The 10 Most Haunted Places In Savannah Georgia To Visit
There’s no place in the south quite as breathtakingly beautiful as the preserved historic district of Savannah, Georgia. Cobbled streets, horse and buggies, blooming bursts of color from azalea bushes in amazingly perfect squares, and sprawling mansions of grandeur and excellence; Savannah is the perfect place to indulge the senses….smell, taste, and sight. But, like any ray of brilliant light, it casts its own shadows and harbors its own secrets. Come along for tales of murder, betrayal, heartbreak and horror. Let’s learn about a few of Savannah’s long lingering spirits of the dead. Here are the 10 most haunted places in Savannah Georgia:
10. The Mercer-Williams House
While it was once home to lyricist Johnny Mercer, this house is much more famous for its other resident, Jim Williams. A noted Savannah antiques dealer at the center of John Berendt’s best-selling book “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil”, Williams was tried four times for the murder of Danny Hansford, which allegedly took place in this elegantly pristine home. Your allowed to visit and tour the first floor, but the upstairs is off limits. Could it be due to the two male apparitions seen walking the hallways together? Or maybe because of the alleged sightings of a young boy falling to his death and impaling himself repeatedly on the wrought iron fence spikes outside? Either way, do be sure not to mention them while there.
The owners of The Mercer-Williams House want it to be known as a museum of a time gone by, not a house full of haunted horrors. Be sure to hold your tongue…..
9. The Marshall House
On our next stop, feel free to speak of experiences beyond the norm. The Marshall House is well known as one of the most haunted hotels in Savannah. Once used as a Civil War hospital by Confederate forces, the echoes of pain and agony still resound through this massive establishment. Keep your eyes open for the “guests” who’ve been spotted roaming the halls in Civil War attire and uniforms, even though they visit from beyond the grave. Oh, but don’t worry if you receive a fright late at night! For your convenience, there’s also a spectral nurse who goes room to room checking vitals late into the night……
8. The Lucas Theatre
Built in 1921, The Lucas Theatre has seen more than enough individuals coming and going to every movie, concert, play, ballet, and production that they’ve housed inside those grand walls. However, rumor has it, there are spectators who actually never leave. Whether witnessed through shadowy figures billowing in the balcony, or by hearing the ghostly applause of an empty house, The Lucas Theatre is sure to leave a few hairs standing on the nape of your neck.
7. Dockside Seafood
While not quite as well known for its haunted history, Dockside Seafood helps to set the bar for “after hour activities”. I personally have a friend who used to work here and she vouches wholeheartedly for the spook factor being ramped up after closing time. “We’d close up at night…chairs on top of tables, etc., and sometimes we’d come in the next morning to chairs and other objects not being where they were left. There were also so many times you could feel that you were being watched even though you were, technically, alone. An overall creepiness.”
6. 17 Hundred 90 Inn
One of the more well-known haunted attractions, 17 Hundred 90 Inn and Restaurant is thought to be home to several restless souls. Room 204 is said to be occupied by a young woman named Anna, who was betrayed by her lover….. left unwed and pregnant. Overcome with shame and guilt, she jumped from this window and fell to her death. When the room is empty, heartbroken sobs can be heard from outside of the door. When there are guests, jewelry may be moved around or she may watch you as you sleep. Extremely sad, but Anna is a gentle soul….unlike the entity believed to be a Voodoo practitioner that haunts every building of the property. This entity has a habit of frequenting the pub area, as well as throwing kitchenware and pushing ladies to the floor. Heads up when you visit here…..
5. The Pirate’s House
For any fan of pirate lore, The Pirate’s House is sure to mesmerize beyond reason. One famous haunt, Captain Flint from the famed Treasure Island story, is said to have made The Pirate’s House his home away from ship. Whether he was an actual person and not just a work of fiction is left up to the imagination. An actual tunnel below the restaurant that leads to the seashore is very real though. Believed to be used to shuffle extremely drunk patrons into a life at sea, The Pirate’s House is haunted by numerous 18th to 19th century seamen. Dishes, chairs, and other objects are known to move around by themselves at night while a ghostly laughter drifts down from the storage area of the second floor. Amusement after death? We can only hope.
4. The Gribble House
Long since torn down, you are cordially invited to investigate the grounds of The Old Gribble House, which happen to be occupied by an actively haunted 15,000 square foot warehouse now. In 1909, the site was home to one of the most brutal triple murders in Savannah’s history! Drawing national attention, the witch hunt for a murderer left a lasting mark on this sleepy city. This particular area is still drawing national attention as it was featured on “Ghost Adventures” a paranormal investigation television show a few years ago. These spirits have something to say and apparently freely try to communicate with any of the living who are brave enough to listen…..
3. The Sorrel-Weed House
Built in 1837, The Sorrel-Weed House is a paranormal hot spot for professional investigators and skeptical enthusiasts, alike. There are a huge amount of haunted tales that come from visitors to this abode. They range anywhere from hearing the distinct sounds of war, to feeling immediately sick upon entering “The Voodoo Room”, to following sounds of a terrific party to a completely dark and empty room. Chilling to the very core, this famous Savannah attraction is open to Ghost Tours.
2. Bonaventure Cemetery
What better way to come in contact with the dead than by visiting a cemetery, right? Luckily for you, Savannah has MANY to choose from. The most famous, and arguably most haunted, of these final resting places, is Bonaventure Cemetery. The moss covered graves and monuments of this hauntingly beautiful graveyard date back over two centuries. Rumored to be filled with shadows of creepy movement, whispers that float on the gentle Georgia breeze, and statues that cry blood on occasion; Bonaventure is sure to leave you questioning life after death.
1. Moon River Brewing Company
Left abandoned for over 150 years after the Civil War, The Moon River Brewing Company is ripe with paranormal activity. Also featured on the aforementioned Ghost Adventures television show, there are many documented cases of ghostly interactions between the living and the dead here. If you crave attention from ghostly apparitions, this is where you need to be. The dead here are very hands on, grabbing shoulders, arms, hands, whatever they can reach. They try to communicate and have been known to make themselves seen, and certainly felt, to patrons of the establishment. I’m sure they’re ready to meet you just as soon as you get up the courage to meet them….. 😉
Respect the Grounds. Respect the Dead. Everyone wants to bring home something from Savannah…..but a spiritual attachment isn’t one of them.
Have you visited any of these haunted places in Savannah Georgia? Share your experiences below!
