With the spooky fall season upon us, tales of ghost sightings are especially capturing our attention. We have put together 7 cities in North America that have a haunting heritage that will surely send chills down your spine. Canada and the U.S. may seem like beautiful destinations to enjoy fall leaves but consider visiting these cities for another reason; to feel the haunting tales of each city for yourself!
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New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is famous for its voodoo culture, historic cemeteries, rumoured vampires, yellow fever outbreaks and numerous haunted buildings, including the LaLaurie Mansion and the St. Louis Cemetery to name just a few spooky places.
The LaLaurie Mansion has had frequent reports for almost 200 years of paranormal activity inside the mansion. Reports of phantom footsteps and an immediate and intense feeling of negative energy are among the most common.
Established in 1789, the St. Louis Cemetery has over 700 tombs and is the oldest cemetery in New Orleans. People have reported many run-ins with ghosts, especially because many of the graves are above ground, making it even spookier.
Savannah, Georgia
Bloody battles, deadly diseases, mysterious murders and fearsome fires are among a few of the reasons why Savannah is such a spooky place. From the siege of Savannah in 1979 to the American Civil War, it is rumoured that soldiers still roam the cemeteries. Many diseases also wiped out some of Savannah’s population like yellow fever, and many say the souls of those who died are still around.
Major fires have also struck Savannah including one that destroyed over 500 buildings and another that demolished 226 homes, taking people’s lives with them. It is believed that those killed in the fire are still spiritually active in their place of passing.
Cambridge, Ontario
In the 1890s, a luxurious hotel called the Del Monte Hotel was built in the small community of Preston in Cambridge, ON. It was open to tourists until the 1920s when it was sold to two doctors who eventually converted it into a spa/retreat hotel because of the mineral springs in the area. This attracted many celebrities including Babe Ruth and Lord Stanley.
In the 70s, a man named Alan Hodge bought it and turned it into a retirement home. But because of its poor conditions and safety concerns, it was shut down in the 90’s. It has sat vacant ever since and many locals say that the ghosts of abused and neglected retirement residents still roam the old hotel.
Guelph, Ontario
Guelph might seem like a nice, quiet town, but these unsettling facts may give you a different perspective of the Royal City. In the past, mass graves were common for those who could not afford them or those who weren’t welcome in the town. The site for these burials was under the downtown parking lot on Baker Street, where several people have claimed to see a woman in a long dress walk people to their cars.
There are many accounts of dead spirits as well in Guelph’s Armoury. This used to be a training ground for troops in the First World War, and is now used for the Royal Canadian Artillery, 11th Field Regiment. Soldiers have said that they have been awoken by the stopping of drill practice and heard horses’ feet clacking in the distance. They also have reserved a seat at the Armoury’s bar for a spirit, where the seat is always warm at the end of the night.
Salem, Massachusetts
Known for the Salem Witch Trials, this town in Massachusetts holds some otherworldly history. In March of 1692, mass hysteria started when people began saying that certain women were partaking in witchcraft. Much of this hysteria was based on speculation, meaning these women were likely innocent and given the unfair option of either denying the accusations and accepting the death penalty, or accepting the accusations, apologizing and being let free.
Although this ended only a year later when the governor’s wife was accused of being a witch, visiting Salem remains disturbing but fun for Halloween lovers.
San Francisco, California
Alcatraz Island, once a notorious prison, is believed to be haunted by the ghosts of the worst 20th-century American criminals. It is rumoured that the souls of prisoners still remain in the cells that they once lived in.
Besides the fact that three men escaped the high-security prison in 1962 and were never found, particular cells in the prison are said to have the presence of spirits when tourists visit them. One cell, in particular, had an inmate who died after screaming that a monster was going to kill him. It is said that when you visit this cell, you can still hear faint screaming and the room gets cold.
Toronto Island, Ontario
Gibraltar Point Lighthouse was built in 1808 on Toronto Island. The first lightkeeper was named J.P Rademuller who was a German immigrant. He mysteriously disappeared during the Battle of York in 1813 and it is believed that he was killed by American soldiers who did not like the beer he sold them.
More than two decades later, there are consistent reports of odd noises coming from the lighthouse and lights flashing late at night.
Are you looking for a home this spooky season? Give us a call today! The expert real estate agents at Zoocasa are happy to help you during this exciting process!
