1. The Lizzie Borden House – Massachusetts
Massachusetts has no shortage of eerie tales, but the Lizzie Borden House is uniquely chilling. Lizzie Borden was accused of brutally murdering her parents with an axe in 1892, and the house in Fall River has been a hotspot for ghost stories ever since. Some claim to hear the thud of footsteps and feel sudden temperature drops in the rooms where the murders occurred. The story is so linked to Massachusetts history that it’s become a tourist attraction.
Guests report hearing whispers and seeing fleeting shadows in the bedrooms. Paranormal investigators have captured unexplained noises on recorders. Even skeptics can’t deny the house’s creepy energy. This makes it one of the most famous haunted locations tied exclusively to Massachusetts.
2. The Ghosts of Alcatraz – California
Alcatraz Island is synonymous with prisons, but it’s also infamous for its ghostly residents. Visitors and staff report hearing footsteps, disembodied voices, and eerie wails in the abandoned cell blocks. Stories often mention a mysterious figure called the “Guard Tower Ghost,” who appears in the night. The island’s unique history as a federal prison gives these ghost stories a chilling realism.
The hauntings seem to intensify in certain cells, especially those once housing notorious inmates like Al Capone. Some visitors claim cold spots and sudden gusts of wind in areas that are otherwise sealed. It’s the combination of real historical suffering and isolation that makes these spirits feel so grounded. California’s Alcatraz is truly a one-of-a-kind haunt.
3. The Myrtles Plantation – Louisiana
Louisiana is rich in ghost stories, but the Myrtles Plantation stands out as particularly infamous. Built in 1796, it’s often called one of America’s most haunted homes. Tales include a former slave named Chloe, who supposedly haunts the plantation after a tragic incident involving poisoned guests. Tourists flock to Louisiana just to experience the alleged paranormal activity.
Visitors and staff have reported seeing shadowy figures, hearing children laughing, and catching glimpses of apparitions in mirrors. The plantation’s deep roots in antebellum history make the stories more compelling. Each room is said to carry its own unique energy. Louisiana locals treat the Myrtles as both a historic site and a ghostly landmark.
4. The Bell Witch – Tennessee
The Bell Witch legend is one of the most famous ghost stories in Tennessee, and it’s been terrifying locals since the early 19th century. According to the tale, the Bell family of Adams, Tennessee, was haunted by a mysterious spirit that tormented them with strange noises, physical attacks, and eerie messages. The story is so entrenched in Tennessee culture that it has influenced movies, books, and even local tourism. It’s a story deeply tied to one location, making it uniquely Tennessee.
What makes this haunting memorable is its supposed intelligence. The spirit, often referred to as Kate, seemed to interact with the Bell family, responding to questions and even predicting events. Historians have debated its authenticity, but locals swear by it. Visiting Adams today, you can still find Bell Witch Cave, a site people claim radiates the same chilling energy.
5. The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum – West Virginia
West Virginia’s Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum carries a chilling legacy. Built in the mid-1800s, it housed thousands of patients under harsh conditions. Visitors report hearing voices, screams, and even apparitions of former patients wandering the halls. It’s considered one of the most haunted places in the state because the history is so uniquely West Virginian.
The asylum’s architecture contributes to its eerie reputation. Long, dark corridors and decaying walls create the perfect environment for ghost stories. Paranormal tours offer glimpses of the building’s haunted history. Many swear that spirits of past patients have never left.
6. St. Augustine Lighthouse – Florida
Florida’s oldest city has its share of ghost tales, but the St. Augustine Lighthouse is especially famous. Several tragic deaths occurred during its construction and operation, leading to reports of unexplained shadows and ghostly figures climbing the lighthouse steps. Some visitors claim to hear children laughing and voices calling out at night. The lighthouse’s maritime history makes the stories hauntingly specific to St. Augustine.
Paranormal investigators have documented objects moving and strange sounds in the lighthouse tower. Many believe the spirits are protective rather than malevolent. The combination of local lore and real tragedies gives this story a special authenticity. For Florida ghost enthusiasts, the lighthouse is a must-see.
