests report hearing children laughing when no children are present and guests in rooms 201 and 203 of the house report someone sitting on the beds, leaving warm indentations behind. While, still not as haunted as some of the other locations in Savannah, guests love to visit the Kehoe House for the gorgeous atmosphere and helpful staff there. If you’re an avid photographer, looking to enter a photo contest, you might just be able to catch a shot of the twins playing in the hallway, to secure the win of your entry.
Photo from Bonaventure Historical Society.
Bonaventure Cemetery
You can’t be an avid ghost lover or enjoy visiting historic sites without visiting a historic cemetery or two. One such graveyard is the Bonaventure Cemetery. While not the oldest cemetery in Savannah, this is one of the oldest and has its fair share of restless spirits. One of the saddest stories to come out of this historic cemetery is the tale of six-year-old Gracie Watson, who was laid to rest there in 1889. Gracie was loved by all, but sadly died of pneumonia, two days before Easter Sunday. Her father had a huge statue built of the child. It’s that same statue that visitors to the cemetery have reported walking around the graveyard. There have also been reports of visitors seeing Gracie playing in the streets in front of her home. When touring the cemetery during your trip, make sure to watch out for Little Gracie and any other spirits who might be wandering the grounds.
The Gribble House
The Gribble House is said to be one of the most haunted houses in Savannah, maybe even in all of Georgia. The house was the scene of a tragic murder, involving three young women in 1909. The killer of the women was never found, and it is said that the spirits of the victims roam the grounds to this day, seeking justice for their brutal murders. Lovers of the paranormal can view the site of the murders with a tour through the warehouse that stands there today, though the house was torn down long ago. Reported occurrences there include shadowy figures running through the building, strange lights, and your classic woman in a white apparition.
17Hundred90 Inn & Restaurant
Oglethorpe Avenue in Savannah, Georgia, 1900, by the Detroit Photographic Co.
In the heart of downtown Savannah rests the 17Hundred90 Inn & Restaurant. Having been in business for over 100 years, it comes as no surprise that the inn is haunted and has many tales to tell. The inn is so haunted in fact, the owners have decided to publish some of the guests’ experiences on their own website for the viewing pleasure of all the paranormal buffs out there. The inn was built in the year 1820 and tragedy occurred rather quickly, after all, yellow fever was rampant in Savannah at the time and fires were breaking out everywhere. Perhaps, the worst, and the saddest story was that of Anne Powell, who after being seduced by the charms of a sailor on leave, jumped to her death from the window of room 204. Anne is said to rub the cheeks of male guests, layout nightclothes for the women, and take small trinkets as her own. If you want to see if you can photograph Anne in room 204, do it now because guests book this room months ahead because it is so popular!
The Hamilton-Turner Inn
Perhaps you have already heard of the Hamilton-Turner Inn, as it was made famous by Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Staying here, guests have heard billiard balls bouncing along the upper floors, seen a man smoking a cigar on the roof, and heard the sounds of children running through the inn playing and laughing when there were no children known to be visiting there.
The Moon River Brewing Company
Depiction of General William T. Sherman and his troops enter Savannah,
Georgia in the Civil War.
Perhaps the most haunted and saddest historic site in all of Savannah is The Moon River Brewing Company. It is indeed billed as one of the most haunted locations in the area by many. This famous site has been visited by the team from the popular TV shows; Ghost Hunters and Ghost Adventures. Built in 1821, the building was originally the city hotel. It played host to many famous people and was the popular place for Savannah’s high society to gather.
After the Civil War, the building was also used as a hospital and treated many, many residents of Savannah who were struck down by yellow fever. There are many, many ghosts that haunt the halls and rooms of The Moon River Brewing Company, some of them friendly and some of them, not so much. The most frequent spirits seen are those of the children that possibly died there during the yellow fever outbreak. Also, seen is Toby, a not-so-friendly ghost who taunts and haunts anyone who ventures into the downstairs part of the building, and a woman in old-fashioned attire, who will stand at the top of stairs and glare down at the guests below. Not only are spirits seen here, but they are also felt by some people when they are bumped or prodded by something that isn’t there.
These are just a few of the most haunted historic sites in Savannah, GA that you will want to see on a trip to this Southern city. Whether it’s the spirits at The Moon River Brewing Company or the ghosts that haunt the halls of The Kehoe House, if you love history and ghosts alike, Savannah, GA is the place you can visit to find both.
