10 places in the US with a haunted history to visit if you dare
From some notoriously eerie places that you likely have heard a ghost story or two about, to some other less notable towns in the country, there's surely something for everyone to check out.
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Spooky season is upon us, and despite only being 250 years old, America has its fair share of haunted history.
Many people love the Halloween season for the spooky things that come along with it: horror movies, creepy costumes, scary stories, haunted houses, you name it. But what about those places where haunting is their reality?
From some notoriously eerie places that you likely have heard a ghost story or two about, to some other less notable towns in the country, there's surely something for everyone to check out.
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Here are 10 places in America with a haunting past:
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia, is well-known as one of the most haunted places in the U.S.
One of the oldest established cities in America, Savannah has a long list of reasons why it's haunted.
A trolley stops to pick up passengers on River Street in Savannah, Georgia, U.S., on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015.
(Ty Wright/Bloomberg / Getty Images)
Deadly battles during the American Revolution and Civil War contribute to its spooky past. Additionally, many people believe the souls of those who died from Yellow Fever outbreaks in the 19th century wander around Savannah's historic cobblestone streets still today.
Finally, two massive fires that broke out in 1796 and 1820 destroyed hundreds of buildings in Savannah and took many lives.
Calico, California
This Western mining town boomed in the 1880s when silver was discovered. A few years later, the silver was tapped out and borax mining, which also helped keep the town alive, faded away as well, according to San Bernardino County.
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Ghost town. Calico. California. United States of America.
(Giovanni Mereghetti/UCG/Universal Images Group / Getty Images)
People who visit Calico, California, report seeing ghosts walking through the abandoned streets and the town has a past of tragic mining accidents which shaped its legacy as a ghost town.
Salem, Massachusetts
Salem, Massachusetts' haunted past stems back to 1692 and 1693 when the Salem Witch Trials began.
More than 200 people were accused of witchcraft. At least 25 of those people were executed or died in jail, according to the Salem Witch Museum.
The House of the seven Gables. In 1668, merchant and ship-owner John Turner built a house on Salem Harbor that was destined to become one of America's most beloved historic homes. Salem. Massachusetts. New England. USA.
(Paolo Picciotto/REDA/Universal Images Group / Getty Images)
Proctor's Ledge was where a majority of the trials and executions took place. Many people believe this area of colonial Salem is haunted by those accused and executed for witchcraft.
Key West, Florida
The Florida Keys have long had rumors of being haunted, with the supposed most haunted being Key West.
The haunted history of Key West can be attributed to a series of shipwrecks and the Fort East Mortello Museum, which houses the infamous "Robert the Doll."
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Key West, USA - August 26, 2014: people walk along the main street in Key West with shops at night. The scenic Main street is the touristic main shopping area for tourists.
(travelview / Getty Images)
Robert the Doll is supposedly the most haunted doll in America, according to Haunted Key West. The doll was made in the early 1900s and given to a boy in Key West named Robert Eugene Otto in 1904. He took it everywhere with him, some saying the two had a unique and indescribable bond. Otto kept the doll until he died in 1974, and it changed hands several times, with some caretakers claiming the doll was haunted by a child spirit.
It was discarded under a sheet in the Fort East Mortello Museum, until it was eventually rediscovered, cared for and placed on display, where it remains today.
New Orleans
New Orleans' haunted past is somewhat similar to Savannah's, a city that suffered from Yellow Fever, violence, fires and most notably, tragedy and death.
Yellow Fever overtook the city throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, killing thousands of people at its peak.
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Bourbon Street at Night, New Orleans, Louisiana
(Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group / Getty Images)
Locals claim several of New Orleans' haunted buildings stem from the Civil War-era, where violent stories of tragedy towards the enslaved occurred.
Others claim New Orleans isn't just haunted by ghosts, but real-life vampires. Exaggerated history intertwines with centuries-old tales to bring The Big Easy its vampiric reputation.
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, gets its haunted reputation for being the deadliest, bloodiest battle site during the Civil War.
On July 1, 1863, the Battle of Gettysburg began between the Union and Confederate armies. For three days, the battle continued, ending on July 3, marking a turning point during the Civil War.
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A view of "Cemetery Hill" in Gettysburg National Military Park in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on March 22, 2025.
(Matthew Hatcher / AFP / Getty Images)
Historians estimate 50,000 people died during the Battle of Gettysburg. Today, a number of buildings in the town claim to be haunted.
Jefferson, Texas
Jefferson is reportedly the most haunted town in Texas. This small town is near the Louisiana border and was once a steamboat river port.
Gazebo and American Flag in Downtown Jefferson Texas
(Marti157900 / Getty Images)
This town has a number of reportedly haunted locations, including several historic hotels dating back to before the Civil War.
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is another southern city with haunted lore. Much like New Orleans and Savannah, disease, slavery and the Civil War shape the city's history.
Once a major port for goods and slavery trade, Charleston, South Carolina, saw thousands of people each year starting in the 17th and 18th centuries when the city was founded.
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South Carolina, Charleston, Historic Downtown, Broad Street, Charleston single house at dusk.
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Because of the amount of trading, yellow fever outbreaks were common in the city from the 17th to 19th century.
Additionally, locals claim numerous historic buildings scattered throughout Charleston are haunted.
Alton, Illinois
Perhaps a lesser-known haunted place, Alton, Illinois, is said to be one of the most haunted small towns in America.
Locals say disease, murder, Civil War-era violence and more shape the town's haunted history.
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A Victorian-era building on a hilltop near a cobblestone street in Alton, Illinois
(Sabrina Gordon / Getty Images)
Several buildings are reported to be haunted, including a mansion, a church and an early 20th-century schoolhouse.
St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine is the oldest city in the U.S., with a history spanning more than four centuries, allowing for a lot of haunting.
This city, like many other historic cities on the list, features a past of yellow fever, military sieges and, unlike others, pirate attacks.
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Saint Augustine, United States – November 19, 2022: The Saint Augustine cityscape decorated with Christmas lights at night
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Spooky sightings and encounters are reported at historic locations across the city, including the lighthouse, the old jail and Castillo de San Marcos, which is widely considered one of the most haunted military forts in the country.
Each of these places bears their own history and charm as well as a spooky background, so don't be afraid to check them out.
If you're into the haunted side of things, all the places on the list offer some type of haunted tour or education.