The history behind 40 of the most haunted places in America

Sarah Schmalbruch,Talia LakritzOct 14, 2020, 21:01 IST

The interior of the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in Weston, West Virginia.David Smith/AP

America is full of creepy ghost towns, abandoned buildings, and haunted forests.
Shadowy figures, laughter, and footsteps have all been reported as paranormal activity within Philadelphia's Eastern State Penitentiary, a former prison.
The Winchester Mystery House in California was essentially built to be haunted, and once had 200 rooms, 10,000 windows, and 2,000 trap doors, regular doors, and spy holes.
You can spend the night at the Lizzie Borden house, the scene of the gruesome murders of Andrew and Abby Borden.

There's a haunted spot to be found in every state.

But which are the most haunted in America? We found 40 places in the US that are known for their paranormal activity. They range from hotels to lighthouses to former prisons.

The stories behind why ghosts lurk in these spots are fascinating and often gruesome tales.

Keep scrolling for some interesting history and a good scare.

During its heyday, Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was one of the most expensive and well-known prisons in the world.

Eastern State Penitentiary. Matt Rourke / AP

Built in the late 1700s, The King's Tavern is one of the oldest buildings in Mississippi.

King's Tavern. Google Maps

Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California, was built by the widow of a famous gun manufacturer.

Winchester Mystery House. JHVEPhoto/Shutterstock

The Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast in Fall River, Massachusetts, was the site of a grisly murder.

The Lizzie Borden house. Donna Hageman/Chicago Tribune/TNS via Getty Images

A woman in a purple dress is said to haunt the women's bathroom of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Depot in Salt Lake City, Utah.

What is now the Utah State Historical Society. Google Maps

The St. Augustine Lighthouse is Florida's first lighthouse and the city's oldest surviving brick structure, and it's said to be haunted.

St. Augustine Lighthouse. Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

Known as one of America's most haunted homes, the Myrtles Plantation in St. Francisville, Louisiana, started as a working mansion during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

The Myrtles Plantation. Roberto Michel/Shutterstock

Known as one of America's most haunted homes, the Myrtles Plantation in St. Francisville, Louisiana, started as a working mansion during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

The Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio, offers ghost-hunting classes and a tour led by a former prisoner.

The Ohio State Reformatory. Tony Dejak/AP

The LaLaurie Mansion in New Orleans, Louisiana, is said to be haunted by the ghosts of the owner's victims.

The LaLaurie Mansion. Steven Wagner/Getty Images

The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in Weston, West Virginia, practiced lobotomies and electroshock therapy.

A recreation of a patient receiving hydrotherapy treatment at the asylum. David Smith/AP

Guests say the ship RMS Queen Mary is haunted by ghosts of those who died onboard.

RMS Queen Mary docked in Long Beach, California. Brittany Murray/MediaNews Group/Long Beach Press-Telegram via Getty Images

Dock Street Theatre in Charleston, South Carolina, is one of the oldest theaters in America.

Dock Street Theatre. traveler1116/Getty Images

Hotel Monte Vista in Flagstaff, Arizona, which opened in 1927, has a plethora of hotel guests who just never left.

Hotel Monte Vista. PICTOR PICTURE COMPANY/Shutterstock

Poinsett Bridge in Greenville, South Carolina, is rumored to be home to multiple ghosts.

Poinsett Bridge. Arcade Photo/Shutterstock

There have been some strange occurrences on the 19th floor of the Lord Baltimore Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland.

The Lord Baltimore Hotel. Spencer Platt/Getty Images

The Pittock Mansion in Portland, Oregon, was built in 1914.

Pittock Mansion. ARTYOORAN/Shutterstock

Reports of paranormal activity at Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Louisville, Kentucky, inspired a horror movie.

Waverly Hills Sanatorium. Dylan Lovan/AP

The New London Ledge Lighthouse in New London, Connecticut, is said to be haunted by the spirit of its former keeper.

New London Ledge Lighthouse. Laura Stone/Shutterstock

The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, served as the inspiration behind Stephen King's novel, "The Shining," which later became a cult-favorite horror movie.

Stanley Hotel. Sean Xu/Shutterstock

Sloss Furnaces in Birmingham, Alabama, is said to be haunted by former employees.

Sloss Furnaces. IA Fillm Group/Shutterstock

Room 410 in the Queen Anne Hotel in San Francisco, California, is said to be haunted.

Queen Anne Hotel. Google Maps.

The 'Iolani Palace in Honolulu, Hawaii, has been known to exhibit some paranormal activity.

'Iolani Palace. Shutterstock

People say the Indiana Medical History Museum in Indianapolis is haunted by former patients.

Indiana Medical History Museum. Google Maps

The Crescent Hotel and Spa in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, is said to be haunted by a patient who died at the hands of a man pretending to be a doctor.

Crescent Hotel in Arkansas. RaksyBH/Shutterstock

Pine Barrens, New Jersey, is said to be home to the infamous Jersey Devil.

Forests of the New Jersey Pine Barrens. Jorge Moro/Shutterstock

Amityville Horror House in Amityville, New York, was the scene of a mass murder.

Amityville Horror House. Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images

Legend has it that room 525 is particularly haunted at the Driskill Hotel, Austin, Texas.

Driskill Hotel. Ritu Manoj Jethani/Shutterstock

The Shanghai Tunnels in Portland, Oregon, have a dark history.

A basement that was part of the Shanghai Tunnels. John C Magee/Getty Images

Stull Cemetery in Stull, Kansas, is considered by many people to be one of the "gateways to Hell."