©Anna Hicks, October 2018
About the Author: Anna Hicks is the blogger behind paidtwice.com. While she once wanted to be a teacher, she now gets her history fix by writing on the subject. She also enjoys writing about DIY, personal finance, and her terrible cooking skills.
Haunted Fort Jackson
The oldest standing brick fortification in Georgia and a National Historic Landmark, Old Fort Jackson not only provides a wealth of history but is also allegedly haunted.
Officially called Fort James Jackson, this restored 19th-century fort was built when President Thomas Jefferson authorized the construction of eight forts in the area to defend the Savannah area. One of these fortifications included Fort Jackson which was named for James Jackson, a British native who fought In the American Revolution and rose to the rank of colonel. When he was just 25 years old, he accepted the surrender of the British in Savannah at the close of the revolution. He was later a U.S. Representative, U.S. Senator, and Governor of Georgia.
The fort was built between 1808 and 1812 over the site of a 1776 earthen battery from the American Revolution. It was originally built as a six-gun fort with three, two gun batteries facing the water. The back of the fort was open and unfortified.
Fort Jackson, Georgia
In the War of 1812, local militias and U.S. troops saw active duty at Fort Jackson. After the war, two periods of construction followed at the fort. A moat, drawbridge, brick barracks, privies, a rear wall, and another powder magazine were added.
During the Civil War, Fort Jackson, along with nearby Fort McAllister and Fort Pulaski, defended Savannah from Union attack. In 1862, Fort Jackson was shelled from a ship captained by an escaped slave named Robert Smalls. The fort was commanded by Colonel Edward Clifford Anderson and would become the Confederate Headquarters for the Savannah River defenses, including the Confederate Navy. The fort was held by the Confederates until December 1864 when it was evacuated as General Sherman approached. The departing Confederates set the fort afire, spiked the guns and destroyed everything of military value. Union troops occupied the fort until the end of the war. The Confederate forces retreated to South Carolina where they joined other forces and continued to fight until April 26, 1865, when they surrendered to General Sherman’s army at Durham, North Carolina.
After the Civil War, the fort was placed in caretaker status and was renamed Fort Oglethorpe in 1884 and carried that name until it was decommissioned in 1905. It was purchased by the city of Savannah in 1924 for park purposes but not fully restored until the 1970s.
As to the ghosts of Old Fort Jackson, the one most often sighted is thought to be that of a Confederate private by the name of Patrick Garrity. Garrity apparently had a problem with his superior, Lieutenant George Dickerson. One night when Garrity was on guard duty near the drawbridge, he was approached by Lieutenant Dickerson and for reasons unknown, the private bludgeoned his superior with his musket, breaking both his musket and the officer’s skull in four places. Private Garrity then fled the scene by jumping into the moat, but his escape was not to be effective, as he drowned in the moat. Lieutenant Dickerson survived the beating but was unable to remember the attack. He never fully recovered and was forced to step down from his command.
Today, there is a ghostly specter that is often spied at the site of the attack, believed to be that of Patrick Garrity. Said to be dressed in a Confederate uniform, the soldier is seen walking along the parade ground or standing near the drawbridge. Some reports say that the apparition appears only from the waist up.
Evidently Garrity is not alone, another silhouette of a soldier has been reported standing on the casement walls above the parade ground. Other fallen soldiers are also seen in various areas, some walking leisurely and others intensely manning their posts with a watchful eye. On one occasion when a cleaning lady reportedly heard strange noises, she turned around to come face to face with a Confederate soldier standing in a doorway. After glaring at her, the spirit vanished.
Many who visit the old post describe feeling unsettling energy or eerie feelings just before they glimpse a darting shadow or a full-fledged apparition of a historic soldier. Others report hearing phantom footsteps and other strange sounds.
Situated on the Savannah River, two miles east of the city of Savannah, Fort Jackson is located at 1 Fort Jackson Road. The old fort is owned by the state of Georgia and operated as a museum by the Coastal Heritage Society. Fee for admission.
