As we approach Halloween, we can’t help but think of the darker side of life. And who needs plastic masks and fake blood when you’ve got such spooky locations on your doorstep? America is teeming with (supposedly) haunted sites, and the stories that circle Vermont are as creepy as they come. Although the Green Mountain State is one of the most beautiful in the country, particularly when the leaves start to change, its dark history might surprise you. Here are seven of the most haunted places in Vermont.
1. Emily’s Bridge, Stowe
While New England might be known for its beautiful bridges, we think this one is more likely to fright rather than delight. In the mid-1800s, the story goes that a woman named Emily ended her life here. People say that she was supposed to meet her lover at the bridge, but when they never showed up, she couldn’t bare the pain. Today, many people who have crossed the bridge say they’ve seen white, shadowy figures, heard footsteps, and felt a presence. Pretty harmless, right? But, and this is extremely creepy, people also say they’ve felt their backs being scratched by an unseen hand until they bleed, and passing cars have inexplicably been clawed.
2. The Quechee Inn, Queechee
The story of this place is a lot less menacing than Emily’s Bridge. The Quechee Inn was built way back in 1793 and purchased by John and Jane Porter in 1845. The pair lived there until their deaths, and people believe that Jane in particular, never left. People say they’ve actually seen her apparition coming into the dining room, as well as hearing inexplicable noises and footsteps. They’ve even heard unexplained whistling, which really sets our teeth on edge. But people think the whistling comes from Patrick Marsh because it comes from the bar, rather than the dining room. Patrick seems to have a playful side. He tinkers with the TV, plays with the lights, and hides guests’ belongings and returns them later. Although not as outright creepy as others, it’s certainly one of the most haunted places in Vermont.
3. Glastenbury Mountain, Glastenbury
The mountain is certainly eerie, even if you don’t believe it’s haunted. There is definitely something strange about Glastenbury Mountain, though. There are been several unexplained, unsolved disappearances around here. So much so that people refer to the wider area as the Bennington Triangle, similar to the Bermuda Triangle, with locals refusing to enter the area. People that do venture on the mountain to take to the trails find that the trails abruptly stop as if forbidding visitors to venture any further. Or warning them. People say that the mountain is unnaturally quiet. Vermont is a place of varied wild and birdlife, so why do no animals or birds venture into these woods?
4. Bowman House, Shrewsbury
Also known as Laurel Hall, the Bowman House has an interesting history. It’s known around the state as one of the most haunted places in Vermont, with the original owner, John Bowman, and his family being buried here in a mausoleum. Tragedy struck every member of his family in one way or the other, taking them before their time. Bowman built the mausoleum to commemorate them, but witnesses have reported strange occurrences at night. People say they hear the cries of a baby, as well as other inexplicable noises. Inside the house, visitors say they’ve felt the presence of Mrs Bowman, even seen her standing at the top of the stairs. Whoever it is, they certainly don’t stand for kids playing up. The story goes that a child stuck their tongue out at a painting and was suddenly struck when the painting flew off the wall, hitting the child!
5. Norwich University, Northfield
Students of Norwich University might not know it, but it’s one of the most haunted places in Vermont. With several hauntings across the university, it’s sure to give anyone a dose of the heebie-jeebies. Alumni Hall is said to be the site where a student ended their own life, and a few years later, their brother also ended their own life in the same room. People say Chaplin Hall is the home of an unresting soul who haunts by the front door, and when the hall was a library, caused books to fly off shelves. In Sabine Field, people say they’ve seen a ghostly figure, possibly a woman, standing by the gate of the football field. And finally, in Hawkins and Ransom Halls, students say they’ve woken up screaming, unable to move or breathe, on multiple occasions. Creepy.
6. Southern Vermont College, Bennington
The building was originally owned by Edward Hamlin Everett. After it became a university, students and staff alike have reported hearing and seeing unexplainable things. Those doing the nightly rounds say they’ve seen a ghostly apparition of Everett’s second wife, as well as the man himself. Other strange occurrences include smoke-filled hallways, lights turning off and on, staff finding doors unlocked that had previously been locked by them, and hearing strange footsteps when no one else is in.
7. Marble Inn, Fair Haven
From the outside, the Marble Inn looks like a quaint house, surrounded by luscious trees and woods. The inn, built in 1867, is said to be one of the most haunted places in Vermont. A previous owner actually passed away in the building, and some say he never left. The owner always wore a grey suit, and one guest reported waking up to a man wearing a grey suit, standing at the bottom of her bed. Another story comes from the report of two children being unable to leave a room after it was locked from the inside. People were trying to unlock it from the outside, but nothing would budge it.
