Halloween might have dawned for another year, but that doesn’t mean we’re not still in the mood for some good old ghost stories. And West Virginia has plenty to share. Given its long history and ties to the Civil War, the Mountain State is full of ghostly tales. From haunted towns to abandoned asylums, here are seven of the most haunted places in West Virginia.
1. The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, Lewis County
Even from the outside, this place gives us the creeps. But the eerie feeling that comes with the Trans-Allegheny Asylum isn’t unwarranted – it’s one of the most haunted places in West Virginia. Like so many old ‘institutions’ across the country, the patients are Trans-Allegheny were grossly mistreated. Construction started on the building in 1858, originally to house 250 patients. But overtime, that number increased, reaching its peak of 2400 patients during the 1950s. It was awfully overcrowded, and many people died from the terrible living conditions. Many say that these tormented souls still roam the halls today.
2. West Virginia Penitentiary, Moundsville
The abandoned prison has been the sight of some horrific happenings. There have been over 100 executions, as well as several deaths during riots and fires. The prison is no longer in operation, but guests and guards reported paranormal activity even before it shut down. Now, there are regular tours of the prison, where visitors describe hearing disembodied voices, inexplicable noises, and bloodcurdling screams. People also they suddenly felt very cold around some parts of the prison, and even saw shadowy figures. The bravest of visitors can even stay overnight. Would you dare?
3. Sweet Springs Sanitarium, Sweet Springs
Sweet Springs was a highly prestigious mineral spring resort. People from all over the state would come to relax by the calming springs. Some particularly A-List clientele include George Washington, General Robert E. Lee, and Jerome Bonaparte. The numbers dwindled during and after the Civil War, eventually closing in 1930. During the early 1940s, the resort operated as a sanitarium for patients suffering with tuberculosis. It then became a retirement home in 1945. With so much death, both as a sanitarium and as a retirement home, Sweet Springs is considered to be one of the most haunted places in West Virginia. The death toll is thought to be in the thousands. Given its haunted reputation, the building’s been featured on Destination Fear and Paranormal Lockdown.
4. Blennerhassett Hotel, Parkersburg
The Blennerhassett Hotel is considered to be one the most haunted places in West Virginia. A man named William Chancellor was responsible for the hotel during the late 1800s. According to some, he never left. Visitors and guests say they’ve seen a man dressed in a tuxedo, standing in the mirrors. They’ve also heard unexplained knocking. Another ghostly encounter happened in the hallways, when a guest came across the ghosts of children playing. The hotel is so proud of its haunted reputation, they even offer spooky ghost tours.
5. Lewisburg Historical District, Lewisburg
West Virginia has a lot of haunted towns or areas, particularly Lewisburg Historical District. There are several local haunts in the town, one being the Old Stone Church. The church served as a hospital during the Civil War, and local and visitors say they hear what seem to be the cries and moans of soldiers in pain. Another haunted spot is the General Lewis Inn, which supposedly has three spirits who like to play a few tricks. We could go on, but the most famous ghost story of Lewisburg is of Elva Zona Hester Shue. Elva’s death was originally ruled as a heart attack, but she later appeared to her mother to tell her that was in fact, her husband.
6. 22 Mine Road, Logan
22 Mine Road is said to be haunted by its previous owner, Mamie Thurman. Mamie was a flapper during the Prohibition era and was tragically found dead, alone in her home. While it’s common knowledge that a well-to-do banker that was having an affair with Mamie is the murderer, a local handyman went down for the crime. Her body was also never found, so the investigation went stale. Maybe that’s why Mamie’s restless spirit never really left 22 Mine Road, in search of justice and peace.
7. Lake Shawnee Amusement Park, Mercer County
Lake Shawnee Amusement Park officially closed its doors in 1966, but not after several chilling deaths occurred there. In the late 1700s, a white settler named Mitchell Clay attempted to steal the land that the amusement park sits on from the local tribe of Shawnee Indians, resulting in a bloodbath. It was these deaths that supposedly cursed the land, unbeknown to the businessman that bought the land and built an amusement park on it. Since its opening in 1920, several people tragically died as a result of unexplainable accidents. Given its history of death and violence, the land is considered to be one of the most haunted places in West Virginia.