Stull Cemetery. Google Maps

The Detroit Masonic Temple in Michigan is filled with winding staircases, hidden compartments, and cavernous arches perfect for ghostly residents.

The Detroit Masonic Temple. Roel Paulme/Shutterstock

Thornewood Castle Inn and Gardens in Tacoma, Washington, was featured in Stephen King's mini-series "Rose Red" in 2002 as the haunted mansion.

Thornewood Castle Inn and Gardens in "Rose Red." ABC

Fort Delaware in Delaware City, Delaware, was used to imprison Confederate soldiers during the Civil War.

Fort Delaware. Kelleher Photography/Shutterstock

The ghost of the former mistress of the Luna Mansion in Los Lunas, New Mexico, has been spotted dining there, according to longtime employees.

The Luna Mansion. Google Maps

The ghost of a librarian is said to haunt Hutchinson Library in Hutchinson, Kansas.

Hutchinson Public Library. Google Maps

The culprit of the crimes at Villisca Ax Murder House in Villisca, Iowa, remains a mystery.

Villisca Axe Murder House. Google Maps

The Orpheum Theatre in Memphis, Tennessee, is said to be haunted by the ghost of a little girl named Mary.

The Orpheum Theater. Harold Stiver/Shutterstock

Brumder Mansion Bed and Breakfast in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, used to house a speakeasy.

Brumder Mansion Bed and Breakfast. Google Maps

North Dakota's old governor's residence is said to be haunted.

North Dakota's old governor's residence. Jordan McAlister/Contributor/Getty Images

Franklin Castle, also known as Tiedemann House, Cleveland, Ohio, was once a stately home that sits abandoned today.

Franklin Castle in Cleveland. Google Maps

According to legend, the ghost of a girl who died from a poisoned clarinet reed haunts Centennial Hall in Valentine, Nebraska.

Centennial Hall. Google Maps.

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The history behind 40 of the most haunted places in America

During its heyday, Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was one of the most expensive and well-known prisons in the world.

Built in the late 1700s, The King's Tavern is one of the oldest buildings in Mississippi.

Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California, was built by the widow of a famous gun manufacturer.

The Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast in Fall River, Massachusetts, was the site of a grisly murder.

A woman in a purple dress is said to haunt the women's bathroom of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Depot in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The St. Augustine Lighthouse is Florida's first lighthouse and the city's oldest surviving brick structure, and it's said to be haunted.

Known as one of America's most haunted homes, the Myrtles Plantation in St. Francisville, Louisiana, started as a working mansion during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

The Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio, offers ghost-hunting classes and a tour led by a former prisoner.

The LaLaurie Mansion in New Orleans, Louisiana, is said to be haunted by the ghosts of the owner's victims.

The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in Weston, West Virginia, practiced lobotomies and electroshock therapy.

Guests say the ship RMS Queen Mary is haunted by ghosts of those who died onboard.

Dock Street Theatre in Charleston, South Carolina, is one of the oldest theaters in America.

Hotel Monte Vista in Flagstaff, Arizona, which opened in 1927, has a plethora of hotel guests who just never left.

Poinsett Bridge in Greenville, South Carolina, is rumored to be home to multiple ghosts.

There have been some strange occurrences on the 19th floor of the Lord Baltimore Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland.

The Pittock Mansion in Portland, Oregon, was built in 1914.

Reports of paranormal activity at Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Louisville, Kentucky, inspired a horror movie.

The New London Ledge Lighthouse in New London, Connecticut, is said to be haunted by the spirit of its former keeper.

The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, served as the inspiration behind Stephen King's novel, "The Shining," which later became a cult-favorite horror movie.

Sloss Furnaces in Birmingham, Alabama, is said to be haunted by former employees.

Room 410 in the Queen Anne Hotel in San Francisco, California, is said to be haunted.

The 'Iolani Palace in Honolulu, Hawaii, has been known to exhibit some paranormal activity.

People say the Indiana Medical History Museum in Indianapolis is haunted by former patients.

The Crescent Hotel and Spa in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, is said to be haunted by a patient who died at the hands of a man pretending to be a doctor.

Pine Barrens, New Jersey, is said to be home to the infamous Jersey Devil.

Amityville Horror House in Amityville, New York, was the scene of a mass murder.

Legend has it that room 525 is particularly haunted at the Driskill Hotel, Austin, Texas.

The Shanghai Tunnels in Portland, Oregon, have a dark history.

Stull Cemetery in Stull, Kansas, is considered by many people to be one of the "gateways to Hell."

The Detroit Masonic Temple in Michigan is filled with winding staircases, hidden compartments, and cavernous arches perfect for ghostly residents.

Thornewood Castle Inn and Gardens in Tacoma, Washington, was featured in Stephen King's mini-series "Rose Red" in 2002 as the haunted mansion.

Fort Delaware in Delaware City, Delaware, was used to imprison Confederate soldiers during the Civil War.

The ghost of the former mistress of the Luna Mansion in Los Lunas, New Mexico, has been spotted dining there, according to longtime employees.

The ghost of a librarian is said to haunt Hutchinson Library in Hutchinson, Kansas.

The culprit of the crimes at Villisca Ax Murder House in Villisca, Iowa, remains a mystery.

The Orpheum Theatre in Memphis, Tennessee, is said to be haunted by the ghost of a little girl named Mary.

Brumder Mansion Bed and Breakfast in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, used to house a speakeasy.

North Dakota's old governor's residence is said to be haunted.

Franklin Castle, also known as Tiedemann House, Cleveland, Ohio, was once a stately home that sits abandoned today.

According to legend, the ghost of a girl who died from a poisoned clarinet reed haunts Centennial Hall in Valentine, Nebraska.