7. The Spalding House – Idaho
Idaho may not be the first state you think of for ghost stories, but the Spalding House brings chills to the area. Located in Lapwai, it’s rumored to be haunted by Native American spirits and early settlers. Visitors report flickering lights, sudden drops in temperature, and the feeling of unseen presences. Its story is uniquely Idahoan, tied to the state’s history and local legends.
Some say the spirits are linked to disputes over land and the hardships of early settlers. Ghost hunters claim to capture strange EVP recordings inside the house. The combination of history and paranormal activity keeps the story alive. Locals treat it as a place of both curiosity and caution.
8. Waverly Hills Sanatorium – Kentucky
Kentucky’s Waverly Hills Sanatorium has earned a reputation as one of the most terrifying haunted hospitals in America. Originally a tuberculosis hospital in the early 20th century, it’s associated with numerous deaths and strange occurrences. Visitors report shadowy figures, eerie noises, and even sightings of ghostly nurses. Its history of disease and isolation makes it uniquely Kentucky.
The infamous “body chute” is said to be one of the most haunted areas. Paranormal tours often highlight it for spine-chilling experiences. Many people report feeling sudden fear or heaviness while inside. The combination of tragedy and abandoned architecture creates a deeply haunting atmosphere.
9. The Witches of Salem – Massachusetts
Salem is synonymous with witch trials, and the spirits of that time supposedly still linger. Massachusetts locals and visitors report hearing whispers, seeing figures in colonial attire, and experiencing sudden chills near historic trial sites. The ghost stories are directly tied to the 1692 Salem Witch Trials. No other state has this exact combination of history and haunting.
Walking through the old cemeteries or the Witch House, visitors claim to sense lingering fear and tension. Some say spectral figures reenact scenes from the trials at night. The legend has been immortalized in books and films, but the location-specific hauntings remain uniquely Massachusetts. It’s history and horror intertwined.
10. The Stanley Hotel – Colorado
Colorado’s Stanley Hotel is famous for inspiring Stephen King’s The Shining, and the hauntings here are legendary. Guests report ghostly apparitions, piano music playing on its own, and mysterious footsteps in empty hallways. Its isolated location in Estes Park adds to the eeriness. This hotel is uniquely Colorado, both in geography and story.
One of the most famous spirits is F.O. Stanley himself, appearing in the music room. Paranormal investigators and curious tourists flock to experience its unsettling energy firsthand. Even skeptics admit that something feels “off” inside the historic building. The Stanley Hotel blends Colorado history with classic ghost lore.
11. The RMS Queen Mary – California
Docked permanently in Long Beach, California, the RMS Queen Mary is rumored to be haunted by passengers and crew. People have reported seeing apparitions in the engine room and hearing mysterious footsteps along the decks. The ship’s oceanic history and tragic incidents during its active years fuel these ghost stories. California’s maritime ghost lore wouldn’t be complete without it.
Some claim the spirits of those lost at sea wander the halls. Investigators have recorded unexplained sounds and temperature drops. Ghost tours onboard make it one of the state’s top paranormal attractions. Its stories are tied to both the ship’s history and its permanent location in California.
12. The Villisca Axe Murder House – Iowa
Iowa’s Villisca Axe Murder House is infamous for a gruesome crime in 1912. Eight people were brutally killed, and the case remains unsolved, leaving room for ghostly speculation. Visitors report hearing screams, doors slamming, and seeing shadowy figures in the rooms. The haunting is deeply tied to Iowa’s history and the small town of Villisca.
Paranormal investigators have documented sudden drops in temperature and unexplained sounds. Many visitors experience intense unease while inside the house. It’s a story that combines tragedy with local lore in a way no other state can replicate. For Iowa, this house is the ultimate ghostly landmark.
This post 12 Ghost Stories That Only Exist in One State was first published on American Charm.
