5 Uncommon Haunted Destinations for History Lovers

Looking for haunted historic places off the beaten path to visit on vacation? If you like mixing your history with the paranormal, you have probably “been there, done that” with haunted places such as the Lizzie Borden House, Waverly Hills, the Queen Mary etc. Here are five places in the United States to check out: 

Stock Photo of the Old City Jail, Charleston, South Carolina.

1. Old City Jail, Charleston, South Carolina:

In my humble opinion, Savannah, Georgia hogs the spotlight when it comes to the paranormal on the southern coast. Charleston, South Carolina has just as much history and haunted locations. One haunted venue where you can take a tour is the Old City Jail in Charleston, South Carolina.

Built in 1802, Old City Jail has hosted thieves, murderers, and pirates. The jail’s most famous occupant, Lavinia Fisher, is said to still haunt her former cell. Lavinia was famous for operating an inn with her husband, luring unsuspecting travelers to rob and murder. Lavinia and her husband were captured and executed for their crimes, but while her husband repented, Lavinia never did. 

Bulldog Tours hosts a Charleston Haunted Jail Tour, that I can personally say is amazing. A guide will take you through the jail to the areas with the most activity. And if you are lucky like I was, you might catch an image like this: 

A picture I took when I did a tour of the Old City Jail in Charleston, South Carolina. Nothing was there, and I did not notice this peaking out until I uploaded the photos days later.

John Paul Jones House Museum

2. John Paul Jones House Portsmouth, New Hampshire

In New England, Massachusetts gets all the ghost glory. But history and haunts can be found in Portsmouth, New Hampshire with the John Paul Jones House Museum. 

During the Revolutionary War, famous Naval Commander John Paul Jones rented rooms in the house while his ship was repaired . The widow who owned the home, Sarah Purcell, supposedly was taken by the handsome Jones. There is no evidence that Jones and Widow Purcell ever had a relationship, but it is believed by many that both now haunt the home as two star-crossed lovers. 

The John Paul Jones house is now a museum and featured on the the Portsmouth ghost walk.

An early 1900s photo of the River Styx Tour of Mammoth Cave.

1. Mammoth Cave, Kentucky

Mammoth Cave has not only a plethora of Natural and Human history, but paranormal history as well. Pre-Columbian Native Americans utilized the cave for shelter and burial purposes. Multiple human remains have been found with intact artifacts giving us a glimpse of indigenous life in North America. Europeans discovered the wonders of Mammoth Cave in the late 1700s. For the next 220 plus years, Mammoth Cave was mined for saltpeter and calcium nitrate, used as a tuberculosis hospital, and host to tourism and the Cave Wars before the National Park Service took over in 1941. 

It is said that many ghosts haunt the caverns of Mammoth Cave such as Native American spirits and the patients of the Tuberculosis hospital. The most notable spector is that of Floyd Collins. Collins owned Crystal Cave, a section of Mammoth Cave. During the 1920s, he hoped to attract tourist to his cave, and he began expanding the entrance. While excavating, a boulder fell and pinned his leg. A national media frenzy ensued over his rescue, but unfortunately a cave-in separated him from rescuers. Floyd passed away due to starvation and exposure. Many have claimed to hear his voice calling for help in the cave.

Today, there are no regular ghost tours of the cave, but occasionally during the Halloween season, the National Park Service hosts events. Still many visitors experience strange and unusual events when visiting the cave today. 

Light Placard for the Hotel Congress.

4. Hotel Congress Tucson, Arizona

If you find yourself in Tucson, Arizona, stay at the notoriously haunted Hotel Congress. Hotel Congress was built in 1918 along with Rialto Theater to attract visitors from the newly built railroad extension. The hotel quickly became a well-known spot for gamblers out west. In the 1930s, it attracted notorious bank robber John Dillenger and his gang as a hide out. A fire broke out in the hotel in 1934, and Dillenger and his gang were arrested when their identities were revealed in the chaos. 

Hotel Congress fully embraces their ghostly identity, and promotes the fact they are haunted on their website. You can book rooms that are known to be haunted. Room 242 is rumored to be haunted by woman who took her own life. Occupants often wake up in the middle of the night with her sitting at the edge of the bed by their feet. A gambler in a 1920s pinstripe suite has been seen on the first and second floors. Child spirits have been heard playing in the hallway. If you are looking for something spooky and historical on your visit to Tucson, Hotel Congress is a must-stay. 

Presidio of San Francisco

5. Presidio of San Francisco San Francisco

The Presidio of San Francisco is often overlooked by visiting tourists, but the former Spanish military base has a long storied history and plenty of ghosts to go with it. The Presidio was built in 1776 on traditional Ohlone land. During the Bear Flag Revolt, the Presidio was captured by U.S. troops, and  successfully held throughout the Mexican-American War. During the Spanish-American War, WWI, and WWII, the Presidio was a key base for troop training, deployment and center for west coast military activities. There was also a prison stockade present in the Presidio. In 1969, Richard Bunch was shot in the back and killed by a guard. This would set off a series of riots and a sit-in protest that later connected with anti-Vietnam War protests. In 1994, the base closed as an active military installation, and taken over by the National Park Service. 

Multiple locations within the Presidio are said to be haunted including the remains of the old U.S. Army General Hospital, visitor center, and the Officer’s Club. The hospital was so known to be haunted, that the issue of ghosts appear in a 1992 military report. The hospital was partially demolished and reconstructed for LucasFilm, but reported hauntings continue. In the Officer’s club, one woman dressed in black has been seen gliding alone on the dance floor before disappearing. The NPS offers guided tours of the Presidio during the day, and the base is often a stop for the San Francisco Ghost Hunt Walking Tour.