Haunted North Carolina

There are many places that have been tagged as haunted in North Carolina. Living in North Carolina, I know many of these places and have visited some of them. Not a full listing of all the places we have here, just some of the most interesting ones.

Reed House - Located in Asheville the Reed House was bulit in 1892 by Samuel Harrison, lawyer for George Vanderbuilt the man who built the Biltmore House. The spirit that haunts the Reed House likes to play pool in addition to haunting several other rooms in the house, but so far the spirit has not been identified.

The Bath Hoofprints - The Bath hoofprints are from a horse whose rider was killed in a race back in 1813. Jesse Elliott died October 13,1813 after making a pact with the devil to win the race or to die trying to beat him. He died instantly after his head hit a tree. Nothing is said to grow in the prints. They are on private property.

Old Salem- Old Salem is in the city of Winston- Salem. The area near the blacksmith shop is said to be haunted.

Thalian Hall - This is in Wilmington. A woman and two men have been seen in the balcony area. They have also been felt in the hallways and backstage.

New Hanover Library - Also in Wilmington. The ghost here is said to be a lady that used to visit the library alot. She has been seen by employees. A man is also said to haunt there. He used to live in a house that was on the site before the library was built, and was killed in a duel. They hear his footsteps, and sounds like he is moving and reading books.

San- Mor Buliding - Thomasville is home to the old San- Mor buliding. A man wearing khaki pants and a plaid shirt has been seen over 100 times. His nickname is Lucas. Supposedly he was a mentally retarded man that hung himself in the old barn that used to be on the property many years ago.

Bostain's Bridge - Well known site in Statesville, the bridge is on private property. A passenger train wrecked here in 1891 and it is said the sounds of that crash are still heard. Metal sounds and screaming have been heard .

Devils Tramping Ground - One of the most well known haunts in North Carolina. Located near Siler City it is a circle of earth 40 feet in diameter where grass does not grow. Legend says the devil used this spot to pace around. Many years ago it was said to be from Indians holding ceremonies there. The NC Department of Agriculture has tested the ground and found it to be sterile.

Fort Raleigh - Fort Raleigh is on Roanoke Island near Manteo. In 1587 an English ship arrived here with 110 settlers. The ship that brought them here was ordered into service and it was three years before anyone was able to return to the colony. When they did finally return, no trace of the colony was found..only the letters CROATOA carved into a tree. A silver doe has been seen here for hundreds of years and is said to be the ghost of Virginia Dare,the first English child born in the New World. Legend has it that Virginia was adpoted by a local tribe and then as a young woman she was turned into a deer so she would not marry any of the tribe members. A three masted ship has also been seen off the coast.

Mordecai House - Located in Raleigh it is said to be haunted by a woman wearing a black dress with a white blouse and black tie.

Ocracoke Island - Blackbeard the pirate is said to haunt the south point of the island. He is looking for his head which was cut off when he was surrounded by the English, and legend says he will take any head he can find.

Lydia's Bridge - There is some difference of opinion if there is one bridge or two. The one most mentioned is off Hwy 70 near Jamestown. Since 1923 the ghost of a young lady has appeared near the bridge asking for a ride. When the driver arrives at the home they are told the daughter died in an auto accident at the bridge many years ago.

Hickory Nut Gorge - On a mountianside near Chimney Rock the "little people" have been seen floating. They are short people wearing white robes. Witnesses say they are very tired but feel peaceful after seeing them.

Reed Gold MIne - The home of America's first gold rush, Reed MIne is haunted by the ghost of Eleanor Mills. Legend says her husband William threw her body down the main shaft after she tripped on her dress, hit her head on an oak bench and died. Though she nagged him constantly he still loved her. He cried himself to sleep and when he awoke the next morning he could hear her voice coming from her blue lips. He then threw her body down the shaft. She still nags him to this day and her voice can be heard in the mine complaining of being cold and asking to be helped out.

Cape Hatteras - Theodosia Burr daughter of famous patriot Aaron Burr, haunts the beach at Hatteras. Lost in a shipwreck in 1812, she was on her way to meet her father in New York. Nothing was ever found of the ship.

The Carroll Deering - On January 30 1921 the cargo ship Carroll Deering ran aground at Diamond Shoals. It was excellent weather. The ship was abandoned except for two cats. Dinner was still on the tables untouched. It is still seen on occasion.

Harper House - Bentonville Battleground was the site of battles during the Civil War. Many of the wounded were treated at Harper House. The sounds of battle are still heard on the grounds and lights and fiery ghosts are also seen. There are reenactments done there each year and many participants have reported ghostly regiments and the sounds of battles.

Hammock House - Located in Beaufort, this log house has many strange things going on. Many years ago, Captain Madison Brothers killed a man he saw in the arms of his wife. The man turned out to be her brother she had not seen in many years, Carruthers Ashby. His blood still stains the upper stairway and the stains are said to turn a deep red on foggy nights. Despite repeated attempts to wash the stains away, nothing has ever been able to remove them. Glowing lights and the sounds of a swordfight can be heard in the house.

Grove Park Inn - Located in Asheville, the lady in pink haunts the hallway near room 545. Doors slamming, footsteps and voices are heard.

Latta Plantation - Latta Plantation is in Charlotte and is haunted by the Latta family. Dancing canes, slamming doors, the sounds of children playing and shadow people are some of the activity in the home. It is open to the public for tours.

Spencer Mountain - In Gastonia is the Pharr Mansion at Spencer Mountain. It was bulit by the owner of Pharr Mill for her grandson, but he died before moving in. No one has ever lived in the house. A lady holding a head in each hand is seen as well as the sound of the wind being heard when there is none. This property is posted with no trespassing signs.

Chowan College - Chowan is in Murfeesboro and has several haunted buildings. The Columns building is haunted by the Brown Lady. Three other buildings report paranormal activity. Footsteps,piano playing,slamming doors laughing and screaming have all occured there.

Old Davis Hospital - Old Davis hospital is in Statesville but has been closed for years. Crying babies, the sounds of former patients and a bad feeling fill the place. It remains cold even in the summer. It is posted so do not go there without permission.

The Maco Light - In upper Brunswick County is the Maco light. The ghost of Joe Baldwin is said to haunt the tracks swinging a lantern. The old tracks are gone now but the light is said to remain.

Battleship North Carolina - The most well known of all the haunted places in North Carolina, the ship rests in Wilmington. It is said to be haunted by some of the sailors that died on the ship. Voices and banging noises are heard as well as lights going on and off and apparations being seen. It is open to the public for tours.

Sources : The information in this article comes from my personal collection of ghost stories of North Carolina as well as The National Directory of Haunted Places by Dennis William Hauck and Shadowlands