The 8 Most Haunted Places In Georgia
Many Americans love scary encounters. They seek out scary movies, they flock to haunted houses every Halloween, and they seek the thrill of ghostly encounters. However, you don’t need to wait until the naturally spooky season of fall to discover some of the most haunted places in Georgia. Spirits, ghosts, and otherworldly events don’t just appear one month out of the year. So, if you want to give yourself a fright year-round, consider visiting one of the 8 most haunted places in Georgia. If you dare.
Central State Hospital – Milledgeville
This spooky hospital dates back to 1842. While it has a benign name these days, its original moniker was the Georgia State Lunatic, Idiot, and Epileptic Asylum. At its heydey, the hospital housed over 12,000 patients throughout 200 buildings and was the premiere mental institution in the nation. Now, it only serves roughly 400 patients at a time. Thousands of patients died there over the years. Many of them perished due to their treatment. Stories of torturous procedures and inhumane treatment abound. There is a large cemetery filled with metal markers as a commemoration of those who died, but no actual marked gravesites. Central State Hospital doesn’t have too many ghost stories attached to it. But the grounds themselves are haunting and very spooky. So, visitors have the chance to stay the night if they’re up to the challenge.
Learn more: https://www.visitmilledgeville.org/things-to-do/history-heritage/central-state-hospital-campus/
Visit: 620 Broad St, Milledgeville, GA 31062-7525
Euharlee Covered Bridge – Euharlee
©Melodie Wallen/ via Getty Images
In the town of Euharlee, there is a historic covered bridge. The original structure washed away and was replaced by the current one in 1886. There are countless tales of hauntings on the bridge, some supposedly true and others fabricated. However, enough rumors abound that several people wrote books about what truly transpired. Local police even shut the bridge down most nights to prevent access. Paranormal investigators have visited the area and uncovered some unusual readings, which lends some credence to the stories. The area’s historical society even offers occasional ghost walks through the area.
Learn more: https://www.euharleehistory.org/history-overview
Visit: 33 Covered Bridge Road, Euharlee, GA 30145
Hay House – Macon
©Sean Pavone/ via Getty Images
Construction on the historic Hay House commenced in 1855 and took four years to complete. It was the home of two different families before becoming a historical landmark and museum. Now, museum staff regularly have otherworldly encounters. Tales of voices and inexplicable light flickering are commonplace. However, some claim to have encountered ghosts of previous residents. More than one person has seen an older woman in clothing from the 1800s. Others have experienced footsteps, cold spots, a manly voice, and doors slamming. These occurrences are so frequent that the museum hosts two ghost walks to talk about spirits in the area.
Learn more: https://www.hayhousemacon.org/history/historic-home/
Visit: 934 Georgia Ave, Macon, GA 31201
Heritage Hall – Madison
©Sean Pavone/ via Getty Images
Heritage Hall was originally built in 1811. The magnificent home was transferred to the Morgan County Historical Society in 1977. It is a stunning testament to what life was like in the South before the Civil War and continues to wow visitors to this day. But, the home also has a storied past that has led many to believe it is haunted. Visitors regularly have experiences that cannot be explained away. There are tales of children laughing floating down the stairs, and ghosts. One of the ghosts is thought to be Virginia Nisbet. She died in 1851 during childbirth and might still haunt the home today. The stories are so prolific and consistent that ghost hunters flock to the site to try and capture something. You can join them in their hunt for the paranormal if you dare.
Learn more: https://visitmadisonga.com/heritage-hall/
Visit: 277 S. Main Street, Madison, GA 30650
Historic Oakland Cemetary – Atlanta
©Sean Pavone/ via Getty Images
It should come as no surprise that one of the oldest cemeteries in the nation has several ghostly stories attached to it. The Historic Oakland Cemetary predates the Civil War. Atlanta initially set aside almost fifty acres for the city cemetery in 1850 as an expansion to the existing burial spot at the time. In 1896, the city added a wrought iron gate and walls around the cemetery, adding to its imposing appearance. It is the final resting place for thousands of soldiers and prominent individuals. But are they resting?
One tale will send chills up your spine. A businessman from up north decided to sightsee through the cemetery just after nightfall. Out of nowhere, a dense fog rolled in, and he began to hear noises. After a loud creak caught his attention over the din of war drums, he looked up to see a Union soldier hanging from a noose. Are you up for a walk through the area to have an encounter of your own?
Learn more: https://oaklandcemetery.com/#
Visit:248 Oakland Ave, SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield
©iStock.com/jasony00
This national monument commemorates an important battle in the Civil War. It lasted from June 19, 1864, to July 2, 1864. During this battle, General Sherman launched a frontal assault, costing the lives of thousands of men. Ghostly accounts vary, depending on who you talk to. Some smelt the gunpowder and even blood as they wandered the grounds. Others heard distant sounds of battle as if the war was still raging around them. Many visitors have seen the ghosts of soldiers wandering the battlefield, some of whom are reportedly missing limbs. Tales of cold spots and feelings of dread are also common. But don’t take our word for it. Explore the site for yourself and see if you also have a ghostly encounter.
Learn more: https://www.nps.gov/kemo/index.htm
Visit: 900 Kennesaw Mountain Dr, Kennesaw, GA 30188
Old Candler Hospital – Savannah
©zimmytws/ via Getty Images
Would you like to visit one of the most haunted spots in the entire state? Then head over to the Old Candler Hospital in Savannah. Georgia commissioned the hospital in 1804, which makes it one of the oldest hospitals in the nation. During its construction, they constructed tunnels to connect the hospital to a nearby local park. These underground tunnels served as the hospital’s morgue. Rumor has it that they would often get stacked with bodies. The grounds also have a stunning oak tree that came to be known as the hanging tree. Now, visitors to the hospital regularly report apparitions hanging from nooses off the enormous branches.
If you feel brave enough to step foot on the grounds, reach out to the locals for a tour.
Visit: 5353 Reynolds St, Savannah, GA 31401
The Ellis Hotel – Atlanta
© CarlPfranger/ via Getty Images
Step foot back in time when you visit the Ellis Hotel in Atlanta. Its original name was the Winecoff Hotel, built in 1913. It was fifteen stories of absolute splendor. This spot is where the deadliest hotel fire in the nation’s history occurred in 1946. Since over 100 people died, it is safe to assume some of their spirits are still on site. Many have seen apparitions near hotel windows or wandering the halls. Others have heard distant sounds of running. And the fire alarm will occasionally go off at the same time the fire started – 2:48 AM. Additionally, there are reports of footsteps, missing or moved tools, screams, and an elevator that works on its own. But the most ominous experience guests and staff have had is to wake up to the smell of smoke in the air, without a fire anywhere nearby. Are you ready to have some ghostly encounters? Consider booking a room at this historic hotel and see what happens.
Learn more: https://www.ellishotel.com/
Visit: 176 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303
Summary of the 8 Most Haunted Places in Georgia
Number | Haunted Place | Location |
---|---|---|
1 | Central State Hospital | Milledgeville |
2 | Euharlee Covered Bridge | Euharlee |
3 | Hay House | Macon |
4 | Hertiage Hall | Madison |
5 | Historic Oakland Cemetary | Atlanta |
6 | Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield | Kennesaw |
7 | Old Candler Hosptiral | Savannah |
8 | The Ellis Hotel | Atlanta |