Last year around, Halloween time I presented an article about the most haunted places in American. Now with Halloween once again approaching and America still home to some of the most haunted places in the world, I felt it necessary to write a sequel to enjoy with this years Halloween festivities. For those interested you can read the original piece right here.
Thrasher Park (Norcross, Georgia): In the world of paranormal research there are two common types of hauntings. There are intelligent haunts, in which the spirit in question interacts with the living on some level, and then there are residual hauntings. Residual haunts are the result of a person’s energy, usually from an emotional experience, being so strong it imprints itself in that moment onto a place or thing. As time goes on, the energy is released (usually an anniversary of said event), and the moments from earlier replays itself with no acknowledgement towards the living. In the historic Atlanta suburb of Norcross, Georgia, Thrasher Park has become a hot spot for residual paranormal activity, as the ghosts of pasts have imprinted themselves onto this park and in the dead of night, replay themselves to those bold enough to spend time in this park after dark. Investigators and visitors alike have seen apparitions in vintage garb and recorded crystal clear EVPs of music and merrymaking after nightfall when the park is empty. Situated in an area surrounded by railroads, Thrasher Park has seemingly stored soaked up the supernatural energy of park goers from many years ago serving as a link between the town’s past and present. This is far from the only haunting in Norcross, if you are interested in learning more feel free to check out the book, Souls of Norcross by noted paranormal investigator Will Aymerich and Sally Toole.
Penitentiary of New Mexico (Santa Fe, New Mexico): Throughout the 1970’s the Penitentiary of New Mexico was rife with overcrowding, corruption, and violence, creating a atmosphere of tension that built until it finally reached a breaking point. In February, 1980 the horrific conditions finally caused things to boil over and a riot ensued. The inmates successfully overtook the prison and took many guards as hostages, the various gangs divided up the jail into territories and began a campaign of mayhem and bloodshed. The most horrific acts of brutality were reserved for the unfortunate souls in Cell Block 4, home to; snitches, sex offenders, the mentally ill, and others who were on the most bottom rung of the prison caste system. The self appointed execution squad utilized; blow torches, hacksaws, chains, and other crude instruments to accomplish their goals. The prison is now empty, but the scars of what happen remain behind, as do the spirits of those who suffered and died during the second most deadly prison riot in American history. Those who have ventured inside its once secured walls have heard disembodied screams of pain and loud voices, as well as cold spots in the old halls. The most notorious spirit is a figure in green inmate apparel who has been spotted roaming the “Old Pen” filling those who see him with dread.
Stanley Hotel (Estes Park, Colorado): When a place is so haunted it serves as an inspiration, to the undisputed master of literary horror, Stephen King, you know it belongs on this list. When searching for inspiration for his third novel, King found himself at the Stanley right before it closed for the winter, it was this ghost filled vacation which inspired him to write The Shining. Founded at the turn of the century, the elegant Stanley Hotel is situated in a scenic spot in the Rocky Mountains providing guests with a stunning view and an all inclusive stay in a historic inn. The hotel’s founder F.O. Stanley and his wife were incredibly hands on, not only in the day-to-day operations but also the design and furnishing of the Stanley. One might say they were so invested in their business’ success that they never left. Flora Stanley who abruptly died in the hotel lobby by her beloved piano can still be heard playing her music during the night. The spirit of her husband has also been seen regularly lurking around his hotel ensuring that things are still running as they should. Perhaps the most spirit filled area of the old hotel is the fourth floor which served as the former servants’ quarters. The story goes that a maid and her daughters resided here many years ago, and to this day the sounds of her children playing can still be heard by those brave enough to venture into this area of the hotel.
Fort Mifflin (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania): When early settlers began moving into this region they realized the strategic importance of the area around Mud Island and thus Fort Mifflin was constructed as a means of defense. This structure has endured over a century of warfare, and a place does not go through that without having a few ghosts left behind. During the twilight hours, visitors have made out the dim apparition of the lamplighter strolling across the balcony continuing his duties from long beyond the grave. Another famous spirit at the old fort has been dubbed the “Screaming Lady” believed to be Elizabeth Pratt a woman who lost her daughter do dysentery at Fort Mifflin, her cries of anguish can be heard at night, yet nobody has ever seen her. By far the spookiest site on the grounds is what used to be the underground munitions bunker. Guests have reported seeing the ghostly outlines of people roaming in these dark cold tunnels, most notably the terrifying Faceless Man, formerly William Howe a deserter who was hanged at the base in the 18th century.
The Bell Witch Cave (Adams, Tennessee): The first widely publicized case of the paranormal in the United States is the case of the Bell Witch. In the early 1800’s John Bell, his daughter Betsy and the rest of their family were tormented night after night by a mysterious being known as the Bell Witch. The entire community rallied behind the Bell family but to no avail, in the end John Bell died at the hands of the witch. According to legend, it is a cave on the former Bell property in which the spirit of the Witch currently resides. Even of the most skeptical of explorers who have gone into the dark recesses of the caverns have changed their believes about the supernatural. Deep within the cavernous tunnels mysterious lights have been seen where luminous sources should be as well as voices being overheard. The site has become a haven for paranormal investigators looking to learn the truth behind one of the most infamous ghosts in American history.