Officially called Fort James Jackson, this restored 19th-century fort was built when President Thomas Jefferson authorized the construction of eight forts in the area to defend the Savannah area. One of these fortifications included Fort Jackson which was named for James Jackson, a British native who fought In the American Revolution and rose to the rank of colonel. When he was just 25 years old, he accepted the surrender of the British in Savannah at the close of the revolution. He was later a U.S. Representative, U.S. Senator, and Governor of Georgia.
The fort was built between 1808 and 1812 over the site of a 1776 earthen battery from the American Revolution. It was originally built as a six-gun fort with three, two gun batteries facing the water. The back of the fort was open and unfortified.
Fort Jackson, Georgia
In the War of 1812, local militias and U.S. troops saw active duty at Fort Jackson. After the war, two periods of construction followed at the fort. A moat, drawbridge, brick barracks, privies, a rear wall, and another powder magazine were added.
During the Civil War, Fort Jackson, along with nearby Fort McAllister and Fort Pulaski, defended Savannah from Union attack. In 1862, Fort Jackson was shelled from a ship captained by an escaped slave named Robert Smalls. The fort was commanded by Colonel Edward Clifford Anderson and would become the Confederate Headquarters for the Savannah River defenses, including the Confederate Navy. The fort was held by the Confederates until December 1864 when it was evacuated as General Sherman approached. The departing Confederates set the fort afire, spiked the guns and destroyed everything of military value. Union troops occupied the fort until the end of the war. The Confederate forces retreated to South Carolina where they joined other forces and continued to fight until April 26, 1865, when they surrendered to General Sherman’s army at Durham, North Carolina.
After the Civil War, the fort was placed in caretaker status and was renamed Fort Oglethorpe in 1884 and carried that name until it was decommissioned in 1905. It was purchased by the city of Savannah in 1924 for park purposes but not fully restored until the 1970s.
As to the ghosts of Old Fort Jackson, the one most often sighted is thought to be that of a Confederate private by the name of Patrick Garrity. Garrity apparently had a problem with his superior, Lieutenant George Dickerson. One night when Garrity was on guard duty near the drawbridge, he was approached by Lieutenant Dickerson and for reasons unknown, the private bludgeoned his superior with his musket, breaking both his musket and the officer’s skull in four places. Private Garrity then fled the scene by jumping into the moat, but his escape was not to be effective, as he drowned in the moat. Lieutenant Dickerson survived the beating but was unable to remember the attack. He never fully recovered and was forced to step down from his command.Today, there is a ghostly specter that is often spied at the site of the attack, believed to be that of Patrick Garrity. Said to be dressed in a Confederate uniform, the soldier is seen walking along the parade ground or standing near the drawbridge. Some reports say that the apparition appears only from the waist up.
Evidently Garrity is not alone, another silhouette of a soldier has been reported standing on the casement walls above the parade ground. Other fallen soldiers are also seen in various areas, some walking leisurely and others intensely manning their posts with a watchful eye. On one occasion when a cleaning lady reportedly heard strange noises, she turned around to come face to face with a Confederate soldier standing in a doorway. After glaring at her, the spirit vanished.
Many who visit the old post describe feeling unsettling energy or eerie feelings just before they glimpse a darting shadow or a full-fledged apparition of a historic soldier. Others report hearing phantom footsteps and other strange sounds.
Situated on the Savannah River, two miles east of the city of Savannah, Fort Jackson is located at 1 Fort Jackson Road. The old fort is owned by the state of Georgia and operated as a museum by the Coastal Heritage Society. Fee for admission.
Pirate's House Restaurant - Savannah,Georgia
Although this house was once the home of famous pirate Jean Laffite, it is the ghost of another notorious pirate, known as Captain Flint, who haunts the place. It is said that as he lay on his deathbed, he kept calling to his First Mate, Darby McGraw, to bring him more rum. Today, his cries are still heard by visitors to the restaurant that now occupies the house. His scar-faced phantom has also been seen roaming in the basement tunnel. The tunnel, big enough to drive a bus through, was discovered during renovations. It leads to the river and probably served as an escape route for pirates trying to make it back to the sea. (Pirate's House is at the corner of East Broad and Bay Streets. The address is 20 East Broad Street, Savannah, GA 31401. Phone: 912-233-5757.)
