A Haunted Tour of West Virginia

The state of West Virginia has hundreds of ghost stories, maybe even thousands thanks to its long history and past. Those listed here are just a few of the longer stories and the ones not as well known.

Harper's Ferry is where the ghost of John Brown resides, which shouldn't be a surprise considering his connection to the area. Brown led a small group of people into Harper's Ferry in 1859 and readied his group for the battle about to come. He believed that slavery was wrong and even encouraged blacks to join his renegade militia. Brown's men attacked several buildings in town and fought directly against Robert E. Lee before being captured and hanged. People have spotted the ghost of Brown walking down the street and also spotted the ghosts of his former men.

Of course the most famous haunted spot in all of West Virginia is the West Virginia State Penitentiary. This prison was highlighted on "Fear" and "Ghost Hunters" where people have caught some odd things on camera and seen some even stranger things. The prison opened its doors in 1866 and stayed open until 1995 and through it all, legends have surrounded it.

Stories began in the early days when locals whispered that the prison was built on an ancient burial ground. Many of the modern stories involve the ghosts of those who died there. The Hole is one of the most haunted places in all of the prison, while others have heard footsteps and people talking when the prison is all but empty. Cameras have captured dark shadowy figures and those on ghost hunts have frequently encountered cold spots inside.

Then you have the story of the Greenbrier Ghost. The ghost was once known as Elva Zona Heaster, a local woman who married a rough and tumble man named Shue. She was found dead one day and her husband was immediately suspected, especially considering he kept moving the body and tampering with evidence. Her mother became convinced that Shue murdered her daughter and began seeing her daughter's ghost. Eventually the case was re-opened and Shue found guilty of murder. Many people believed whole heartedly that Zona's mother actually saw her ghost and that Zona told her mother after death that her husband was her murderer.

West Virginia also has the odd historical ghost story known as the Livingston Wizard in Middleway. Adam Livingston was a farmer living in the area during the 1790s when he began experiencing poltergeist activity in his home. The ghost would cut things in the house, break dishes and make strange noises at all hours. The farm was eventually exorcised and later became part of a Catholic retreat. Even today though people report strange noises and seeing things get cut.

Then you have the story of the Cole Mountain Light. Cole Mountain is the site of a strange red and orange light that's been spotted since at least 1850. A local man disappeared years ago while on the mountain and despite a massive manhunt, he was never found. His faithful slave continued looking for him, even years after his disappearance. Many people believe that the strange light they see is actually the ghostly lantern of the slave still looking for his master.

In Petersburg you can find the haunted Van Meter Farm. George Van Meter and his family lived there for a number of years, but one day he was attacked by a group of Native Americans. His son and a group of locals tried to save the man, but found him already dead by the time they arrived. He had been decapitated and his head found several days later. The tribe left it as a present for the family, still in the pot they boiled it in. Now there are stores of Van Meter's headless body still walking the farm, though the house where he once lived is now long gone.

You also have the story of Darkish Knob in Parsons, West Virginia. Sitting on this hill was once a small house that served as a stop on the Underground Railroad. A girl was on her way to this house while hunters were close on her heels. In the darkness she missed her stop and fell to her death. There are some who claim her ghost still haunts the area and many people over the years have heard her eerie screams late at night.

Lastly there's the odd story known as the cornstalk curse. The area surrounding Parkersburg is known as one of the most haunted places in the country and some blame that on the infamous curse. This was also the spot where a Shawnee chief by the name of Cornstalk once lived. During the height of the American Revolution, Cornstalk tried to find a way for the Indians and British to work together. Instead he was taken by the white men who worried that he'd urge his tribe to fight against them.

Though Cornstalk was treated better than other prisoners, those outside didn't know that and they attacked an officer on patrol. Soldiers at the site decided to kill Cornstalk in retaliation. Supposedly just before the chief died, he brought down a curse on the land where he stood, claiming that it would always be cursed. Cornstalk was buried in the area and then later moved to the County Courthouse before finally buried again at a local park.

There are many who believe Cornstalk's curse still exists today. There are stories of fires, explosions, flooding and even tornadoes attributed to the curse. Anytime a tragedy happens in this small area, there are some who blame Cornstalk for the plight. These stories continue even today.

Sources:

http://www.prairieghosts.com/hauntwv.html

http://wvghosts.com/index.php