Metropolitan Ave. - Atlanta ,Georgia
There's a bridge right over Metropolitan Ave by University St. It's said that a young lady in a white dress stands under the bridge looking for a ride home. When one picks the woman up and takes her home, she gets out the car and says Thanks for the ride. Then she vanishes in thin air. Most people that pick this young lady up usually goes to the door of the young women house to make sure she made it in or where she went to. But when the door opens, it is the woman's mother and she tells the people that every year someone comes to the house to drop off her daughter. The girl is her daughter who had been killed in a horrible car accident 10 years ago under a bridge on Metropolitan St. formerly known as Stewart Avenue.
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Six Flags Over Georgia - Austell ,Georgia
Railroad - It is believed that the Six Flags Over Georgia Railroad is haunted. Apparitions have been seen walking across the Lickskillet Railroad Bridge. The apparitions are dressed like from the 1800's wear but since the park has only been there since 1967 the spirits are likely those from the train robbery which was put on each train ride back in Six Flags' early history. No noise comes from the apparitions, however. They just walk by as if going to wait for the next train to come by so they can have their hourly shoot-out with the conductor and the engineers.
Crystal Pistol Music Hall - According to legend, back in 1967 when Six Flags over Georgia first opened; an actor by the name of "Joe" was to star in the opening number for the very first show at the Crystal Pistol. Due to unfortunate circumstances, Joe was killed in an automobile accident on his way to work. Apparently, Joe is still waiting to perform that number. Several sightings have occurred in the Crystal Pistol of a man who stands at the edge of the balcony and watched performances that are currently being put on. Orbs have been found in photographs taken inside the music hall. After closing, many employees will hear a man singing backstage even though there is nobody back there. Employees have also found props missing from the stage and later find the props next to the Railroad tracks, which run beside the theater.
Amoco Gas Station in Parking Lot - The Amoco gas station in the parking lot at Six Flags over Georgia is haunted. Apparently a little girl about 9 years old with blond hair was hit and killed by a car in the early 70's. Today guests report seeing a little 9 year old girl come running up to them crying "Mommy, Mommy, Please help me find my Mommy!". The guests usually think this is a typical lost child. The guests agree to take the girl to someone to find her mommy and proceed with her. They get no more than 10 yards when they notice the little girl has completely disappeared and is nowhere in sight. Some people have actually gotten a photo of the little girl.
Crystal Pistol Music Hall - According to legend, back in 1967 when Six Flags over Georgia first opened; an actor by the name of "Joe" was to star in the opening number for the very first show at the Crystal Pistol. Due to unfortunate circumstances, Joe was killed in an automobile accident on his way to work. Apparently, Joe is still waiting to perform that number. Several sightings have occurred in the Crystal Pistol of a man who stands at the edge of the balcony and watched performances that are currently being put on. Orbs have been found in photographs taken inside the music hall. After closing, many employees will hear a man singing backstage even though there is nobody back there. Employees have also found props missing from the stage and later find the props next to the Railroad tracks, which run beside the theater.
Amoco Gas Station in Parking Lot - The Amoco gas station in the parking lot at Six Flags over Georgia is haunted. Apparently a little girl about 9 years old with blond hair was hit and killed by a car in the early 70's. Today guests report seeing a little 9 year old girl come running up to them crying "Mommy, Mommy, Please help me find my Mommy!". The guests usually think this is a typical lost child. The guests agree to take the girl to someone to find her mommy and proceed with her. They get no more than 10 yards when they notice the little girl has completely disappeared and is nowhere in sight. Some people have actually gotten a photo of the little girl.
Gravity Hill - Bonaire ,Georgia
This legendary hill is easily reached from Bonaire if you follow State Route 96 East across the Ocmulgee River to the intersection of US Route 129. Once you have turned left and passed over the first hill, go to the next hill bottom and stop. Put your car in neutral and it will go all the way to the top of the next hill. It is said that a witch is buried around there. The only evidence of her grave is located in the swamp, about 300 yards from Highway 129. It is a strange pile of rocks stacked about 5 feet high with nothing growing around it. Legend has it that the witch exacted a toll on this trail about 200 years ago. If you paid her price, she would help you cross over the ridges. The locals left her alone and occasionally called upon her during a drought. The witch died of natural causes around 1850. Since she could not be buried on holy ground in a church cemetery, the locals took her body to the swamp. It is believed that she helps people over the ridge because of the kindness the local people showed to her.
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